Millions of people in South Asia are celebrating Holi, the Hindu festival of colors, by smearing each other with brightly colored powder, dancing to festive music and feasting on traditional sweets prepared for the occasion.

The Indian festival of colors, Holi, serves as a powerful means of fostering cultural cooperation and strengthening people-to-people ties between Ethiopia and India, according to Anil Kumar Rai, India’s Ambassador to Ethiopia.

We spread the color on each other until at some point, there’s enough color on everybody that you’re not different from the next person,” said volunteer Kishore Pathial.