Vol. 26 No. 30 Wednesday, June 12, 2019 Pages 8, Price 2.00 NFA President Isaias concludes working visit to Egypt President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi accompanied by guard of honor and national anthems of the two countries.

President Isaias Afwerki and President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi discussed bilateral ties and cooperation, latest developments in the region and regional cooperation, focusing on the Red Sea and the Horn of Africa.

The two leaders also expressed concern about the current developments in Sudan and called on the Sudanese people and actors to address the demands of the transition period with responsibility and to resist undue external meddling.

Mr. Osman Saleh, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Presidential Adviser Mr. Yemane Gebreab accompanied President Isaias President Isaias Afwerki has hours of June 9 concluding a two- Upon arrival at the Al-Ittihadiya of June 8, President Isaias was Afwerki during his official visit returned home in the morning day working visit to Egypt. Palace in the afternoon hours accorded warm welcome by to Egypt.

Asmara Marathon Concluded with Eritreans in Riyadh and Dubai celebrate the victory of an Eritrean athlete Independence Day Anniversary

Eritrean nationals in Riyadh celebrated at a time of new era of exerted by the Government and its environs, Saudi Arabia peace and cooperation prevailing of Eritrea with the objective enthusiastically celebrated in the region and that is the of ensuring sustainable socio- the 28th Independence Day result of unity and perseverance economic development and Anniversary on 6 June under the of the Eritrean people and its regional cooperation. theme “Resilience for Higher leadership. Ms. Weyni also Progress”. expressed her firm belief that the Mr. Abdurahman Imam, national development program Chairman of the Eritrean Speaking at the event, Ms. will be successfully implemented Community in Riyadh and its Weyni Gerezgihier, Charge through popular participation. environs on his part, stated that d’Affairs at the Eritrean Embassy in Saudi Arabia, indicated that this Ms. Weyni also gave briefing “Asmara Marathon” in which over 60 athletes from various East African year’s Independence Day is being on the diplomatic efforts being continued on page 5 countries participated was held on 9 June in the main streets of the , Asmara.

The participating athletes include from Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, South Sudan and Tanzania.

Eritrea’s Mehari Tsegai won the race and Ethiopia’s Tadese Asefa and Eritrean Petro Mamo settled second and third respectively. The three winners received a 6 thousand, 4 thousand and 3 thousand Dollars respectively from Ambassador Zemede Tekle, Commissioner of Culture and Sport. Athletes who stood from 4th to 10th rank also received prizes from Maj. General Romodan Osman Awliay, Governor of the Central region.

Meanwhile, Eritrean women athletes competed in a half-marathon concurrent race, and Athlete Nazereth Woldu from the Central region, Athlete Kokob Tesfagaber from the Central region and Athlete Simret Merhawi from Denden Club stood from first to third respectively. The winners received 40, 20 and 10 thousand Nakfa respectively from the Minister of Tourism, Ms. Askalu Menkorious.

Similarly, mass sport in which over 20 thousand people took part was also held. Eritrea Profile,Wednesday, June 12, 2019 Vol. 26 No. 30 2

