Daily Archives: September 26, 2026
Oromo Community in Melbourne Celebrates Irreechaa with Color and Tradition at Botanical Gardens
By Dhabessa Wakjira
MELBOURNE, 27 September 2026 — The Oromo community in Melbourne today celebrated Irreechaa, the traditional Oromo thanksgiving festival, in a vibrant and beautiful ceremony at the Botanical Gardens, bringing together hundreds of community members in a powerful display of culture, faith, and unity.
The celebration began with traditional blessings, and members of the community participated in the event in large numbers, dressed in beautiful cultural attire. Mr. Abdeta Homaa, Chairman of the Irreechaa Festival Committee, welcomed the gathered community with a speech of welcome, saying “Baga nagaan dhuftan” — welcome, and may you have arrived in peace.
A Sea of Color and Tradition
From children to elders, attendees were resplendent in traditional Oromo clothing, the colors and scents of the festival filling the air. Carrying fresh green grass and flowers — the symbols of Irreechaa — community members walked to the water’s edge, dipping the grass into the water in the traditional manner, giving thanks that they had passed through the past year safely and reached the spring season.
The sight of families in their finest cultural dress, the sound of traditional songs, and the shared prayers created an atmosphere of joy and reverence that echoed celebrations back home in Oromia.
A Time for Gratitude and Prayer
Irreechaa is not only a time to give thanks for what has passed, but also a moment to pray to Waaqa (God) for a peaceful passage through what lies ahead. The Oromo people, found across the world, are known for celebrating Irreechaa together in a shared and unified manner.
The festival has been celebrated by the Oromo for generations, preserved through years of oppression and systemic subjugation, and passed down to the present generation. Irreechaa is celebrated as the festival that marks the transition from the rainy season to the spring — from Ganna to Birraa.
Resilience in the Diaspora
The Melbourne celebration stands as a testament to the resilience of Oromo culture and the community’s determination to keep its traditions alive far from home.
Despite the distance from their ancestral homeland, Oromos in Australia have ensured that Irreechaa remains a living, breathing tradition — not merely a memory. The Botanical Gardens became a sacred space where gratitude met hope, and where tradition triumphed over distance.
A Community United
As the Melbourne celebration drew to a close, the message was unmistakable: Irreechaa is more than a festival — it is an expression of identity, a bond of unity, and a living link between generations.
For the Oromo community in Melbourne, the Botanical Gardens became a place where the past and present met — where children learned the songs their grandparents sang, where elders saw their traditions carried forward, and where a people far from home remembered, together, who they are.
Baga Irreechaa nagaan geessan! — May the Irreechaa have arrived in peace.
The Oromo community in Melbourne celebrates Irreechaa annually, welcoming all who wish to share in its traditions of gratitude, reconciliation, and unity.
Irreechaa 2026 celebrations in the global cultural event.
Irreechaa, the Oromo Thanksgiving Festival, is a global celebration of gratitude, unity, and cultural heritage for the Oromo people, with major events scheduled across North America, Europe, and Australia in 2026.
Here is a summary of the major 2026 celebrations:
- North America: Seattle (Oct 4), Washington, DC (Oct 2-4), Portland (Oct 3), Winnipeg (Sept 26), Ottawa (Sept 26), Edmonton (Sept 19), Minneapolis (Sept 19), Calgary (Sept 26).
- Europe: Rome, Italy (Oct 10), Oslo, Norway (Oct 3).
- Australia: Berwick, VIC (Sept 27).
🌳 Themes & Significance
The festival is often described as a “celebration of Thanksgiving, Unity & Oromo Culture”. Its core themes include:
- Gratitude: Giving thanks for blessings and peace (“Galateeffannaa”).
- Unity: Fostering togetherness among the Oromo community and beyond (“Tokkummaa”).
- Culture: Honoring traditional practices, music, dance, and attire (“Aadaa”).
- Symbolism: The Odaa tree plays a central role, symbolizing peace, reconciliation, and the connection between the community and nature.
The Ethio-Canadian Connection
A major related event is the 26th Annual Ethio-Canadian Day in Toronto, scheduled for September 5-6, 2026 at Christie Pits Park. This is a two-day celebration that highlights Ethiopian heritage in Canada, contributing to the broader cultural mosaic of the region.
📅 Planning Your Attendance
If you plan to attend, please double-check the final dates and locations with local organizers, as some schedules may be subject to change.
What is the significance of Irreechaa Celebrations in the global cultural event?
Irreechaa has grown far beyond its origins as a local Oromo thanksgiving festival. It is now a significant global cultural event that serves as a powerful symbol of unity, a major driver of tourism, and a living expression of a heritage recognized by UNESCO.
🕊️ A Global Symbol of Unity and Peace
Irreechaa’s core values of gratitude, reconciliation, and forgiveness resonate universally. It is described as a “culture of inclusivity” where people of all backgrounds, languages, and religions are welcomed. The festival is celebrated as a national treasure that strengthens brotherhood and solidarity, not just for the Oromo people but for all Ethiopians. Its message of peace and harmony has made it a platform for fostering understanding between diverse communities.
🌍 A Growing International Diaspora Tradition
The celebration has firmly taken root across the globe. Oromo communities in countries like the United States, Canada, Germany, the United Arab Emirates, and Australia organize their own Irreechaa events. These gatherings, held in cities like Washington, D.C., Toronto, and Berlin, bring together the diaspora and curious locals to preserve their heritage and pass it on to younger generations. The festival’s international appeal was highlighted in 2024 when visitors from the US and Canada described their experience in Ethiopia as “transformative,” praising the warmth and spiritual depth of the celebration.
