Thousands gather for Ethiopia’s thanksgiving festival

In Addis Ababa, tens of thousands gathered on October 4th to commemorate “Irreecha”, also known as the Oromo festival, which is Ethiopia’s thanksgiving celebration, according to Africanews via AP.

Those who took part were clad in traditional white clothes and conveyed gratitude to God, whom they refer to as Waaqa. The festival reportedly works to engender harmony and cohesion.

Irreecha is also considered to be a celebration of the Oromo peoples’ identity, which they say has been quelled for more than 100 years. The Oromo people represent roughly a third of Ethiopia’s population.

Africanews via AP