Ireechaa

Ireechaa refers to the  custom of thanking Waaqaa for His generosity, blessings and mercy.

it is one of the many colorful festivites in Ethiopia.

Gada system is one big institution of the Oromo; it is an indigenous democratic socio-political system of governance used among them.

The Gada system is composed of various institutions like ateetee, siiqqee, irreechaa, guddifachaa (adoption), jaarsummaa (arbitration), moggaasa (naturalization), harmahoosisu (breast feeding), and other elements.

The reason behind celebration of  ireechaa festivity?

The irreechaa celebration is the cultural expression of Galata (thankfulness) to Waaqaa (equivalent to the word God) providing life necessities of human being and other living things.

According to the Gada system Waaqaa is the creator of everything and the source of all life.

Waaqaa is also regarded as impartial ,perfect,innocent,ubiquitous

During the celebration, participants  pray to Waaqaa for law and social order,for peace and harmony to prevail; the environment to be protected and prosperity and abundance to exist.

where is ireechaa celebrated?

In Ethiopia

Ireechaa  ceremony  is conducted at the river base or at the top of the mountain.

The Irreechaa holiday is celebrated in the month of September, every year, on Sunday following the Meskel (the finding of true cross) ceremony  at the sacred land of hora harsadi (Bishoftu).

and for the 2^nd time  in March on the mountainside.

It is also performed in other areas like Malkaa Ateetee (at Gafarsa River, near Burayu town), Ireechaa Tulluu Injirroo (near Gutin Town East Wollega) and other places throughout Oromia.

Ateetee and Siiqqee institution festivities?

Its impossible to not to talk about ateetee and siiqqee institutions when talking about ireechaa, and these are predominantly a holiday of females.

The Ateetee ceremony is a ceremony of fertility. it is a female led blessing, praying and a merciful day for the Oromo society.

Ateetee is mostly a women‘s ritual ceremony, it’s belived God is nearest to respond to women‘s praying.

So that women are allowed for praying in different circumstance. Therefore, atetee ceremony existed at different time in a year.

siiqqee is a respectful stick, a ceremonial marriage stick given to a girl, which shows the equality between female and male.

The ireechaa ceremony is registered as UNESCO intangible world heritage.

WISH YOU ALL A VERY HAPPY IREECHAA FESTIVITY!!