Ashenda Festival Goes Dark: Drone Strikes Stall Tigray’s Biggest Celebration

Sun Sep 06 2026 02:31:42 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

A packed stadium in Mekelle is empty as Ethiopia’s Violet Mary festival is canceled after fresh drone attacks raise fears of renewed war. The decision highlights the lingering tension in Tigray after a brutal civil war.

The Ashenda festival in northern Ethiopia, a vibrant celebration of women and the Virgin Mary, was called off in Mekelle amid fears of drone strikes targeting the gathering. Tigray has been battling to recover from a two‑year war that ended in 2022, and recent drone attacks have reignited worries that conflict could flare up again. Local officials blamed federal forces for the attacks and called for international condemnation. The festival, which usually draws thousands in traditional dress, is a key cultural event for young women in the region.

Ashenda Festival Goes Dark: Drone Strikes Stall Tigray’s Biggest Celebration

In Mekelle, the main city of Ethiopia’s Tigray region, the air that once hummed with the rhythm of young women’s songs has gone silent. The planned stadium‑wide gathering for this year’s Ashenda festival, a vibrant celebration of the Virgin Mary and women’s artistry, was cancelled due to fears that a new drone strike could target the crowd.

Ashenda, meaning "the tall green grass" in Tigrinya, is a three‑day festival that sees girls and young women dress in white with silver crosses, dance freely, and display their braided hair – a freedom traditionally denied at other times of the year. Last month’s strikes, which injured 13 civilians and destroyed homes, sent a chilling reminder that the recent peace agreement still feels fragile.

Tigray’s officials blamed the Ethiopian federal military for the attacks, insisting that the drones were a sign of a hidden, looming conflict. The regional council demanded that the international community speak out and intervene before violence escalates into a full‑blown war again.

Despite the disappointment, many young women are determined to keep the spirit alive. Some are organizing small, safe gatherings in private spaces, while others rally online to share stories and culture, proving that joy can persist even in uncertain times.

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