The Story of Keren – Its Origin, Development, and Eritrean Contributions

Abrahaley Habte Branch of the Culture and Sports aspects, which require knowledge in camel caravan transportation into cloth, drapes, and rugs in exchange Commission has noted Keren’s modern architecture, planning, and the 20th century, and provided their for oxen. Speaking of Keren of the To an Eritrean, Keren is home history goes hundreds of years, long engineering. However, this doesn’t services to Italian colonial authorities 1850s, Giuseppe Sapeto describes to different ethnic groups, living before the coming of the Europeans mean that they didn’t contribute to in Massawa. it as a meeting place of traders from harmoniously. To an expatriate, if to East Africa. their town’s development in other Gash, Shendi, and Damer, capital of he or she has some clue about recent ways. It is the other ways that these Taking into their advantage the ancient Meroe. The traders came to world history, and especially about Keren’s beginnings are obscure. articles completely ignore, and fertile area around the Anseba and brought cotton from Sinnar and the Second World War, Keren may Little is known about its early give the Italians centre stage, and Valley, different groups (Mensa, the Egypt to sell it there. bring to his or her mind the fierce history, and how and by whom it make them the protagonist in the Bet Juk, the Bilin, and the Marya) battle between the British and the was established. It is not clear, too, development story of our towns. It is brought their agricultural products to In this interaction, transportation Italians in 1941. He or she may when it was established. Mebrahtu the same with the story of Keren. But different places along the Massawa- played an important role, and Keren recall that the British didn’t do it for Abraham, an Eritrean historian, history tells us otherwise. Kassala route such as Meshalit served as a place where traders us. He may reflect that Keren was explains that Keren in Bilen, one region, the Shi’ib plain (Mensa), changed their camels. The traders the fight of two elephants. He or she of the Eritrean languages spoken in In Red Sea Citizens, Jonathan Ayn (Habab), Wasntet (Bet Juk), but chose their camels according to the may recall that the British promised Keren, means stony or rocky and Miran writes that the naibs, the it was Keren, as a regional market, kind of terrain they were planning to Eritrean askaris in the Italian army, the same word means mountain in representatives of Turkish colonialism that received the bulk of the goods. take. Traders travelling to Barka, with who deserted the Italian army in Tigrigna, another language spoken in in Eritrea conducted forceful The Mensa were reported to produce its flat terrain, chose camels suitable droves, freedom. He may also recall that part of Eritrea and the highlands. expeditions - often in tandem with excellent wheat and barley, and the for such kind of topography. On the that the British failed to keep their other hand, merchants travelling promise and that we had to do it for from Keren towards Massawa, ourselves. chose Habab camels, which are more suitable for the terrain. On May 8, 2019 Eritrea Profile had a story about Keren, in which Topography and the fertile area it reported that the Anseba Zone near the town, coupled with favorable Culture and Sports Branch was conditions, drove the development working hard to get ancient and of Keren as a market town. For historical buildings in the city into example, pastoralist and agro- the UNESCO World Heritage List, pastoralist societies of the region to which Asmara has gone into some produced products for exportation, time ago. In ‘Initiative to Put Keren’s and for the growing markets in the Ancient Building in World Heritage town and Massawa. Indians preferred List’ Eritrea Profile reported that the Kassala-Massawa route to the the city has ancient buildings from Sawakin route because it was closer the Turkish Empire and the Italian for eastbound shipping, which must Colonial Era. As Mr. Siraj Haj, the have heightened the importance of Director General of the Anseba Keren. At the same time, Massawa served as a transit town for slaves (from East Africa) to Arabia or other parts of the world. Similarly, Despite the absence of information Ottoman forces - against populations Bilin (Bogos) cultivated corn and the traders preferred the Massawa- about its early history, it seems clear in the Hamassien, Mensa, and Bogos tobacco. Keren route because the high land that the inhabitants of the city and areas, showing the Turks didn’t have route was less secure and caravan its surrounding contributed to its a settled administrative structure in At about this time, in Keren, Barka fees were too high in the other routes. blossoming as a regional town in the these areas. and Bogos goods exchanged, and the Seeing its potential as an agricultural Published Every early to mid-19th century. town served as a meeting place of area and its strategic location, Published Every SaturdayPublished & Wednesday Every Many naib families left the Hirgigo local traders. As can be expected, and Werner Munzinger, acting as French Wednesday & Saturday In Red Sea Citizens, Jonathan area and turned to trade between as often happens, the trade activity consular agent at Massawa, wrote Saturday & Wednesday Miran gives some picture about the the Red Sea Coast and the White around Keren drew the people in the 1860s: “Bogos is the centre Keren of the 1840 to 1860s. In it, Nile, which they dominated after around into its orbit, and involved of the large province of Ainseba. Acting Editor Acting Editor Jonathan Miran writes in the 1840s their influence and power waned them in the trade traffic. Different Possession of it is important if only Amanuel Mesfun the Mensa produced excellent wheat in the Red Sea Coast. Bringing in kinds of people got involved in for its fertility. But it is also the only [email protected] Mesfun and barley, and the Bilin (Bogos) ivory from the Nile region, and the production, transportation and camel route from Massawa to the [email protected] cultivated corn and tobacco, which wax and coffee from Metemma in distribution of goods. People brought Sudan. Possession of it means the they sold at the market in Keren. the Ethiopia-Sudan border, they their hides, butter, milk, camels, control over the provinces of the P.O.Box: 247 P.O.Box: 247 used Keren as a transit town, which cows, and agricultural products Barka, Marea Bedjouk (Christians) Tel: 11-41-14 Often, the contributions of involved it not only in the local trade and exchanged them for cloths and whose resources are large and are Fax: 12-77-49 Eritreans are underestimated, even but also in the long distance trade manufactured goods. People closer to capable of increasing a hundredfold E-mail: ignored, when Eritrean colonial between Africa and Asia. This trade Massawa took their goods to the port in a short time. This province, if well profile@[email protected] zena.gov.er history is told. Often, many articles activity involved the people around directly. Others, much farther away, administered, would be the flower of [email protected] on Asmara’s beginnings tend to forget in the trade activity, opening them to brought their goods to the market in the Egyptian Sudan.” Advertisement: 12-50-13 Advertisement: 12-50-13 the contributions of Eritreans. Such the influence of others. For example, Keren, which was taken to Massawa articles erase Eritreans completely to deliver these goods the Jengeren later on. The Habab brought camels, At this time, as a transit town Layout out of the picture as if they were provided commercial transportation goats and cow hides, butter, animal between the important Kassala- not part of the picture. It is true services between Keren and fat, and other provisions required at Massawa trade route, Keren played AAzmerazmera BerhaneBerhane Sara Alem that due to the fact that the Italians Massawa. Similarly, Massawa and Masswa. Butter required in Arabia a crucial role in the trade between AidaSaraSara JoharAlem denied Eritreans sound education, Hirgigo traders used the Habab was exported to that place. In the they may not have contributed cameleers in the 1850s and 1860s for 1840s, the Bilin traded almost ontinued on page 5 in planning, designing, and other similar purposes. These dominated exclusively with Massawa, buying c Eritrea Profile,Wednesday, June 12, 2019 Vol. 26 No. 30 3

