By Dhabessa Wakjira

For the Oromo diaspora in Melbourne, Irreechaa is more than a festival. It is a sacred homecoming — a chance to gather by the water, give thanks to Waaqa, and pass the flame of Oromummaa to the next generation. In 2026, the Melbourne Oromo community will once again celebrate this ancient tradition on Australian soil, welcoming all who wish to share in its beauty, meaning, and joy.

This guide covers everything you need to know about the 2026 celebrations, from dates and locations to the rituals, etiquette, and cultural significance of Irreechaa in the diaspora.

What Is Irreechaa?

Irreechaa is the annual Oromo thanksgiving festival, celebrated at the banks of rivers and lakes across Oromia. It marks the end of the rainy season (Ganna) and the beginning of a new year of hope, renewal, and abundance. Rooted in Waaqeffannaa, the traditional Oromo belief in one God (Waaqa), the festival predates Christianity and Islam and has been passed down through generations for thousands of years.

Participants carry fresh green grass and yellow daisies (daraaraa keelloo) to the water’s edge, dip them into the water as an offering of gratitude, and sing ancient songs of praise and blessing. The festival is also a time of reconciliation — disputes are settled before participation, and communities come together in peace.

For the diaspora, Irreechaa is a vital cultural anchor. It connects Oromos in Australia to their homeland, their ancestors, and one another .

2026 Melbourne Irreechaa Events

The Melbourne Oromo community typically celebrates two major Irreechaa festivals each year: Irreechaa Arfaasaa (the spring celebration) and Irreechaa Malkaa (the main thanksgiving at the water’s edge).

Irreechaa Arfaasaa 2026

Date: Sunday, April 26, 2026
Location: Dandenong Mountain (Tulluu Dandenong), Melbourne
Time: Morning (exact time to be announced)
Organizers: Oromo Irreecha Association and Melbourne Oromo community

Irreechaa Arfaasaa marks the end of the dry season and the beginning of the rainy season. It is a spring celebration that follows traditional Oromo customs, beginning with the blessing of elders .

Irreechaa Malkaa 2026

Irreechaa Malkaa, the main thanksgiving festival, is typically celebrated in September or October, corresponding with the end of the rainy season in Ethiopia. The 2026 date and location for Melbourne will be announced by community organizers closer to the time.

Past Melbourne Irreechaa Malkaa celebrations have been held at locations such as Wilson Botanic Park in Berwick.

Date: Sunday, September 27, 2026
Location: Wilson Botanic Park in Berwick, Melbourne
Time: 11:00am
Organizers: Oromo Irreecha Association and Melbourne Oromo community

What to Bring

Organizers have specified the following items for attendees :

Wear traditional Oromo clothing if you have it. The vibrant colors and styles are a beautiful expression of cultural pride and identity.

What to Expect: The Rituals and Traditions

Irreechaa follows a structured, reverent sequence of events. Here is what you can expect at a Melbourne celebration:

1. Blessing of Elders

The celebration begins with blessings and prayers led by community elders (Abbaa Gadaa, Hadhasiinqee, and respected community members). These blessings focus on peace, prosperity, and remembering those who sustained the tradition .

2. The Procession

Participants walk together toward the water (or the designated sacred area). In traditional Irreechaa, women walk in front of the elders — a practice rooted in the Siinqee institution that symbolizes women as sacred and as agents of peace.

3. Carrying Grass and Flowers

Attendees carry fresh green grass and yellow flowers to the water’s edge. The grass is a symbol of life, fertility, and the connection between the Oromo people and the earth .

4. Dipping and Sprinkling

Upon reaching the water, participants dip the grass and flowers into the water and sprinkle water on themselves and others as a blessing. This act symbolizes purification, renewal, and the washing away of the past year’s hardships .

5. Songs and Prayers

The air fills with the sounds of traditional Oromo songs (faaruu) — songs of gratitude, hope, and blessing. Women sing “Maariyoo… Maareyoo…” (“your mercy on us”), while men chant the Irreechaa songs alongside them. The communal singing is a powerful expression of unity and shared emotion .

