In every August, Ethiopia celebrates strings of festivals that can make you feel warm on the cloudy season of the country. Buhe, Irrecha, Ashenda /Shadey/ Sollel/ Ashendiye are among the remarkable centuries-old cultural festivals celebrated colorfully. In the northern part of the country, women’s festivals stand shoulder high in enticing the attention of both local and foreign tourists.
Ashenda/Shadey/Sollel/Ashendiye is celebration of girls in Tigray and Amhara regional states. The festival is celebrated annually with traditional dressing, cultural costumes and dances.
Ashenda is celebrated in Tigray state while Shadey in Wag Hemra, Ashendiye and Sollel in Lalibela and Kobo respectively are celebrated in Amhara state.
These festivals mark the end of a fortnight’s fasting season. Of course, the mode of celebration has variation with place to place.
Damsel girls are the main participant of the festival dressed elegantly in traditional new cloths which are admirably decorated with long bulrush grass (Ashenda which the name of the festival is derived from). And they sing traditional songs in groups and in euphonious voice.
The festival is celebrated for successive three days in groups according to their ages. The days also herald the freedom of young women.
The Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed also wished a happy Ashenda/Shadey/Sollel/Ashendiye festival in written statement. The Prime Minister also said since the festival has religious background, it carries great power to speak moral values beyond traditional lyrics. “It is a prominent festival which reverberates the voice of women loudly, he remarked.
Wag Hemra Zone communication Bureau Head Paulos Belay told Amhara Mass Media Agency that the desire of local tourists to participate on the women festivals is growing ever. To him, the coordination of the Federal and Regional Government is strengthening.
Tigray Communication Affairs Bureau also told journalists that the celebration of Ashenda is the value of declaring gender equality.
Tigray Women Association Addis Ababa branch also said that preparation of the festival has finalized to celebrate in Addis Ababa. Tsigewoyini Berhie, coordinator of the association Addis Ababa branch, briefed yesterday on press conference that the preparation has been done to host large number of tourists. To her, the festival is mainly celebrated by young women since the day is known for its freedom day of damsels. Every damsel has the right to enjoy the festival and free from any traditional burden related to them.
We are striving to sustain customs and norms which practiced on the festival and ceremonial competitions which aims to sustain the festival are planned, she remarked.
On the side of Amhara Regional State, Amhara women association Addis Ababa branch also discussed on the celebration. On the panel discussion, Tsedale Mekonen, Amhara Women Association chairperson remarked that the association is striving to inscribe the festival as world heritage and preserve the values of festival. To her, the festival declares freedom of women. Addis Ababa City Administration will hold the festival on next August 25 and more than 60,000 participants are expected to attend the festival at Millennium Hall.
Yesterday, the festivals have been celebrated in Temben and Sekota areas of Tigray and Amhara regional states where thousands of participants took part. The celebrations displayed peculiar traditions and cultural values. The celebrations are expected to continue in the coming days and will be attended by senior federal and state officials.
The Ethiopian Herald August 23/2019
BY YESUF ENDRIS