Underwater Cultural Heritage in Eritrea

Isaias Tesfazghi shipwrecks has also been made by shipwrecks is the Nazario Sauro. EDTC. The 130m long Nazario Sauro is Eritrea’s maritime environment found in the Dahlak Islands in a is rich both in marine biodiversity In addition, with the collaboration minimum depth to wreck 5m (to and underwater cultural heritages. of some institutions, the Northern mast top) and maximum depth Due to its strategic location, the Red Sea Museum has initiated to sea bed 40m. The wreck is a Red Sea has been an important trade inventory of an underwater beautiful dive site not only due route between the Mediterranean cultural heritage (UCH) in parts of to her size but also the beautiful and the Indian Ocean. One of the the Dahlak Islands and Massawa. marine life there. These are now ancient trade centers in the Red Based on the inventory and some part of our underwater cultural Sea was the port-city of Adulis, historical accounts, we are now heritage. located 56 kms to southeast of able to understand the nature of Massawa. UCH in Eritrea which includes On May 07-12, 2019, a joint ancient wrecks, modern cargo expedition was made to the Dahlak The ancient city of Adulis and war-ships, fishing boats, Islands by the Northern Red Sea had trade links with parts of the airplanes, floating dry docks, T-55 Museum, Eritrean Diving and Mediterranean (Rome and Greece), tanks, cars, bombs (detonated Training Center, and the Ministry Indian Ocean (India), and the Far and undetonated), and different of Marine Resources. The objective East (China). Then,following the armaments. For now, let’s look of the expedition was to conduct a th decline of Adulis in the 7 C.AD, at some known wreck sites of the preliminary survey and inventory the Dahlak Islands became an Eritrean maritime. of underwater cultural heritage in influential trade center. Along parts of the archipelago. During the with the introduction of Islam a The Black Assarca Island, period of the expedition another civilization started to flourish in where a wreck dated to the 5th cargo ship known as Prometio the Dahlak. There are traces of the – 7th C.AD is found, is located was discovered. The ship’s mast civilization such as the necropolis to the south west of the Dahlak is found in 18m depth and the in Dahlak Kebir, 365 cisterns Island. In 1995, a cargo of bottom at 37.1m. It is oriented and wells and other structures different types of amphora has in the East-West direction with awaiting thorough research. The been found underwater. In 1997, a length of approximately 120m archipelago consists of various an underwater archaeological and 12m average width. Since no ancient as well as modern excavation and artifact recovery traces of bombing were found, it terrestrial and underwater cultural was made by Ralph K. Pedersen might have been scuttled during heritages. (INA), EDTC, and the Ministry the war. of Marine Resources. During the In 1997, research was done used for the transport and storage in archaeological sites are very course of the excavation examples of various products, both liquid helpful to understand the source During the Derg regime’s rule in the ancient wreck of Black of conical and lentoid/globular of Eritrea, a naval base (a naval Assarca by the concerted efforts and dry, but mostly for wine and and period as well as the nature amphorae were found, as were two oil. It was functional from the of ancient trade networks. In the station and communications of the Eritrean Diving and small non-descript iron pieces, one station) had been established in Training Center (EDTC), Ministry Neolithic up to the 16C.AD. It case of Eritrea, amphora shards glass shard, and one lead steelyard was produced in various parts of are abundantly found in the the Nakura. When the Derg regime of Marine Resources, and Institute counterweight. lost control of Massawa, Dahlak of Nautical Archaeology (INA). the world, in different periods of archaeological sites of Adulis, time, and with several production Qohaito, Metera and other places. Archipelago and the northern Some documentation of modern In ancient times amphora was techniques. Findings of amphora These findings are similar to the Eritrean coast in 1990, it had types of amphora pots and shards scuttled ships, T-55 Tanks, a dry recovered from the wreck of Black dock, BM 21 armored vehicles Assarca. and different armaments in the Nakura channel. The ex-Navy The Second World War was ships of Nebelbal and Ras Dejen another reason for the existence are still visible on the surface and of various shipwrecks in Eritrea. the others are located underwater During that period, many ships in the channel. had been sunken in the Eritrean maritime environment. In 1940 One of the Northern Red Sea Italy entered the War and to Museum’s objectives is locating prevent its military hardware cultural heritage sites within the from falling into the hands of the region. Therefore, the Museum, British, in April 1941, many cargo along with other stakeholders, and war-ships had been scuttled is planning to carry out a survey in the Massawa channel and the and document both on land and Dahlak Islands. underwater cultural heritages. The main significance of research The estimated number of the and conservation of the UCH is to Italian and German ships bombed understand the maritime history and scuttled around Massawa, and ancient trade networks. The the Dahlak Islands, and Assab is wrecks have also become a haven believed to be more than 36. The for various marine live, making British did retrieve, maintaine, and them important parts of the then return some ships to service. tourism industry worldwide. One of the well documented Northern Red Sea Museum, A column prepared in collaboration with the Eritrea’s culture and sports commission Massawa. Eritrea Profile,Wednesday, June 12, 2019 Vol. 26 No.30 4

