Irreecha Unites Hundreds of Thousands in a Vibrant Addis Ababa Celebration

Addis Ababa, October 3, 2026 (ENA)—The celebration of Irreecha, the Oromo people’s thanksgiving festival, is underway in Addis Ababa’s Hora Finfinnee in a vibrant display of culture, tradition, unity, and joy.

From the early morning hours, hundreds of thousands of people gathered at Hora Finfinnee, dressed in colorful and spectacular traditional attire, filling the celebration with music, dance, blessings, and a strong sense of cultural pride.

Abbaa Gadaas, elders, youth, and guests from different walks of life joined the celebration, which vividly showcased the richness and diversity of Oromo cultural heritage.

Beyond its cultural and spiritual significance, Irreecha has increasingly become a powerful symbol of peace, unity, and togetherness, bringing people from across Oromia and other parts of Ethiopia together in a shared celebration.

The festival’s sea of colors, traditional costumes, songs, dances, and rituals created a spectacular cultural scene in the heart of Addis Ababa, attracting participants from across the country and drawing growing international interest.

Irreecha also reflects the enduring values of the Gadaa system, a traditional system of governance and social organization of the Oromo people that has been inscribed by UNESCO on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

The international recognition of Gadaa has further elevated global awareness of Oromo heritage and created opportunities for cultural exchange and tourism, positioning Irreecha as an increasingly important cultural attraction in Ethiopia.

This year’s celebration also resonates with Ethiopia’s broader journey of development and transformation, with culture and heritage increasingly contributing to tourism, social cohesion, and the country’s international cultural profile.

The festival brings together diverse Oromo traditions in an unmatched spectacle of color, culture, and togetherness, making Hora Finfinnee a vibrant meeting place for people celebrating heritage, peace, and unity.

The celebration once again demonstrated how Irreecha has grown beyond a traditional thanksgiving ceremony into a major cultural gathering that brings people together while showcasing Ethiopia’s rich and diverse cultural heritage to the wider world.