Irréchà in Finfinne – The World’s Capital of Culture and Tourism
By Fayyis Oromia*
I recently read that Finfinne has been chosen as the World’s Capital of Culture and Tourism. What wonderful news for the Oromo people in particular and the Cushitic peoples (Ethiopians) in general! Indeed, it is well deserved. The Cushites, as one of the world’s oldest civilizations, have given humanity great heritage—Càltu/Lucy/Dinqinesh, for instance, being the common mother of all humankind. Among the many cultural festivals celebrated by the Cushitic peoples, one of the most prominent is Irréchà, and we are proud that this sacred ceremony takes place annually in Finfinne.
Irréchà is celebrated every year, especially in September and October, by Oromo communities around the world. The largest celebration takes place in Bishoftuu, Oromia, at the Horaa Arsadii Sanctuary, where approximately three million pilgrims give thanks to Wàqà (God). We continue to long for the day when Oromo Christians, Muslims, and Wàqeffatàs will come together to celebrate Irréchà in unity—offering thanks to Wàqà while also committing ourselves to live according to His will, in both our private and public Oromo life.
Irréchà is not only about celebrating past blessings and aspiring for future good; it is also a day of remembrance—for those who sacrificed their lives and limbs for the Oromo people’s cause of bilisummà (freedom). It includes commemorating imprisoned Oromo nationalists who have suffered under torture in Ma’ikelawi prison, falsely accused as “terrorists” merely for supporting Oromian youth movements for freedom and democracy.
In North America, Thanksgiving Day is an official holiday celebrated mostly in the United States and Canada. It originated from both European harvest traditions and Indigenous practices. Traditionally, it’s a time to give thanks to God, family, and community. When Europeans arrived in the Americas, they brought with them the tradition of harvest festivals, which merged with local customs to become what is now known as Thanksgiving Day.
Interestingly, the Cushitic peoples of Ethiopia—especially the Oromo—have celebrated a similar form of thanksgiving for over 5,000 years through Irréchà. This tradition predates other religious harvest festivals and likely influenced similar observances in ancient Egypt, Israel, Arabia, Europe, and eventually the Americas. In the same way, the monotheistic belief in Wàqa Tokkichà (One God) originated in Cushitic Ethiopia and spread outward over time.
As the root of many other Cushitic nations in northeastern Africa, the Oromo have preserved the Irréchà tradition, while many others have lost it. Now is the time for Cushitic Ethiopians and other African nations to re-learn this value and revive their cultural heritage. Although many have converted to Christianity or Islam, there is no inherent conflict that should prevent believers from all three monotheistic religions from celebrating Irréchà together. After all, the U.S. and Canada have “Christianized” Irréchà and now celebrate it as Thanksgiving Day. There’s no reason why Christians and Muslims in Africa cannot join their Oromo siblings in embracing this tradition.
There are deep theological and spiritual connections among Christianity, Islam, and Wàqeffannà. Borantichà, the first holy person in the Wàqeffannà faith, is seen as a prophet of Wàqà—much like Jesus in Christianity and Muhammad in Islam. All three are Qàllü—individuals divinely guided to live according to the will of the Supreme Being. This theological overlap underscores why Irréchà can serve as a shared day of thanksgiving for followers of all three traditions.
Even the biblical notion of “God’s chosen people” traces its roots to Cush. The Bible quotes Jahwe saying to Israel: “Are you not as dear to me as the Cushites?” In Oromo tradition, Qàllü hold a similar place to the Levites of ancient Israel—ritual leaders chosen by God. The Cushitic word Kàsà means “God’s People” (Ka = God, Sa = People). Notably, two Agaw kings, Theodros and Yohannes, bore the name Kàsà to signify their divine authority. Similarly, Sàbà means “created people” (Sa = people, Ba = creation). These concepts reflect a rich theological and cultural tradition shared across Cushitic languages.
