How often do you find yourself talking about some else’s live that has nothing to do with your own?  And have you ever taught about why you are saying those things about that particular person? It might seem that there is no harm done in discussing someone’s imperfection to socially engage in a conversation but the effect of such a chit-chat is deeper. You might come up with a bunch of excuses for raising the person’s name on that particular instance but whether consciously or unconsciously, in a good or bad what we did was gossiping, no matter the reason or the fact.

Mohammed Al-Nasser, a Saudi tourist visited Eritrea in the 1960s. Following his trip to the country, he published a journal entitled “The Tour through the Green Africa”. On his book, Mohamed wrote his experience, and what he has witnessed in his visit to Eritrea.  Below are some of his impressions translated:

Mohammed Al-Nasser, a Saudi tourist visited Eritrea in the 1960s. Following his trip to the country, he published a journal entitled “The Tour through the Green Africa”. On his book, Mohamed wrote his impressions, and what he has witnessed on his visit to the country.   Following his trip to the port city of Massawa, he travelled to Keren, and here is what he wrote in his book about his trip to the Keren town:

Mohammed Al-Nasser, a Saudi tourist visited Eritrea in the 1960s. Following his trip to the country, he published a journal entitled “The Tour through the Green Africa”. On his book, Mohamed wrote the impressions, and what he has witnessed during his visit to Eritrea.  Below are some of his impressions translated:

Drinking coffee in the Eritrean culture has vivid meaning beyond sipping a cup of coffee.  Inviting one for a coffee ceremony is also something one does for a respected or honorable guest; people perform coffee ceremony to show their respect for that particular person. Coffee ceremony almost in all ethnic groups is performed by women, but there are also men that perform the ceremony at times where there are no women around. Despite the fact that women perform the ceremony, every one participates. It is the ceremony where families gather around to catch up and exchange news. Usually coffee ceremonies are held at times where the entire family is gathered after a long day in one’s daily activities, at times of holidays or in a presence of a guest.

Once the burial ceremony is over, the participants of the funeral will slaughter a sheep that they brought to the ceremony and eat it there. Leftovers from the meat are left on the graveyard, it is forbidden to take leftovers to the house.