Muzikawi with the esteemed Tigray Cultural Group, is excited to announce the release of their highly anticipated album, ‘Sounds of Ashenda’, which is set to drop on Friday August 16, 2024.
The new album will be available on Muzikawi’s YouTube channel and all major digital streaming platforms, according to the statement from Muzikawi. “This album, which features the collaborative efforts of eight singers from various places in Tigray, including Raya, Tembene, Agame, Enderta, and Axum, marks the first time artists from the region have come together to create such a unique musical project. The instruments featured in the album were crafted by the Tigray Cultural Group, and while many of the lyrics and melodies are traditional,” it said.
The Tigray Cultural Group, a pillar of cultural preservation since its establishment in the 1960s and revitalized in August 2004, continues to honor Tigray’s rich traditions. This group, composed of musicians, dancers, and artists, has performed on prestigious stages both in Ethiopia and internationally, including in Angola and Qatar.
Ashenda is a vibrant festival celebrated in the Tigray region from August 22 to August 30. It commemorates the Assumption of the Virgin Mary and marks the end of the fasting season known as Filseta. During the festival, women and girls gather to celebrate by adorning themselves with papyrus, paper reed, and Nile grass, which they tie around their waists. They move side to side, clap their hands, and beat drums with enthusiasm. Traditional songs, including the popular chant “Ashenda is here,” are performed throughout the celebration.
Recorded in 2013 E.C., Sounds of Ashenda is a tribute to Tigray’s enduring cultural legacy and vibrant musical traditions.