Vol. 22 No. 45 Wednesday, 5th august, 2015 Pages 8, Price 2.00 NFA

Ministry of Local Government conducts assessment meeting

The Ministry of Local He further indicated that efforts Government conducted assessment have been exerted to improve land meeting from 31 July to 01 August management in accordance with the in which Administrators of the six judicious land use proclamation. regions took part. He also called on the society In the report he presented, Mr. to strengthen participation in the Woldemichael Abraha, Minister efforts being conducted in soil and of Local Government, said that water conservation. in the last six month of the year 2015 commendable efforts have The participants conducted been conducted with regards extensive discussion on the report ensuring food security, developing presented and charted out activity Tour de France victorious cyclists Daniel and agricultural activities as well as soil plan for the next six months of and water conservation programs. 2015. Merhawi accorded hero welcome

Eritrean cyclists Daniel Tekla- Following the enthusiastic wel- tory scored by Daniel and Merhawi haimanot and coming ceremony at Bahti Mesker- constitutes a pride to all . were accorded hero welcome upon em Square, President Isaias Afwer- arrival in in the morning ki received the hero cyclists at State It is to be recalled that cyclist hours of 1st of August following House and congratulated them on recorded a their shining victory in the Tour de behalf of the people and Govern- new history in the 6th stage of Tour France 2015. ment of . He pointed out that de France by being the first Eritrean the brilliant victory scored by the and first African to ride the Tour Asmara residents and nationals Eritrean cyclists at Tour de France and win the King of Mountains jer- from the city’s environs turned up attests to the existing and sey. He demonstrated higher spirit in their tens of thousands to give latent potential for excellence in of competitiveness in the 191.5 rousing welcome to the victorious other fields in Eritrea. In the course Km.-long race escaping over 80% cyclists. The welcoming ceremony of the ceremony, the meritorious of the competition amid broad me- took place from Asmara Interna- cyclist Daniel presented to Presi- dia coverage worldwide. tional Airport to Bahti Meskerem dent Isaias the polka-dot jersey he Square accompanied by March don as the King of the Mountains He also retained the polka-dot band, along with nationals of all for four consecutive days in course jersey in the 7th stage competition. ages swarming the city streets cou- of the tour. pled with warm applause. The cer- emony was broadcast live on ERI- Ambassador Zemede Tekle, TV and Dimtsi Hafash. Commissioner of Sports and Cul- ture, noted on his part that the vic- Eritrea Festival 2015 concludes The week-long Eritrea Festival closing ceremony, Ambassador 2015 at the Expo Ground here in The event conducted under Zemede Tekle, Minister of Culture 17th Festival of Eritrean nationals in Scandinavian the capital concluded on the 2nd of the theme “Festival: Hub of and Sport, said that encouraging August 2015. Harmony” witnessed shows progress was witnessed at this countries provides added impetus to national unity highlighting the existing resources year’s Festival and that the future The Administrative regions, in the different regions(Zobas), holds bright prospects. organizations and individuals the development stride they had that demonstrated excellence registered, social and educational The Minister of Labor and The 17th Festival of Eritrean significant impact in stimulating at the Festival received awards services, including impressive Human Welfare, Mr. Kahsai nationals in the Scandinavian further commitment and solidarity during the closing session in health care and development in Gebrehiwet, handed prizes to countries which concluded on the of participants. which senior government and infrastructure, among others. the Regional administrations, 2nd of August 2015, has provided Front officials,representatives of institutions and individuals that added impetus to national unity. Earlier, in a seminar he conducted National Associations and invited In remarks he made at the registered excellence at the for the participants, Mr. Yemane guests took part. Festival. Mr. Yemane Gebreab, Head Gebreab, underscored that the of Political Affairs at the PFDJ, development of human resource Ambassadors of different capacity is Eritrea’s top priority. The countries and over 10 thousand PFDJ official further explained that people, including Community external anti-Eritrea conspiracies representatives took part in the would end up in utter failure. Festival. Also in a meeting he conducted Reporters from the Ministry for YPFDJ members from various of Information and Festival Scandinavian cities, Mr. Yemane participants pointed out that the underlined that the People’s Front gathering of thousands of Eritrean would by no means compromise nationals , coupled with the Eritrea’s sovereignty under any seminars conducted have made pretext. Eritrea Profile, Wednesday, 5th august, 2015 2

