On October 5th, Ethiopia will celebrate its "National Flag Day." It is one of the new holidays added in the country's calendar. While Ethiopia has many religious holidays, non-religious holidays are very limited compared to in other countries. Many countries around the world celebrate the birthdays of historical, famous (and accomplished) individuals as well as have a "ThanksGiving Day" in the United States.

During this week in Ethiopia, the September 27 Birthday of the late famous musician Tilahun Gessesse (who sang in many languages for five decades) was marked and the Oromo thanksgiving festival of Irreechaa has been celebrated by millions of people. The columnist Tuji Jidda wrote on JT an article suggesting that Irreechaa should be on the Ethiopian federal calendar as an official national holiday and some people also believe the legendary singer Tilahun's birthday should become a national day.

Irreechaa festivities often take place on the first sunday after the Christian holiday of Meskal in Ethiopia. Next to Christianity and Islam, Irreechaa has the most followers of all "traditional beliefs" inside Ethiopia. It is most notably celebrated in Bishoftu town of Oromia where community leaders give thanks to God during the ceremony. Just like the ancient Gadaa democratic system of Oromo-Ethiopians (which is an African indigenous system and arguably the oldest democracy in the world), the monotheistic Oromo belief in Waaqa (God) also did not come from outside Africa, unlike Islam and Christianity. Thus, some Oromos believe that nationally commemorating such indigenous holidays from diverse cultures unites all Ethiopians and helps to redefine Ethiopian identity to make it inclusive.

In the United States, "Thanksgiving day" did not become a national holiday until many years later after the founding of the country. Should Irreechaa become a national holiday as "Thanksgiving Day" in Ethiopia like the secularized Thanksgiving Day in America?

VOTE on the right

VOTING IS NOW CLOSED - FINAL RESULTS

- 61% Voters Said Irecha ThanksGiving Day should be Ethiopian National holiday

- 7% Voters Said Tilahun's Birthday should be Ethiopian National Holiday

- 7% Voters Said Both should be Ethiopian National Holiday

- 24% Voters Said None of the two should be Ethiopian National Holiday

- 1% Voters Said "Other" Event should be added as Ethiopian National Holiday