Ashenda is a time for young women across Tigray to celebrate their freedom and coming of age. It is a celebration that centers songs, dance, and the very best cultural dresses, hairstyles, and jewelry. During the festivities of Ashenda, young girls and women across Tigray beautify themselves with colorful attire and express the utmost freedom in womanhood.
The young women and girls dress the best traditional dresses called "Tilifi" which is a cotton dress decorate with amazing embroidery from the neck to toe in front of the dress. The girls also adorned themselves with any of beautiful Jewelry.
After they gather In the village or city center, they divide into small groups and they go from house to house singing, dancing and beating their drums to deliver their good wishes. They stop at every house and sing and dance for the people in the houses. It is customary for people to give them money food and drinks and other items for their efforts. They continue the whole day going from house to house and occasionally stopping in a village or city center and singing and dancing for a while before they go on their tour.
A week or so after the celebrations started, the event comes to an end with all the girls from the village singing and dancing until sun down. This time the young boys join in more like spectacular than active players. It is not only to admire the girls but for a more serious motive. This is a wonderful opportunity to select a wife! The lovely girls are aware of what is in progress and put on not only their best apparel but personality as well. Mekelle is considered the best place to be on the Carnival of Ashenda.