Ashenda or Shadey is a festival celebrated starting from August 23rd in the Ethiopian regions of Tigray and Northern Amhara. Ashenda marks the end of a two-week-long fast called “Tsome Fisleta” when adherents of Orthodox Christianity gather to honor the Virgin Mary. The name of the festival Ashenda comes from the name of tall grass that the girls make into a skirt and wear around their waist as a decoration. The young women and girls dress the best traditional dresses called “Tilf” which is a cotton dress decorated with amazing embroidery from the neck to toe in front of the dress. The girls also adorn themselves with a wide array of beautiful jewelry.

This holiday has both religious and cultural importance. The girls and women of Northern Ethiopia await this moment eagerly every year as it is a festival where young ladies enjoy music and dance.