Celebrating Ashenda: A Vibrant Festival of Joy and Tradition

Every year, for 15 days, Ethiopian and Eritrean Orthodox Christians observe Filesta, a fasting period honoring the Virgin Mary of Zion. Just after the Feast of the Assumption of Mary (Filsata Mariam in Eritrea, Mariam Zion in Ethiopia), the highlands of Eritrea and Ethiopia erupt in bursts of color, song, and rhythm. It’s Ashenda season - a time when young women and girls, dressed in dazzling Habesha kedan, take to the streets with braids swaying, feet drumming the earth, and voices rising in unison.

The Essence of Ashenda

Ashenda (also called Shadey, Solel, Aynewari, or Ashendeye) isn’t just a festival - it’s the light after a spiritual journey. When the fast breaks, the highlands come alive with the laughter and songs of young girls, their colorful dresses blooming like wildflowers after rain.

To an outsider, it might look like a festival. But for many, Ashenda is something deeper: a rite of passage, a celebration of girlhood, and a declaration of joy. Imagine a debutante ball, but one where the whole neighborhood is invited, the dresses are handwoven cotton, and the "invitations" are sung at the top of your lungs.

Who Celebrates Ashenda?

Ashenda belongs to girls and young women - typically from ages 7 to their mid-20s. In a society where modesty is often emphasized, this is their time to be seen. They form groups and parade through villages and cities, stopping at homes to sing and dance in exchange for small gifts: coins, bread, or handfuls of roasted grain. Elders watch happily from doorways, giving out blessings. Teenagers tease each other about who has the loudest voice or the most intricate braids. Little girls, their hands clasped tightly, copy their older sisters’ dance steps. It’s a chain of womanhood, linking generations.

The Sacred Roots: From Church Circles to City Squares

The festival begins in reverence. On the main holiday, girls gather at dawn for church services, then circle the sanctuary three times, singing hymns of praise. Only after this blessing do the celebrations spill into the streets. For three days, towns belong to these girls. They roam in groups, knocking on doors, singing playful rhymes, and collecting gifts - coins, bread, or handfuls of kolo (roasted barley). It’s a sacred exchange: their songs bless homes, and the offerings fuel their joy.

The Heartbeat of Ashenda: Dance, Song, and Sisterhood

The rhythm of Ashenda is infectious. Girls line up, clapping and stomping together, their white dresses flaring like petals. The songs - passed down through generations - are playful, proud, and sometimes cheeky. In cities, the celebrations are grander: stages are set up in squares, microphones amplify the singing, and crowds gather to watch the performances. But in villages, it’s more intimate - girls dance under the shade of gesho trees (shiny-leaf buckthorn), their laughter carrying across fields.

The Fashion: Braids, Embroidery, and Hidden Symbols

The Dress:

• The Habesha kemis or kedan - a floor-length white dress - is the canvas. But the magic is in the tilfi (embroidery), where threads in ruby red, emerald green, and sapphire blue trace geometric patterns along the hem and sleeves.

• A netsela (shawl) drapes over the shoulders, sometimes pinned with a brooch.

  
  

The Hair:

• Grar (Ashenda Braids): Thin, tight braids, sometimes hundreds of them, cascade down backs. Silver beads (shimbra) or colorful threads are woven in.

• Older girls might add extensions for extra length, while little girls opt for simpler styles.

  
  

The Jewelry:

• Gold crosses, earrings, and beaded necklaces complete the look. Some say the jingling of bracelets keeps the rhythm of the dances.

  
  

Ashenda vs. Coming-of-Age Celebrations Worldwide

Ashenda isn’t just a party - it’s a marker of time. Unlike Western debutante balls (which focus on formal introductions to society) or Latin quinceañeras (centered on a single girl), Ashenda is communal. There’s no "main character." Instead, it’s a chorus of voices saying, "We are here. We are young. We are proud." Yet, like other rites of passage, it signals a transition:

• For little girls, it’s play.

• For teens, it’s flirtation and freedom.

• For young women, it’s a last hurrah before marriage.

  
  

The Faces of Ashenda: Same Spirit, Different Flavors

While the spirit of Ashenda unites Eritrea and Ethiopia, each region adds its own stitch to the tapestry:

In Eritrea:

They call it Ashenda. Celebration lasts for 1-3 days, involves neighborhood parades, and is celebrated post - Filsata Mariam.

In Ethiopia:

It is known as Solel or Shadey or Ashenda. Celebration lasts for up to a week, is held on large public stages, and is tied to Mariam Zion in Axum.

Fun Fact: In Axum, legend claims the festival honors Queen Sheba’s handmaidens, who danced to celebrate her wisdom.

Why Ashenda Still Matters

In a world of rapid change, Ashenda remains a lifeline to culture. It’s a day when:

• Women own the streets (a rarity in conservative rural areas).

• Oral traditions survive (songs that aren’t written down but remembered by heart).

• Joy is resistance (after years of war and hardship in both nations, this celebration defies sorrow).

  
  

The Future of Ashenda: Preserving Traditions

As the world evolves, the essence of Ashenda must be preserved. Young women today are finding ways to keep the spirit alive. Social media plays a role, allowing them to share their experiences and connect with others who celebrate. This digital age offers a platform for the voices of Ashenda to echo beyond borders.

The Role of Community

Community involvement is crucial. Local leaders and families can support the festival by encouraging participation and teaching the younger generations about its significance. Workshops on traditional dance, music, and dressmaking can help keep the traditions alive.

Bridging Generations

Bridging the gap between generations is essential. Older women can share stories and experiences, while younger girls can bring fresh ideas and perspectives. This exchange enriches the festival and strengthens the bonds of sisterhood.

Final Thought: A Love Letter to Ashenda

This festival isn’t just about dresses or braids - it’s about the unbreakable thread between generations of women who’ve danced, sung, and claimed their joy. It’s a celebration of identity, culture, and the resilience of women.

What about you? Have you experienced Ashenda - or a similar tradition? Share your stories in the comments!

Love always,

Sarina xx