Festival Eritrea 2015 Concludes: Winners Awarded Kesete Ghebrehiwet ed the participation of children and invention and innovative works. were then eager to see their regions of long forgotten instruments, good youth in all programs that are related announced winner in different pro- organization as well as attractive Festival Eritrea 2015 came to a to education as well as creative and Tiltel, Timbo, Guayla, farming and grams staged in the weeklong festiv- presentation was highly appraised. close – after an eventful week - in innovative works. “School age stu- pastoralist activities, heroism, Lucso ity. Southern, Central and Southern Red the afternoon hours of Sunday this dents are the principal actors in the (Lamentation), Masse among others Sea regions were ranked from first weekend. Expo hall (G3) was full innovative works in display. This were presented in all languages by Different shows staged by stu- to third in the overall usage of tradi- of participants from six regions of bodes well for the country’s prog- all ethic groups of the country. Lack dents from different primary schools tional music instrument. Eritrea as well as invited guests. ress in technological advancement of capable directors was a weak side were also awarded. Thus, cultural in the future,” he emphasized. observed in the cultural shows pre- group from Asmat was awarded In the construction of traditional The stage was colorfully deco- sented almost by all the regions. Nacfa 10.000. Top three dramas also houses and shows of traditional rated with lights of different colors Every program staged at the Expo received monetary award. Three livelihood, Northern Red Sea, Gash- and with nine Eritrean flags lined up Grounds was with the aim of giv- What was mostly emphasized in mothers were also awarded for their Barka, and Anseba regions were to represent the nine ethnic groups ing an added color to the weeklong the short report about the activities exceptional talent in the transfer of awarded 25,000 Nakfa, 20,000 Na- in the country. Young students from festivity. Most importantly, all vivid carried out in this year’s festival oral tradition. kfa and 15,000 Nakfa respectively. Asmat sub-zone opened the closing cultural shows staged with an air of was the usage of traditional music event with “Shakelkina” - a well competitiveness among the six re- instruments. Some regions have un- Northern Red Sea Region, South- Finally, in traditional music and know song in Tigre language which gions of the country were aimed at dertaken solid research of musical ern Region as well as Southern Red dance, Central and Anseba region the audience and particularly those preserving and thereby transferring instruments forgotten for about three Sea Region were awarded from first stood were ranked 3rd and 2nd in that from Anseba sub-zone sung it in genuine Eritrean culture to future generations now. This has revealed to third prizes respectively in oral order and received 15,000 Nakfa unison. The audience gave the per- generations. the fact that good music could be tradition. In Kushet Zobatat (Re- and 25,000 Nakfa respectively, with formers a standing ovation and ac- composed solely depending on tra- gional pavilions) Southern Red Sea, the Southern Region claiming the companied the song with rhythmic Traditional music and dance, ditional music. But, it should not be Southern Region and Central Re- first prize and 35,000 Nakfa. applause. traditional sports competitions, forgotten that poor sound system gions were ranked from first to third construction of traditional houses and lack of professional musicians in that order. Present during the closing cer- “Rosina” and “Wesadi -Lbi” coupled with traditional livelihood was prevalent in some regions de- emony were government officials, songs in Tigre and Tigrinya lan- and oral traditions (oral literature), spite having all needed instruments. Usage of traditional music instru- cultural groups from six regions of guages added warmth to the already including debating were among the ments was among those special fo- the county, students, artists and other cheerful event. most impressive shows. Cultural groups from each region cus was given to. The introduction talented youth, among others.

