Ethiopia’s Virgin Mary festival in Tigray cancelled over drone strike fears
A major cultural and religious festival celebrating women and the Virgin Mary in northern Ethiopia has been cancelled in Mekelle, the main city in the Tigray region, over fears it may be targeted in drone attacks. The focal point of Ashenda festival, which traditionally draws thousands of young women dressed in their finery, was to [...] The post Ethiopia’s Virgin Mary festival in Tigray…
The Ashenda festival, a major religious and cultural celebration in northern Ethiopia honoring women and the Virgin Mary, has been cancelled in Mekelle, the capital of Tigray region, due to concerns over drone strike threats. The festival, traditionally drawing thousands of young women, was set to gather at a stadium on Saturday.
Tigray is still recovering from a civil war that concluded in 2022. Recent drone attacks have raised fears of renewed conflict, with the regional government blaming federal armed forces. The cancellation of the festival is attributed to "ongoing drone strikes and the threat of war" by Dori Asgedom, head of Tigray's culture and tourism bureau.
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