A Missed Opportunity for a National Thanksgiving Holiday, Cultural Recognition, and Unity

The recent Proclamation No. 1334/2004, which outlines Ethiopia’s national public holidays, notably omits Irreechaa, an apolitical, ecumenical, multicultural, and truly inclusive Thanksgiving festival central to Oromo identity and cultural heritage, as well as to followers of monotheistic religions and Africa at large. This omission is more than a simple oversight; it reflects a troubling pattern of marginalization that impacts Ethiopia’s socio-economic core and its largest national group. The exclusion of Irreechaa represents a missed opportunity for Ethiopia to embrace an inclusive national Thanksgiving holiday and serves as a stark reminder of the need for greater inclusivity and recognition within the national framework.

In this opinion piece, I will explore the pain caused by this omission to the Oromo community and the Ethiopian Federation as a whole, highlight the significance of Irreechaa, and make the case for its recognition as Ethiopia’s National Thanksgiving holiday.

An Act of Continuing Historical Injustice

Irreechaa is not merely a cultural celebration but a cornerstone of Oromo identity. This festival, deeply intertwined with the Gadaa system—recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity—has been central to Oromo life for centuries. By excluding Irreechaa from the list of national holidays, the Ethiopian government risks engaging in a form of cultural erasure. Such exclusion not only denies the Oromo people their rightful place in Ethiopia’s historical and cultural narrative but also undermines global acknowledgment of their heritage.

The omission of Irreechaa highlights a broader pattern of historical and cultural suppression experienced by the Oromo people, which persists even when an Oromo individual leads the government. This marginalization reflects a continuation of past injustices, where Oromo traditions were systematically repressed starting from the late 19th century. Recognizing Irreechaa as a national holiday would address a fraction of this historical imbalance and honor the cultural diversity that is a cornerstone of Ethiopia’s identity.

A Deliberate Insult to the Oromo People

The Oromo are Ethiopia’s largest national group, representing approximately 40% of the population. The decision to exclude Irreechaa from the national holiday list is not merely a mistake but a significant oversight that disregards the cultural and political importance of the Oromo community. This exclusion continues a historical trend of marginalization and sends a troubling message about the value of Oromo traditions compared to others recognized at the national level. It suggests that only certain traditions and identities are deemed worthy of national celebration, while others are dismissed, further entrenching divisions within the country. In essence, Ethiopia has not begun healing its past injustices but is instead regressing.

The Shortsightedness of Keeping Irreechaa at the Oromia Regional Level

If the intent behind excluding Irreechaa is to confine it to the Oromia Regional State, this reflects a dangerously shortsighted perspective. Even if Irreechaa is made into a week-long holiday in Oromia, it will not measure up to being included as a national holiday of a single day. Irreechaa’s significance extends beyond regional boundaries; it represents a national and even global celebration of unity and gratitude. Limiting Irreechaa to a regional holiday belittles its importance and reinforces the marginalization of the Oromo people.

The contributions of the Oromo community to Ethiopia are vast and significant. In fact, as I have previously stated, modern Ethiopia is, in many ways, a product of the Oromo. By restricting Irreechaa to Oromia, the government effectively communicates that Oromo culture is only relevant within specific geographic boundaries. Recognizing Irreechaa as a national holiday would affirm the festival’s importance to all Ethiopians and reflect a more inclusive understanding of national identity.

Irreechaa: A Global Festival of Cultural Significance

Irreechaa is celebrated with enthusiasm both within Ethiopia and among the Oromo diaspora worldwide, with participation and attendance comparable to other major holidays. In Ethiopia, particularly in Oromia and Addis Ababa, millions march to celebrate it. Oromo communities across all regional states and many other nations have joined in the celebrations. In recent years, Irreechaa has gained prominence as a regular festival in the USA, Canada, Europe, and Australia. Its global celebration underscores its role as a unifying force that could enhance Ethiopia’s international cultural profile and foster a sense of unity among its diverse populations. The wide recognition of Irreechaa highlights its importance as a cultural cornerstone and underscores the missed opportunity of not recognizing it at the national level.

Irreechaa: A Unique Celebration of Unity Across Faiths and Cultures

Irreechaa stands out as a festival that brings together people of all religions, cultures, and identities to give thanks to their God in unity. Despite claims by a few vocal detractors, Irreechaa does not adhere to any particular religious organization, ethnicity, nationality, or race, nor does it require participants to pray in the name of a specific divine entity. Everyone may invoke the name of their God in the joint prayer. The Oromo call their God Waaqaa, Muslims pray in the name of Allah, Christians pray in the name of Jesus Christ, and so forth. The preeminence of the Oromo in Irreechaa, due to its cultural primacy, is that they invite nations of the world who believe in one God to join them in the unity of humanity in Thanksgiving and prayer to their Creator. This inclusive aspect of Irreechaa makes it a rare example of a celebration that transcends ethnic and religious boundaries. In a country marked by divisions along religious, political, and cultural lines, Irreechaa offers a unique opportunity for unity and shared celebration.

Irreechaa as a Cultural Heritage Beyond the Oromo Community

Misconceptions about Irreechaa being solely an Oromo Thanksgiving festival fail to recognize its broader cultural relevance. Irreechaa embodies a universal tradition of gratitude and celebration, reflecting values shared across Ethiopia, Africa, and beyond. Limiting its recognition to one ethno-national group overlooks its potential as a unifying cultural event in a divided federation. Irreechaa represents a shared human experience of giving thanks and celebrating life, which transcends linguistic, national, and cultural boundaries. Recognizing this festival as a national holiday would affirm its place in Ethiopia’s cultural landscape and acknowledge its universal significance.

Irreechaa and the Gadaa System: A UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage

Irreechaa’s association with the Gadaa system, recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage, highlights its importance not only to the Oromo but to global cultural heritage. While Irreechaa is linked with Waaqeffanna, the traditional, purely monotheistic Oromo religion, its significance extends beyond this religious context. The seeming inconsequential exclusion of Irreechaa from national recognition undermines both the cultural heritage of the Oromo and the global acknowledgment of the Gadaa system. Including Irreechaa as a national holiday would honor Ethiopia’s diverse cultural heritage and align with global efforts to preserve and celebrate intangible cultural legacies.

The Case for Recognizing Irreechaa as a National Holiday

The goal of this opinion piece is not to establish every festival of Ethiopia’s diverse nations as a public holiday but to highlight the scale and inclusivity of Irreechaa. This festival’s significance extends beyond the Oromo community and offers an opportunity for all Ethiopians to celebrate unity and gratitude. Irreechaa embodies values relevant to all Ethiopians and represents a celebration of shared human experiences. Its inclusion as a national holiday would affirm its importance and enhance the sense of unity and inclusivity within Ethiopia, contributing to a more harmonious national identity. Incorporating Irreechaa into the national holiday calendar would foster national cohesion and provide a common platform for all Ethiopians to celebrate their shared humanity and humility before their God. Recognizing Irreechaa as an Ethiopian national holiday of Thanksgiving would contribute to building a cohesive national identity that the Ethiopian Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples aspire to, as enshrined in the preamble of the Constitution of the Ethiopian Federation.