A vibrant celebration of Irreecha filled the heart of Dambi Dollo at Malkaa Meexxii!

The historic Irreecha festival was joyfully celebrated in Dambi Dollo, honored by the presence of the Abbootii Gadaa (Gadaa leaders), Haadholii Siinqee (women elders), youth, and the wider community.

The festival brought together the wisdom of the Abbootii Gadaa, the strength of the Haadholii Siinqee, the energy of the youth, and the entire community in a beautiful display of unity and thanksgiving.

A heartfelt congratulations to the people of Dambi Dollo for organizing such a successful and inspiring event!

Advocacy for Oromia, in collaboration with the Oromo Community Association in Melbourne and the Oromo Women’s Association, proudly celebrated the Oromtittii (Siinqee) Day, honoring the strength, wisdom, and cultural legacy of Oromo women.

The Oromo community in Melbourne, Australia, today celebrated Oromtittii Day or Oromo Women’s Day at Braeside Park, Victoria, to honor Oromo women’s contributions to cultural preservation and family resilience.

Organized by the Oromo Community in Melbourne, the event emphasized gratitude for women’s roles in sustaining traditions through challenging circumstances.

Chairman Alemayehu Qubee highlighted the festival’s aim to recognize Oromo women’s efforts in maintaining cultural heritage “with love and respect,” particularly in diaspora settings where cultural continuity can be challenging.

This special event brought together community members, elders, youth, and allies to recognize the historical and ongoing role of Oromo women as pillars of peace, justice, and social cohesion. The celebration highlighted the Siinqee institution—a traditional Oromo women’s system of governance and conflict resolution—and its relevance in today’s struggles for gender equality and cultural preservation.

Event Highlights:

Cultural Showcase:

Performances of traditional songs, dances, and poetry celebrating Oromo womanhood.

Display of Siinqee symbols and artifacts, educating attendees about its significance in Oromo history.

Discussions and Testimonials:

Elders and community leaders shared stories of Oromo women’s resilience and leadership.

Panels addressed the intersection of gender justice, cultural preservation, and contemporary advocacy.

Community Solidarity:

Men and youth participated in ceremonies, reaffirming their commitment to supporting Oromo women’s rights and inclusion.

A collective pledge to uphold the principles of Safuu (moral integrity) and Nagaa (peace) in homes and communities.

Call to Action:

Advocacy for Oromia and its partners reiterated their dedication to empowering Oromo women through education, leadership programs, and advocacy initiatives.

A Message of Unity and Resilience:

The Oromtittii Day celebration served as a powerful reminder of the indispensable role Oromo women play in safeguarding culture, fostering peace, and leading change. By honoring Siinqee traditions, the event strengthened community bonds and inspired continued collaboration in the pursuit of justice and equality.

Join us in continuing to celebrate and support Oromo women as leaders, custodians of culture, and agents of transformation.

#OromtittiiDay #Siinqee #OromoWomen #AdvocacyForOromia #OromoCommunityMelbourne #CulturalResilience

Gambella Community Celebrates Irreecha Festival with Grandeur at Malka Baro.

In a vibrant display of cultural pride and unity, the residents of the Gambella region came together at Malka Baro to celebrate the annual Irreecha festival in a grand and heartfelt ceremony.

The local community marked the occasion with deep reverence and joy, honoring the Oromo traditions of thanksgiving, peace, and renewal.

The celebration underscored the enduring strength and beauty of Oromo culture within Gambella’s diverse social fabric, serving as a powerful testament to shared heritage and community spirit.

የዘንድሮው የኢሬቻ በዓል “ኢሬቻ ለሀገር ማንሠራራት” በሚል መሪ ሃሳብ በተባበሩት ዐረብ ኤምሬቶች ዱባይ ከተማ በድምቀት ተከበረ፡፡

መርሃ -ግብሩ በአባ ገዳዎች እና ሃዳ-ሲንቄዎች መሪነት በፓርኩ ውስጥ በተዘጋጀው ቦታ ‘’በኢሬፋና’’ ሥነ-ሥርዓት ወይም ባህላዊ ምርቃት ተጀምሯል፡፡

