Members of the Ethiopian diaspora community expressed their joy for being able to celebrate the wonderful Irreechaa festival at home with the Oromo people and the entire nations and nationalities.
Robera Yahya and Beka Yahya, who are brothers came from the USA to celebrate the Irreechaa festival for the first time with the Oromo community at home.
Speaking to ENA, Robera said “I am here from the US for this great celebration.”
“This is a very good opportunity for someone like me to come back home after so many years of being out in the US and other countries to come back and actually have the opportunity to celebrate this wonderful festival with my people. I am very excited about this,” he said.
Comparing the celebration of the Irreechaa festival overseas and at home, he described the difference is not comparable when you celebrate it at home as you feel the energy, love and everything accompanying it.
“You just feel like you are part of the land and Irreechaa celebration is such a pure celebration that has been going from forefathers for many years, like to actually experience it here and it is a huge blessing for me,” he said.
This festival is not of the Oromo alone, but of the entire Ethiopia's culture, which promotes peace and unity among nations and nationalities of the country, Robera said.
This celebration of peace and coming together is a very peaceful holiday as everything of its manifestation has been promoting peace and unity, he said.
Moreover, he urged the diaspora community to participate in this important festival.
“Irreechaa is just becoming more visible right now because obviously we can celebrate in the capital city right now. So what I can say to the diaspora community around the world is come and celebrate this beautiful celebration of people here. Once you come here you will know,” he said.
Beka Yahya shared his brother's joy over Irreechaa celebration at home.
“I'm extremely excited to be here. Irreechaa is a beautiful celebration. Everybody is happy to celebrate and come together, this is what I have been experiencing so far,” he said.
“I recommend just for everybody to come and see for themselves. It's beautiful. It's an experience that everybody should see. It is something unlike anything, this is your country, your land and your water. I definitely recommend (everybody) to come, see and experience Irreechaa,”he urged.
This is a time for us to start the new season, he said, adding “it’s really important to come together in unity and enjoy.
Another Ethiopian diaspora who came from the USA, Tigist Duressa expressed her happiness to celebrate the Irreechaa festival in her homeland.
“It is my pleasure to be here. I just flew from Maryland, Washington DC to celebrate the Irreechaa festival with my people. I'm so happy; with beautiful people and culture, Irreechaa is emblem of peace and unity.”
This is when the Oromo people come together and celebrate to say thank you to waqaa ‘God’, she said.
It is celebrated for all things that Waqaa ‘God’ has done for people like bringing rain, peace, health, fertility, abundance and for the beautiful weather they have cherished.
Preparation has finalized to celebrate the festival under the theme “Irreecha: a Symbol of Unity and Brotherhood”at Hora Finfinne and Hora Arsadi in Bishoftu town on Saturday and Sunday respectively.
The grand public festival brings together millions of people from all corners of Oromia region, other parts of the country as well as diaspora communities across the globe.
Source: Ethiopian News Agency
