Colour, beauty and joy climaxes Irreecha festival of Ethiopia’s Oromo tribe [Photos]

Irreecha is a thanksgiving religious holiday celebrated by the largest ethnic group in Ethiopia, the Oromo.

Celebrated twice in a year at the end of September or early October as well as during the beginning of the rainy season, the day is set aside to thank Waaqaa (God) for his blessings and protection the previous year and also welcome the new season which is characterized with bountiful harvests.

HE PM Abiy Ahmed sends warmest wishes on the occasion of Irreecha—Thanksgiving day of the Oromo people. As we celebrate Irreecha, let’s all cherish our rich cultural heritages and unite in a shared purpose to build a bright future for our children.#Ethiopia. pic.twitter.com/Sl3CBVYvZD

— Fitsum Arega (@fitsumaregaa) September 29, 2018

The ceremony takes place at Lake Hora-Harsadi in the East Shewa Zone of Ethiopia which is where the Oromos predominantly reside. The occasion is marked with a procession where celebrants hold freshly cut grass which they eventually throw into the lake to give thanks to Waaqaa.

”Ethiopian thanksgiving also known as Irreecha is a major event for about 40 million Oromo https://t.co/XdlLrl4iLw‘s held in Bishoftu city, southeast of the capital, Addis Ababa.”@CGTN GIRUM CHALA REPORTED pic.twitter.com/eOK5twIceR

— Fikiru M Gari (@mesfinfikiru) October 1, 2018

Below are some colourful and beautiful photos shared by celebrants on social media:

Photo via @finfinne6 on Twitter

Photo via @finfinne6 on Twitter

Photo via @hashimadam0541 on Twitter

Photo via @hashimadam0541 on Twitter

Photo via @mwarsame1 on Twitter

Photo via @mwarsame1 on Twitter

Photo via @mwarsame1 on Twitter

Photo via @woldeyes_t on Twitter