TPN NEWSLETTER August 2020

The Daughters of Ashenda (ደቂ ኣሸንዳ)

Ashenda celebrations in Tigray Source: Tigrai Culture and Tourism Bureau

Ashenda/ኣሸንዳ (also referred to as Ayni Wari in Axum and Maria in Adigrat), is a unique Tigrayan cultural holiday coinciding with the celebration of the upcoming new year in September (Qudus Yohannes). The festival typically occurs every year between August 16th and the 26th (although the timing may vary throughout different parts of Tigray). This year, the three main days of Ashenda are from August 22nd to the 24th. The name “Ashenda” comes from the tall green grass that the daughters of Ashenda (ደቂ ኣሸንዳ) gather from remote areas in order to make the skirts that they wear around their waists as decoration. The festivities are mostly celebrated by girls and young unmarried women, who eagerly wait for the holiday every year. Similar to the Ge’ez script, the Ashenda tradition, widely celebrated around the world today, originated in the modern-day Tigrinya-speaking regions of Ethiopia and Eritrea and later spread to other areas. The holiday also showcases to the world the depth of our historical traditions, our beautiful culture, and the powerful role that women play in Tigrayan life.

While the exact origins of the holiday are debated, it is argued by elders that Ashenda dates back thousands of years. According to religious oral history, the three-day long tradition dates back to the age in which the population primarily followed the teachings of the Old Testament in the Holy Bible. Some argue that it is linked to the celebration of women in Exodus 15:20 when Miriam, the sister of Moses and Aaron, took up her tambourine and led the women in dance, song, prayer and exaltation. Some also link the origins of Ashenda to the four day celebration by Israelite women described in Judges 11:40 that later occurred annually in honor of the daughter of Jephthah the Gileadite. The oral tradition that argues its ancient origins is corroborated in part by findings from a more recent archaeological excavation in the area around Wukro, where adornments similar to those that we know are now used for Ashenda were found, dating back over 3,000 years! Today, the tradition is often associated with the end of the fast called Filseta in which Mary the mother of Jesus is believed to have ascended into heaven. Historians are still exploring the different theories to this day. Despite its potential religious origins, the holiday is celebrated by many irrespective of creed today.

The daughters of Ashenda (ደቂ ኣሸንዳ) coordinate, usually with those in the same neighborhood as them, and form groups weeks before the holiday to prepare for the big festival. In these groups, they hold elections for different roles and discuss many things in advance: what kind of traditional dress they want to have made (commonly Tilfi or Jedid), who will be in charge of being the lead singer, who will play the drum (koboro), and how money will be collected that is gathered during their visits to different shops and homes. The collaborative nature of Ashenda enforces the values of teamwork, responsibility and the strength in coming together as one.

Before the holiday, traditional clothing stores and outdoor markets are crowded with excited girls and young women purchasing new dresses and a variety of other Ashenda accessories with which to adorn themselves. The daughters of Ashenda also go to formal or informal hair salons, or to the homes of family members to get their hair braided according to local custom before the festivities begin; with young girls traditionally getting the hair style “Game-Areb.” On the first day of Ashenda, it is customary that an Ashenda group starts off the day by gathering at their local church to pray and to honor the Virgin Mary. After the morning prayer, the daughters of Ashenda divide up into groups and freely go about the city to begin their celebration. Each Ashenda group uses their traditional clothing (Aleba Adi), eyeliner, accessories, jewelry and beautiful voices to draw attention to their unique cultural celebration. Young boys, also wearing their traditional clothing, usually accompany them with long sticks to serve as a source of protection. Their day of celebrating includes going house to house chanting traditional Ashenda songs (each of which have unique meaning and are often playful), admiring their elders and others for their good deeds, while receiving any type of gift in return; commonly food, drinks, and money. Traditionally, the groups would discuss and vote as to where to donate the money that they have earned - to the church or other good causes - but it is argued that nowadays most groups keep and divide the money amongst themselves.

The holiday illustrates the tremendous role that women play in daily Tigrayan life. During the days of Ashenda, the number one rule is that the daughters of Ashenda are not to be burdened whatsoever and are free to do as they please, playing and celebrating from dawn until dusk. It is also said that during the holiday, all daughters of Ashenda, no matter their background or family history, are equal. They celebrate their holiday as equals; they make decisions as equals; and they voice their opinions as equals. For this holiday to arguably be the only time throughout the year where all girls and young women are freed from any work and responsibilities, shows the depths of how much they contribute to daily life and the degree to which traditional gender roles are still heavily enforced and believed in. This idea contributes to the notion that a lot of work still has to be done when it comes to creating awareness about gender equality, violence against women and women’s empowerment in Tigray. To that end, annual Ashenda celebrations have been used as an opportunity to create awareness among society and advocate for basic women’s rights. According to Zenebech Fisseha of the Women’s Association of Tigray, messages such as “let’s develop our culture, for all to repel violence against women” are communicated to the public in the spirit of Ashenda.