6. Cultural Performances and Food

After the rituals, the celebration continues with traditional music, dances (such as the Siiqqee and Gumii dances), and communal meals featuring Oromo food. It is a time for storytelling, laughter, and strengthening community bonds .

Irreechaa Etiquette: How to Participate Respectfully

Irreechaa is a sacred festival, not merely a cultural event. If you are attending for the first time — whether you are Oromo or from another background — here are important guidelines to ensure your participation is respectful and meaningful:

Do:

• Wear traditional clothing if you have it. It is a sign of respect and pride.
• Follow the lead of elders and community organizers.
• Carry grass and flowers to the water as an offering.
• Sing along if you know the songs — or simply listen and absorb the moment.
• Respect the natural environment. Leave no waste behind. The Oromo value of caring for nature is central to Irreechaa.
• Be present with gratitude. Irreechaa is a time of thanksgiving, reconciliation, and peace.

Don’t:

• Don’t splash water indiscriminately. The water ritual has specific traditional meaning.
• Don’t preach or distribute religious materials of other faiths at the Malkaa (water site). Irreechaa is rooted in Waaqeffannaa, and the sacred space should be respected.
• Don’t make noise or ululate during the solemn moments of the ceremony before the water ritual is complete.
• Don’t block the path with vehicles. Irreechaa is a communal pilgrimage — walk with the community if you are able.

These guidelines are not restrictions on participation. They are invitations to engage more deeply, with the reverence that Irreechaa deserves.

Why Irreechaa Matters in the Diaspora

For Oromos in Melbourne, Irreechaa serves several vital functions:

Cultural preservation. It ensures that younger generations born or raised in Australia learn about their heritage, language, and traditions. The festival is a living classroom for Oromummaa .

Community cohesion. It brings together families and individuals scattered across Victoria, strengthening social bonds and creating a sense of belonging .

Connection to homeland. It bridges the physical distance between Australia and Oromia, allowing the diaspora to maintain a profound spiritual and cultural connection to their ancestral land .

Intercultural exchange. Melbourne Irreechaa events often welcome local government officials, multicultural organizations, and curious residents, fostering mutual respect and understanding between communities.

The Spiritual Meaning of Irreechaa

At its heart, Irreechaa is an act of thanksgiving to Waaqa for the blessings of the past year and a prayer for peace and abundance in the year to come. It is a time of reconciliation — when those in conflict bury the hatchet and communities heal.

The festival is also a celebration of the Gadaa system, which upholds national unity, reconciliation, and solidarity. Irreechaa is one of the mammoth outdoor cultural festivals that showcase Ethiopia’s wealth of cultural heritage .

As one community message beautifully expressed:

“Irreecha is not a memory. It is a living prayer. And you are the ones who keep it alive.”

Practical Information

Getting There: Dandenong Mountain and other past venues are accessible by public transport and car. Check with organizers for specific directions and parking information.

Weather: Melbourne weather is unpredictable. Dress in layers and bring sun protection. April can be cool and changeable.

Accessibility: Contact organizers in advance if you have accessibility needs.

Staying Updated: Follow Advocacy for Oromia and local Oromo community associations on social media for the latest announcements about Irreechaa Malkaa 2026 and any changes to Irreechaa Arfaasaa details.

Baga Irreechaa Nagaan Geessinu!

Whether you are Oromo, a friend of the Oromo community, or simply someone who wishes to witness a beautiful and meaningful cultural tradition, you are welcome at Melbourne Irreechaa 2026.

Come with an open heart. Come with gratitude. Come ready to sing, to celebrate, and to honor a tradition that has survived centuries of suppression and continues to thrive in every corner of the world where Oromo people gather.

Irreechaa keessan haa fudhatamu. May your thanksgiving be accepted. 🌿💚

Source information: Advocacy for Oromia, Oromia Communication Bureau, and the Melbourne Oromo community