Ambassador Zemede Tekle, the Oral tradition and debating are Commissioner for Culture and among the programs of this year’s Sports, paid tribute to the competi- festival which drew great admira- tive spirit and professional compe- tion. These shows have illustrated tence that characterized the cultural the richness and diversity of the performances and plays that differ- cultural endowments of the country. ent regions had put together for this Debates in Tigre, Tigriniya and Ara- propitious occasion. The creativity bic have amply demonstrated the or- on display at the Invention and In- atorical /linguistic competence and novation Pavilion was inspiring, the talent that exist and that will require Commissioner added. Ambassador constant preservation. Zemede further noted that the stan- dard of these products will rise for Dr. Salih Mohamud Idris pre- next year’s festival if adequate time sented a summary report of all the is dedicated to these vital tasks. committees of Festival Eritrea 2015. The repot highlighted that a number Ambassador Zemede commend- of artistic works were presented in this year’s festival. Cultural shows by group of students from different regions, and particularly dramas by primary schools students that re- Published Every ceived admiration, need to be prop- Saturday & Wednesday erly documented.

Besides paintings, handcrafts and Acting Editor works of invention and innovation, Amanuel Mesfun photographic exhibition that por- [email protected] trays the rise of Eritrea’s cycling culture was among the most visited P.O.Box: 247 shows. Tel: 11-41-14 Fax: 12-77-49 Cultural groups from all regions E-mail: concocted a rich variety of tradition- [email protected] al costumes. The inventory this year Advertisement: 12-50-13 was by far better in quality than that of last year. Inventions and innova- Layout tive works from Southern region Azieb Habtemariam (Dubarwa) were highly praised. But it should be highlighted that, with the exception of the central region, other regions are lagging behind in Eritrea Profile, Wednesday, 5th august, 2015 5

