Huge crowds turned out in Ethiopia's capital, Addis Ababa, as it hosted for the first time in more than a century the annual Irreecha thanksgiving festival of the Oromo, the country's largest ethnic group. Image copyright ReutersThere was tight security as hundreds of thousands of people clogged the streets, including Addis Ababa's main public area, Meskel Square. Image copyright AFPThere are thought to be at least 40 million Oromos in Ethiopia, making up more than 30% of the population. Within the Oromos there are many different traditions associated with where people come from, and Irreecha brings them all together. He has implemented radical reforms since coming to power last year following protests demanding more rights for ethnic groups.

Source: Ethiopian News October 05, 2019 13:18 UTC