4 Days Meskel Festival Tours

Tour Highlights

Irreecha Festival(Celebrated After The Meskel Festival Of The First Sunday)

The word  Irreecha  is  also called Irreessa mean  Thanks giving holiday of the Oromo People in Ethiopia. The Oromo People celebrate Irreecha to thank Waaqa (God) for the blessings and mercies they have received throughout the previous year. The thanksgiving is celebrated at the sacred grounds of Hora Harsadi (Lake Harsadi), Bishoftu, Oromia. The Irreecha festival is celebrated every year at the beginning of Birraa (Spring), new season after the dark and rainy winter season. The Oromo People celebrate Irreecha not only to thank Waaqa (God) but also to welcome the new season of plentiful harvests after the dark and rainy winter season associated with nature and creature. On Irreecha festivals, friends, family, and relatives gather together and celebrate with joy and happiness. Irreecha festivals bring people closer to each other and make social bonds.

Moreover, the Oromo People celebrate this auspicious event to mark the end of rainy season, known as Ganna, was established by Oromo forefathers, in the time of Gadaa Melbaa in Mormor, Oromia. The auspicious day on which this last Mormor Day of Gadaa Melbaa – the Dark Time of starvation and hunger- was established on the Sunday of last week of September or the Sunday of the 1st week of October according to the Gadaa lunar calendar has been designated as National Thanksgiving Day by modern-day Oromo People.

Tour Itinerary

Sep 27/2018: Demera – Eve ceremony of Meskel festival/

You will be met upon arrival and transferred to your hotel. Refresh and begin your sightseeing of Addis with a drive up to mount Entoto for a panoramic view of Addis. Descend down and drive to National museum where you will have a chance to spot the oldest hominids of ‘Lucy’ fossil. Visit and proceed to the Holy Trinity built during the WWII. Then proceed to Meskel Square to attain the most colorful celebration Meskel. The Ge’ez word Meskel literally means Cross in which the celebration day named after. Meskel is the finding of the True Cross. It is celebrated among Christians in Ethiopia. It is marked by burning bone fire and also by religious hymn and different shows organized by youngsters from church school. Later you will be transferred to your hotel.

Sep 28/2018: Drive Addis – Debre Zeit

After having your breakfast, you will embark on a 45KM to the city of Debre Ziet a flourishing resort town, known for its 8 volcanic crater lakes, lush green landscape, and abundant birdlife. Upon arrival to the town of Debre Zeit, check into Kuriftu Resort and Spa, and enjoy a day of recuperation and relaxation following your long journey. Overnight at Kuriftu Resort.

Sep 30/2018: Debre Zeit /Erecha/

You will have free morning. In the afternoon you will attain the colorful ceremony of Erecha, the oromo national and cultural celebration. Erecha means Thanksgiving Day to ‘Waqa’ or God. It originated among the Blue Nile bound Cushitic people of Oromo for thousands of years. At national level, it is celebrated in Bishoftu town in Oromia state at Lake Hora Arsadi. Overnight at Kuriftu Resort.

Oct 1/2018: Drive Debre Zeit – Addis

After an enjoyable and relaxing stay in the town of Derbe Ziet, you will be transferred to Addis Ababa, to embark your flight of departure.