Eritreans

Last updated
Eritreans
Total population
Eritrean people around the world.svg
Eritrea: 3.6–6.7 million [1] [2]
Eritrean diaspora: ≥600,000
Regions with significant populations
Flag of Eritrea.svg  Eritrea 3.6–6.7 million [1] [2]
Flag of Ethiopia.svg  Ethiopia 179,276 [3]
Flag of Sudan.svg  Sudan 159,748 (Eritrean-born) [4]
Flag of Germany.svg  Germany 84,000 (Eritrean citizens) [5]
Flag of Uganda.svg  Uganda 49,913 [6]
Flag of Sweden.svg  Sweden 49,636 [7]
Flag of the United States.svg  United States 47,449 [8] [9] [10]
Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg  Saudi Arabia 47,260 [11]
Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg   Switzerland 42,978 [12]
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada 36,290 [13]
Flag of Norway.svg  Norway 29,531 [14]
Flag of Israel.svg  Israel 27,621 [15]
Flag of England.svg  England and Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg  Wales 24,812 [16]
Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg  United Arab Emirates 17,916 (Eritrean-born) [4]
Flag of Italy.svg  Italy 13,592 (Eritrean-born) [4]
Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia 9,383 [17]
Flag of Denmark.svg  Denmark 8,060 [18]
Flag of Kuwait.svg  Kuwait 4,725 (Eritrean-born) [4]
Flag of South Sudan.svg  South Sudan 3,318 (Eritrean-born) [4]
Flag of Egypt.svg  Egypt 2,368 (Eritrean-born) [4]
Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands 2,150 (Eritrean-born) [4]
Flag of Kenya.svg  Kenya 2,127 (Eritrean-born) [4]
Flag of Libya.svg  Libya 1,983 (Eritrean-born) [4]
Flag of Qatar.svg  Qatar 1,854 (Eritrean-born) [4]
Flag of Finland.svg  Finland 1,642 [19]
Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa 1,604 (Eritrean-born) [4]
Flag of Bahrain.svg  Bahrain 1,550 (Eritrean-born) [4]
Flag of Greece.svg  Greece 1,055 [20]
Flag of Yemen.svg  Yemen 1,009 (Eritrean-born) [4]
Languages
Tigrinya, Tigre, Kunama, Bilen, Nara, Saho, Afar, Beja, and other Languages of Eritrea
Religion
Christian (Eritrean Orthodox, P'ent'ay, Catholic, Protestant), Muslim, Animism [21] [22]
Related ethnic groups
Ethiopians, Djiboutians, Somalis, other Horn Africans, and other Afro-Asiatic and Nilo-Saharan populations

Eritreans are the native inhabitants of Eritrea, as well as the global diaspora of Eritrea. Eritreans constitute several component ethnic groups, some of which are related to ethnic groups that make up the Ethiopian people in neighboring Ethiopia and people groups in other parts of the Horn of Africa. Nine of these component ethnic groups are officially recognized by the Government of Eritrea.

Contents

The Eritrean national identity began to develop during the Scramble for Africa, when Italy claimed Eritrea as one of its colonies. This marked the establishment of Eritrea's present-day borders. [23] Following Italy's defeat in World War II and the subsequent British administration of Eritrea, the former colony was federated with Ethiopia in 1952. [24] Tensions increased through the 1950s between Eritreans wishing for independence and the Ethiopian government, culminating in the Eritrean War of Independence. [25]

History

Ancient history

Eritrea is widely considered to have been part of the territory of the ancient Land of Punt, which was first recorded by the ancient Egyptians in the 25th century BC. [26] Most of the area, along with northern Ethiopia, became part of Dʿmt from the 10th to 5th centuries BC. This area later became the centre of the Kingdom of Aksum in the 1st century BC. [27] The 3rd century Iranian prophet Mani wrote that Aksum was one of four great powers of the world, along with Persia, Rome, and China. [28] It is mentioned in the Periplus of the Erythraean Sea; [29] the name Erythraean Sea refers to the Red Sea, and is the origin of the name Eritrea. [30] Aksum began to decline in the mid 6th century, eventually collapsing by the end of the 10th century. [31]

