Tens of thousands of people gathered at Hora Finfinnee in Addis Ababa on Saturday, October 3, for Irreecha, the Ethiopian News Agency reported. They wore colorful traditional dress at the capital’s lakeside rite that morning, the agency said. The Ethiopian News Agency said the ceremony is held at the end of the rainy season and the beginning of the harvest season. The Hora Arsadi celebration in Bishoftu, also called Hora Harsadii, was scheduled for the next day, the agency said. People carried fresh green grass and flowers to the gathering, the Ethiopian News Agency reported.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed linked Irreecha to justice, equality, love and unity and congratulated the Oromo people and other Ethiopians, as the Ethiopian News Agency reported.
The agency describes Irreecha as thanksgiving to Waaqa, with Irreecha Malkaa held at rivers and lakes and Irreecha Tullu held on hills. Abbaa Gadaas and Abbaa Malkaas guide parts of the rites, and women often carry Siinqee, the Ethiopian News Agency reported. UNESCO inscribed Gadaa on its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2016.
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