It is also argued that the Women’s Association of Tigray brought attention to Ashenda in a kind of renaissance in 2005 (1997 Ge'ez Calendar). In recent years, the association said that they have made great efforts to involve and pass responsibilities of organizing the holiday on to the next generation of Tigrayan youth. The holiday has also gained widespread recognition across the globe, and Tigray has seen a massive increase in tourism every August as a result. The Tigrai Culture and Tourism Bureau continues to highlight Ashenda; not only because it is a large cultural holiday, but for the economic benefit it brings to Tigrayan women and communities. The Tigrai Culture and Tourism Bureau announced that they would like Ashenda to be registered with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as an intangible cultural heritage. Reasons for this include; preserving the cultural value of Ashenda, making Tigrayan cultural and historical customs known across the globe.

Every year, Ashenda is also colorfully celebrated throughout all parts of the globe by Tegaru in the diaspora. In North America, these celebrations are usually hosted by local Tigrayan communities and other Tigrayan organizations. Due to COVID-19, Ashenda will be celebrated virtually in Tigray via different interactive programs on Tigray’s local television stations. The Tigrai Culture and Tourism Bureau has also announced that this year’s theme for Ashenda will be “ንምክልኻል ቫይረስ ኮሮና ኣሸንዳ ኣብ ገዛና'' or “To prevent the spread of the coronavirus, Ashenda shall be celebrated at home.” Since COVID-19 is a global pandemic, different Tigrayan communities and organizations will be celebrating Ashenda virtually as well; including TPN! To get more information about how we are honoring our women and celebrating Ashenda, check out the “TPN News and Events'' section of this newsletter!

Community News Congratulations Gebre-egziabher!

On July 31st, SOS Children’s Villages International announced the winners of the 2020 Hermann Gmeiner Award, one of them being our brother Gebre-egziabher Gebre! We would like to thank SOS Children's Villages International for acknowledging the extenuating circumstances and awarding this phenomenal change-maker. Congratulations Gebre-egziabher! We are so proud of you and the incredible work you do. You are an inspiration to all Tigrayans! This is what happens when we all work together and rally behind our people!

Video: Bring back Ethiopian migrants to their home!

In TPN’s newsletter last month, Migration 101, we brought awareness to thousands of our brothers and sisters who are stranded in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Yemen. To bring more awareness about our brothers and sisters who are still being neglected and are in dire need of our help, a group of young Tegaru from Colorado came together and made a powerful PSA video highlighting the migrants’ cry for help. Watch the video here and be sure to share with family and friends. Watch the video here and be sure to share with family and friends. The fundraiser to help support the migrants is also still active; consider making a donation here.

Tigray Community of Colorado honors Class of 2020

On Sunday, August 2nd, the Tigray- Ethiopian Community Association of Colorado (TECA) held an outdoor celebration at their community center to honor all of their local graduates, including both high school and college. We would like to congratulate the entire Class of 2020 for their incredible achievements, and also highlight the TECA Board Members for putting this event together!

Vote for Ruta Yemane!

Ruta Yemane is currently among the Top 30 Finalists for the Best International Photo Model (BIPM) competition. Based out of Lisbon, Portugal, the Best International Photo Model competition features men and women from around the world and we are proud of Ruta for being amongst the final competitors, leading by a substantial margin! Let’s make sure she wins by casting our vote for her, now through September 10th, 2020. In addition to Ruta, Betty Woldemichael and Kbrom Gebremeskel are also finalists in the same competition! Make sure to show your support for these finalists by casting your vote for them as well! To cast your vote, simply like the photos of Ruta Yemane, Betty Woldemichael, and Kbrom Gebremeskel on the BIPM’s Facebook and Instagram pages.

Have community news to share? Send us the information at [email protected].

TPN News and Events

Teleconference on the Languages of Tigray: Tomorrow, Saturday, August 15th at 8:00 PM EST

Please join us for "The Languages of Tigray and Origin and Evolution of Tigrigna Language" session with Dr. Ghelawdewos Araia on Saturday, August 15, 2020, at 8:00 PM EST. This is the second session that the Tigray Communities Forum’s Identity Committee is hosting about the History of Tigray. This conversation will also be moderated by our very own Dr. Tsega Gebreyesus and Senaye Gebre- Michael. Please spread the word. We look forward to seeing you there!

Join by Video: https://meet.google.com/gww-yjwd-ajt

Audio only, call: 414-885-3844, Code: 136 863 758#

TPN Ashenda Fundraiser: August 16th- 31st, 2020

The Tegaru Professionals Network (TPN) will be hosting its first Ashenda Fundraiser from August 16th-31st, 2020. Join us virtually for TPN’s inaugural Ashenda festivities as we celebrate our history, culture, and the heroism of our women across the globe! Throughout these two weeks, we have a lot of exciting things planned for you all! All of the information regarding our Ashenda festivities including the full calendar of activities, the purpose of our fundraiser, and the link to purchase tickets to join our Virtual Ashenda Guayla on Sunday, August 30th, can be found on our TPN Ashenda page located within our website HERE.