Medieval history

Following the fall of Aksum, the land of present-day Eritrea was part of Medri Bahri. The kingdom lasted until Italian colonization in 1889, [32] however the coastal regions were ruled by other polities during this time. The Adal Sultanate conquered the coast under Badlay ibn Sa'ad ad-Din in the 15th century, [33] and the Ottomans conquered the area in 1517, incorporating into the empire as Habesh Eyalet. [34]

Modern history

Eritrea, with its current borders, was established as a colony of the Kingdom of Italy in 1889. [23] The colonial period saw a large influx of Italians to the country, particularly during the fascist period. However, despite the substantial Italian Eritrean community, mixed-race Eritreans were uncommon, as Italians and Africans were prohibited from marrying or having sexual relations under the Italian racial laws. [35]

Eritrea was under British administration from 1941 to 1952, [36] at which point it was federated with Ethiopia. [24] The Eritrean War of Independence began on September 1, 1961, with the Battle of Adal, [37] and ended on May 24, 1991. [38] Eritrea officially gained independence in 1993; since then it has been governed by Isaias Afwerki, whose regime has been defined by an extremely poor human rights record. [39] Diaspora displaced by the Eritrean War of Independence [40] and seeking refuge from human rights violations by the Eritrean government. [41]

Component ethnicities

Tigrinya

The majority of the Tigrinya inhabit the highlands of Eritrea; however, migration to other parts of the country has occurred. Their language is called Tigrinya. They are the largest ethnic group in the country, constituting about 50% of the population. [42] The predominantly Tigrinya populated urban centers in Eritrea are the capital Asmara, Mendefera, Dekemhare, Adi Keyh, Adi Quala and Senafe.

They are 96% Christians, (of which 90% are of the Eritrean Orthodox faith, 5% Roman Catholic and Eastern Catholic (whose mass is held in Ge'ez as opposed to Latin), and 5% belonging to various Protestant and other Christian denominations, the majority of which belong to the (Lutheran) Evangelical Church of Eritrea).

Tigre

The Tigre reside in the western lowlands in Eritrea. Many also migrated to Sudan at the time of the Ethiopian-Eritrean conflict and lived there since. They are a nomadic and pastoralist people, related to the Tigrinya and to the Beja people. They are a predominantly Muslim nomadic people who inhabit the northern, western, and coastal lowlands of Eritrea, where they constitute 30% of local residents. [42] Some also inhabit areas in eastern Sudan. 95% of the Tigre people adhere to the Islamic religion Sunni Islam, but there are a small number of Christians among them as well (often referred to as the Mensaï in Eritrea). Their language is called Tigre.

Jeberti

The Jeberti people in Eritrea trace descent from early Muslim adherents. The term Jeberti is also used to refer more generally to Muslim inhabitants of the highlands. [43] The Jeberti in Eritrea speak Arabic and Tigrinya. [44]

Afar

According to the CIA, the Afar constitute under 5% of the nation's population. [42] They live in the Debubawi Keyih Bahri Region of Eritrea, as well as the Afar Region in Ethiopia, and Djibouti. They speak the Afar language as a mother tongue, and are predominantly Muslim. Afars in Eritrea number about 397,000 individuals, the smallest population out of the countries they reside in. In Djibouti, there are about 780,000 group members, and in Ethiopia, they number approximately 1,300,000.

Saho

The Saho represent 4% of Eritrea's population. [42] They principally reside in the Southern Region and the Northern Red Sea Region of Eritrea. Their language is called Saho. They are predominantly Muslim, although a few Christians known as the Irob live in the Debub Region of Eritrea and the Tigray region of Ethiopia.

Bilen

The Bilen in Eritrea represent around 2% of the country's population. [42] They are primarily concentrated in the north-central areas, in and around the city of Keren, and south towards Asmara, the nation's capital. Many of them entered Eritrea from Kush (central Sudan) in the 8th century and settled at Merara, after which they went to Lalibela and Lasta. The Bilen then returned to Axum in Ethiopia's Tigray Province, and battled with the natives; in the resulting aftermath, the Bilen returned to their main base at Merara. The Bilen include adherents of both Islam and Christianity. They speak the Bilen as a mother tongue. Christian adherents are mainly urban and have intermingled with the Tigrinya who live in the area. Muslim adherents are mainly rural and have interbred with the adjacent Tigre.

