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An Ethiopian wears traditional dress as he participates in the annual Irrecha thanksgiving festival in the capital Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019. The annual Irrecha festival of Ethiopia's largest ethnic group, the Oromo, attracted millions from across Ethiopia and was held in the capital for the first time after 150 years on Saturday. (AP Photo/Mulugeta Ayene)

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Ethiopians participate in the annual Irrecha thanksgiving festival in the capital Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019. The annual Irrecha festival of Ethiopia's largest ethnic group, the Oromo, attracted millions from across Ethiopia and was held in the capital for the first time after 150 years on Saturday. (AP Photo/Mulugeta Ayene)

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Ethiopians throw grass into a pool of water, as a symbol of riches after the rainy season and to thank the land and water for everything they have provided, as they celebrate the annual Irrecha thanksgiving festival in the capital Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019. The annual Irrecha festival of Ethiopia's largest ethnic group, the Oromo, attracted millions from across Ethiopia and was held in the capital for the first time after 150 years on Saturday. (AP Photo/Mulugeta Ayene)

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Ethiopians participate in the annual Irrecha thanksgiving festival in the capital Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019. The annual Irrecha festival of Ethiopia's largest ethnic group, the Oromo, attracted millions from across Ethiopia and was held in the capital for the first time after 150 years on Saturday. (AP Photo/Mulugeta Ayene)

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Ethiopians throw grass into a pool of water, as a symbol of riches after the rainy season and to thank the land and water for everything they have provided, as they celebrate the annual Irrecha thanksgiving festival in the capital Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019. The annual Irrecha festival of Ethiopia's largest ethnic group, the Oromo, attracted millions from across Ethiopia and was held in the capital for the first time after 150 years on Saturday. (AP Photo/Mulugeta Ayene)

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Ethiopians throw grass into a pool of water, as a symbol of riches after the rainy season and to thank the land and water for everything they have provided, as they celebrate the annual Irrecha thanksgiving festival in the capital Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019. The annual Irrecha festival of Ethiopia's largest ethnic group, the Oromo, attracted millions from across Ethiopia and was held in the capital for the first time after 150 years on Saturday. (AP Photo/Mulugeta Ayene)

Ethiopians celebrate religious festival in the capital

By Associated Press AP

PUBLISHED 2:07 PM ET Oct. 05, 2019

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AP) — Hundreds of thousands of people in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa are celebrating a festival widely seen as promoting peace and unity.

The annual Irrecha festival is a thanksgiving event for the Oromo, Ethiopia's largest ethnic group. But the colorful event attracts revelers from other ethnic groups across the country.

In recent years the festival has been politically charged, with people using the opportunity to voice dissent against the governing party. Some in the crowd Saturday displayed signs expressing opposition to the government of reformist leader Abiy Ahmed over concerns.

Several people were killed in the 2016 event following a stampede as police dispersed anti- government protesters. The unrest that followed led to the resignation of Abiy's predecessor.

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This story has been corrected to indicate the Irrecha festival is not a religious event.

Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.