Ashenda

{{No footnotes|date=February 2025}}

{{Short description|Cultural festival celebrated by Tigringa speaking women}}

{{use dmy dates|date=July 2023}}

{{Infobox holiday

| holiday_name = Ashenda

| type = Cultural

| image = Amhara Ashenda 1921.jpg

| imagesize =

| caption = Ashenda celebration in 1921

| official_name = Ashenda

| nickname = Girls' Day

| litcolor =

| longtype = Religious

| significance =

| begins = 16 August

| ends = 26 August

| duration =

| frequency = Annual

| scheduling =

| date = After the end of Filseta

| celebrations =

| observances =

| relatedto = Filseta

| observedby = Tigrayans, Amharas, Agews, Tigrinya of Eritrea

}}

Ashenda (Tigrinya: ኣሸንዳ) is a festival that originated in Today’s Ethiopia and today’s Eritrea the celebration of the assumption of St. Mary, dating back to around 400 AD during the Axumite civilization.

While Ashenda is presumed to originate during the Kingdom of Aksum, it's also celebrated in other parts of Ethiopia, including the Amhara and Gurage regions.

On the first day of the festival, participants gather at local Orthodox Tewahedo churches, often dedicated to St. Mary, to begin the festivities. Groups of women and girls then go from house to house in their communities, singing, dancing, and entertaining families in exchange for small gifts or tokens of appreciation. [https://www.momentslog.com/culture/the-cultural-practices-surrounding-ethiopian-ashenda-festival] After visiting homes, they gather in open fields or public spaces to continue their celebrations, which include more dancing, singing, and socializing. Traditionally, the money collected from these performances would be offered to the church in honor of the Virgin Mary, further emphasizing the festival’s connection to faith and charity. [https://aemeromedia.com/ashenda-in-tigray/]

In the modern day, Ashenda has taken on new meanings, as a celebration of women’s empowerment, liberation, and the beauty of womanhood. While its religious significance remains, in some celebrations the festival has taken a more cultural focus, highlighting the role of women and girls in society. [https://womenshistorynetwork.org/joy-as-gendered-resistance-in-ashenda-celebrations-during-the-tigray-war-2020-present-by-francesca-baldwin/]

While the festival primarily focuses on women and girls, men often play supportive roles by offering gifts such as food, clothing, or other presents. In some areas, fathers or male relatives may accompany their daughters to ensure their safety during the celebrations. Ashenda is seen as a time of joy and community, where people come together to celebrate St. Mary, strengthen social bonds, and honor the contributions of women in society. Today, it is embraced by communities across Ethiopia and is recognized as an important cultural event that highlights the beauty, creativity, and unity of its participants.