ADDIS ABABA: Members of Ethiopia’s largest ethnic group chanted and waved flags as they gathered on Saturday for the first time to celebrate their thanksgiving festival in the capital Addis Ababa, a city that prominent members of the group claim belongs to them.

The annual Irreecha festival of the Oromo people marks the end of the rainy season and the start of the harvest season.

It is traditionally held in the city of Bishoftu, located in the Oromia region some 50 kilometres southeast of Addis Ababa.

Many Oromo leaders argue that the capital is part of their group’s territory, meaning the decision to allow Irreecha celebrations there risked exacerbating ethnic tensions.

But a concert on Friday night in the central Meskel Square and blessing ceremonies on Saturday morning unfolded without incident.

Dawud Ibsa, leader of the opposition Oromo Liberation Front, a former rebel group, said that Saturday’s celebrations were “very significant” for Oromos who believe their claims to Addis Ababa have not been respected. “This is our turn and a revival of what is taken from you,” he said.

In a park not far from Meskel Square, large crowds of mostly Oromos dipped flowers into pools of water and then sprayed themselves in a gesture symbolising gratitude and renewal.

Yado Birhanu, a student, said celebrating Irreecha in Addis Ababa was fitting given the Oromos played a major role in anti-government protests that swept Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, himself an Oromo, to office in 2018.

“We have sacrificed many young people to bring forth these reforms,” she said.

In remarks at the concert, Shimelis Abdisa, vice president of the Oromia region, struck a similarly triumphant tone.

“Today we have crushed those who crushed us, and now the Oromo is winning back his respect right where he lost his dignity,” Shimelis said.

“Today our politics is coming from the periphery to the centre.” But Takele Uma, the Oromo deputy mayor of Addis Ababa, stressed on inclusion.

Published in Dawn, October 6th, 2019