Tigrayan women and girls in Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa, celebrated the traditional Ashenda festival amid growing fears of renewed conflict in the northern Tigray region.
Dressed in colourful traditional outfits, with their hair intricately braided, young Tigrinya girls sang and danced on Saturday as they marked Ashenda, a festival traditionally associated with the end of the 15-day Filseta fast.
The celebrations come as tensions rise between federal and Tigrayan forces, which have reportedly massed on opposite sides of the region’s border in recent months. Minor clashes have also been reported in some areas, raising concerns about a possible return to war.
Tiras Gebregziabher, a hair stylist, said she was worried about the situation in Tigray and hoped for peace.
“When it comes to my family, it is in the hands of God. I pray he makes it peaceful, but the situation is not good. Our people are living in sadness and in a bad situation,” she said.
The tensions have also prevented many Tigrayans living in Addis Ababa from travelling home to celebrate the festival.
Muluberhan Argawi, a resident of Addis Ababa, said she had hoped to return to Tigray for Ashenda but decided against the trip because of the security situation and work commitments.
“Because of the current condition, everyone is eager to celebrate it back home in Tigray. However, it wasn’t convenient for us because of work and the current situation. I was planning to go there to celebrate it, but God willing, I will celebrate there next year,” she said.
Ashenda takes its name from a tall green grass found along riverbanks in the region. During the festivities, women traditionally wear skirts made from woven Ashenda grass over white cotton dresses decorated with colourful embroidery.
The festival originated as a Christian celebration marking the end of a 15-day fast commemorating the Assumption of Mary. Over time, however, Ashenda has evolved into a broader cultural celebration that brings together people beyond religious lines.
The festival has its roots in Tigray but is also observed in Ethiopia’s neighbouring Amhara region and in Eritrea.
For many Tigrayan women, this year’s celebrations offered a moment of cultural pride and joy, even as uncertainty over the security situation cast a shadow over the festivities.