If Oromo people of all faiths are to celebrate Irréchà together, they must embrace this shared heritage and agree on common celebration sites. While Horaa Arsadii remains a central location, I propose that Lake Gafarsà in Finfinne also become a national site for Irréchà. As the political and cultural heart of Cushitic Ethiopia, Finfinne should serve as a major center for this celebration—complementing Bishoftuu and other local festivities. Elevating Finfinne in this way will help channel spiritual and cultural blessings to the rest of the country and the continent.
We must preserve and promote Irréchà as one of Ethiopia’s most cherished traditions—a tradition rooted in ébbà(blessing) and thanksgiving. Across Oromia, it’s common to see elders bestow blessings and people practicing small-scale thanksgiving rituals daily, often in the form of morning and evening prayers: “Galata ké ya Wàq!” Based on this cultural richness, European scholars have referred to Oromia as “a land filled with rivers of blessing.”
Irréchà also symbolizes a form of cultural and political liberation. For the Oromo, it is a rare day of freedom amid systemic oppression. Although security forces continue to harass participants, Irréchà represents victory in the struggle for Oromo liberation. As we say: Irreechi irree keenya! – Irreechà is our strength.
Interestingly, many elements of Oromo traditions are reflected—albeit differently—in Abyssinian festivals. Ximqat mirrors Irréchà; Masqal (Demerà) echoes Gubà; Buhé resembles Tàboré; and Ashanda of Tigrai parallels Ingicà. However, while these practices share roots with Oromo customs, Habeshanism as a political ideology stands in stark contrast to Oromummà. It represents a false identity that perpetuates cycles of victimization and oppression, particularly through ruling elites—such as the Woyane—who became the very tormentors they once opposed.
In celebrating Irréchà, we must strive to transform Finfinne from a symbol of authoritarianism and tyranny into the capital of a free and democratic Oromia—an Africa led by Gadà (democracy), bilisummà (freedom), equality, and justice. Irréchà should stand as a day of national renewal and a commitment to these values. Let us celebrate the Ethiopia envisioned by Laureate Tsegaye Gebre Medhin—a land of peace, democracy, and cultural dignity—not the Ethiopia of colonial elites hiding behind a name given by outsiders.
The Oromo give galata (thanks) for the progress we’ve made—however partial—and also renew our gàffī (demands) for what remains: full freedom and dignity. Wàqà works through us, not in place of us. When we act with purpose and integrity, His blessings manifest. That’s why Irréchà must be celebrated not just as a ritual, but as a proactive commitment to fulfilling the vision of the Oromo liberation struggle.
Still longing for the day when all Oromo—Christians, Muslims, and Wàqeffatàs—celebrate Irréchà in unison, we also commit to living out our faith in action. The day of full liberation will come. Until then, we celebrate each step—past and future—on the path of freedom. Even now, the brutal Woyane regime cannot extinguish the light of Irréchà. We honor those unjustly imprisoned in Ma’ikelawi, whose only crime was seeking freedom for the Oromo people.
Let us differentiate between the innocent people of Abyssinia and their oppressive elites. I saw Borantichà celebrated not in Oromia, but in Gondar—deep within Abyssinia. Does that not make Gondar part of Oromia? Does that not prove the reach and depth of Oromo culture? My Oromia is not confined to political maps drawn by OPDO or OLF. It is inclusive. It spans all Oromo people, wherever they may live.
So, let us celebrate the true Ethiopia—one of freedom, culture, dignity, and unity—not the one manipulated by oppressors. Let us give glory to Wàqà for all we’ve achieved, and commit to completing the journey ahead. Irréchà is the day of thanksgiving, renewal, remembrance, and above all, hope.
May Wàqà bless Oromia—the land of blessing and the land of Irréchà!
Happy Irréchà to all who celebrate this noble holiday with us!
Galatôma!
Read more:https://orompia.wordpress.com/2019/02/2 ... d-tourism/