Randa Osman

Have you ever heard of K-pop? Or K-drama? I bet you have because we are living at a time when the prefix ‘K’ is taking over the world: K-drama,k K-pop, -wave in eritrea K-fashion and the list goes on. The letter ‘K’ stands for “Korean”, representing the Republic of Korea which has succeeded in exhibiting its beautiful culture and traditions to the world and rise in popularity through its words like “Salanghaeyo”, “Go the TIME magazine’s list of the film and music industry. The ma sseum ni da”, “Mian hamida” 100 most influential people in the Korean culture, food, drama, and “Kwaenchanayo” to express world along with other famous fashion, make-up and language their love, gratitude, apology and personalities like President are spreading in every direction concern respectively, as well as Donald Trump, President Xi like waves from an antenna. many other words. You would Jinping and the Liverpool This phenomenon is called the also find them distinguishing footballer Mohamed Salah. They “K-wave” to truly represent this the formal and informal forms have transcended all the barriers unprecedented global rise in of speech in Korean based on between the east and the west and fame. the age of the person they are spread their voice embedded in having a conversation with, their Korean culture and way of Eritrea is no exception to which is typical of the Korean life. this Korean influence where culture. It is also amazing to see K-“everything” is almost every teens sing along Korean singers, Our world is rich with its diverse teenager’s, especially girls’, trying to imitate the beautiful and populations, races, cultures and favourite. You can hardly find a synchronized idol dance moves, traditions, and I believe that here movie store in Asmara that does cheering on their favourite idol lies its real beauty. Unfortunately, not put on display Korean films groups at school or in their for centuries the world has been and songs, and you would be homes. dominated by the western culture surprised by how many people -- songs, movies and way of life. line up to pay and sacrifice I asked some K-fans about their time to put their hands on what it is that attracts them most However, advancements in them. You would hear friends, about Korea. The most common global economies have allowed siblings and relatives caught answer was that even though other countries, especially those up in the long queues casually Korea is geographically far away in the east, to rise and express using some Korean words in from Eritrea the two cultures themselves in their own ways. their everyday conversations. are quite similar to one another. China is projected to be the They have incorporated words That is true to a considerable biggest economy in the world in like “Ajhumma”, “Ajhussi”, extent as Eritrea upholds most five years, and India is currently “Noona”, “Eonni”, “Hyung” and of the east’s cultural principles the fastest growing economy and “Oppa” to address each other, and such as collectivism, reverence many others engaging in a global Tiffany Haddish’s dress during the EmmyAwards 2018 is of many colours for the elderly and protection of cultural integration fostering a inspired by the Eritrean Flag; cherished desire of everyone to see African a family’s honour and dignity. world free of superiority and culture represented all over the world Another thing K-fans find very racism where all cultures are appealing about Koreans is their regarded as equal. K-wave is a food and the way they eat it with significant contributor to this gusto, with which I absolutely phenomenon and has stolen the agree. hearts of many of its admirers around the world including that As for their favourite idol group of Eritrean fans. the name that popped up the most was “BTS”, who are also one of It is my cherished desire to my personal favourites. BTS have see a day when Africa is able to literally become “the biggest boy showcase its underrepresented band on the planet.” As Tayra diverse cultures and make its Banks, an American super model voice heard around the world. I and the host of the America’s hope that sometime in the future Got Talent season 13, said they people will start talking about have been the first K-pop group Eri-pop, Eri-drama or Eri-culture to perform. They have performed because I believe the world is in different parts of the world and missing out on many things by received many . not exploring this diverse and They have also been included in beautiful continent. Eritrea Profile,Wednesday, June 12, 2019 Vol 26 No 30 5 The Story of Keren . . . continued from page 2 local news Africa and Asia. The route didn’t lowlands. Jonathan Miran writes that Abraham reminds us, living under link only today’s Sudan and Eritrea the Takuriris in Eritrea and Eastern the Italians, the Eritreans didn’t even but stretched further into West and Sudan were an example of people have the right to education. Speaking Eritreans in Riyadh and Dubai . . . Northern Africa. In a traffic that who set off on the journey to reach of Salvaggo Raggi, one of the first involved the trade of different goods Mecca on a pilgrimage but settled schools in Eritrea