Development as a right to life

G. Damr rural development.­ This change was they can make informed decision officially recognized by the United about their lives; they need a health The United Nations has enunci- Nations when it proclaimed the service because everything comes ated another season of its develop- 1970s as the Second United Nations after life. That is why for people ment campaigns; this time focus- Development Decade. However, who live below the development ing particularly on Africa and only the change was only superficial. level daily, getting a health service few months after its Millennium or sending their children to school Development Goals (MDG) came Back then, a plethora of develop- is not only a service; it is a right to to an end in terms of the original ment plans were written and pro- life. implementation time line. This time claimed. But what passed for devel- round, “sustainable Development” - opment plans were aggregations of Eritrea’s pursuit of economic a phrase that had gained currency to projects and objectives informed by development from this wider and become a household appellation for the latest fashion of the internation- more comprehensive perspective a long time now - is the new battle al development community such and interpretation is laudable in this cry. In fact “sustainable develop- as import substitution­ and export sense as it signifies drawing appro- ment” has been the lyric of acade- promotion. As these development priate lessons and emulation of best micians for decades and it is being notions and orthodoxies began to practices. And as we illustrate be- incorporated anew in the diplomatic be questioned by new theories and low, it has borne fruitful results. lexicon of the UN and other interna- approaches in the larger world, they tional institutions that are wedded to were quickly abandoned and easily After independence, the govern- the lofty objective. forgotten in Africa. ment moved forward in extending the accessibility of basic services to We might talk of a series of UN In his seminal book, “develop- all citizens through building the nec- development thinking in Africa ment as freedom” Amartya Sen, the essary infrastructure. Consequently beginning in the 1960s, when the Nobel Prize winner and economic the number of schools and hospitals concept was mechanically equated thinker, argues quit convincingly increased impressively compared with aggregate economic growth, and strongly that Development rep- with what was left from the colonial This has not only ensured the pre- cant achievements that have earned irrespective of its social distributive resents more than what the liberal period. If we take education for in- vention of waterborne communica- it international recognition in many content and patterns. In this narrow economists ascribed to it. Accord- stance, the number of enrolment of ble diseases, but also freed women aspects of its health services pro- and linear interpretation of the term, ing to Sen, development is a basic children to schools increased dra- from the daily domestic chores of gram. It has achieved a great deal what was of paramount importance element of freedom that enables matically during the early years of fetching water by walking long dis- in preventing and controlling the was GDP growth rate which was people to have and make choices in independence. As the statistics from tances. four communicable killer diseases: deemed not only essential for trans- their life freely. the Ministry of Education indicates, In the health sector, the progress malaria, polio, diarrhea and small- forming the continent but also as an the enrolment of students at the ele- achieved is all the more admirable. pox. Besides, infants’ mortality rate imperative that should be pursued For many developing countries mentary level which stood at 24.8% Before independence, there were was reduced from 72 per 1000 live without second thoughts. this is more than true. The most im- of the population, pertaining to ages only 126 health facilities throughout births in 1995 to 42 (EDHS: 2010). portant issue for millions of people 7-11, in the year 1991/92 grew by the country. The majority of them Maternal mortality rate was also However, this rather restrictive in many parts of Africa was and three folds in the last 24 years of in- were located in urban and semi- reduced from 998 per 100000 live dimension of “development” - both remains to be the issue of accessi- dependence. urban areas where they could not births (EDHS: 1995) to 209/100000 as a theoretical construct and con- bility. Because even put in place, if be easily accessed by the neediest. as per the CCA of 2013. crete programme of action - came people can’t access schools, health Tangible progress in other sectors, People used to walk more than half under pressure for emphasizing in- facilities and other basic needs, it such as provision of potable water, a day to get basic treatment even for This was possible due to the dustrialization to the neglect of agri- will never constitute an opportunity has followed the same pattern. The minor injuries. dogged commitment of the Eritrean culture, and wealth accumulation to to develop in any way. good story is communities that used government for social justice. This the neglect of social and economic to share the same spring with their The health strategy of Eritrea policy commitment is broadly in- welfare. In the light of these criti- The objective need for develop- animals are now drinking potable after independence focused on pri- terpreted as the provision of equal cisms, more attention was paid to ment is fundamentally rooted in the water from modern water taps al- mary health care. This was ensured access and opportunities to all its social ramifications such as em- intrinsic value the idea embodies. most in 80% of the eight hundred through providing basic health ser- citizens, particularly in health and ployment, income distribution, and People need to go to school so that or more villages around the country. vices at the local level to reach more education. In spite of its budgetary people at a fraction of the real mar- constraints, the GOE extends “free ket price. This approach was piv- education” opportunities to all citi- otal in mitigating and reducing the zens literally from Kindergarten to incidence of diseases. Even though tertiary education. Health services Eritrea’s health indicators show that remains heavily subsidized and free they are below the level of some for those who cannot afford pay- countries that share the name LDCs ment. with it, the pace at which they were scored is incredible. The manner in which develop- ment indices are gauged can thus Recent reports of the Ministry of differ depending on the principal Health public indicate that there are matrices that are taken into account. over 400 public and private health Incorporation of notions of social facilities functioning all over the justice and fundamental citizen’s country. And as I can personally rights into the discourse of devel- testify, people are walking a mere opment growth surely infuse local half an hour to get medical help in ownership to these endeavours and almost all the villages in the rural make them ultimately sustainable of part of the country. only because of their participatory attributes. Eritrea has indeed scored signifi- Eritrea Profile, Wednesday, 5th august, 2015 4

A Majestic Welcome Befitting Eritrean TDF 2015 Cyclists & Africa’s Heroes Billion Temesghen The morning of Saturday 1st of. Moreover, many more pas- August 2015, was exceptionally sionate cyclists literally bet their glittery. Although the week has lives on the racing route, such as seen a festive atmosphere because the late Yemane Tekeste who died of the Eritrean festival season, on during a race in . that exceptional day things were heated up a notch more. However during competitions, senior cyclists had to wave flags that certainly were not theirs. That is why when finally Daniel and Merhawi made that feat possible, the Eritrean people and veteran cyclists showed great emotional attachment to our champions’ vic- tories.

