Culture and history

Eritrea was formed at the crossroads of the Red Sea and the Horn of Africa: early contacts with the ancient world, the influence of the kingdom of Aksum and the commercial ports of Massawa/Assab.

In modern times, the region experienced Ottoman and Egyptian periods, then Italian colonization (late XIX-1941), British administration and federation with Ethiopia (1952), which turned into annexation (1962) and a long war of independence, which ended in 1993.

The cultural code is multilayered: Arabic and English are used next to tigrinya and tigre; the largest communities are Tigrinya, Tigre, Afar, Sakho, Bilin, Nara, Kunama and Rashayda.

Christian traditions (Teuahedo Eritrean Orthodox Church, Catholics) coexist with Islam; in everyday life, coffee ceremony, injera and stewed zigni, crafts of the highlands and coastal fish practices are important.

Asmara - "little Rome" - is famous for modernist and Art Deco architecture and is considered a symbol of urban cultural identity.

Guaila musical rhythms, festive dances, respect for elders and communal mutual assistance combine ancient Red Sea traditions with modern national identity.