Ashenda (Tigrigna: ኣሸንዳ) is a vibrant festival celebrated each August in Tigrai and the neighboring Agew regions. The name “Ashenda” is derived from a type of tall green grass—typically 80 to 90 centimeters in height—which girls fashion into skirts and wear around their waists as a decorative symbol of the celebration.
In the tradition of this religious festival, blades of grass are strewn on the floors of homes and shops as a kind of welcome mat.
Ashenda marks the end of two-week-long fasting known as Filseta (Ge’ez: ፆመ-ፍልሰታ) when adherents of the Tigrai Orthodox Church gather to honor the Virgin Mary, but the holiday has grown way beyond that now. It has become a cultural event.
Every year, young girls in Tigrai eagerly anticipate the vibrant celebration of Ashenda. For many, especially teenagers, it is a day of joy and freedom—a rare opportunity to take to the streets, singing and dancing with friends and peers for about a week. Dressed in eye-catching traditional attire, they express themselves freely, chanting songs and showcasing their dance styles with excitement and pride.
Although the way & duration of Ashenda celebration slightly differs among rural and urban and/or from one local district to the other, the main theme, in most cases the starting date, and the overall festivity are the similar. In rural areas, it is celebrated for almost a month running from mid-August to mid-September every year, i.e. from Nehase 16 (August 22 in GC) to Meskerem 17 (September 26). Meskel, another important holiday marks the end of Ashenda. In urban areas (could be mostly due to a different business-based environment and mixed culture effects), it’s commonly celebrated for three days, from Nehase 16 (August 22 in GC) to Nehase 19 (August 25). This type of celebrating the day is a young revision of the old month-long one.
An Ashenda girl doesn’t wear common clothes on this much-awaited event, since it is her special day she would wear a special and colorful, cultural dress with unique hairstyles and jewels on her neck, as well as ornaments on their hands, ears, and feet.
Due to the great care girls take in beautifying themselves, there’s an old Tigrigna saying: “ቆልዓ ኣሸንዳ ሪኢኻ ኣይትተሓፀ,” which roughly translates to “don’t propose to an Ashenda girl.” The idea is that during Ashenda, all the girls look exceptionally beautiful. After a year of hard work, this holiday is all about the girls and enjoying themselves. Parents recognize this and usually relieve them of household duties during this festive time.
After the girls gather and adorn themselves with new dresses, elaborate hairstyles, and jewelry, they take to the streets in urban areas for three lively days. Carrying hand drums, they form groups and chant traditional songs specific to the occasion. They approach men, circle around them, and perform spirited cultural dances and songs to request any amount of money the men can offer.
As mentioned earlier, the celebration lasts for a month in rural areas. There, the girls form larger groups and continue the tradition—singing and dancing around men to collect donations. It’s somewhat similar to Halloween’s Trick-or-Treating, but with a twist: they won’t let you go without giving something.
If someone refuses to pay, they may be playfully targeted with songs that serve as culturally accepted jabs. It’s all in good fun, especially if you’re not in a rush and have plenty of small bills to hand out. There’s no fixed amount required; you’re free to give whatever you can.
They spend the entire day going from house to house, occasionally stopping in villages or city centers to sing and dance before continuing their tour. Young boys, dressed in traditional attire, often accompany the Ashenda girls, carrying sticks and acting as their bodyguards.
Although “Ashenda” is the most widely known name for the celebration, it is also referred to by various local names depending on the region, with slight variations in the dates of observance.
The Ashenda festival holds deep cultural, religious, and economic significance. It promotes creativity and industriousness, and although it was traditionally celebrated by girls, it has since grown in popularity across Tigrai, Eritrea, and among Tigrian diaspora communities worldwide.
Historical records show that Ashenda was celebrated in Tigrai as early as 1910 E.C. (1918 G.C.), though evidence suggests that its origins date back even further.
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