በበዓሉ ላይ በተባበሩት ዐረብ ኤምሬቶች የኢ.ፌ.ዲ.ሪ. ቆንስላ ጄኔራል ጽ/ቤት ተጠባባቂ ጉዳይ ፈጻሚ አቶ አስመላሽ በቀለ በአገራችን ከሚከበሩ በዓላት ውስጥ የኢሬቻ በዓል የፍቅር፣ የሠላም፣ የወንድማማችነት እና የአብሮነት እሴት ያለው በዓል መሆኑን ገልጸው፣ ማህበረሰቡ በዚህ በዓል ላይ ያሳየውን አንድነት እና ድምቀት በሌሎች ውጭ አገራት ለሚገኙ የኢትዮጵያ ኮሚኒቲ ተምሳሌት መሆኑ በመግለፅ በአገራችን እየተከናወኑ ባሉት አገራዊ የልማት ሥራዎች የሚያደርጉትን ተሳትፎ ይበልጥ እንዲያጠናክሩ ጥሪ አቅርበዋል::

በመቀጠልም የአቡዳቢ ኤምባሲ ተወካይ አቶ ግርማ ደምሴ የዘንድሮውን ኢሬቻ ልዩ የሚያደርገው ከአገራችን የማንሰራራት ብስራት ጋር አብሮ እየተከበረ በመሆኑ ነው ብለው ለዚህም ማሳያው የዘመናት ቁጭታችን ውጤት የሆነው የሕዳሴ ግድብ ፕሮጄክት መመረቁ፣ የተፈጥሮ ጋዝ ምርት መጀመሩ እና ለአገራችን አርሶ አደሮች ትልቅ ግብዓት የሆነው የማዳበሪያ ፋብሪካ መጀመሩን አንስተዋል::

በተጨማሪም በዱባይ እና ሰሜን ኤምሬቶች የኢትዮጵያ ኮሚኒቲ የሥራ አመራር ቦርድ ሊቀመንበር አቶ ኢድሪስ ቡንሱሩ የኢሬቻ በዓል በተባበሩት ዐረብ ኤምሬቶች በጥቂት ሰዎች ተጀምሮ በየዓመቱ እያደገ መምጣቱን በመጥቀስ ዛሬ በሚታየው ደረጃ ላይ እንዲደርስ አስተዋጽኦ ያደረጉ አካላትን አመስግነው የኮሚኒቲ ማህበሩ በፍቅር፣ በመቻቻል እና በመከባበር መርህ ኅብረተሰቡን በትጋት እያገለገለ መሆኑን ገልጸዋል፡፡

በበዓሉ ላይ የኢሬቻ በዓል በተባበሩት ዐረብ ኤምሬቶች ዲፕሎማቶችና ሠራተኞች፣ የዱባይና አቡዳቢ የኢትዮጵያውያን ኮሚኒቲ ማህበር ሥራ አመራር ቦርድ አባላት፣ የተለያዩ የአገራችን ብሔር ብሔረሰቦች ተወካዮች፣ አባ-ገዳዎች፣ ሃዳ ሲንቄዎች እንዲሁም በርካታ ቁጥር ያለው ዜጎች ታድመዋል፡፡

Subheading: Community to Gather at Fantalle District for Traditional Thanksgiving Festival

The Oromo community will gather at Nogoba Lake in the Fantalle District this coming Great Saturday to celebrate the annual Irreecha festival.

The event, led by the Michillee clan and embracing the wider Oromo people, serves as a powerful testament to Oromo unity, culture, and tradition.

Irreecha is a profound cultural gathering where the Oromo people reflect on their shared heritage and express the beauty of Oromummaa—their unique cultural identity and worldview. The festival is a vibrant celebration of thanksgiving, community, and resilience.

NAIROBI – This weekend, the heart of Uhuru Park will resonate with the beat of drums, the rise of ancestral songs, and the vibrant colors of Oromo culture as hundreds gather to celebrate the Irreechaa Festival 2025. This profound day of thanksgiving, identity, and unity will transform the capital into a hub of cultural and spiritual significance.

For the Oromo and Borana communities—Eastern Africa’s largest ethnic group—Irreechaa is far more than a festival; it is a spiritual homecoming. It is a sacred time to give thanks to Waaq (God) for life, rain, peace, and the blessings that bind the community together. From elders in traditional white robes to the youth waving cultural flags, the event is a powerful symbol of memory, resilience, and hope.

Organized this year by the Kenya Oromo Professional Association, the celebration will be held on Saturday, October 25th, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Uhuru Park, Nairobi. The event is held under the unifying theme, “Celebrating the Beauty of Oromo Culture and Building Bridges Across Borders.”

Event organizers confirm that preparations are in high gear, emphasizing that Irreechaa embodies unity and renewal. “This festival is not just for the Oromo people—it’s an invitation to everyone who believes in peace, gratitude, and togetherness,” a spokesperson stated.

