Irreechaa Celebrations

More About This Event

Irreechaa is the annual Oromo people thanksgiving day that celebrated every year in Birraa near the river bank or water and tree. Irreechaa is celebrated every year in September in Bishoftu Hora Harsadii and other Oromia major cities.

One of the distinct thanksgiving celebrations in the Oromo tradition is called “Irreechaa” or “Irreessaa,” which, by itself, means ‘green and fresh grass’ that symbolise fertility and flourishing life due to the bless and guidance of the Creator, Waaqaa. On this day (normally falls at the end of September or beginning of October), many Oromos come to the river or mountains with an outlet that has since long been chosen to be the place for such thanksgiving celebration.

The festival is celebrated every year at the beginning of Birraa (Spring), the new season after the dark and rainy winter season, at sacred lakes across Oromia and particularly at Hora Harsadi, Bishoftu, 45 kms south of Addis Ababa. The name Irreechaa itself indicates ‘green and fresh grass’.

More than a million people have attended Irreechaa in Bishoftu in recent years, and it makes for a fascinating and colourful carnival, with a wonderful atmosphere, with men and women dressed in their traditional clothes dancing and singing.

In 2024 Irreecha Celebration was held on 05 October in Hora Finfine (Addis Ababa) and 06 October in Hora Harsadi of Bishoftu.