By Dhabessa Wakjira

HARSADII, OROMIA — The morning sun had barely touched the shores of Lake Harsadii when the first buses rolled in from the south. Dust rose from the unpaved roads, horns blared in celebration, and the unmistakable rhythm of drums began to echo across the water. Among the thousands gathered for Irreecha Bishooftuu 2026, a special group stood out — not because of their dress or their language, but because of the distance they had traveled to be here.

They came from Kenya.

“Kunneen firoottan keenya Keeniyaa: Irreecha Bishooftuu, Harsadii (2026) irratti hirmaatanii dha,” the announcement rang out across the grounds — “These are our brothers and sisters from Kenya who have come to participate in Irreecha Bishooftuu, Harsadii 2026.” The words were met with thunderous applause, ululations, and the waving of green flags that stretched as far as the eye could see.

For the Oromo community in Kenya, the journey to Irreecha is more than a trip. It is a homecoming.

A Bond That Crosses Borders

Irreecha is the great thanksgiving festival of the Oromo people — a celebration of the end of the rainy season, a moment to give thanks to Waaqa (God) for peace, fertility, and the bounty of the earth. Held along the shores of lakes and rivers, it draws millions of Oromo from Ethiopia and across the globe. But the Oromo nation does not end at Ethiopia’s borders. In Kenya, Oromo communities have lived for generations, preserving their language, their customs, and their faith.

This year, that connection was on full display at Harsadii.

“We have always known we are one people,” said one elder from Kenya, his voice thick with emotion as he stood near the water’s edge. “But to stand here, on this soil, with our brothers and sisters — it is something else. It is a healing.”

The delegation from Kenya arrived in colorful traditional attire, carrying green branches and singing songs passed down through generations. They joined the procession to the lake, participated in the rituals of thanksgiving, and shared in the communal feast that followed. For many, it was their first time experiencing Irreecha on Ethiopian soil — and for some, it was a return to the land of their ancestors.

A Celebration of Unity

The presence of the Kenyan delegation was a powerful reminder that Irreecha is not just an Ethiopian festival. It is an Oromo festival — and the Oromo are one people, bound by language, history, and a shared love for their land and their Creator.

Organizers of this year’s Irreecha Bishooftuu emphasized the significance of the Kenyan participation. “Irreecha is a celebration of peace and unity,” one organizer said. “When our brothers and sisters from Kenya join us, it shows the world that we are strong together. It shows that our culture knows no borders.”

Throughout the day, the Kenyan visitors were welcomed with open arms. Elders exchanged blessings. Young people danced together, their feet moving to the same beat. Women shared stories and laughter. And as the sun set over Harsadii, the crowd stood as one, raising their hands in thanksgiving.

A Message of Hope

For the Oromo in Kenya, the journey to Irreecha is also a statement — a declaration that they remain connected to their roots, their identity, and their people. In a world where borders often divide, Irreecha serves as a bridge.

“We are here to show our children where they come from,” said a Kenyan mother, her daughter clutching her hand. “We are here to teach them that they belong. That they are Oromo. That they are home.”

As the celebration drew to a close, the words of the announcement echoed in the hearts of all who heard them: “Kunneen firoottan keenya Keeniyaa.” These are our brothers and sisters from Kenya. And they came home.

Happy Irreecha Bishooftuu 2026. May peace, unity, and blessings be upon us all.