Irreecha: Ethiopia’s Living Thanksgiving — The Spirit of Unity, Gratitude, and African Identity

By Tiblets Tesfaye Dejene*

The Story of the Black Lord

Back then, it was a world where the sky was not yet high, and civilization had not shaped humanity’s rhythm. In that age of stone and silence, technology was not yet the heartbeat of life, and blackness was misunderstood — a symbol of darkness, backwardness, and the unknown. The Western world had given blackness a meaning of ignorance. Yet, in Ethiopia, and among the Oromo people, blackness has always been sacred.

The Oromo call their God Waaqa Gurr’acha — the Black Lord. He is formless, omnipotent, omniscient, and beyond human comprehension. For the Oromo, black is not the color of shadow, but of depth and origin — the color that holds all creation. Waaqa Gurr’acha is the foundation of life, the source of justice, the unseen hand guiding harmony between humanity and nature.

It is this divine philosophy that gave birth to Irreecha — Ethiopia’s own Thanksgiving Day. Irreecha is not merely a cultural event; it is a timeless ritual of gratitude, reconciliation, and renewal — a moment when the Oromo people, and now Ethiopians and Africans at large, return to the roots of creation to give thanks to their Creator.

The Sacred Roots and Rituals of Irreecha

Irreecha (also spelled Irrecha or Irreessa) connects people to Waaqa, to nature, and to one another. It symbolizes balance — between rain and sunshine, hardship and blessing, chaos and peace. Traditionally, two Irreecha celebrations are held each year:

• Irreecha Birraa (Irreecha Malkaa) — held by the waters at the end of winter, to thank Waaqa for protection and survival through the cold season.
• Irreecha Arfaasaa (Irreecha Tulluu) — held on the hills or mountains before the rains, praying for fertility, health, and abundance.

During these celebrations, participants wear traditional white clothes adorned with colorful embroidery, symbolizing purity and peace. They carry green grass and flowers — symbols of life and renewal — and dip them into sacred waters such as Hora Harsade in Bishoftu or Hora Finfinne in Addis Ababa. Mothers and fathers sing traditional songs, blessing the land and their children, praying that hatred be replaced by peace and reconciliation.

Irreecha Today: From Local Tradition to National Heritage

This year’s Irreecha celebration, held on October 4 and 5, 2025, at Hora Finfinne and Hora Harsade, once again drew millions of participants — not only from the Oromia region but from all across Ethiopia and beyond. Ethiopian national broadcasters (EBC, FBC, and The Ethiopian Herald) reported that the festival attracted both citizens and foreign guests, including diplomats, scholars, and tourists who came to witness Ethiopia’s living culture of peace and gratitude.

Minister of Culture and Sport, Shewit Shanka, emphasized in her remarks that Irreecha is a celebration of peace and prosperity that symbolizes Ethiopia’s unity in diversity. She stated, “Irreecha is not only a thanksgiving ceremony of the Oromo people, but a living symbol of national unity, love, and cultural identity.” She further noted that the government continues to promote Irreecha as a key tourism event, one that reflects the country’s ancient wisdom and its potential as a hub of cultural diplomacy.

EBC’s coverage showed that both Addis Ababa and Bishoftu were filled with joyful crowds waving flowers and green grass, singing songs of thanksgiving. Local elders offered blessings, saying, “Waaqa has given us peace, and our children shall live in unity.” The Ethiopian Herald highlighted the participation of youth and women’s associations, adding that Irreecha today serves as a bridge between generations — keeping ancient wisdom alive in a modern context.

Unity, Heritage, and African Identity

Irreecha has evolved from a local Oromo ceremony into a pan-Ethiopian and increasingly African celebration. It now draws people of different ethnicities, faiths, and nationalities, showcasing Ethiopia’s capacity for peaceful coexistence. As visitors gather around the lakes with flowers and smiles, they are not only expressing gratitude to Waaqa, but also reaffirming their belief in harmony and African solidarity.

Irreecha embodies the Oromo moral principles of nagaa (peace), tokkummaa (unity), and safuu (moral order). These values resonate across Africa, where gratitude to the Creator and respect for nature are shared spiritual pillars. Many cultural experts have described Irreecha as one of Africa’s purest indigenous thanksgiving festivals — a ceremony that reminds us of the continent’s philosophical depth and environmental consciousness.

Dr. Bekele Gutema, a cultural anthropologist, once wrote that “Irreecha is the heart of African gratitude — it teaches that balance between human and nature is the truest form of civilization.”

Heritage Preservation, Tourism, and Professionalism

Irreecha is closely tied to the Gadaa system — the traditional Oromo democratic governance model, which has been recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This link reinforces the argument that Irreecha itself deserves similar global recognition. Efforts are underway by the Ministry of Culture and regional bureaus to nominate Irreecha for UNESCO heritage status, emphasizing its contribution to peace, inclusion, and African identity.

According to *The Ethiopian Herald*, Ethiopia’s national tourism board has included Irreecha as one of the country’s flagship cultural events, encouraging both domestic and international tourists to explore Oromia during the festival season. Hospitality businesses, artisans, and transport sectors also benefit, turning the event into a driver of local economic growth while promoting Ethiopia’s positive image abroad.

Professionalism is vital in preserving Irreecha’s sacred meaning. As scholars emphasize, the festival must not lose its spiritual essence to commercialization. Journalists and cultural promoters are urged to report with accuracy, empathy, and respect for local values. As Minister Shewit Shanka noted, “Our responsibility is to protect Irreecha’s integrity while opening it to the world.”

Conclusion: A Celebration of Gratitude and Hope

Irreecha is not only a festival; it is a philosophy — a reminder that gratitude is strength, and unity is divine. It is Ethiopia’s living Thanksgiving, deeply rooted in ancient wisdom yet alive in modern hearts. As the green grass meets the water, as songs of peace echo across lakes and valleys, Irreecha continues to remind Africa that harmony is not a dream — it is a practice, a way of life.

Each year, as the people lift their flowers toward the sky, they declare: darkness has lifted, Waaqa has shown mercy, and a new era begins. Irreecha remains the harbinger of light, a timeless song of gratitude from the heart of Ethiopia to the soul of Africa.

*Originally published in CAJ Magazine