Starting from the International Mr. Yemane Negasi Airport of Asmara all the way to Bahti Meskerem square, people The first African rider to wear from all walks of life and cycling the coveted King of the Moun- fans in particular went out to the tains jersey Daniel Teklehaiman- streets and accorded their cham- ot, alongside the youngest yet re- pions an enthusiastic and truly- ally talented rider of the Tour de earned “hero’s welcome”. France Merhawi Kudus, returned home on August 1st after mak- Early in that morning Minster ing history for their Africa-based Abraha Asfaha, Minister Askalu team, their country and Africa at Menkorios, Administrator of the large. Central region Maj. Gen. Romo- dan Osman Awliyay, and Ambas- “Their victory is our victory. sador Zemede Tekle accorded our It brings me back to the days in champions an official welcome at which we ardently desired to the Asmara international Airport. make a name for ourselves. Cy- cling has a long history in Eritrea, Afterwards Daniel Tekle- a history of decades. We couldn’t haimanot and Merhawi Kudus promote our enthusiastic passion started their drive towards the on international stages because city, waving from the rooftops of we were nothing but subordinates. their respective cars to the people But now our young ones are mak- and fans who have been passion- ing that long-standing dream of ately cheering for them during the ours a reality.” said Mr. Yemane whole course of TDF 2015. Negasi, president of the Central Region Cycling Federation. Upon arrival at the Expo area, participants of the Festival Eritrea Eritrean indigenous racing 2015 came out running shout- dates its origins back to 1936, ing cheers of joy. Eritreans from after the Italians introduced the the different regions and ethnic sport in 1910 and was very much groups flooded the entire area, established. Cyclists like Weld- singing and dancing in their varied emichael Asghedom, also known yet beautiful traditional styles. by his nickname Berbere (piquant traditional spice), are definitely At the roundabout near Nakfa worth mentioning. They say the House the long procession was Italians gave him that nickname met with more cheering crowds in the late 1930s because he was and Marching Band, which led all someone they could not get hold the way down the Semaetat Bou- levard.

When our champions reached the City Park area, they briefly made a detour to the Presidential Palace where they were received by President Isaias Afwerki, who applauded them for their epic per- formance.

Mehari Yemane continued on page 5 Eritrea Profile, Wednesday, 5th august, 2015 5

A Majestic Welcome Befitting Eritrean.... continued from page 4 The people that stood by both stirred up the audience to dance. sides of Semaatat and Harnet av- enues were all cheering ecstatical- “I am spending an amazing ly. Large posters and banners had time, I feel love and pride. See- been affixed to walls; balloons ing how everyone is partying and and decorations highlighting the celebrating … I don’t even know occasion were everywhere, as how to explain how I feel. I just was the Eritrean flag. Individuals know that I have to go back to cel- and especially women added fur- ebrate,” said Mosana Debessai, ther glory to the event by wearing the 2015 Cycling Champion in traditional clothing with polka- the women’s category. She said dot patterns, typical of the jersey was then even more motivated Daniel wore for four consecutive than ever. stages. Age, gender or profes- sion was not of importance: men, “Although I am only 20 years women, young and old, children, old, I now feel like I can do any- big and small, all were cheering, thing. Merhawi and Daniel were shouting and rejoicing in the suc- fellow teammates at first, now cess of our champions. they are definitely my mentors, idols, and I look up to them. ” It was a breathtaking sight, a spectacle not to forget… It was Media outlets, particularly Eri- definitely a moment in which once trean Television and radio servic- more again, the harmony of Eri- es gave the event full coverage. A treans as a value was witnessed. live transmission that lasted for more than four hours was broad- At around 11:00 am when cast from the streets of Asmara to Daniel and Merhawi reached the audiences all over the world via Bahti Meskerem Sqaure, and ev- satellite. erybody had gathered, the official celebration of the heroes’ return “Since cycling is one of the kicked off in the presence of gov- most followed sports in Eritrea, ernment ministers, diplomats, today is definitely a time of de- invited guests, and thousands of light for a society that has adapted citizens from all over the country cycling as part of customs. This and abroad, including foreigners is just the beginning for Eritrean who remained mesmerized by cyclists, and a promising future the whole fanfare and its signifi- for today’s champions is inevi- cance. table,” explains journalist Aman- Following statements by Mr. uel Alaazar, after mentioning that Asmerom Habtemariam, the Eritreans overseas were broadly President of the National Cycling following the celebrations. Federation, and Ambassador Ze- mede Tekle, the Commissioner “Western media is not aware of Culture and Sport, Daniel and of this side of Eritreans. Eritrea Merhawi got upon the stage and nourishes young people that make genuinely thanked their people history not only for us but for Af- for their support and warm recep- rica as well. We take pride in what tion, which were, in the words of we do and we work hard. It’s al- the young Merhawi Kudus, “be- ways nice to be back home,” says yond their expectation”. Mehari, who came from London.