🏛️ UNESCO-Recognized Heritage and Tourism Driver
Irreechaa is not just a cultural festival; it is a recognized part of world heritage. It is celebrated as part of the Gada system, which was inscribed by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage. This status, combined with its massive scale—gatherings in Bishoftu can attract over 4 million people, making it one of the largest annual gatherings in Africa —has turned Irreechaa into a significant tourism draw. The Ethiopian government actively promotes the festival to attract international visitors, boosting the local economy.
✨ A Global Reminder of Shared Values
Ultimately, Irreechaa’s global significance lies in its universal message. It serves as a reminder of humanity’s connection to nature, the importance of expressing gratitude, and the power of community to heal and unite. Whether celebrated on the shores of Lake Hora in Ethiopia or in a park in Melbourne, Irreechaa embodies values that resonate far beyond Oromia.
Irreechaa 2026: A Sacred Celebration Across Australia’s Oromo Communities
By Maatii Sabaa
MELBOURNE, 27 September 2026 — For Australia’s Oromo diaspora, this Sunday is far more than a date on the calendar. Irreechaa — the ancient Oromo thanksgiving festival — is being celebrated across the country in a powerful display of culture, faith, and unity. From the banks of Melbourne’s waterways to gatherings in other cities, the tradition that has survived centuries of suppression now thrives on Australian soil.
A Festival of Gratitude and Renewal
Irreechaa marks the end of the rainy season (Ganna) and the beginning of spring (Birraa) — a time of harvest, hope, and renewal. 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, dipping them into the water as an offering of gratitude. This act symbolizes purification, renewal, and the washing away of the past year’s hardships .
The festival is also a time of reconciliation — disputes are settled before participation, and communities come together in peace .
Melbourne: Irreechaa Malkaa at Wilson Botanic Park
The Melbourne Oromo community is celebrating Irreechaa Malkaa 2026 on Sunday, 27 September at Wilson Botanic Park in Berwick, with festivities beginning at 11:00 AM .
The celebration follows the traditional structure of Irreechaa:
- Blessing of Elders: The event opens with prayers led by community elders (Abbaa Gadaa, Hadhasiinqee) .
- The Procession: Participants walk together toward the water, with women traditionally walking in front — a practice rooted in the Siinqee institution symbolizing women as sacred and as agents of peace .
- Carrying Grass and Flowers: Attendees carry fresh green grass and yellow flowers to the water’s edge, symbols of life, fertility, and connection to the earth .
- Dipping and Sprinkling: The grass and flowers are dipped into the water, and participants sprinkle water on themselves and others as a blessing .
- Songs and Prayers: Traditional Oromo songs (faaruu) fill the air — songs of gratitude, hope, and blessing, including the Marewoo songs sung during the procession .
Community members are encouraged to wear traditional Oromo clothing, bringing water, flowers, and a spirit of gratitude .
Irreechaa Arfaasaa: The Spring Celebration
Earlier in 2026, the Melbourne community gathered for Irreechaa Arfaasaa on Sunday, 26 April at Dandenong Mountain (Tulluu Dandenong) .
Irreechaa Arfaasaa marks the end of the dry season and the beginning of the rainy season — a spring celebration where communities pray to Waaqa for rain and good spirit. It is celebrated at hilltops and mountains, with elders leading blessings and the community gathering in traditional attire .
Organizers emphasized the importance of environmental protection at this year’s Arfaasaa celebration, reminding participants to respect the natural surroundings of Dandenong Mountain and leave no waste behind .
Irrecha Australia: A Growing National Movement
What began as small community gatherings among Oromo families in Australia has blossomed into vibrant national festivals. At the heart of this movement is Irrecha Australia, a registered non-profit organization dedicated to honoring the Oromo people’s cherished thanksgiving tradition .
The organization places particular emphasis on empowering young people, equipping the next generation to carry traditions forward with pride and confidence. Its vision extends beyond the Oromo community itself — envisioning a nation where Oromo culture thrives as an integral part of Australia’s diverse identity .
“Through festivals, education, and community initiatives, we strengthen connections, honour our heritage, and celebrate a way of life rooted in gratitude, resilience, and unity,” the organization states .
Why Irreechaa Matters in Australia
For Oromos living far from their homeland, Irreechaa serves as a vital cultural anchor. It connects the diaspora to their ancestors, their language, and one another .
The festival is also a powerful statement of resilience. Irreechaa has been celebrated by the Oromo for generations, preserved through years of oppression and systemic subjugation. That it now thrives in Australia — thousands of kilometres from Oromia — is a testament to the community’s determination to keep its traditions alive .
As one Oromo community message beautifully expressed: “Irreecha is not a memory. It is a living prayer. And you are the ones who keep it alive” .
A Message for All
Irreechaa is more than a festival. It is an expression of identity, a bond of unity, and a living link between generations. For the Oromo community in Australia, this weekend’s celebrations are a sacred homecoming — a chance to give thanks, to reconnect, and to pass the flame of Oromummaa to the next generation.
Baga Irreechaan nagaan geesse! — May the Irreechaa have arrived in peace.
Irreechaa is celebrated annually at the banks of rivers and lakes across Oromia, and by Oromo communities around the world.