established by continued from page 1 between African merchants and in East Africa. Jonathan Miran adds the Italians, he writes: “The school 1991 to 2018,and said that the their Indian and Arab counterparts, Kassala linked Sudanese regional was well equipped and had different the heavy sacrifices paid and the peace prospect unfolding from Keren as a ‘sub-station’ relayed markets at Shendi, Khartoum, Sinnar, shops: wood work, mechanics, strong resilience and commitment mid-2018 was the result of the goods originating in the Sudan and Gedarf, Metemma, and Gondar, saddlery and printing. There was also the people and Government of steadfastness and sacrifice of the beyond, including slaves, ivory, in the Ethiopian highlands. As the a department for training telegraph Eritrea demonstrated during the Eritrean people. hippopotamus teeth, , wax, gum, Kassala to Massawa trade made use operators and typists. Students could armed struggle for independence honey, tamarinds, dates, and ostrich of Keren, it possibly benefitted from join any one of the shops according and in safeguarding national Noting that the new era holds feathers to Massawa. Giuseppe the trade that passed to Massawa. to their wishes and aptitudes. sovereignty attest to the high opportunities and challenges, Sapeto, an Italian priest, writes about Nevertheless, they were to be loyal value the Eritrean people have for Ambassador Osman called on the Keren as an important regional town The Egyptians, who put Kassala to their Italian masters and selected their independence. nationals residing in the United and centre of trade activity in the area. under their control in 1840, took by the Italians themselves.” Arab Emirates and especially Speaking of Muslim missionaries at Keren in June 1872. This must have Similarly, Eritrean nationals those in Dubai to strengthen the time, he writes: “... The chief been a turning point for Keren as the Mebrahtu Abraham states that in Dubai and Northern Emirates organizational capacity and town of their mission is Keren, the rivalries between the Egyptians, the Keren has many historic buildings – celebrated the 28th Independence contribution in the national meeting place of the traders from Ethiopians, and the Italians resulted places of worship, schools, offices, Day Anniversary with patriotic development endeavors. Gash and Massawa, from where in slowing down of trade activities in some so beautiful they should be zeal. they monoplize both commodities the mid-1880s. The Egyptians turned preserved for future generations. In the same vein, Eritreans and souls (consciences).” it into a garrison town to secure Though the historical buildings Speaking at the event, Mr. residing in Kuwait enthusiastically the territory between Kassala and in Keren include structures from Osman Mohammed-Omar, celebrated the 28th Independence Keren’s role as a transit town Massawa, which they took over from the Egyptian and other periods, Eritrean Ambassador to the Day Anniversary. began even earlier, and involving the Turks in 1865. The Egyptians buildings built during the Italian United Arab Emirates, stressed people from further afield, as distant crept into highland Eritrea and fought period dominate. In their attempts on the national development The event highlighted artistic as North and West Africa, in a the Ethiopians at Gurae (in 1876) to build an Eastern Africa Empire, efforts and resilience the Eritrean and cultural performances by trans Sahara trade network, linking and at Gundent near Adi Quala (in which was made evident by their people had to go through from music group from Eritrea. Asians and Africans in business. 1875). In 1880, the Egyptians, aided invasion of Ethiopia in 1935-1936, Crossing Bornou, Bagrimi, Darfur, by Degiat Bahta Hagos, mobilized 7, the Italians had no intention of Kordofan, and Sinnar, the trade 000 soldiers in an attempt to block leaving Eritrea. For this reason, route that originated in Northern Ras Alula and the escape of his army they (with significant Eritrean Number of Elephants on the rise and West Africa stretched up to of 12, 000 men out of the Anseba labour) built Eritrean cities such as Eastern Sudan, which is then linked Valley, which he raided and from Asmara and Keren in the image of Agricultural experts in Laelai Gash sub-zone indicated that the number up to Massawa or Sawakin in the which he took “ten thousand head their cities. Their miscalculations of of Elephants in the sub-zone is growing. Sudan, which relay the goods to of cattle”. In other words, Keren the balance of power in Europe put Asia. Goods originating in the Sudan and the area around it turned into them at loggerheads with the Allied Indicating that the movement of Elephants had been confined to specific and beyond, which included slaves, a conflict zone, with Alula raiding Powers, which pushed them out of areas due to agricultural activities of the residents, the experts said that to ivory, hippopotamus teeth, gold, the area annually. Since peace and East Africa. date a large area has been reserved for the Elephants and with that their wax, gum, honey, tamarinds, dates, development go hand in hand, Keren