What is an Eritrean?

[Janub]

Until the late 1990s I had never heard of anything called an Eritrean. Coming from southern Somalia Eritrea was as foreign to me as Sudan or Nigeria despite the relatively short distance to Eritrea.

As a youngster I was taught to deal with people in ethnic notions, and to this day I have a hard time understanding nations with multiple ethnicities, so Eritrea will always be a tough spot for me.

The crux of this question for me is, what is the difference between an Eritrean and an Ethiopian since the ones I met in diaspora look identical to me and since neither of these countries can be associated with a single language, culture, or ethnicity. What made this even harder for me was that the national borders between the two countries seemed to have been made up on the spot, because if I understand correctly, the people on both sides of the border the the same; cross into the south of Eritrea from Ethiopia and you have Afar people in continuation, cross into the north of Eritrea from Ethiopia and you have Tigrinya-speakers in continuation.

Surfing the net I have educated myself on the differences. What I found out was that the differences were social. I tried correlating it to the social and cultural differences between the "North/South" definition in Somalia that prompts "Somaliland" to break off. Aside from the different colonial rules, people in Somaliland region, despite the fact that they're Somalis and despite the fact that some clans in the region dominate the south as well; they have a different accent as well and historically intermarried with each other but rarely with clans on the other side of their invisible cultural barrier.

What I understand now, I think is, Eritreans are basically a different social group of Ethiopians, who lead a culture heavily influenced by coastal Sudan & Egypt am I right? This would be due to the region's history with Muslim traders I assume. And the colonial rule of Italy has pushed Eritrea even further I would also assume.

Or maybe I overanalyze and the difference is only political. Someone make me aware.

[abesha]

Yikes, where's Simfan


From my understanding, there is barely any difference with Ethiopians. Basically the separation of the two peoples is the result of the 50-year colonization of Eritrea. Thousands of years of commonality destroyed by 50 years of separation.

[Xusein]

Would like to hear the summary from an Eritrean forumer, oh wait...

[Janub]

Originally Posted by abesha

From my understanding, there is barely any difference with Ethiopians. Basically the separation of the two peoples is the result of the 50-year colonization of Eritrea. Thousands of years of commonality destroyed by 50 years of separation.

I was recently introduced to that theory, I believed it too. But I look at other regions and people divided by some sort of colonialism or annexation and they haven't changed much. Somali division and colonialism is a good example,the Somalis in Djibouti aren't radical "Djiboutists," neither do Somalis in Ethiopia even consider themselves Ethiopian after over 100 years of being part of Ethiopia's recognized territory, even the ones in Kenya voted to join Somalia 40 years ago, the list goes on. The Eritreans have a very noticeable brand of nationalism, their history has to go beyond colonialism, there must've been a divide, either tribally within the Tigrinya-speakers (who happen to be the real hardcore Eritreans) or a cultural divide. I don't think colonialism explains everything here. I have Ogadeni relatives who know a little bit more about Ethiopian history and Eritreans, they say there is a division between Tigrinya speakers around the area of Badme, and its something in that division that boils the whole Ethiopia-Eritrea thing.

[abesha]

Maybe it's something Tigrayans can tell us, but I can tell you that for us non-Tigrayan/Tigrigna people, they seem the same.

Of course there are regional differences like dialects, but you'll find that within Tigray as well, it's nothing radical.

[rasta55]

This topic deserves an awareness of the fact that political leaders exploited petty squabbles & inflamed the (largely peasant) public into a costly costly war nearly a decade ago...

So costly that it left in addition to tens of thousands dead, countless families divided, long ties/friendships broken, deportations of thousands of innocents ...

It'll probably take another generation or so to recapture the trust & start to rebuild the the ages-old relationships between the two communities so callously taken apart...

[Ras Siyan]

Citizens of the Republic of Eritrea?

[Yoniii]

There are some minority ethnicities in Eritrea that can't be found in Ethiopia, but the differences between the larger groups (Tigringa speakers and Afars) are minimal - it's basically politics/colonization that created this separation.

I've heard that Tigrays in Eritrea feel some sort of superiority against those in Ethiopia, and it's been like that since way back. I don't know the reason for this.

It would had been nice to hear the opinion from an non-fanatic Eritrean. All I know is that Ethio's and Eri's get along very well in the diaspora. We would probably be one country if it wasn't for Italy.

[Hersh]

There is nothing that mobilizes and develops the strength, will, dedication, and identity of a people the way oppression does. The product of such realities generally tend to culminate in a mobilization of people on the basis upon which they were oppressed and persecuted.

Eritreans are who they are today because Ethiopia decided that it should treat them differently. During the Colonial times when Italy waged and lost a war against Ethiopia in the late 1900's, they were known to have used Eritrean "ashkaris" who fought along side the Italians against their neighbors in greater Ethiopia. Consequently, upon the "reunion" of the country, post-annexation in the 30's, Ethiopia maintained a chip on its shoulder and took this bitterness out on Eritreans.