Beja

The Beja in Eritrea, or Hedareb, constitute under 5% of local residents. [42] They mainly live along the north-western border with Sudan. Group members are predominantly Muslim and communicate in Beja as a first or second language. The Beja also include the Beni-Amer people, who have retained their native Beja language alongside Tigre.

Kunama

According to the CIA, the Kunama constitute around 2% of Eritrea's population. [42] They mainly live in the country's Gash Barka Region, as well as in adjacent parts of Ethiopia's Tigray Region. Many of them reside in the contested border village of Badme. Their language is called Kunama. Although some Kunama still practice traditional beliefs, most are converts to either Christianity (Roman Catholic and Protestant) or Islam.

Nara

The Nara represent under 5% of the nation's population. [42] They principally reside along the south-western border with Sudan and Ethiopia. They are generally Muslim, with a few Christians and some practising their indigenous beliefs. Their language is called Nara.

Rashaida

The Rashaida are one of Eritrea's nine recognized ethnic groups. They represent around 2% of the population of Eritrea. [42] The Rashaida reside in the northern coastal lowlands of Eritrea and the northern eastern coasts of Sudan. They are predominantly Muslim and are the only ethnic group in Eritrea to have Arabic as their mother tongue, specifically the Hejazi dialect. The Rashaida first came to Eritrea in the 19th century from the Arabian Coast. [45]

Italians in Eritrea

A few monolingual Italian Eritreans remain. As of 2008, they were estimated at 900 people, down from around 38,000 residents at the end of World War II.

Eritrean diaspora

Languages

Most languages spoken in Eritrea are from the Afroasiatic and Nilo-Saharan language family.

Afroasiatic languages

Semitic languages

Cushitic languages

Nilo-Saharan languages

Other languages

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Demographics of Eritrea</span>

Sources disagree as to the current population of Eritrea, with some proposing numbers as low as 3.6 million and others as high as 6.7 million. Eritrea has never conducted an official government census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Beja people</span> Cushitic ethnic group native to Egypt, Sudan and Eritrea

The Beja people are a Cushitic ethnic group native to the Eastern Desert, inhabiting a coastal area from southeastern Egypt through eastern Sudan and into northwestern Eritrea. They are descended from peoples who have inhabited the area since 4000 BC or earlier, although they were Arabized by Arabs who settled in the region. They are nomadic and live primarily in the Eastern Desert. The Beja number around 1,900,000 to 2,759,000.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Music of Eritrea</span>

The music of Eritrea, is a diverse mix of traditional and popular styles originating from ancient to modern times. The nine major ethnic groups of Eritrea—Afar, Bilen, Hedareb, Kunama, Nara, Rashaida, Saho, Tigre and Tigrinya—celebrate autonomous music-making expressed through a rich heritage of vocalists, instrumentalists and activities within the country and throughout the international diaspora. The country's music is informed by a range of ethnolinguistic group dynamics in the region, by its shared pre-colonial history with and revolutionized independence from Ethiopia, and by its exposure to globalized American music in the mid-twentieth century.

The Saho language is an Afro-Asiatic language spoken in Eritrea, Sudan and Ethiopia. It belongs to the family's Cushitic branch.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eritrean nakfa</span> Currency of Eritrea

The nakfa is the currency of Eritrea and was introduced on 15 November 1997 to replace the Ethiopian birr at par. The currency takes its name from the Eritrean town of Nakfa, site of the first major victory of the Eritrean War of Independence. The nakfa is divided into 100 cents.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bilen people</span> Ethnic group in Africa

The Bilen are a Cushitic ethnic group in Eritrea. They are primarily concentrated in central Eritrea, in and around the city of Keren and further south toward Asmara, the nation's capital. They are split into two sub-tribes; Bet Tarqe, Bet Tawqe which are split into further clans known as Hissat. The Tawke has six whereas the Tarke has five which each are divided into smaller kinship groups.

