Irréchà as the Freedom-Fest of Orofricanism, a.k.a. Pan-Africanism, in Finfinne!
By Fayyis Oromia*
The Oromo, as the descendants of Cush and the stem of all African nations, now have a chance to administer ourselves and influence others in a ripple effect—starting from Finfinne, the capital city of Oromia, to Oropia (Oromummaa-led Ethiopia), to the Orohorn (Oromummaa-led Horn of Africa), and ultimately to Orofrica (Oromummaa-led Africa). One of the central elements of this influence is the celebration of Irréchà as a Freedom-Fest for all African nations in their political and cultural capital—Finfinne. It is time to promote Finfinne as a truly multicultural city for all nations of Oropia and Orofrica. This vision includes establishing cultural centers for all African nations within the city and adopting Afaan Oromo as one of Africa’s major common languages of communication.
When I speak of freedom in this essay, I refer specifically to political freedom as a central concept in our political thought, and as a key feature of any free nation or democratic society. Freedom is widely understood in literature as a condition free of oppression or coercion; as the absence of disabling conditions and the presence of enabling ones—both for individuals and communities. It includes freedom from external constraints as well as the positive exercise of rights, capabilities, and national aspirations. True political freedom also involves liberation from internal constraints like conformity, fear, or inauthentic behavior. It is intimately connected to civil liberties and human rights, both of which are legally protected in free, democratic societies.
Irréchà is a national celebration in Oropia (Ethiopia), particularly a Thanksgiving Day to Wàqa (God). It originated thousands of years ago among the Blue Nile-bound Cushitic peoples, especially the Oromo. Traditionally, it is celebrated at Lake Arsadi (Hora Arsadi) in Bishoftu, Oromia, on the last Sunday of September or the first Sunday of October. However, going forward, the grand celebration is planned to also take place at the heart of Oromia and the symbolic center of Oropia—Finfinne.
During the celebration, Aba Gadaas (traditionally elected leaders), elders, and the Oromo public give thanks to Wàqa for the transition from the rainy season to Birrà (spring). The following invitation has already been issued by the Oromo youth (Qeerroo), who have long struggled for freedom:
“Welcome to the upcoming Ayyàna Irréchà (Irréchà Festival)! According to the Oromo calendar, the end of September marks Irreechaa Birrà, our annual Thanksgiving Day. This celebration occurs once a year in Birrà and includes special activities and festivities. It holds deep importance in the lives of the Oromo. We gather to thank Wàqa for the blessings of the past year at the sacred grounds of Hora Arsadi. Irreechaa is celebrated not just in Oromia but globally wherever the Oromo diaspora resides. We celebrate not only to thank Wàqa, but also to welcome a new season of abundance after a long, dark, rainy season. The festival brings people together—friends, families, and communities—to foster unity and cultural pride. We invite everyone to share in our joy.”
Indeed, Irreechaa is not merely a cultural festival—it is a day of freedom. It is a Freedom-Fest, as a contributor to Gadaa.com once coined it. It is a day when all Oromo, from every walk of life, celebrate freedom—particularly from years of TPLF tyranny. Despite military sieges around Hora Arsadi, over 3 million Oromo gather each year in a remarkable show of unity and defiance. This spirit of freedom propels us toward full national sovereignty.
For comparison, in the United States, FreedomFest is an annual non-partisan gathering where thinkers and citizens celebrate liberty, ideas, and debate. The Oromo version—Irreechaa—can evolve similarly into a week-long event that combines cultural displays with intellectual sessions, held both in Bishoftu and Finfinne.
Remarkably, no major violence has been recorded during Irreechaa celebrations—except the 2016 massacre perpetrated by TPLF forces. This demonstrates that the Oromo understand their limits as they struggle for liberation. Freedom flourishes best within limits. Humans were created as moral beings, capable of making choices, but also meant to flourish within natural and ethical boundaries. The Oromo, believers in Wàqa Tokkichà (One God), celebrate responsibly without infringing on others’ freedoms.
Because of the Oromo’s deep respect for freedom—both their own and others’—no African or non-African should feel unsafe when attending celebrations at Hora Finfinne or Hora Arsadi. Particularly, Africans who have lived under colonization can resonate with this day. For the Oromo, Irreechaa has historically been the only time to gather freely, despite systematic repression. Sadly, the Oromo issue is often obscured by Abyssinian elites’ rhetoric portraying Ethiopia as “the only non-colonized African country.”
In reality, this narrative is a myth. Abyssinian elites present Ethiopia as a beacon of African resistance, yet it was—and in some ways still is—a prison for nations like Oromia. While we recognize the victory of Adwa, in which Oromo fighters also played a role, we must also remember the subjugation committed by Atse Menelik, who helped colonize southern nations. This historical contradiction must be acknowledged honestly.
We now face a turning point: the Oromo National Liberation Movement, rooted in egalitarian Gadaa values, is a powerful force against Abyssinianization. Oromummaa—with its values of freedom, democracy, and self-rule—will inevitably prevail over the authoritarianism and exploitation rooted in Habeshanet. The Irreechaa Freedom-Fest marks this transformation each year.
This is why all Africans are invited to partake in a symbolic annual “pilgrimage” to Hora Arsadi—both to revive indigenous African values and to strengthen faith in Wàqa Tokkichà, free from imported ideologies. The festival should expand beyond Bishoftu to also be held in Hora Finfinne or Hora Gafarsaa, thus giving it an international dimension.
Especially invited are the Habeshanized Cushites (like the Amhara and Tigray), many of whom lost their own similar traditions. The Irreechaa Freedom-Fest can help reclaim these lost identities, and foster reconciliation.
However, let us not confuse Abyssinian colonial elites with the broader Abyssinian masses, who may yet become allies in the fight for freedom. The formula below helps clarify the dynamics:
Foes vs. Friends: ADF <=== VS ===> (EDF <——&——> ODF)
ADF = Abyssinian Domination Forces
EDF = Ethiopian Democratization Forces
ODF = Oromian Decolonization Forces
The ADF are our true adversaries. The EDF and ODF are allies with different strategies toward the same goal. Their rivalry should be seen as a natural political divergence, not enmity. Events like Freedom-Fest can help foster unity between these two factions.
Thus, Irreechaa is not just a festival; it is also a space for reconciliation, dialogue, unity, and revival of African culture. It is a symbol of freedom in the midst of oppression. But the freedom we celebrate once a year must be extended into everyday reality. As Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. reminded us, “Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed.”
We have achieved freedom from TPLF’s tyranny—now, we must exercise our sovereignty to democratize Oromia and Oropia.
May Wàqa help us consolidate our freedom—as citizens and as a nation—not just during Freedom-Fest, but for generations to come.
Happy Freedom-Fest to all who join us in Finfinne—the capital city of the African Union!
Galatooma!
Read more: https://orompia.wordpress.com/2018/09/2 ... -ethiopia/