Eritrea: Independence Day Celebration In The Land of Sea

 On Saturday, May 24, Eritreans across the globe celebrated the nation’s Independence Day. The country officially turned 34. In this article, we will explain the history and culture of Eritreans. 

The history of Eritrea is quite interesting, and it would be properly explained via our platform.

Happy Independence Day, Eritrea


A Brief History of Eritrea

Waving the Eritrean flag


Prehistoric Era: Evidence of human habitation in Eritrea dates back over 1 million years. Early inhabitants were part of the Cushitic-speaking peoples.

Kingdom of D’mt (c. 8th–5th century BCE): One of the first known political entities in the region, possibly centered in modern-day Eritrea and northern Ethiopia.

Aksumite Empire (c. 100–940 CE): Eritrea was an integral part of this powerful empire, which was known for its trade across the Red Sea and conversion to Christianity in the 4th century.

Medieval Period: After the decline of Aksum, the region saw the rise of local Muslim and Christian principalities, including the Medri Bahri kingdom (roughly 15th–19th centuries).

The Colonial Era

Independence Day celebration


Italian Colonization (1890–1941): Eritrea became an Italian colony in 1890. The Italians developed infrastructure but exploited local resources and people. Eritrea was used as a base for the Italian invasion of Ethiopia in the 1930s.

British Administration (1941–1952): After Italy’s defeat in World War II, Britain administered Eritrea as a protectorate. Eritreans began organizing politically during this time, with increasing calls for independence or union with Ethiopia.

Federation and Annexation by Ethiopia

UN-Federation (1952): The United Nations federated Eritrea with Ethiopia, giving it autonomy but under Ethiopian sovereignty.

Annexation (1962): Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia dissolved the federation and annexed Eritrea, turning it into a province, sparking a 30-year war for independence.



War for Independence (1961–1991)

Armed Struggle: The Eritrean Liberation Front (ELF) and later the Eritrean People’s Liberation Front (EPLF) led the armed resistance against Ethiopian rule.

Support and Opposition: The conflict was influenced by Cold War politics, with shifting alliances and foreign involvement.

Victory and Independence: In 1991, the EPLF captured Asmara (Eritrea’s capital), effectively ending the war. In 1993, an UN-supervised referendum showed overwhelming support (over 99%) for independence, and Eritrea officially became a sovereign nation.

Culture and Legacy

Eritrea is a mosaic of ethnic groups (notably Tigrinya, Tigre, Afar, Saho, and others) and religions (Christianity and Islam).

Its strategic location along the Red Sea has historically made it a crossroads of trade and cultures, from ancient times to the present.

Comments

  1. ManueleMay 25, 2025 at 4:36 AM

    Thank you Adekun for being there and experience the event..

    ReplyDelete

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