Tigray Province, also known as Tigre, was a historical province of northern Ethiopia that overlayed the present day Afar and Tigray regions. Akele Guzai borders with the Tigray province. It encompassed most of the territories of Tigrinya-speakers in Ethiopia. Tigray was separated from the northern Tigrinya speaking territories by the Mareb River, now serving as the state border to Eritrea, bordering Amhara region in the south.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Saho people</span> Cushitic ethnic group native to the Horn of Africa

The Saho are a Cushitic ethnic group who inhabit large sections of Eritrea and northern Ethiopia. They speak Saho as a mother tongue.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Languages of Ethiopia</span>

The languages of Ethiopia include the official languages of Ethiopia, its national and regional languages, and a large number of minority languages, as well as foreign languages.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mass media in Eritrea</span>

There are no current independent mass media in Eritrea. All media outlets in Eritrea are from the Ministry of Information, a government source.

The Tigre people are an ethnic group indigenous to Eritrea. They mainly inhabit the lowlands and northern highlands of Eritrea, with a small population in Sudan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Languages of Eritrea</span>

The main languages spoken in Eritrea are Tigrinya, Tigre, Kunama, Bilen, Nara, Saho, Afar, and Beja. The country's working languages are Tigrinya, Arabic, English, and formely Italian.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tigrayans</span> Semitic-speaking ethnic group native to northern Ethiopia

Tigrayans are a Semitic-speaking ethnic group indigenous to the Tigray Region of northern Ethiopia. They speak the Tigrinya language, an Afroasiatic language belonging to the Ethiopian Semitic branch.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eastern Zone, Tigray</span> Zone in northern Ethiopia

The Eastern Zone is a zone in the Tigray Region of Ethiopia. It is bordered on the east by the Afar Region, on the south by the South Eastern Zone, on the west by the Central Zone and on the north by Eritrea. Its highest point is Mount Asimba. Towns and cities in the Eastern Zone include Adigrat, Atsbi, Hawzen, and Wukro.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Irob people</span> Ethnic group native to Eritrea and Ethiopia

The Irob people are an ethnic group who live in a predominantly highland, mountainous area by the same name in Eritrea and Ethiopia. They speak the Saho language. Most of them profess the Catholic Christian religion and are mostly farmers. The etymology of the name Irob is debatable, but Irob's elders say that the term comes from the Saho word "Oroba", which means "welcome to our home". The boundaries of Irobland are, to an extent, identical to the Irob woreda; both are bordered by the following areas: Dabri-Mela to the north, Hado to the east, the Afar Region to the east and south, Shoumezana and Gulomakeda to the west, and Saesi Tsaedaemba to the south. The first two neighbors are Saho speakers and predominantly Muslim, the third are Muslim Afars, and the others are Tigrigna-speaking Christians.

Articles related to Eritrea include:

The provinces of Eritrea existed since pre-Axumite times and became administrative provinces from Eritrea's incorporation as a colony of Italy until the conversion of the provinces into administrative regions. Many of the provinces had their own local laws since the 13th century.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Religion in Eritrea</span>

Religion in Eritrea consists of a number of faiths. The two major religions in Eritrea are Christianity and Islam. However, the number of adherents of each faith is subject to debate. Estimates of the Christian share of the population range from 47% and 63%, while estimates of the Muslim share of the population range from 37% to 52%.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eritrea</span> Country in the Horn of Africa

Eritrea, officially the State of Eritrea, is a country in the Horn of Africa region of Eastern Africa, with its capital and largest city being Asmara. It is bordered by Ethiopia in the south, Sudan in the west, and Djibouti in the southeast. The northeastern and eastern parts of Eritrea have an extensive coastline along the Red Sea. The nation has a total area of approximately 117,600 km2 (45,406 sq mi), and includes the Dahlak Archipelago and several of the Hanish Islands.

Eritrean Australians are a hyphenated ethnicity of Australians who are of full or partial Eritrean national origin, heritage and/or ancestry. They are immigrants from Eritrea to Australia and their descendants. Eritrea is a multi-ethnic country with the most common ethnic group being the Tigrinya, however Tigrinya speakers are more commonly found in Ethiopia than Eritrea, because of this many Eritreans can be found in Ethiopian communities.

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  23. 1 2 Ullendorff, Edward. The Ethiopians: An Introduction to Country and People 2nd ed., p. 90. Oxford University Press (London), 1965. ISBN   0-19-285061-X.
  24. 1 2 Matienzo, Eduardo Anze (1952). Final report of the United Nations Commissioner in Eritrea. General Assembly seventh regular session. United Nations.
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