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ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia
The Oromo ethnic group in Ethiopia celebrated Saturday Irreecha, or Thanksgiving holiday, in the country’s capital.
Thousands of Oromo people, dressed in colorful traditional costumes, were seen flocking to the center of the capital as part of a procession to thank God.
Irreecha is held annually in Ethiopia in late September to mark the end of the rainy months of June, July, and August and the start of the harvest season.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who hails from the Oromo ethnic group, said that Irreecha is a celebration that presents peace, unity and life.
The celebration, however, saw a much smaller turnout of people due to coronavirus fears.
There was a heavy security presence in the capital city after Oromia region police said they detained more than 500 people on suspicion of activities to disrupt the rituals.
In 2016, after a year of protests against the government, security forces fired tear gas and fired guns as crowds gathered for the Irreecha festival, sparking a stampede that possibly killed hundreds, according to Human Rights Watch.
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