Though at a short time notice, Misgana Gebrezgabiher says various artists of different genera- that to compensate in what Mer- tions delivered performances that hawi Kudus, Daniel Teklehaiman- brightened up the day and further ot and Natnael Birhane have done for us the only thing she could have done is wake up early at 4:00, run to the airport and wel- come the boys shout out their name as many times as possible.

Just like Misgana, many more Eritreans all over the world had an emotional morning last Sat- urday. Our boys sure did make us proud. If anything else, now the world gets to know once again that Eritrea is made of “can do” Mosana Debesai: in the middle of the women cycling team, waving the flag. Amanuel Alaazara, journalist. youth... Always! Eritrea Profile, Wednesday, 5th august, 2015 ads 6

The State of Eritrea MINISTRY OF EDUCATION Project Management Unit

VACANCY Notice No. 2015/07 PROCUREMENT OF AUDIO CASSETTE RECORDING 54 SONGS IN 3 ERITREAN LANGUAGES The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in Eritrea is inviting The Project Management Unit of the Ministry of Education (PMU – MOE) applications from suitably qualified Eritrean nationals for the post of intends to award a supply contract to a music producer to compose, record and Senior Driver, IMIS No. 11971. produce 54 SONGS IN 3 ERITREAN LANGUAGES, namely Tigre, Bilen and Hidarebwith financial assistance from the Global Partnership for Educa- TYPE OF APPOINTMENT: Fixed-Term tion (GPE). The poems for these songs are already prepared including tunes/ DURATION: One year melodies for the songs. LEVEL: GS-03 DUTY STATION: Asmara The bid document is available from the office of theProject Management Unit of the Ministry of Education (PMU – MOE), DembeSembel, Block “A”, PURPOSE: To drive Head of Office, staff members and visitors First Floor, Hday Street, Zip Code 748-1, Tel: +291-1-151614, Fax: +291-1- (donors, etc) in Asmara and on field trips within Eritrea. 152181. MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 1. Drives for the Head of Office and other high-ranking officials. The deadline for submission of bid is 10:00 Hours on August 24, 2015. In- terested eligible experts may obtain further information at the address below 2. Meets official personnel at the airport and facilitates immigration during working hours, Monday through Friday. and customs formalities, as required. Project Management Unit of the Ministry of Education (PMU – MOE) 3. Collects and delivers mail or documents, when required. P.O.Box 1099 4. Responsible for the day-to-day maintenance of the assigned Tel: 151614 vehicle, checks oil, water, battery, brakes, tires, etc., performs Fax: 152181 minor repairs and arranges for other repairs. Ensures that Asmara – Eritrea thevehicle is kept clean. E-mail: [email protected], and/or [email protected]. 5. Logs official trips, daily mileage, gas consumption, oil changes, greasing, etc. 6. Ensures that the steps required by rules and regulations are taken, in case of involvement in an accident. 7. Performs other duties, as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE: Primary education; driver’s license; knowledge of driving rules and regulations and chauffeur courtesies, skills in minor vehicle repair, initiative and discretion. Four year’s work experience as a driver; safe driving record. Good knowledge of English and the local language of the duty station.

CANDIDATES SHOULD PROVIDE EVIDENCE OF COMPLE- TION/EXEMPTION FROM NATIONAL SERVICE. PLEASE NOTE THAT COMPLETION/EXEMPTION OF NATIONAL SERVICE IS A REQUIREMENT. COPY OF CARD/EXEMPTION MUST BE ATTACHED. APPLICATIONS WITHOUT THIS RE- QUIREMENT WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.