As a result, a growing feeling of resentment took afoot almost universally amongst people of the Eritrean region. The unfair treatment they received following annexation further exacerbated the already fragile relationship between the two countries. It is the continual and maintained state of mistrust, suspicion and resentment that existed between the people (and Ethiopian govt) that in large part created a wedge and defined the identity of the Eritrean as the proud and increasingly independent people.

Hope that answers your question.

[Ahadu]

Originally Posted by Hersh

The unfair treatment they received following annexation further exacerbated the already fragile relationship between the two countries.

hersh,
What unfair treatment we are talking about?

Originally Posted by Janub

What I understand now, I think is, Eritreans are basically a different social group of Ethiopians, who lead a culture heavily influenced by coastal Sudan & Egypt am I right? This would be due to the region's history with Muslim traders I assume. And the colonial rule of Italy has pushed Eritrea even further I would also assume.

Janub,
Right now, there is growing identity crises beyond the Mereb River in the land called Eritrea. The 60 years old myths & destruction nature of Ghedli (the name given to their fake struggle for independent) is now exposed. Eritreans in all walks of life are questioning - was it really necessary to die for independence? 80,000 Eritrean refugees are back to Ethiopia (most of them are the Amichis - those who voted for YES for independent but deported by Zenawi in 1998). That's the irony of an independent Eritrea. Most Eritreans were brain-washed that land-locking Ethiopia would make them Singapore of the East Africa. Fooled like a child by their Lion of Naqfa - Issayas!

You have to also remember that Eritrea is not a mono-society - Eritrea is a combination of nine ethnic groups. The Afar people, the Beja, the Beni-Amer, the Bilen people, the Nara, the Rashaida, the Saho, Hedareb and then you have the highlanders Christian Tigray-Tigrinya who are responsible for all mess that Ethiopia had to go through. To begin with, blame the UNIONIST i.e. christian Eritreans were responsible for the destruction of the 1952 Federal system (1962) - of course with the help of King Haile Selsie. The UNIONIST total stupidity and childish act trigered events which resulted the 1974 revolution. The rest is history.....if you need more discussion on this, I can keep talking....

The 1993 referendum was fake! It was imposed on minority Eritreans by the confused christian Eritrean elites. No body asked the Afars, the Kunamas what exactly they want - to stay with Ethiopia?, with Eritrea?, or with Djibouti? or their own free independent country? They were simply forced to vote just to satisfy the elite highlanders.......

Is Eritrea a viable state? Time will tell!

Fast forward 2010,
December 7, 2010 (ASAYTA, ETHIOPIA)

Thousands of exiled Eritrean Afar nationals in Ethiopia staged a demonstration on Tuesday in protest to what they said was the “genocidal policy” of the Eritrean government against the Afar ethnic minority group.

The rally was organized by a civic organization, Eritrean Afar Relief Association and Eritrean Afar refugee’s Youth Association.

Around 9,000 demonstrators drawn from all walks of life ranging from children to elderly persons gathered to chant slogans in Asayta and Berahle towns of Afar region in neighboring Ethiopia.
http://www.sudantribune.com/Ethiopia...es-rally,37197

[Ras Siyan]

Originally Posted by Hersh

There is nothing that mobilizes and develops the strength, will, dedication, and identity of a people the way oppression does. The product of such realities generally tend to culminate in a mobilization of people on the basis upon which they were oppressed and persecuted.

Eritreans are who they are today because Ethiopia decided that it should treat them differently. During the Colonial times when Italy waged and lost a war against Ethiopia in the late 1900's, they were known to have used Eritrean "ashkaris" who fought along side the Italians against their neighbors in greater Ethiopia. Consequently, upon the "reunion" of the country, post-annexation in the 30's, Ethiopia maintained a chip on its shoulder and took this bitterness out on Eritreans.

As a result, a growing feeling of resentment took afoot almost universally amongst people of the Eritrean region. The unfair treatment they received following annexation further exacerbated the already fragile relationship between the two countries. It is the continual and maintained state of mistrust, suspicion and resentment that existed between the people (and Ethiopian govt) that in large part created a wedge and defined the identity of the Eritrean as the proud and increasingly independent people.

Hope that answers your question.

Informative, thanks Hersh...

[Yoniii]

Hersh and Ahadu, thank you both.

[Simfan34]

Originally Posted by abesha

Yikes, where's Simfan

Here! Janub's hit the nail on the head here.

