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.