By: Soyome Getachew
Claim: A TikTok account named BK122113, with over 49,000 followers, shared a series of videos alleging that Oromo immigrants in the United States are performing a ritual involving painting trees with butter. The videos are captioned in both Amharic and English, making sensational claims such as “Irreecha is being painted in America.” [first video here], “The trees are lit up in the USA.” [second video here], and “If the Minnesota governor doesn’t act, the U.S. military will be sent in.” [third video here].
Verdict: All three claims are False. The claims about Oromo diaspora painting trees with butter in America are entirely false and deliberately deceiving. The videos are digitally manipulated and misrepresent Oromo cultural practices.
Investigation and Findings
To assess the authenticity of the videos, MFC has conducted a thorough investigation on each using the BitMind AI-generated video detection tool and cross-referenced with cultural and environmental indicators.
Analysis 1: The first video shows individuals rubbing butter on a tree. However, the female journalist’s hand movements exhibit AI glitches, suggesting synthetic generation. The clothing worn resembles Kenyan attire, not traditional Oromo dress. The video was confirmed to be 100% AI-generated (see the outcome below).
Analysis 2: The second video claims trees are lit up in the USA. The attire resembles Amhara and Afar regional clothing, and the dancing style is not consistent with Oromo traditions. The urban setting lacks features typical of American cities. The video was found to be 50.39% AI-generated (see the outcome below).
Analysis 3: The third video includes a fabricated voice-over impersonating the U.S. President, calling for military action. The clothing again does not match Oromo traditions, and the icy weather shown is inconsistent with the actual climate in Minnesota during early October. The video could not be fully assessed due to lack of visible faces, but clear signs of manipulation were present (see screenshot below).
Conclusion
The videos in question are not only false but appear to be part of a coordinated disinformation effort. They misrepresent Oromo cultural identity and exploit digital tools to fabricate narratives that could incite misunderstanding or hostility. The use of AI-generated visuals, impersonated audio, and culturally inaccurate portrayals underscores the deliberate intent to deceive.
In an age where misinformation spreads rapidly, fact-checking remains essential. These claims, though dressed in cultural references, are devoid of truth. They distort a rich tradition and weaponize it for sensationalism. At MFC, we shoulder the responsibility to publish fact-checked reports to inform the public to uphold the dignity of cultures and protect public discourse from manipulation.
Context: Understanding Irreecha — The Oromo Thanksgiving Festival
Irreecha is the annual thanksgiving festival of the Oromo people, Ethiopia’s largest ethnic group. Celebrated at the end of the rainy season, typically in early October, Irreecha marks the transition into Birraa (spring) and expresses gratitude to Waaqa, the supreme creator.
The festival is held at sacred lakes and rivers, most notably Hora Finfinne in Addis Ababa and Hora Harsadi in Bishoftu. Participants—men, women, elders, and children—dress in vibrant Oromo traditional attire and gather to offer prayers, sing, dance, and share stories. A central ritual involves placing freshly cut grass and flowers into water, symbolizing renewal, peace, and the blessings of nature.
Irreecha is not a mystical or obscure ritual. It is a deeply spiritual and communal celebration rooted in the Oromo worldview, which values unity, gratitude, and harmony with nature. The festival has grown to include diaspora communities around the world, including in North America, where Oromo immigrants celebrate their heritage with pride and dignity—not through the fabricated rituals depicted in the TikTok videos.
By understanding Irreecha in its true form, the public not only debunk falsehoods but also honor a tradition that continues to inspire resilience, cultural pride, and togetherness across generations.
