By Dhabessa Wakjira

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There are festivals that entertain, and there are festivals that transform. Irreechaa belongs to the second category. For me, it is not simply my favourite festival — it is the most meaningful celebration I have ever known.

A Festival That Belongs to Everyone

What I love most about Irreechaa is its radical inclusivity. It does not matter who you are, where you come from, or what faith you follow. The festival is described as a “culture of inclusivity” where people of all backgrounds, languages, and religions are welcomed . When you stand at the water’s edge, surrounded by thousands of people carrying fresh green grass and yellow daisies, you realise you are part of something far bigger than yourself.

Gratitude at Its Purest

Irreechaa is, at its heart, an act of thanksgiving. It is a time to give thanks to Waaqa (God) for the rains, the harvest, the gift of life itself. In a world that often rushes past moments of gratitude, Irreechaa forces us to pause. To look back at the year that has passed. To acknowledge the blessings we have received. To welcome the new season with hope.

There is something profoundly grounding about this. The festival reminds us that we are part of nature, not separate from it — that the changing seasons, the flowing water, and the blooming flowers are all gifts worth celebrating.

A Time for Reconciliation

One of the most beautiful aspects of Irreechaa is its emphasis on reconciliation. You cannot fully participate if you are holding resentment or conflict in your heart. Disputes must be settled. Forgiveness must be offered. The festival creates a powerful, community-enforced deadline for healing broken relationships.

In a world so often divided by conflict, Irreechaa offers a different path — one rooted in peace, understanding, and the courage to let go of grievances.

A Living Link to My Heritage

For those of us in the diaspora, Irreechaa is more than a festival. It is a lifeline to our homeland. It connects us to our ancestors, our language, and our traditions. When I celebrate Irreechaa in Australia, I am not just remembering Oromia — I am keeping it alive within me.

The songs, the prayers, the procession, the grass, the flowers, the water — every element carries the weight of generations. And by participating, I become part of that unbroken chain.

A Festival That Survived

Irreechaa has been celebrated for generations, preserved through years of oppression and systemic subjugation . That it survives today — and thrives — is a testament to the resilience of the Oromo people. Every celebration is a quiet victory. Every song is an act of defiance. Every gathering is a statement that our culture cannot be erased.

The Feeling You Can’t Explain

Ask me to describe what Irreechaa feels like, and I will struggle. It is the sound of thousands of voices singing together. It is the sight of elders leading prayers and children watching with wide eyes. It is the smell of fresh grass and flowers. It is the feeling of belonging — of being part of something ancient, sacred, and unbreakable.

It is joy. It is peace. It is home.

Why It’s My Favourite

Irreechaa is my favourite festival because it is not just a celebration. It is a spiritual homecoming. It is a time to give thanks, to reconcile, to reconnect, and to remember who I am.

In a world that moves too fast, Irreechaa invites us to slow down. To be present. To be grateful. To be together.

And that, to me, is the most beautiful thing a festival can offer.

Baga Irreechaa nagaan geessan!