Irecha Celebrated At Bishoftu
Irecha, the thanks giving day of the Ethiopian Oromo people to God (Waqa), was celebrated colorfully on Sunday at the town of Bishoftu. Though Irecha celebration takes place mainly at Bishoftu by Lake Hora-Arsedi, it is also conducted in different parts of the State of Oromiya. The Ethiopian Culture and Tourism Minister Amin Abdulkadir said on the occasion that the government is working to develop and promote the country's cultural heritages including Irecha, having the appropriate policy. Traditionally the Oromo people have their own cultural, social and political system known as the Gada system. The head or the leader of the Geda system is locally known as Aba Geda. During the Irecha Festival, community leaders and Aba Gedas give thanks to Waqa for the blessed transition from the rainy season to the new bright year. Head of the Oromia Tourism and Culture Bureau, Mohamed Jilo, said that this year's celebration is special for the Bureau in collaboration with feder