A glimpse into the past — a beautiful historical picture you may have never seen before.

A remarkable historical photograph has resurfaced, offering a rare window into one of the Oromo people’s most sacred traditions. The image, said to date back to 1936 G.C., captures the Irreecha Bishooftuu celebration at Hora Harsadii — the same shores where millions gather today.

The picture shows Oromo worshippers gathered at the water’s edge, dressed in traditional white garments, their hands raised in prayer and thanksgiving. Elders stand alongside young men, their faces turned toward the lake, carrying green grass and flowers — the timeless symbols of Irreecha. The scene is strikingly similar to the celebrations held nearly a century later.

A Tradition That Outlived Empires

1936 was a pivotal year in the region’s history. It was the year Italian forces occupied Ethiopia, beginning a five-year occupation that would bring immense suffering to the Oromo people and all Ethiopians. Yet even in the shadow of war and colonization, Irreecha continued.

The photograph is a testament to the resilience of Oromo culture. Empires rose and fell. Borders shifted. Governments changed. But the Oromo people never stopped gathering at the water to give thanks to Waaqa.

“This image reminds us who we are,” said one Oromo elder upon viewing the photograph. “Our ancestors stood at this same water, raised their hands to the same sky, and gave thanks for the same blessings. We are their children. Nothing has broken that chain.”

Hora Harsadii: A Sacred Place Across Generations

Hora Harsadii — Lake Harsadii — has been a site of Irreecha celebration for generations. Located in Oromia, the lake holds deep spiritual significance for the Oromo people. It is here that millions gather each year for Irreecha Bishooftuu, the great thanksgiving festival marking the end of the rainy season.

The 1936 photograph captures the festival in a simpler time — before the massive crowds, before the global attention, before the political significance that Irreecha carries today. What remains unchanged is the essence of the celebration: gratitude, community, and faith.

A Picture Worth a Thousand Years

Historical photographs of Irreecha are rare. For much of the 20th century, Oromo cultural and religious practices were suppressed, and documentation of traditional ceremonies was limited. Images like this one are precious — not only as historical records but as symbols of cultural survival.

For younger Oromo, both at home and in the diaspora, the photograph is a powerful connection to their heritage. Shared widely on social media with the hashtags #Oromia and #Bishooftu_Irreecha, it has sparked conversations about identity, resilience, and the importance of preserving cultural memory.

“Beautiful historical picture you may have never seen before ❤️” reads the caption accompanying the image — and for many, that is exactly what it is. A discovery. A reminder. A gift from the ancestors.

From 1936 to 2026: The Journey Continues

Ninety years after that photograph was taken, Irreecha Bishooftuu at Hora Harsadii has grown into Africa’s largest Oromo cultural festival, drawing millions from Ethiopia and around the world. The green grass still waves. The songs still rise. The hands still reach toward the sky.

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

As one commenter wrote beneath the photograph: “Our grandparents prayed here. Our parents prayed here. We pray here. And our children will pray here. Irreecha is forever.”

#Oromia #Bishooftu_Irreecha #HoraHarsadii #Irreecha2026 #OromoHeritage