Irreecha 2025 – Oromo Thanksgiving Festival
Date & Place:
- 4 October 2025 (Addis Ababa by the riverside near the UN-ECA compound. )
- 5 October 2025 (Bishoftu at the scenic Lake Arsadi, one of the most cherished Irreecha sites.)
Irreecha is the vibrant festival of gratitude celebrated by the Oromo people, marking the end of the rainy season and the arrival of Birraa, the bright season of abundance, harvest, and new life. It is a time of thanksgiving for the blessings and mercies received throughout the past year and a moment to honor Waaqaa (Almighty God) with prayers for peace, prosperity, and renewal.
More than a celebration of gratitude, Irreecha reflects the essence of Oromo cultural identity. It strengthens bonds of unity, peace, and reconciliation while bringing families, friends, and communities together. The festival is marked by songs, dances, blessings, and communal feasts, filling the air with joy and cultural pride.
This year, Irreecha will be celebrated from October 4–5 in two major gatherings. On Saturday, October 4, the festival will take place in Addis Ababa by the riverside near the UN-ECA compound. On Sunday, October 5, the celebration will continue in Bishoftu at the scenic Lake Arsadi, one of the most cherished Irreecha sites.
During the celebration, participants dressed in colorful traditional Oromo attire gather by the water, dipping freshly cut green grass and flowers into the river or lake. This symbolic act represents an offering of gratitude and a prayer for peace, harmony, and prosperity in the year ahead. Irreecha is a living tradition that celebrates both cultural heritage and the universal values of unity, thanksgiving, and hope for a brighter future.
