IRRECHA AND ITS CONTRIBUTION FOR THE TOURISM DEVELOPMENT IN BISHOFTU TOWN

Hora Arsadi Lake is a historical and cultural site, which the great Oromo Irrecha ceremony takes place. Bishoftu town is a historic place of Oromo Irrecha ceremony place since 6thcentury with a few numbers of a participant, now the population of the festival participant from different direction of Ethiopia is estimated to 1 -2 million. Even, the site was a great historic place and the population of festivalgoers is increasing, the site doesn’t gate any development. Lack of road access and open space is the main problem of the site.The main aim of this thesis is to study the socio-cultural significance of irreechaa ritual and the development of tourism in Bishoftu City. The study identified that there are gaps in the level of understanding the cultural significance of irreechaa ritual for the tourism development in celebrating cities of Oromia particularly Bishoftu city. In eliciting the necessary data, the study basically relied or based on primary sources comprising of officials and functionaries of the local administrations, community elders, women, youths, and participants in focus group discussions. With regard to collecting the primary data,interview, observation and focus group discussion were used. The secondary data was reinforced by conducting detailed review and analysis of literatures that also helped in formulating the theoretical frame work. According to the analyses and findings of this study, the irreechaa ritual is celebrated colorfully every year at the beginning of birraa (spring), new season after the dark and rainy summer season at Hora Harsadi of Bishoftu city(historical celebration site ) in which most Oromo participate. The study reveals that, purposely Ateetee and Irreechaa have interconnected and relationship in the Oromo of the study area. It has promoted and enhanced understanding and unity among the Oromo. It has helped to build their common values and shared visions, and consolidated peace (Nageenya Oromo), tolerance and resilience as cultural contribution of the ritual and also there is a shortage of space where the festival takes place at the study area. Thus, a researcher provides a possible recommendation for the gaps and applies some anthropological theories to show the cultural significance of irreechaa ritual.