number is growing. and ostrich feathers from Sinnar must have suffered economically. The buildings in Keren have and Kassala arrived in Massawa. stories to tell. Some of them were The head of forestry and wildlife conservation in the sub-zone, Mr. Caravans brought ostrich feathers, Before the occupation of Keren built immediately after the Egyptians Amine Hidremariam, and head of the office of the Ministry of Agriculture ivory, and butter from the Hadendoa by the Italians in 1889, Italian and left. One or two are even older. in the sub-zone, Mr. Maekele Keleta, on their part said that sustainable regions in the Sudan and butter and Swedish missionaries brought Many were built during the Italian awareness raising programs have been conducted to convince the residents mats from the Barka region. Catholicism and Protestantism to Colonial period and tell of the racism on the significance of the existence of Elephants and that has contributed the area. To preach effectively, the of Fascist Italian policies. Still others in the growing number of the wildlife. But goods moved in the opposite Italian missionaries built a seminary point to the religious dimension of direction, originating either in India in Keren. Similarly, the Swedish our past, showing the roots of our The existence of the Elephants in the region will have significant or Arabia. The goods bypassed the built a school in Gheleb. Keren had religious life, and the influences that contribution in the development of tourism industry, the experts added. Central and Northern highlands the first printing press in Eritrea shaped our beliefs. Other buildings of Eritrea, and used the more in 1878, which was transferred to tell of the interaction we had with convenient route of Mensa, Habab, Asmara in 1899. other peoples, around and far away. Ad Temaryam, Meshalit, Bet Juk, Bilin, and Marya, and through the Keren has many historical places, Writing about Keren and the Hagaz Agriculture and lowlands of Barka, where the Beni two of which are the Italian and contributions of the Eritrean people Amer lived. The traders preferred this British war Cemeteries. Reading in building the city, I cannot help Technical School graduates 113 route because security was precarious Mebrahtu Abraham’s little book, but recall a few words from Bertolt through other routes and the caravan Keren: Its Origin and Development, Brecht’s short but powerful poem, A students fees were too high. In the movement and especially the part on the Worker Reads History, an insightful Hagaz Agriculture and Technical School graduated 113 students including of goods from Asia to Africa, traders Second World War, one comes to the commentary on history and history 39 females on various fields of studies with Certificate. from Massawa came to Keren to knowledge of what it means to be writing. “Who built the seven gates exchange various Indian textiles for under colonial rule. Referring to the of Thebes? The books are filled with Speaking at the graduation ceremony conducted on 8 June, Brother butter, ivory, hides, ostrich feather, Italian War Cemetery in Keren, which names of kings.” writes Brecht. “Was Isaias Tsegay, head of the school indicated that 31 of the students graduated and other goods that were taken is divided into Eritrean Askaris’ and it the kings who hauled the craggy in Agro-Mechanics, 24 in Animal Science, 32 in Plant Science and the back to the port for exportation. In Italian soldiers’ sections, Mebrahtu blocks of stone?” remaining 26 in Water and Soil Conservation and Irrigation Sciences. the opposite direction, long-distance Abraham writes: “On the snow-white caravans from Massawa to Kassala marbles, the names and ranks of the In Eritrean colonial history, written Stating that the school provides a two-year vocational training, Brother carried mostly a variety of Indian war dead are inscribed. In the Italian by foreigners, the names of Italian Isaias congratulated the graduates. cloths and manufactured products. Section, almost 88% are properly colonizers – their generals, prime documented and the names of the ministers, and colonial governors Representing the Ministry of Education, Mr. Tesfay Sium, Director It was not only trade but religious fallen soldiers are clearly inscribed. and their achievements have filled General of Technical and Vocational Education and Training, called on pilgrimage also played its role. Whereas in the Eritrean section 99% the pages. It is proper to ask: Were the graduates to upgrade the knowledge and skills they have acquired and Pilgrimage to Mecca played its role have no names, ranks, etc. The word there no Eritreans? Who built become role models to their peers. in the development of Keren as a “Ascaro Igneto” (Unknown Soldier) Eritrean cities, Eritrean factories, transit town, second only to Massawa was simply inscribed on the marble.” the Eritrean rail and ropeways, and Hagaz Agriculture and Technical School has so far graduated 2,530 in the trade that involved Eritrean In another section, Mebrahtu Eritrean roads? students including 912 females since its establishment in 1999. Eritrea Profile,Wednesday, June 12, 2019 Vol. 26 No. 30 6

