ADDIS ABABA – Thousands convened in Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa, on Saturday for the annual thanksgiving festival of the East African nation, celebrated by the Oromos, the largest ethnic group, who wore predominantly white traditional clothing.

The festival, known as Irreecha, is conducted to express gratitude to God, referred to as Waaqa by the Oromos. Some continue to practice the traditional religion called Waaqqeffannaa, which involves the worship of Waaqa.

“Irreecha is a cherished custom held dear by the Oromos,” noted Abbaa Gadaa Asmacha Foro, who participated in the festival after traveling from the West Shewa Zone in Oromia, the country’s central region.

Representing approximately a third of Ethiopia’s nearly 130 million population, the Oromo people use this annual festival to preach peace and unity.

Robiya Bimam, a 35-year-old hotelier and resident of Addis Ababa, described Irreecha as “a lively thanksgiving festival that brings together all the main Oromo clans.”

Security measures were intensified in the city ahead of the festival, following violence that erupted during the 2016 celebration. At that time, attendees used the event as a backdrop for anti-federal government protests, clashing with security forces and resulting in a stampede that claimed over 50 lives.

That deadly festival gave birth to new leadership, which saw current Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, born in the Oromia region, rise to power.

Ahmed said Saturday that this year’s Irreecha comes after the country inaugurated the Grand Renaissance Dam, which “doubles our joy.”

Legesse Addisalem, an elder from Sebeta, a small town approximately 22 kilometers (about 13 miles) from Addis Ababa, said, “Irreecha is a commemoration of fertility, love, and peace. We pray for peace, not only in Ethiopia but throughout Africa and the entire world.”

James Jordan, a tourist from the U.S., attended the Irreecha festival for the first time.

“As a tourist, I’m mesmerized by the lively culture and large crowds at the Irreecha festival,” he said.

“I found it to be a wonderful celebration,” said Tariku Gankasi, a prominent Ethiopian artist from Jinka, a southern region of Ethiopia.

The majority of Oromos believe that they were denied the right to practice and promote their traditions by authorities in the past, including Emperor Menelik II, Emperor Haile Selassie and the military-Marxist Derg government.

Following protracted struggles and immense sacrifices, the Irreecha festival was revived in the late 1990s, when the Derg was toppled.

Umer Ali, 60, was elegantly dressed in his traditional Oromo clothing as he reflected on the revival of the Irreecha celebrations.

“For 150 years, the Oromo were denied cultural expression, but reforms by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed six years ago now allow them to celebrate Irreecha in Finfine and express their culture,” he said.

Yosuf Robie, a resident of Addis Ababa, said that “we inherited this culture from our ancestors, and we must promote and pass it on to the next generation.”

Now, with Abiy as the country’s first Oromo leader, many Oromos feel more empowered to promote their culture.

But despite being Oromo, Abiy faces growing criticism from some within the community, who argue he hasn’t done enough for them.

“Despite the sacrifices made by generations for justice, freedom, and cultural recognition, most Oromo causes are still ignored and pushed aside under Abiy’s administration,” said Haqaafan Worku, a 36-year-old social science expert. “Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed tries to create a false image, pretending that the questions and demands of the Oromo have been addressed. This is far from the truth.”