Ashenda

Ashenda Mariam, or commonly called Ashenda (Tigrinya: ኣሸንዳ) is a festival celebrated in northern Ethiopia among Orthodox Christianity followers. The holiday commemorates the heavenly ascension of the Virgin Mary following her Dormition. It is typically celebrated between 16-26 August every year.[1] Its length varies from three days to one month depending on the locale (shorter in urban areas, longer in rural areas). Though it originates from the Tigray region, the holiday is mainly celebrated by Tigrayans throughout the Tigray Region, some Amharas in the bordering Amhara Region [2] of Lasta and Agaws in Wag Hemra.[3]

Ashenda
Also called	Girls' Day
Observed by	Ethiopians
Type	Festival
Date	After ending of Filseta feast
Frequency	Annual
Related to	Filseta

Name

The holiday has several local names.

• In Raya, Enderta, Adwa, Shire, Tembien, and Mekelle it is called Ashenda (Tigrinya: ኣሸንዳ) and is colorfully celebrated on August 16-21
• In Adigrat it is called Mariya (Tigrinya: ማርያ) (15–17 August).
• In Axum it is called Ayniwari (Tigrinya: ዓይኒዋሪ) (23-25 August).
• In Lalibela & Raya Kobo it is called Solel (Amharic: ሶለል) (August 16).
• In Sekota it is called Shadey (Amharic: ሻደይ) (August 16).

See also

• Culture of Ethiopia

• Dormition of the Mother of God
• Hadgi

References

1. "Children Delight in Tales on Wheels". Inter Press Service. 20 September 2010. Archived from the original on 24 November 2010. Retrieved 7 August 2014.
2. School of Graduate Studies, Mebrahten Gebremariam Belay. "A CASE STUDY OF ASHENDA" (PDF). ADDIS ABABA UNIVERSITY. Retrieved 9 December 2020.
3. Ghelawdewos Araia (7 September 2010). "A Young Ethiopian Reconnecting with Her Roots in the Motherland". Archived from the original on 22 January 2013. Retrieved 7 August 2014.

Further reading

• Yohannes, Gebregeorgis (2010). Tirhas Celebrates Ashenda: An Ethiopian Girls' Festival. Sololia Publishing. ISBN 9781883701024.