Photos and Singing as Ethiopians Mark Annual Thanksgiving

Countless individuals of brightly clothed attendees gathered in the heart of Addis Ababa for the yearly gratitude celebration over the past days.

The festival is honored by the Oromo people, the biggest community, and occurs at the conclusion of the country's major rainy season.

Each year, celebrants come together around holy water bodies to express gratitude to their higher powers for the greenery that the precipitation have delivered.

"I've been celebrating the festival for the previous nine years," stated 25-year-old Moata Abdulmajid.

"In my view, the celebration represents my heritage, it demonstrates the dignity and greatness of my community."

Males, women, the elderly and the young all join in, ornamented in striking garments and accessories.

They sing, dance, exchange narratives and arrange newly gathered foliage and flowers in the water - representing vitality, rebirth and optimism.

Worldwide Participation

This festival not only draws people from throughout the country, attendees come from globally.

"I attended a year ago - it was wonderful, so magnificent, I invited my children with me now," mentioned one visitor, originating from Northern Ireland.

"It is amazing. Everybody welcomes you, each person shows warmth and offers greetings."

Festival Timeline

The opening day of the celebration was held on the weekend in Addis Ababa. On Sunday, celebrants made their way to a provincial location, a small town just outside the main city.

Although the festival has its foundations in native spiritual practices, it is now celebrated by the larger part of Oromos, without consideration for their belief system.

Modern Changes

In the recent years, the quantity of people participating in the celebration has grown significantly. This is partly due to the growth of online networks, where various young people capture their outfits, traditional dances and musical expressions during the festival.

Previous Significance

In the past, the festival was functioned as a venue for public dissent - the Oromo people have historically expressed concerns about political and economic marginalisation.

Nonetheless, the recent event unfolded peacefully, with an priority on happiness, unity and cultural pride.