Featuring traditional music, ceremonial horse parades, heartfelt prayers, and communal dances, Irreechaa 2025 promises to be a moving display of cultural pride. It serves as a poignant reminder of culture’s power to connect generations and build bridges between communities.

As the sun rises over Uhuru Park on Saturday, Nairobi will bear witness to a living expression of harmony and tranquility—a celebration that transcends borders and speaks the universal language of gratitude.

Mr. Dabbassa Guyyo is remembered in Oromo history as one of the most revered Oromo philosophers, cultural educators, and preservers of indigenous knowledge. His lifelong commitment to promoting Oromo culture, peace, and spirituality made him a monumental figure within the Oromo nation and beyond.

Guardian of Oromo Civilization

Dabbassa Guyyo was born in Yabello, southern Oromia, and dedicated more than 30 years to teaching Oromo history, cosmology, and traditional knowledge systems in Kenya, Ethiopia, and worldwide. He became known as a “walking encyclopedia” of the **Gadaa system**—the democratic governance and ethical philosophy of the Oromo people. Through his leadership at **Argaa-Dhageettii Gadaa Oromoo**, a cultural institute he founded in Nairobi in 2000, he taught generations of Oromo youth and refugees about their heritage, spirituality, and values of social harmony.

Philosopher of Peace and Unity

Dabbassa developed a broad philosophy of **peaceful coexistence**, emphasizing reconciliation, human dignity, and respect for cultural diversity. He traveled internationally—across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas—to lecture about Oromo civilization and indigenous approaches to social harmony. His teachings revitalized cultural confidence and unity among dispersed Oromo communities.

His Disappearance and Symbolic Immortality

In September 2015, after blessing the Irreechaa ceremony in Nairobi, Mr. Guyyo mysteriously disappeared and was never found. His absence transformed him from a living elder into a *symbol of resilience and spiritual endurance*. Oromo communities across the world continue to commemorate him as a martyr for cultural truth and wisdom—a custodian of Oromo knowledge who gave his life to preserve it.

Why He Will Be Remembered Forever

People remember Dabbassa Guyyo eternally because he embodied:

– The *spiritual depth* of Oromo indigenous wisdom.

– The *moral courage* to teach culture under exile.

– The *humanistic philosophy* of unity and peace.

– The *sacrifice* that sealed his name in the moral memory of his people.

In the collective Oromo consciousness, Mr. Dabbassa Guyyo remains not only a teacher but also a **living spirit of Oromummaa**—the essence of Oromo identity that transcends generations.

Julian Hill MP delivered an address at the 2024 Irreecha Festival in Melbourne, celebrating community, culture, and resilience.

We are gathered on a vast and ancient continent, home to the world’s oldest continuous living cultures. I acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of this land, the Barong people of the Kulin Nation, and pay my respects to their Elders, past and present.

I also extend that acknowledgment to the many community lands represented here today, including the vibrant Somali community and others we will recognise shortly.

Long before European settlement or subsequent migrations, First Nations Australians nurtured this land, speaking over 250 languages and practising a rich tapestry of cultural traditions. This reminds us that in many ways, we have always been a multicultural society.

But in the last 50 years, following the abolition of the White Australia policy and the introduction of the Racial Discrimination Act by the Whitlam government, our modern multicultural project has truly flourished. People from across the globe have brought their lives, their hopes, and their heritage to Australia.

And we do not ask them to leave that heritage behind. Quite the opposite. We encourage communities to pass on their languages, their faiths, and their traditions. We see that here today—people of many faiths gathered for an ancient cultural celebration. This is the heart of modern multicultural Australia: the generosity of sharing your traditions with others.

Thank you for sharing Irreecha with me, and for welcoming the wider community into your celebration.

I want to touch briefly on two other matters.

First, I know this continues to be a deeply difficult time for many, with family and friends affected by the ongoing conflict in Ethiopia, particularly in Oromia. Let me be clear: Ethiopia cannot know peace unless Oromia is at peace. There is no military solution to this conflict; only a political one.

While Australia’s direct influence may be limited, we add our voice to the call for diplomacy. We urge all sides to come to the table and negotiate a political solution, because the overwhelming desire of people everywhere is simply to live in peace.

Secondly, we must never take our social cohesion for granted. Being a multi-ethnic, multi-faith, and multilingual society does not automatically make us a successful one. Success requires hard work—it requires policy, investment, and leadership.

A special thanks must go to our community leaders. We need political leadership that focuses on our shared values, and faith leadership that bridges divides. But most of all, we rely on the quiet, dedicated work of community leaders—the ones who organize events like this and who solve small problems before they become big ones. You are the architects of our cohesion.

