Muzikawi is excited to announce the release of the “Sounds of Shadey Ashendye” album, featuring six talented women from the Amhara region, including Emebet Mekonnen (aka Shadey), Aster Welde, Sara Mamo, Awetu Eyasu, Talem Addis, and Mekides Zewdu. The album, focusing on the Shadey, Ashendye, and Solele celebrations, was released on Tuesday, August 20th, 2024, on Muzikawi’s YouTube channel and all digital streaming platforms. 

This unique album, featuring eight tracks with lyrics and melodies in the public domain, is dedicated entirely to showcasing cultural traditions that have been underrepresented.

Shadey, Ashendye, and Solele are annual celebrations held from August 22nd to 27th in the Waghemra Sekota, Lasta Lalibela and Kobo areas of the Amhara region. These festivities, deeply rooted in ancient traditions, mark the end of the Filseta fasting season observed by Orthodox Christians. During the celebrations, communities come together to share resources, with wealthier individuals providing meat, butter, milk, and other provisions to less fortunate neighbors. If a girl does not have an appropriate dress for the occasion, others generously lend her their finest clothing.

During the celebration, groups of girls and women visit the church, singing and removing pieces of Ashenda (papyrus) from their waists to lay them on the church floor as a gesture of gratitude and prayer for the coming year. They also travel from home to home, singing traditional songs. While  Shadey, Ashendye and Solele are primarily a celebration for girls, boys also participate, dressing well, protecting the girls from the winter floods, and even considering potential future partners.