Please note that there is an additional option to donate on Eventbrite, where we are selling the tickets for our virtual guayla. Donations can either be made directly on our website, or on our Eventbrite page. Stay tuned for more information regarding our Virtual Ashenda Guayla and special giveaways happening on our Instagram page by following us @tegarupn.

Less than 85 days to the U.S. General Election!

On November 3, 2020, millions of US citizens will vote for the next President and Vice President of the United States in one of the most important elections in US history. The presidential election will occur simultaneously with key elections to the Senate and the House of Representatives. While TPN is not a political organization, we strongly encourage all members and Tigrayan communities to exercise your right to vote for candidates of your choosing.

Voting aligns directly with TPN’s social action and civic engagement pillar. Civic engagement includes communities working together in both political and non-political actions. The goal of civic engagement is to work to make a difference in the civic life of one’s community and develop the combination of knowledge, skills, values and motivation to make that difference.

Visit VOTE.ORG to register to vote, check your voter registration status, or request an absentee ballot to vote by mail. You can also visit your state’s online election center via VOTE.ORG to view specific deadlines for your state. Stay tuned for more information from TPN on how to exercise your right to vote in the coming months!

“The vote is precious. It is almost sacred. It’s the most powerful non-violent tool we have in a democratic society and we have to use it.” - Former U.S. Congressman John Lewis

Spotlight of the Month: Boston Hibret Dancers

Each month, we will highlight a Tigrayan professional or business. To nominate someone you know, email [email protected] with the subject line “Spotlight Nomination."

Helen Gebrezgiy & Rahiel Tazele - Boston, Massachusetts

Pictures: Tigray Community Boston Ashenda Celebration 2018 Give us a bit of an overview/history about your dance team, Boston Hibret Dancers! We created Boston Hibret Dancers (BHD) 9 years ago in the Summer of 2011 because of our strong love for our culture and passion for dancing. Through dance, we were determined to show that it is important to take pride in one’s culture and teach it to one another while influencing the younger generation in a positive way. Growing up in the U.S we felt an obligation to get together and share the importance of our culture and history. We decided to use the word “Hibret” in the name because it means “unity” and symbolized our main goal: to push and set an example for Ethiopians from any background to join together. Through our unique and diverse dances we aimed to unite Ethiopians and embrace our differences. We started off just performing at annual Ethiopian New Years and Ashenda parties, but it eventually led to performing at different events outside of our community such as the annual “We Are Boston Gala” and several African Nights at Boston area colleges and universities.

What made you guys establish this dance team? Dancing is a way for us to stay connected with our culture while also forming connections with one other, especially the future generation. We now have about 16 members ranging from 11 to 28 years old. The older members of the group love to serve as role models to the younger girls of the group and show that it is important to embrace our culture, all while having fun at the same time doing what we love: dancing. In the end, the main reason for starting this group that remains consistent today is our love and passion for dancing.

How have the Boston Hibret Dancers contributed to the Tigrean Community of Boston? One of the most rewarding things that BHD witnesses every year, is how much the elders of our community love seeing us perform at the annual Ethiopian New Years and Ashenda celebration that the Tigrean Community of Boston hosts. They truly appreciate seeing their children and grandchildren who were born and raised right here in Boston showcasing their talents and love for our beautiful culture, which gives them and us in return a great sense of pride and joy.

What would you guys say is your favorite part about the whole process of these dance performances?

Helen: My absolute favorite part is seeing the younger girls grow with their talents! Going from 4 to 5 year old girls just being adorable while dancing, to young women who are VERY talented dancers makes me so proud to be a part of BHD and glad that we created this group. I myself was 19 when we started and most of us would say we learned to dance just by dancing at parties and practicing at home watching music videos, so to know we were able to give this space for the future generation to grow gives me so much joy!

Rahiel: I personally love how much BHD has become more than just a dance group. Our practices have become a time where we can all catch up with one another, make jokes, share laughs, and also talk about serious things when necessary. In recent years, we made BHD a space where the older girls can act as mentors to the younger girls in some ways (i.e. talking about resumes, explaining what college is like, discussing how racism affects us in school & at work, etc.). Our connections with one another have strengthened in such a beautiful way! What do you guys envision for the future of the Boston Hibret Dancers?

We hope to continue to see Boston Hibret Dancers grow even bigger and continue providing a space for the future generation to be able to learn and embrace our amazing culture. Next Summer will be our 10 year anniversary, and so in another 10 years we’d love to see the younger generation who started at just 4/5 years old with us grow to be the teachers for those to come and continue the tradition of staying connected to one another and our culture through dance!

Trivia: Our History

What modern town likely served as the capital of the ancient D’mt kingdom before the rise of Axum?

Last month's Trivia: What is the total population of Tigray?

According to the Central Statistical Agency of Ethiopia, the population of Tigray is approximately 5 million people.

Tigrinya Word of the Month ባህልና

Tigrinya pronunciation: Bah-li-na Definition: Our culture

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