Shabait

Ways of constructing houses

The Eritrean people lead their lives as farmers, pastoralists and businessmen. But, the majority are agriculturalists. Most of the houses in rural Eritrea are constructed in the traditional way using construction materials obtained from the surroundings such as soil, dried branches oor longs, ropes, stones and mats. They are mainly hedmo (adobe-looking dwelling place found mainly in the highlands), agudo (thatch roofed hut common in the lowlands), agnet (a sort make-shift nomad tent, preferred by nomads) and mereba (stone house with corrugated iron sheet for roof) built by skilled masons.

The Italian colonization in Eritrea was aimed at getting access to the virgin resources of the country, besides securing farmland and cheap labor for Italian settlers. To realized these objectives, Italy introduced a new administrative system in Eritrea..

Among the Tigre ethnic group, honeymoon can last up to forty days (except in time of hardship when it is shortened to seven days only).  From the moment she comes to stay with her in-laws, the bride’s behavior becomes somewhat changed and she refuses any bodily contact with her spouse, who tries in vain to subdue her. But the bride’s fingernail (grown to an unusual size for the occasion) are the only weapons she has for defending herself against her tormentor, lashing and clawing at him desperately until he leaves her in peace for sometime.

‘Three seasons in two hours’ is the theme of the Eritrean tourism sector. But I guess that would only be one version for those who had the opportunity to travel in the Southern Region, where one travels through layers of time in just a couple of hours. Expedition in the Southern region of Eritrea is one big adventure for archaeological wonderers, geological admirers and historical references; all in one package. Having this in mind, the Southern region Administration in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism organized a tour of select group for three days; it was a once in a lifetime adventure for the entire group.

The Tigre marriage institution is fitted with a mechanism, which protects the final union from possible breakdown. The two families strengthen their ties, starting from the betrothal period, by exchanging gifts and helping each other. These family ties go a long way to include many of the next kin. This is one of the reasons why the marriage bond is far stronger than any other sort of relationship.

The coming of Italians to Eritrea

In 1869 Italy bought land in Asseb under the pretext of land needed for a trading company from the governors of the region, Sultan Ibrahim and Sultan Hassen, and after 13 years Italy declared Asseb as its official colony.