[Simfan34]

Off the top of my head, about 80% of Eritreans (Tigray, Afar, Kunama, etc.) belong to an ethnic group present in Ethiopia. The other 20% (such as the Rashida, Beja) are found either only within Eritrea or in other countries. So for the most part, they can be considered "the same". The main difference is that Eritreans feel different. Historically, the Eritean highlands were part of the Ethiopian imperial realm Like other parts of the empire, imperial authority was indirect at best and non-existent at best. The coast, on the other hand, shifted from the control of Arab traders to the Ottomans to the Egyptians. In the 1880s, Italy began to supplant Egypt on the coast, and even though the UK had promised to back Ethiopia's claim to it, the UK went and handed Massawa to Italy (remember, Egypt was a British protectorate at the time). As Menelik II fought for control of the throne, he signed a treaty with Italy, the treaty of Wichale, which recognized Italian control over Eritrea in exchange for them backing Menelik. Italian sleaziness with the treaty lead to the Italo-Ethiopian War, but the end result was that Eritrea was Italian.

For a good 50 years, Italy changed the country, and left it far more developed than Ethiopia. When Ethiopia took control of Eritrea in the 50's, it had broad popular support amongst the highlanders but was generally opposed by the coastal peoples. Haile Selassie was rather magnanimous, and Eritrea, while having lost self-government after the end of federation (a major sticking point), was not particularly mistreated. Things get bad during the Derg- I personally blame them for Eritrea choosing to secede from Ethiopia. They particularly targeted Eritreans, calling them unloyal and imposing a harsh military rule on the region. This radicalized the population against Ethiopia, and led to popular support of the ELF and EPLF, various independist liberation fronts. Problems arise at independence. Eritreans ask the same question Janub does- who are we? Eritrea, as a country, is an artificial construct, one that had been part of what is perhaps the world's oldest country. So this false history is constructed, full of fabrications and independent "Mereb Mellash" (no more so than Wollo or Shewa during the Zemene Mesafint) and at heavily relies of diminishing Ethiopia's history (like they are the real inheritors of Axum).

So in short, Eritreans are, for the most part, the same as Ethiopians, but feel differently. Whether they are correct in thinking so is up to debate.

[Hersh]

Originally Posted by Simfan34

Off the top of my head, about 80% of Eritreans (Tigray, Afar, Kunama, etc.) belong to an ethnic group present in Ethiopia. The other 20% (such as the Rashida, Beja) are found either only within Eritrea or in other countries. So for the most part, they can be considered "the same". The main difference is that Eritreans feel different. Historically, the Eritean highlands were part of the Ethiopian imperial realm Like other parts of the empire, imperial authority was indirect at best and non-existent at best. The coast, on the other hand, shifted from the control of Arab traders to the Ottomans to the Egyptians. In the 1880s, Italy began to supplant Egypt on the coast, and even though the UK had promised to back Ethiopia's claim to it, the UK went and handed Massawa to Italy (remember, Egypt was a British protectorate at the time). As Menelik II fought for control of the throne, he signed a treaty with Italy, the treaty of Wichale, which recognized Italian control over Eritrea in exchange for them backing Menelik. Italian sleaziness with the treaty lead to the Italo-Ethiopian War, but the end result was that Eritrea was Italian.

For a good 50 years, Italy changed the country, and left it far more developed than Ethiopia. When Ethiopia took control of Eritrea in the 50's, it had broad popular support amongst the highlanders but was generally opposed by the coastal peoples. Haile Selassie was rather magnanimous, and Eritrea, while having lost self-government after the end of federation (a major sticking point), was not particularly mistreated. Things get bad during the Derg- I personally blame them for Eritrea choosing to secede from Ethiopia. They particularly targeted Eritreans, calling them unloyal and imposing a harsh military rule on the region. This radicalized the population against Ethiopia, and led to popular support of the ELF and EPLF, various independist liberation fronts. Problems arise at independence. Eritreans ask the same question Janub does- who are we? Eritrea, as a country, is an artificial construct, one that had been part of what is perhaps the world's oldest country. So this false history is constructed, full of fabrications and independent "Mereb Mellash" (no more so than Wollo or Shewa during the Zemene Mesafint) and at heavily relies of diminishing Ethiopia's history (like they are the real inheritors of Axum).

So in short, Eritreans are, for the most part, the same as Ethiopians, but feel differently. Whether they are correct in thinking so is up to debate.

While I agree with much of what you said, I must say a significant portion of what you said seems to be a revisionist version of events, skewed towards the Ethiopian perspective. It's not particularly neutral. The suggestion that they were not mistreated during Haile Selasie, I particularly find worthy of note..........but as a self proclaimed "monarchist," I can understand why you would make the claim.

[Yoniii]

How was Eritreans mistreated during Haile Selassie?

[African Lion]

An eritrean is a a person who resides in eritrea or has ancestory there. As far as differeces/similarities?

Whats the difference between spain/portugal or austria/germany?

