- Title: Ethiopia's capital hosts thousands for Irreecha heritage festival
- Date: 5th October 2024
- Summary: ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA (OCTOBER 5, 2024) (REUTERS) MEN CHANTING AND DANCING MAN AND WOMAN PERFORMING TRADITIONAL DANCE MAN BLOWING WHISTLE AND DANCING WOMEN DANCING (SOUNDBITE) (Oromo) FESTIVAL PARTICIPANT FROM GUJI, GOLOLCHA BAALI GOBANA, SAYING: "Irreecha means 'unity.' When this nation comes from all different corners to this place and celebrates Irreecha, it shows its unity. The reason I came from far is to reflect my identity, by being part of this unity." MEN CHANTING AND SINGING MEN PERFORMING TRADITIONAL DANCE WOMEN PERFORMING TRADITIONAL DANCE CLOSE-UP OF DANCERS' FEET (SOUNDBITE) (Amharic) ELDER FROM GEDEO, ABBA GADA BIFA WAQO, SAYING: "Irreecha is Oromo's new year. Now it doesn't belong to only the Oromos. It has become a festival of all of Ethiopia's nations and nationalities. Therefore, we take part in with pleasure, because it includes all nations and nationalities. You can find all ethnicities here. They are here. They came with their own culture, history, languages, and values. It is a place where one appreciates the other. We are happy with what we see here." VARIOUS OF PILGRIMS PERFORMING IRREECHA RITUAL YOUNG WOMAN PERFORMING RITUAL (SOUNDBITE) (Amharic) FESTIVAL PARTICIPANT, GUNNET GIRMA, SAYING: "Irreecha is a culture, and we must celebrate someone's culture. This is a festival that I love attending a lot. I am not Oromo, but I love this culture. That is why I celebrate it. We need to retain our culture well." MEN AND WOMEN PERFORMING TRADITIONAL DANCE MAN SINGING, LEADING SONG MEN CHANTING IN RESPONSE TO LEAD SINGER WOMAN DANCING
- Embargoed: 19th October 2024 17:54
- Keywords: celebration dance ethiopia festival irreecha music oromo spring traditional unity
- Location: ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA
- City: ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA
- Country: Ethiopia
- Topics: Africa,Arts/Culture/Entertainment
- Reuters ID: LVA001956605102024RP1
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:The Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa was filled with celebration on Saturday (October 5) as people gathered for the annual Irreecha festival, marking the end of the rainy season.
Oromo men and women performed traditional dances and chants, continuing an age-old tradition.
"Irreecha means 'unity,'" said Gololcha Baali Gobana, an Oromo man from Guji. "When this nation comes from all different corners to celebrate Irreecha, it shows its unity."
A highlight of the annual culture and heritage festival was the Irreecha ritual, where pilgrims immersed freshly cut grass and flowers in water as a symbol of gratitude. Participants were sprinkled with water, symbolizing purification and renewal.
(Production: Kumerra Gemechu, Mukelwa Hlatshwayo) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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