By Nigatu Desalegn
A nation’s health can be measured by how it treats its diverse cultures and traditions. In Ethiopia, our ancient festivals should be sources of immense pride and unity. Yet, under the current administration, they have become instruments of a divisive political agenda. A glaring double standard has become painfully obvious to millions: the lavish, state-sponsored politicization of the Irreechaa festival versus the systematic obstruction and marginalization of the Meskel celebration.
This is not an attack on the beautiful Irreechaa tradition. Its revival is a significant and welcome event. The issue lies squarely with its calculated co-option by the state to advance a narrow political interest at the expense of national cohesion.
The government’s strategy is twofold. First, it has transformed Irreechaa into a state-funded spectacle. Public coffers, which fail to provide basic services to citizens, are opened wide to fund massive celebrations, particularly in Addis Ababa. The city is commandeered for the event, and state media provides saturation coverage. Government officials, from the Prime Minister down, use the cultural event as a political stage, making speeches and seeking to project an image of solidarity with a specific ethnic base. The objective is clear: to shore up political support from an Oromo constituency not through performance and good governance, but through the appropriation of cultural symbols. It is a cynical transaction of public resources for political loyalty.
Second, and in stark contrast, is the state’s antagonistic posture towards Meskel. This ancient Christian festival, recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, is a cornerstone of faith for tens of millions and a national treasure for all. Yet, its celebration is increasingly fraught with state-imposed difficulties.
Every year, the faithful and clergy of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church face a wall of bureaucratic resistance. Securing Meskel Square, a site historically synonymous with the celebration, has become a battle. Believers face intimidation, and the spiritual essence of the event is often overshadowed by an unnecessarily heavy and imposing security presence. This systematic harassment is not accidental; it is a deliberate policy of marginalization. It sends a chilling message that one of the nation’s foundational cultures and faiths is viewed by the state not as a heritage to be cherished, but as a threat to be managed and contained.
The consequences of this politically engineered disparity are devastating for the fabric of our nation:
- Erosion of National Unity: This policy pits Ethiopians against one another. It fuels resentment and suspicion, turning celebrations that should be bridges of understanding into walls of division.
- Destruction of Authentic Tradition: By injecting politics into culture, the state strips these festivals of their spiritual and communal meaning. They become hollow political rallies, not genuine expressions of faith or thanksgiving.
- Betrayal of Public Trust: Using taxpayer money to promote one group’s festival while actively hindering another is a flagrant violation of the government’s constitutional duty to represent all citizens equally.
We must see this for what it is: a dangerous and deliberate strategy to weaponize culture for political control. The administration is not a neutral guardian of culture; it is an active participant in a project that elevates one narrative while suppressing others.
Ethiopians must reject this divisive agenda. We must demand equitable state treatment for all faiths and cultures. Irreechaa belongs to those who celebrate it, not the Prosperity Party. Meskel is the heritage of all Ethiopians and the world. It is time to liberate our sacred traditions from the clutches of political manipulators and restore them to the people.
Editor’s Note : Views in the article do not necessarily reflect the views of borkena.com
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Dear Nigatu Desalegn,
Your arguments are shallow and one-sided. Yes, Meskel is ancient. So is Ireecha. Please don’t make a mountain out of molehill. Let the Oromo do what they want. Let the rest of us do likewise. Personally, I don’t celebrate Ireecha. My friends and relatives do. But they invite me over to eat fresh Qamadii bread. Do you really believe I’m going to turn that down? FYI, they don’t use a knife to cut the bread, just bare hands. And I end up getting more than I can eat. When I get up to leave they grab me a larger portion even though the piece from the first round is still more than enough for me. What to do? I end up consuming it over several days. I suspect these Oromos want to kill me by overfeeding me, no? Any way, let’s give each other some space. I know you’ll change your mind once you eat Qamadii bread. But I warn you not to drink too much Farsoo so you don’t get drunk and start talking Afaan Oromoo, and act funny.