Mekelle፡Telaviv, Nairobi, Pretoria, London, (Tigray Herald).
Ashenda Festival in Southern Tigray Turns into Protest Against TPLF Rule
Mekoni, Southern Tigray – August 2025
The annual Ashenda celebration in southern Tigray(in Tigray Generally), traditionally a vibrant cultural festival for women and girls, took on a strong political tone this year as the people of Raya used the occasion to express defiance against TPLF authorities.
Amid music, traditional dress, and cultural rituals, young women in Mekoni crossed their arms in symbolic protest against what they described as the oppressive policies of the TPLF leadership. The gesture, made in unison, was aimed particularly at TPLF-loyal generals accused of overseeing violence and intimidation in the Raya area.
Local residents told Tigray Herald that the community in Raya is under increasing pressure, facing attacks and harassment “merely for asking self-administration.” Many of the celebrants used the festival as a platform to highlight these grievances, turning a cultural gathering into a show of resistance.
“Our Ashenda is not only about joy and culture this year,” one participant explained. “It is about telling the world that the daughters of Raya reject oppression and demand justice.”
Observers say the protest signals deepening resentment in Raya against TPLF leadership, which critics accuse of ignoring calls for local autonomy and subjecting the population to heavy-handed military control.
The Ashenda festival, rooted in centuries-old traditions, has often served as a space for women to express their voices. This year, in Raya, it became a powerful symbol of political resistance.
