Oromoo is one of the largest people in Africa. Afaan Oromoo/Oromoo language is the fourth largest language spoken next to yurbo of Nigeria kiswahili,and Arabic in Africa.
Oromo is also the largest among the 35 Kushitic people, eastern(22)&western(13). This east-west categorization is to mean people living on both sides of the Blue Nile for centuries.
Hence,Oromoo belongs to the eastern kushitic group,i.e., Eastern Africa. One could almost say that all of the horn Africa has been habituated by these people.
Oromoo has its own traditions,culture,belief and belief system. It has also politico-economic,as well as societal administration system called GADAA. This system is the democratic system Oroomoo has invented and lived with it for centuries,even before the Greeks.
Therefore, Oromoo existed as independent nation and people in the horn of Africa up to when Minilik II, with the help of European powers, has invaded and seized it in 1902.
Oromoo believes in One God,called Waaqa.Its belief system is called Qaalluu,Warra Ayyaanaa or in its present name, Waaqeffanna. The Oroomoo belief system teachings incorporate Ayyaana-Holy spirit.
Therefore, every part of the Oroomoo society exercises this Ayyaanaa,called Ayyaaneffachaa/ritual ceremonies in its different forms,places and conditions.
However, these Ayyaaneffachaa/celeberation is divided into two main groups: one which is exercised in the ritual house called GALMA-Ritual Hall and the other is exercised outside of the GALMA.
The ritual ceremonies outside the GALMA are so many. IRREECHAA/IRREESSAA, Dhibaayyuu, Ayyaana Dallaa,Ayyaan Abbaa,Ateetee,Maqa Baasaa,Haammachiisaa,Jaarii,etc,are to mention just a few.These kinds of ritual ceremonies are performed in around lakes,river sources,mountains,big trees(Adibar),confluences,at front houses,in the houses,etc.
The IRREESSAA/IRREECHAA is one of the ritual ceremonies exercised outside the GALMA. What makes IRREECHAA unique from other OROOMOO ritual ceremonies is that it is performed once in a year,at BISHOOFTU with the participation of all OROOMOO people from across the OROOMOO land. It is being celeberated at lake called HORASADE-meaning three lakes believed to have joined under the ground of the earth.
IRREESSAA/IRREESSAA has an imaginable value and magnificent meaning to the Oroomoo & its neighbouring people.
HAPPY IRREESSAA/IRREECHAA, 2021/6417
By Qilinxo Lamu(PHD)
HORA BULAA!!GADAAN ROOBAA GABBINA,
GABBISI WAAQI!!!
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