Tigray Women Celebrate Ashenda Festival in Ethiopia After Years of Conflict
In a remarkable display of resilience and cultural pride, Tigray women in Ethiopia gathered to celebrate the Ashenda Festival, marking the end of years of conflict and suffering. The festival, which had been put on hold due to the devastating two-year war between Ethiopia’s federal government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front, finally took place in the capital city, Addis Ababa, after a peace deal was signed in November last year.
The Ashenda Festival is a time-honored tradition that pays tribute to girls and women, featuring vibrant ceremonies and festivities. This year’s celebration brought together Tigrayan women from various parts of Ethiopia, who had lived in fear and kept a low profile to avoid ethnic profiling during the conflict. For them, the event held a profound significance as they could finally express their pride in their culture without shame or fear.
Decked out in traditional embroidered dresses, adorned with gold jewelry, and sporting beautifully braided and curled hairstyles with henna patterns on their hands, the women radiated joy and happiness. They celebrated not only their culture but also the return of peace and unity. The festival, originally rooted in Tigray, has become a celebration that transcends religion, also being observed in the neighboring Amhara region and in Eritrea.
While the Ashenda Festival predominantly centers around women and girls, men took a step back to allow them their much-deserved spotlight. The women, in high spirits, enthusiastically captured the moments, taking selfies and reveling in their freedom.
Selam Haile, a 15-year-old attendee, expressed her profound gratitude for being able to celebrate Ashenda after a long hiatus enforced by the conflict. She described the festival as a symbol of freedom for girls, embodying the resilience and strength of Tigrayan women.
Danawit Tesfaye, 23, echoed Selam’s sentiment, explaining that the festival held a special place in their hearts because it signifies the return of love and unity. After a prolonged period of division and strife, being able to celebrate together again feels truly significant.
Rebeka Seyum, 38, struggled to put her happiness into words but highlighted the importance of peace in their lives. She emphasized that nothing can compare to the feeling of unity and the ability to openly express their cultural pride.
The Ashenda Festival in Addis Ababa served as a beacon of hope and renewal for the Tigray women who have endured unimaginable hardships in recent years. It symbolized the triumph of culture over conflict, rejuvenating their spirits and rekindling their sense of community. As these women danced and celebrated, brandishing the flag of their war-scarred region, they sent a powerful message of resilience, unity, and hope for a brighter future.
