Addis Ababa, September 28, 2025 (FMC) — The Oromo Abba Gadas have announced that preparations for this year’s Irrecha festival have been finalized, promising a vibrant celebration that honors the cultural values of the Oromo people.
Irrecha, the Oromo people’s annual thanksgiving to Waaqa (God), is one of Ethiopia’s most prominent outdoor public festivals, celebrated every September. The festival marks gratitude to God for the transition from the rainy season to the sunny season and remains a cornerstone of Oromo cultural identity.
Abba Gada Girma Bekele highlighted that Irrecha serves as a vital tradition where the Oromo people express their thanks to Waaqa. He noted that the festival has preserved its cultural values for generations and continues to symbolize the enduring identity of the Oromo community.
While Irrecha is already recognized as part of the Gada system registered by UNESCO, efforts are underway to have the festival independently recognized as an intangible cultural heritage, Abba Gada Girma added.
Abba Gada Wolde Abe emphasized that Irrecha transcends political and religious differences, underscoring its role in promoting thanksgiving, peace, and unity among the people. This year’s celebration is particularly notable, he said, as it coincides with the recent inauguration of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) and extensive urban development along Addis Ababa’s city corridors.
Ethiopian Heritage Authority Director General Abebaw Ayalew also highlighted the cultural and national significance of Irrecha. He stated that Ethiopia’s outdoor festivals, including Irrecha, foster peace, love, and unity, while showcasing the Gada system, a longstanding pillar of Oromo society.
Abebaw further noted that Irrecha not only reinforces cultural values but also contributes significantly to tourism and economic development, ENA reported.
He called for continued efforts to preserve and promote such cultural heritage to ensure it is passed on to future generations.