[Nagamte, Oromia] – The Irreecha Hora Hadiyyaa festival was celebrated today with great reverence and colorful ceremony, upholding its central role in Oromo cultural and spiritual life.

The event was marked by a vibrant display of community spirit, as diverse social groups adorned in traditional Oromo attire participated in remarkable numbers. The gathering embodied the festival’s core purpose: to give thanks, pray for prosperity, and strengthen social bonds.

During the ceremony, participants holding fresh grass made a symbolic journey to the river. There, they offered thanks to Waaqa (God) for the blessings of the new spring and for guiding them through the past rainy season. The festival serves as a collective prayer for peace, unity, and prosperity for the nation and society.

As the Gadaa leaders explained, Irreecha is a profound symbol of love and reconciliation, a time to mend the fabric of community life. It is a celebration that powerfully affirms Oromo identity, reinforces humanity and social ties, and expresses a shared hope for a bright and peaceful future.