CHINESE COURSES TO THE PUBLIC

Welcome to Confucius Institute at NHERI for Chinese language and culture courses in Summer Semester from Jun. 15th- Aug,18th, 2019.

Chinese Language Courses Schedule(100NKF for Handout Only) Serial NO. Levels Classes Time

Class 1 Tuesday & Thursday 10:00 am-12:00 am 1 Level 1 Class 2 Saturday & Sunday 8:00 am-10:00 am

Class 1 Tuesday & Thursday 6:00 pm-8:00 pm 2 Level 2 Class 2 Saturday & Sunday 10:00 am-12:00 am HSK III Training(Chinese 3 Saturday 10:00 am-12:00 am Proficiency Test III) Chinese Culture Courses, including Taiji, Kongfu, Calligraphy, Chinese Dance, Chinese Song will be given every Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday mornings (no Payment). For more information, please come to CI office on working days.

Registration: Date: Jun. 9th-11th, 2019 Time: 9:00 AM -11:30 AM, 2:30 PM -5:00 PM Venue: Room 315 (CI Office), NHERI Building, Asmara University Tel: 163581 or 162242

INVITATION FOR BID (National Competitive Bidding) CONTRACT Identification Number: NAP-GB/CS/01/2019

1. The Government of Eritrea has received a grant from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) towards the cost of the National Agricultural project - Gash Barka (NAP-GB) and it intends to apply part of the proceeds of this grant to finance the Training of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) for the staff of the Project & Implementing Agencies. 2. This Request for Proposal (RFP) is a two envelope system, whereby the technical (Demonstration of Company Profile, Competence and Experience in the field of assignment, etc.) and financial proposals containing the bid security and renewed license are prepared separately. 3. To this effect therefore, your esteemed firm is invited (through this advertisement) to participate in this bid and you may collect the bidding documents from the office of National Agricultural project - Gash Barka (NAP-GB). 4. For any Request Bidders may contact the National Agricultural Project Gash Barka (NAP-GB) at the following address:

Project Coordination Office National Agricultural Project Gash Barka (NAP-GB) Tel: 731327 Tel/Fax: 731200 (Attention NAP-GB) P.O. Box: 106 Barentu

5. Bidders are requested to have their license renewed for the year 2018. 6. Proposals shall be delivered to the office of the National Agricultural Project (NAP) - Gash Barka Region, Barentu on or before July 10, 2019 at 10:30 AM local time and shall be opened on the same date at 11:00 AM local time in the presence of bidders or their representatives who wish to attend. 7. Details of bidding document may be purchased by interested bidders from the National Agricultural project - Gash Barka (NAP-GB) in Barentu, the Project’s office in Barentu upon depositing of a non-refundable fee of one hundred Eritrean Nakfa (100 Nakfa) in the Commercial Bank of Eritrea, Barentu branch, Account Number Pub- 504. Interested bidders may obtain further information at the same address. 8. Bid shall be Valid for a Period of 60 days after Bid opening, and must be accompanied by a bid Security of 2% at any Eritrean Bank in the name of National Agriculture Project-Gash Barka’s Bank Account stated in No.7 above. 9. The NAP-GB reserves the right to accept or reject the bid partially or in full for any reason what so ever, without needing to justify the grounds for it’s doing so and without any compensation to the bidder for the expenses it may incur while preparing the bid. Eritrea Profile,Wednesday, June 12, 2019 Vol. 26 No. 30 7

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

Bisha Mining Share Company is inviting applicants for the following Knowledge and Experience position for Bisha site project. • 3 years working experience as X-Ray Technician. Position: Medical Officer X-Ray Technician • Proficiency in Computer. Department – Employee Services /Medical • Knowledge in X-Ray data archiving Number required - One (01) Contract Type - Indefinite Technical Skills. Behavioral skills

PRIMARY PURPOSE Computer skills (Microsoft) Communication -basic English / local language • Conduct X-Ray examinations as requested by medical staff. First Aid certified Interpersonal relations TASK DESCRIPTION EXPANDED TO PERFORMANCE AREAS Experience in Digital Ability to work towards strict Radiography deadlines Operate X-Ray Machine Team player

• Conduct a daily/weekly check of X-Ray machine. • Perform X-Rays as requested. • Records all X-Rays completed GENERAL INFORMATION • Conduct basic maintenance or repairs on X-Ray machine. • Place of Work: Bisha Site • Carry out X-Ray special procedures as requested (VIP; Barium • Salary:As per company salary scale meal; Barium enema) Additional Requirement for Nationals Prepare reports on completed X-Rays • Having fulfilled his/her National Service obligation and provide evidence for release paper from Ministry of defense. • Prepare weekly; monthly; quarterly and annual reports. • Prepare special reports as requested. • Present clearance paper from current/last employee. • Testimonial documents to be attached (CV, work experience Archive X-Ray data crediancials, a copy of your national Identity Card etc).

• Record patient personal details (Computer X-Ray machine; • Only shortlisted applicants would be considered as manually). potential candidates for an interview. • Print X-Ray as requested by medical staff or patient. • Application documents will not be returned back to sender. Participate in daily clinic activities • All Applications should be sent though the post office.

• Conduct weekly scrubbing. • Deadline for application; 10 days from the day of • Conduct “blood pressure testing; temperature; pulse rate” as publication in the Newspaper. required. Address: Please mail your applications to; • Attend meetings (Weekly Toolbox; monthly meeting). • Bisha Mining Share Company. • Help with cleaning of clinic as required. • P. O. Box 4276 Asmara, Eritrea Qualifications Note to Non- Eritrean applicants: • Diploma in Radiology Technician. • Please send a copy of your application. • Registration as Radiology Technician by Ministry of Health. • Aliens Employment permits Affairs. • Currently working as X-Ray Technician. • P. O. Box 7940 Asmara, Eritrea. Eritrea Profile,Wednesday, June 12, 2019 Vol. 26 No. 30 8

“No ForOne me, Cancreating Be an expressionA Better through You!” music is an Asmait Futsumbrhan absence of fear, artist Yohanna E.

