As a member of a crew of journalists from the Ministry of Information, I travelled to Qarora, a town in the Northern Red Sea region that borders Sudan. Qarora is located 450km north of Asmara.
The first phase of our journey covered 400 km: starting from Asmara and going to Massawa and then to the coastal village of Marsa Gulbub, with the final destination being the town of Emahmime. The journey began at six in a cold and foggy morning. When we arrived at Ghindae, the weather began to change; it was warm and windy. After a two-hour trip from Asmara, we arrived at the port city of Massawa and were greeted with humid and hot weather. Indeed, we experienced “three seasons in two hours,” as the Ministry of Tourism’s slogan goes.
After travelling for six hours, we realized that we had lost our way and ended up in the middle of some wilderness in the Northern Red Sea region. It was around seven in the evening and getting dark. We ran out of water and food, and the place was very far from the villages. So the only thing we could do was go forward.
Suddenly we saw light. It was the light of a car coming in our direction. Following our signal, the car pulled out. The driver and the others in the car asked us what we were doing in the middle of the arid zone. They were from the Rashaida ethnic group and asked us if we needed any help. When we told them we were travelling to Emahmime, they told us that we were at a place called Melhati and had a five-hour ride before we could reach our destination. They advised us to resume our trip in the morning and offered to take us to the nearest place where we could spend the night. They took us to a nearby Rashaida family living at a place called Geleb Sagla.
The family greeted us cheerfully and went out of their way to make us feel at home. They rushed to serve us as if they had been waiting for us. They brought us water and the only sleeping mat they had. The eldest member of the family went out of the tent to milk his goats and camels and came back with kettles full of milk and tea. Then the mother showed up and asked us what we wanted to eat. We declined the offer politely. However, when the mother insisted, we asked for porridge. She served us a beautiful millet porridge.
After dinner, the family provided us with their blankets and we went to sleep. They didn’t have excess blankets but gave us everything they had. I have never seen nor heard of such a level of hospitality in a world that is overwhelmed by individualism and materialism. The family told us that honoring guests is highly revered in their custom. We really felt proud of them and Eritrean hospitality.
Hospitality, which ought to be a universal virtue, holds a special place among Eritreans. While Western societies, which revere individualism and materialism, believe that “stranger is danger,” the Eritrean society is known for its exceptional hospitality. Hospitality is deeply embedded in Eritrean culture and is regarded as a cornerstone of the society. Eritreans take pride in welcoming guests graciously and making them feel at home. This tradition of hospitality reflects their values of compassion, generosity, and respect for others. Eritreans believe that visitors are a blessing and offer an opportunity to forge new relationships and exchange ideas. Whether you are a friend, family member, or a stranger, you can expect to be greeted with genuine warmth and open arms in Eritrea.
The culture and history of Eritrea have played a significant role in shaping the hospitality that the Eritrean people are known for. Eritrea is home to numerous ethnic groups. Despite their differences, Eritreans embrace unity and harmonious coexistence. Their diversity enriches their understanding of one another and fosters hospitality that transcends ethnic boundaries.
Eritreans also have a long history of hosting travelers and traders due to their strategic location along ancient trade routes. This history must have influenced their cultural norms, emphasizing the importance of accommodating and assisting strangers. Eritreans’ hospitality is at the moment being reflected in hosting Sudanese refugees. As President Isaias Afwerki said Eritrea has open borders and will continue to receive, without fanfare, Sudanese as well as others that have been affected by the conflict in Sudan and share with them whatever the country has.
One way Eritreans’ hospitality finds expression is through the coffee ceremony. When visitors arrive in Eritrea, they are received with a traditional coffee ceremony.
The coffee beans are roasted, filling the air with a beautiful aroma, ground and brewed in an earthen pot made for it. Then the coffee is served in small cups in three rounds. The ceremony lasts more than an hour, giving even complete strangers ample time to get to know one another and start a relationship.
Another way in which Eritreans demonstrate their hospitality is through the custom of N’Qedembel or Tefedel, terms uttered by someone who is ready to dine, inviting anyone around to join and share the meal.
In Eritrea, visitors are not treated as outsiders but warmly welcomed as members of the family. Eritreans do everything they can to make sure that visitors feel comfortable and at home. This may be done by inviting visitors to their homes, giving directions to strangers on the streets, or sharing stories and experiences. Eritreans make genuine efforts to connect with people and form lasting relationships. They respect extended family relationships. This familial mindset extends beyond biological ties and includes visitors. Eritreans understand the importance of relationships and view meeting visitors as an opportunity to broaden their social connections and enrich their understanding of other cultures.
The exceptional hospitality of the Eritrean people is deeply rooted in their values, traditions, and sense of community. Through their warm greetings, shared meals and genuine acts of kindness, Eritreans always extend heartfelt welcomes to guests. The cultural foundation of Eritrean hospitality, coupled with their desire to embrace others as family, sets them apart as a nation known for their warmth and generosity. A visit to Eritrea promises not only breathtaking landscapes and historical sites but also an experience of the vibrant hospitality that makes the country truly unique.