For three days at the end of August, Tigray's women and girls take to the streets in white, singing and drumming from house to house.
Ashenda follows the end of Filseta, the two-week fast for the Virgin Mary that ends in late August.
For three days, girls and women dress in white embroidered dresses, braid their hair and tie skirts of tall ashenda grass at the waist.
They move through the city in groups, drumming and singing from house to house. Households give small gifts of money or food in return for the songs.
Mekelle's streets fill with sound and colour. It is the best week of the year to be here.
How the festival unfolds.
Filseta closes and preparations begin: dresses, braids and grass.
Groups set out drumming and singing through the neighbourhoods.
Songs at each doorway, and small gifts in return.
Public gatherings and performances in the centre.
The new year, Enkutatash, follows in September.
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Ashenda follows the Ethiopian calendar; confirm exact dates locally each year.
Book rooms early; the diaspora returns home for the festival.
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