Closing date of Application: Two weeks from date of advertisement

Only qualified candidates will be short listed and invited for the interview. Please mail a recent CV and photocopies of academic qualifications including telephone numbers or post office box indicating Vacancy Number 2015/07in a sealed envelope addressed to: Chief of Operations UNICEF Eritrea P.O. Box 2004 Asmara Quote: Driver, IMIS No. 11971

Please note that UNICEF is a smoke-free environment. Eritrea Profile, Wednesday, 5th august, 2015 7

Eritrean Traditions and Customs

“Brother Hyena, take my tooth The Research Branch of the and give me yours.” EPLF Department of Politiciza- tion and Culture conducted sever- A placenta is buried with great al researches in the 1980s pertain- respect because it is believed to ing to the traditions and customs be a half-alive body and shinfae is of the Eritrean society. Based on sprinkled, and flower petals scat- those researches, Eritrea Profile tered over it. will from today try to present to its readers weekly serialized articles, The dietary habits of the Bilen even if they cannot be said to be are more or less similar to the exhaustive. rest of the Eritrean ethnic groups. But interestingly enough, unlike Today’s article features some of some of the other ethnic groups, the traditional beliefs and super- they can eat meat slaughtered by stitions among the Bilen ethnic people with religious affiliation group. different from theirs.

Forbidden acts, foods and drinks Their justification is that what goes down the mouth doesn’t de- Among the Bilen ethnic groups, file a person and that is only what and especially those inhabiting comes out of the mouth that de- Sherkin and its environs, cut-off files a person in strict agreement body parts are buried with great with the Gospel injunction. respect. Sherkin and its environs deny the However, with the introduction There are certain foods or parts Following are some examples: belief in evil eye and its effects, of clinics and modern doctors, The prepuce of a circumcised of animal meat forbidden for men one can see traces here and there. such superstitions and their at- child is buried under a water-filled and women based on longstanding i. If you chew gum or brush One example is giving children tending social disruptions and per- pot in order to minimize the ensu- traditions and superstitions. your teeth at night your mother is ugly names as a means of thwart- sonal sufferings are fading away. ing pain of circumcision. Cut-off sure to die.Kitchen utensils are ing the evil spells of demons, lock of hair of a child is buried Chewing tobacco is prohibited not lent to neighbors in late after- which may result in the premature And then there is the issue of the under a gaba tree in the belief that for women and men are forbidden noons. death of the children. The idea be- fairies. Both the bad and the good the child can have many children to eat the pelvic bone of a chick- ii. Women should not leave hind this is that if the child has an fairies (it seems that more often when married. en. the house after having a smoke ugly name, the demon may not use than not Eritrean fairies are rather bath. its name for a sinister end. playful and mischievous) are said A pulled out tooth is thrown There are certain activities that iii. If you stitch clothes at to attack people on certain occa- eastward while uttering the words: are forbidden on fixed times and night, you are piercing the eyes of The devil is among those evil sions. “Lady Mary, give me a good tooth places because they are believed some neighbors. spirits who lay in wait to enter in return for this bad tooth.” Or to cause some sort of malediction. man’s body and dwell therein. It The person possessed by them Although the people living in prefers to pounce on the unwary hallucinates and disappears into during nights and in lonely spots. the wild. In order to thwart spells It is also believed that the devil is by these fairies, a person should attracted by strong perfumes and all the time have an axe handy in strong smelling food. his house. If the person is newly married, he should in addition The victims of the devil suffer carry a sword. from fever and hallucination. The best cure is to go to the priest who The family whose son disap- recites the Pater Noster (the Lord pears in to the wilderness in a sort ’s Prayer) and sprinkles holy water of trance is a very unfortunate one, on the possessed. The priest also for it causes an untold mystery. slaps the victim and administers Holy Communion. Since the fairies prefer lonely and very quiet deserts or wood- If all these fail, the parents of lands, the 30-year long armed the patient take their child to a struggle is believed to be the holy site where people bathe and cause for their disappearance, and pray. Most of the time, the victim accordingly the number of the gets worse and worse and may people under their spell has di- even die. minished.