Thank you for the invitation to be here. I look forward to joining you again next year, and I’m sure we’ll have better weather!

I wish everyone a wonderful afternoon. Thank you.

The 2025 Irreecha Melbourne was a resounding success, highlighted in part by the impactful message shared by Toltu Tufa.

Good morning. I stand before you today with a heart full of gratitude—gratitude for life, for this community, and for this sacred moment we share, known as Irreecha.

I would like to begin by honoring the Oromo elders, both male and female, who are with us today. And to everyone here, Oromo and non-Oromo alike, a very warm welcome.

For anyone new to this tradition, Irreecha is the Oromo people’s festival of thanksgiving. We gather by water—rivers, lakes, and waterways—bringing greenery and salt, symbols of life, which we place upon the water. It marks the end of the rainy season and the arrival of sunshine and renewal. We are truly fortunate; last year in Melbourne, we stood in the rain, and this year, the sun blesses us.

But Irreecha is far more than a change of season. At its heart, it is a celebration built on three pillars: gratitude, harmony with nature, and community connection.

Today, I want to share what these pillars mean for us.

First, gratitude. Irreecha is a time, as we were taught, to set aside grievances, to reflect, and to forgive. In our culture, gratitude is a transformative force. It turns hardship into resilience and scarcity into abundance.

Second, connection to nature. Even amidst concrete and screens, Irreecha calls us back to a fundamental truth: water is life, and the earth is sacred. It reminds us that we belong to the earth, and the earth to us.

And third, community. We, as Oromo people, are not meant to celebrate alone. We come together with food, laughter, forgiveness, and joy. For some of you, this may be familiar. The names and customs may differ, but the goal is the same: the human spirit giving thanks, finding belonging, and hoping for better days.

Here in Australia, Irreecha is more than a cultural tradition; it is an act of identity and dignity. It is our declaration that even far from Oromia, our culture is alive and thriving.

For our young Oromo people, this is your invitation—from your parents, your cousins, your relatives—to inherit the values of gratitude and resilience.

And for our non-Oromo friends, your presence is a gift. You remind us that joy only multiplies when it is shared.

So whether we gather in Bishoftu, Melbourne, or Washington, D.C., the message is the same: We are still here. We give thanks, and we celebrate life.

Of course, our world is not without hardship. Our people, like many others, carry pain and struggle. Irreecha does not deny this pain. Instead, it transforms it. It is the Oromo way of saying that sorrow will never have the final word.

So thank you. If we can gather here today by the water, then perhaps tomorrow, we can gather in peace all around the world.

I want to thank you for your time and extend my deep gratitude to the organizers for their marvelous work. I look forward to seeing you all again, with my friends and family, next year.

Thank you.

BATO, October 6, 2018 – The West Arsi district is one of the country’s most popular tourist destinations, renowned for its rivers, mountains, wildlife, national parks, lakes, and natural hot springs.

Within this district lies Dodolaa, an area rich in historical, cultural, and natural resources. A key historical site is the Arda Jila Yaa’a Bal’oo, located 18 kilometers west of Dodolaa town.

According to local Abbootii Gada and elders, this site has served as the center for the Araaraa Gadaa Faarchuu for over a century. It is a place where community disputes are reconciled, conflicts are resolved, and traditional ceremonies like guma and gumii are held. The site is situated in the middle of the Ukkuma River, surrounded by a beautiful green forest that attracts visitors.

The significance of Yaa’a Bal’oo has drawn attention from abroad. Dr. Lookoo Duuba, a Japanese historian who has lived and traveled in Ethiopia for many years, has visited the site. Dr. Lookoo has fully embraced Oromo culture and is dedicated to researching and promoting it.

“Finding such a vast history and solid tradition in a place like this is, I believe, a strong reason for local scholars to do their part as well,” she remarked.

However, a report from the regional tourism committee indicates that insufficient investment and research are being dedicated to the site. Greater involvement from scholars and stronger government support are critically needed.

The act of visiting, preserving, and promoting these pilgrimage and historical sites is vital, playing a crucial role not only in safeguarding our history but also in driving the country’s economic development. As foreigners travel here to study our past, we must ask ourselves: How many of these sites have we visited? How many have we protected?

In summary, Ardaan Yaa’a Bal’oo is a prime example of Oromia’s long-standing history, culture, and tourism potential. It serves as a powerful reminder that we must properly understand and develop our cultural resources.

To advance this natural and historical treasure, a concerted effort from the community, government, and scholars is essential.