For the most part it is a "political difference"! There are some differences there in culture/ethnicity but they would not be a differnce to non Hornets.

Eritrea has a right to a seperate nation but this whole we are different(chuvinism) is laughable.

In short, Not much cultural/ethnic difference. The real difference is in the socially constructed states.

[Hersh]

Originally Posted by Yoniii

How was Eritreans mistreated during Haile Selassie?

I take it you disagree with the characterization. I imagine you would also disagree with the suggestion that Oromos were likewise mistreated under him (no pun intended), despite him being mostly Oromo by blood. If he can mistreat his kinds, there is no reason why he wouldn't his neighbors. I've always found it puzzling how certain Ethiopians have so much foolhardy reverence for this scoundrel of a King--that they remain delusionally in denial about the true nature of his rule. I guess the truth would be too inconvenient.


To answer your question, I'd rather give you the task of reading up on the history of the ELF; why it came about; why it didn't remain religiously Muslim for long; what actions Haile Selassie took against Tigre in marginalizing them by banning Tigrinya and removing all muslim representation in parliament, by banning Arabic, trade unions, and other political parties, etc. But hey, who knows, perhaps he did all that out of the goodness of his heart...lol....after all, Simfan's dream is an Ethiopia where everybody speaks Amharic, practices Orthodox Christianity (yes, I know he's Catholic), and is ruled by a blackguard..ahem..I mean, "King."


Anyway, just keep in mind that no people in human history have sought independence as a result of being treated well. That should tell you plenty. Both the ELF and the EPLF were created before the Dergue was in power.

[Simfan34]

Originally Posted by African Lion

An eritrean is a a person who resides in eritrea or has ancestory there. As far as differeces/similarities?

Whats the difference between spain/portugal or austria/germany?

For the most part it is a "political difference"! There are some differences there in culture/ethnicity but they would not be a differnce to non Hornets.

Eritrea has a right to a seperate nation but this whole we are different(chuvinism) is laughable.

In short, Not much cultural/ethnic difference. The real difference is in the socially constructed states.

Well I was actually going to make the comparison with Austria and Germany, but the two have been separate for centuries (well, there was no Germany until the late 19th century) and the same goes for the Spanish and Portuguese. For the latter, however, the comparison is probably closer, as there are multiple languages spoken in Spain.

Originally Posted by Hersh

While I agree with much of what you said, I must say a significant portion of what you said seems to be a revisionist version of events, skewed towards the Ethiopian perspective. It's not particularly neutral. The suggestion that they were not mistreated during Haile Selasie, I particularly find worthy of note..........but as a self proclaimed "monarchist," I can understand why you would make the claim.

Not, it's not, but no one can be un-biased. I'll believe you when you say that Ethiopians had a chip on their shoulder, because I've been told in parts of Ethiopia into the last century, people would go and show you things that had been destroyed by Ahmad Gragn... I would like to hear more.

[Yoniii]

Originally Posted by Hersh

I take it you disagree with the characterization. I imagine you would also disagree with the suggestion that Oromos were likewise mistreated under him (no pun intended), despite him being mostly Oromo by blood. If he can mistreat his kinds, there is no reason why he wouldn't his neighbors. I've always found it puzzling how certain Ethiopians have so much foolhardy reverence for this scoundrel of a King--that they remain delusionally in denial about the true nature of his rule. I guess the truth would be too inconvenient.


To answer your question, I'd rather give you the task of reading up on the history of the ELF; why it came about; why it didn't remain religiously Muslim for long; what actions Haile Selassie took against Tigre in marginalizing them by banning Tigrinya and removing all muslim representation in parliament, by banning Arabic, trade unions, and other political parties, etc. But hey, who knows, perhaps he did all that out of the goodness of his heart...lol....after all, Simfan's dream is an Ethiopia where everybody speaks Amharic, practices Orthodox Christianity (yes, I know he's Catholic), and is ruled by a blackguard..ahem..I mean, "King."


Anyway, just keep in mind that no people in human history have sought independence as a result of being treated well. That should tell you plenty. Both the ELF and the EPLF were created before the Dergue was in power.

I asked because I wanted to hear a different opinion. I've talked about this with my parents, but they seem to be closer to Simfan's version when it comes to Eritreans during Haile. He enforced Amharic because he probably thought it would unite people, misjudgment. I don't think he did it out of pure hate like some anti-imperialists tries to picture it. But as far as I know, no one would get beaten up or arrested for speaking their native language on the street. I've been told that there were Eritreans in high positions even in the military at that time, they were controlling a lot of the businesses in Addis as well etc. I actually never heard any Eritrean being particularly hateful against Haile Selassie, they always talk about the harassments during Derg. Haile Selassie should had started the "democratic transformation", that was his biggest mistake in my opinion.