But the greatest problem re- Besides, sorcerers, witches, or mains that of the parents who suf- shamans cannot avail themselves fer both financially and spiritually. of religious rites for the dead as The whole affair leaves a traumat- they are considered evil by the ic imprint in their minds. Bilen ethnic group. Eritrea Profile, Wednesday, 5th august, 2015 8

‘I become very happy when I see people proud of me”

Could you please introduce your doing well. However, the school yourself? was only a kind of kindergarten and I could not go further. The first year I stood third. But My name is Bizen Woldemicael later throughout my schooling Woldemariam. I was born in 1989 What did you do then? I always managed to be a first in Emni-Haili, Southern Region. I prize winner. The influence of my was enrolled in elementary school My sister lived in Massawa so I siblings helped me a great deal. in 1999. decided to live with her in order to My brother helped me a lot. He get further education. I remember was a good student. My sister was You started to go to school when the first day I went to school, also good student. And I convinced you were ten years old. Why that our teacher asked us to write the myself that if all my siblings were late? Tigrigna alphabets and I wrote good in school, I could do it too, them all. even if I had started a bit late than At that time there were very few the average. schools in the whole sub-zone. And My teacher got surprised and they couldn’t accommodate all the she took me to the director. I was Why were all yout siblings good children in the sub-zone. Every immediately promoted to grade at school? family had the chance to send one two. I learned in the second grade child to school. for only one day and I was promoted It was because of my mother. again to grade three. I learned there She was illiterate but very much Moreover, the schools were up to grade four and later I moved interested in education. She used to encourage us. That is why I got very far from my village, and as a to Asmara and I joined Adulis Health? child I could not walk all the way School. From there I went back to the GPA of 3.6 at the matriculation. brother Girmai graduate in Civil And I graduated with great Engineering, my sister Abrehet in to school and come back home. my home village and started my When I was at secondary Luckily one person opened a sort education at Kudo-Abu’ur. distinction. Clinical Laboratory Science and me in Public Health. To date, I am school I had the chance of taking of private school near my village short course as Health Promoter. so I joined there. And with the help -How was your school Did you repay her? working at the Ministry of Health at Environmental Health Division That motivated me to join Public of my older brother, who had the performance? Health. I want to one day -if I get Not as much as she deserves. Occupational Health and Safety. chance to go to school, I started the chance- to pursue my master’s But she was glad to see my Why did you take Public degree in Epidemiology. “I am very much satisfied for I realized my dream in helping children”

age student but I was respected How was it then, producing songs better and faster than boys, because of my good discipline. children’s songs? so I have four girls and one boy. And vocally, at this age both girls How did you become a musi- It was not easy. It is difficult to and boys have similar vocal into- cian? produce songs that appeal to their nations, which is so heavenly… I likings, taste and imagination. It love them! There was an abandoned guitar needs talent and patience. You in our house that belonged to my have to take their age and inno- cousin. I played it very often and cent minds into consideration. What feedback did you get? through time I mastered playing the guitar. I also learned playing The children and their parents the piano. What music instrument have liked it. Those who bought the al- you used? bum are asking me to produce it in a video format. Recently you released an al- I used a keyboard and a guitar. bum containing children’s songs. What motivated you do that? Future plans? How did you select the sing- When I was a child I used to ers? I want to continue producing sing children’s songs a lot. And children’s songs in the form of I think not many children songs The children are from 10-12 video and enable children to en- have been produced in the moth- years old. And they are five in joy them in their TV screens. er tongue so far. So while I was number. They are all learning in -Tell us about yourself please. I went to Adulis for my elemen- working as a teacher in Angel kindergarten. tary and junior high school. Then kindergarten I started working on Good luck! My name is Beimnet Tesfale- I attended Yishak Tewoldemedhin children’s music. As to my experience, girls learn Thank you! det. I was born in 1982 in Asmara. Secondary School. I was an aver-