(A4), 5 October 2014) Hon. Anthony Byrne, Member of the Australian Parliament, attends the Irreecha (Oromo Thanksgiving) held in Melbourne, Australia, on October 5, 2014.

He reflects on his Facebook as follows:

“Wonderful to attend the Oromo Community’s Irreechaa or Thanksgiving ritual yesterday. As part of Irreechaa it is in Oromo tradition to gather at the river banks and lakes shores to give thanks to the almighty Waaqaa for all the blessings throughout past years and ask for Araaraa (Reconciliation), Nagaa (Peace), Walooma (Harmony) and Finnaa (Holistic Development) for the past, the present and the future. #ThisIsAustralia ”

https://www.facebook.com/anthonybyrne/photos/a.441152599304385.1073741826.440809762672002/700457830040526/?type=1&permPage=1

The Oromo community in Uganda celebrate Ireecha which is a thanksgiving festival.

The Oromo community in Uganda celebrated Irreecha, a festival of thanksgiving, on Sunday. The Oromo people are Ethiopia’s largest ethnic group.

Oromo communities spread out across the world on this day perform rituals around water sources to thank God for enduring the rainy season and ushering in the spring season. The Oromo Community in Uganda have held their celebrations at the Kabaka’s Lake in Lubaga.

– See more at: http://www.ntv.co.ug/news/local/06/oct/2014/ethiopias-oromo-community-uganda-celebrate-irreecha-festival#sthash.JZjOIcMT.dpuf