By Girum Chala
Bishoftu a small town of lakes located some 30 kilometres out side of Addis Ababa has brought together an estimated 5 million Oromos for this year’s grand Irreecha celebration.
As it is enshrined in theirs culture, people of Oromo from different walks of lives, both from within the country and abroad, gathered for the thanksgiving festival.
“We wish our holiday to bring prosperity and happiness for all of us,”26 year old Tarikua Roba said.
Usually the formal celebration of Irreecha in Bishoftu starts with Abba Geda’s also known as Geda fathers blessings. They bless the Oromo and the country as a whole for more health, wealth and above all for peace, love and unity.
“The Irrecha celebrations is an exciting festival for anyone. People of Oromo have a colorful culture and heritage. When you see all of the people together for just one purpose makes one so excited. We wish next year to be even bigger,” an excited 25-year-old Kuli Zeleke said.
Last year, deaths due a stampede were reported during the Irreecha festival..and large anti government protests were also witnessed.
The police are reported to have fired tear gas to break up an ethnic Oromo protest during the festival. An estimated two million people were attending the annual Irrecha event in Bishoftu town, 40km southeast of the capital.
This year too, few people were seen at the event demanding more political and economic rights for people of Oromo.
However no security personnel were allowed to interfere or be present especially at the main event.
The festival which is part of the UNESCO registered Gedda system displayed colorful, mesmerizing and peaceful thanksgiving gathering by the Oromo.