Carrying on a dream to put her mark in the music industry, this young Eritrean artist has a story to share. Since her young age, she has always known her passion for music and chose her journey from the beginning to deeply fall in to music. Yohanna Efrem, better known by her stage name Yohanna E, has worked diligently to be recognized as an artist whose works inspire others to lead a life with purpose and value their identity. Growing up in Seattle, USA, Yohanna E. grew close to her Eritrean heritage through the strong ties her parents have to their country.

Today, we have invited Yohanna to share her musical journey, the challenges and breakthroughs she has experienced over the years.

Who is Yohanna E.? Do they care about your vision? Do I speak about my visions and my artists and making new songs. I am What E. Represents they want to change you? I have met goals. I am very careful as to who glad to say that I feel very special I was born in Dallas, Texas, and many ANRs and managers in the I bring to my home. These days it is to be given the platform to perform grew up in Seattle. I have been into Yohana means celebration and industry over the years who wanted easier for me because I come with a at the 20th June Martyrs Day. I music since I was a kid, but it has the E in my name stands for my to control my vision. It has been concrete brand that I have built by understand that this day carries a been almost ten years since I made it journey with so many elements. It difficult, honestly speaking. One of myself. deep meaning for all the Eritreans my full time profession. I have been represents Epic, Emotion, Evolution, the biggest challenges was the topics around the world, and it gives me making music videos, travelling Excellence, Education, Entertainer I decided to talk about in my music. Music Works great pleasure to be part of it. I am around and preforming. With a mind and Eritrean. I was continually discouraged by an Eritrean first and then an artist. I to make my parents proud, I stopped the truth I wanted to talk about. Not Even though I still work on songs am here to see if I can be part of a doing my music and decided to get Music Expedition….Building everybody has to be expletive all with message in them, I have learned project and assist in any way I can my bachelor’s In Communication Her Way the time; I actually had something how to page a product. My music and share my time and my talent. I and Public Affairs. I felt like that was to say and people didn’t get that. goes universal. I have afro beat, hip- think it is important to know where the least I could do for my parents It just kind of happened. I have They were not sure if it was the hop, rap, etc. in which I talk about you come from. and their dreams for me. At present, always been pulled by music since right material that would sell. But I love, my upbringing and my identity. I am focusing on art as a song writer, I was young. I would dance, I would wanted to come up with something So, in the past people in the music Message from Yohanna E. to all rapper and singer. I have been rap and sing and go to the library meaningful, something that would industry didn’t want topics where ladies with a dream! travelling and performing working and print out lyrics and learned them inspire people to live life with a you talk about your parents and your Find your truth, find your passion on music videos and focusing on my just for fun. Growing up, many great purpose and respect for themselves love for them. But these days, they and inspiration and stick to it. The goals and vision to make music in the musicians have inspired me. Mariah and family. all love what I come up with since whole international wave that tells culture I grew up in, the community, Cary is my number one. I love her I know how to package it. I have you that you can’t do it, well, you its traditions, food and fashion. vulnerability and the way she sings Another thing was not having released four singles. The last one is can do anything that you put your is just smooth. I would also listen to those close to you believe in you. called love on me, and it is a mix of mind and to. What I am and Yohanna E’s Vision brandy, 2pak, TLC, Janet Jackson Having them doubt you. Some afro beats of Tigrigna and English. I what I do and how I grew up is all and others. These artists have played confessed it years later when they am actually going to shoot a video me, and no one can be a better me. My ultimate goal is to be a great role as my inspiration. Music saw to what I have grown into. But in Massawa and Asmara for it. I I just want everyone to compete and connected. As a child whose parents for me, creating an expression, is an at the beginning they thought it was am also collaborating if you can be the best migrated and I talk about respecting absence of fear. I am not fearful when just a joke. But I would say the most with famous you, you can parents, where they came from and I am writing a song; it is just me and challenging thing is to not having win it their values. Understanding their my mic. It’s like a diary; every song the time to be fully committed to all. perspectives and what they had to go is a page for my diary. That is how I have a successful relationship. As through, I have always respected that. view my music personally. an artist you are going to have to be For me as an artist, I purposely write called last minute to the studio, or from those perspectives so that the Defies……Getting a Better travel, so you don’t have time to be younger generation could connect. Understanding of the Music with that person. However, all these I like to put the parts, sticking them Industry! obstacles I had to face in the music into your roots, where you come world have helped me to decide who from and knowing your identity What kept me going was the love to bring around me and my artistry. and not just living life without a I had for music. What were difficult My artistry is something special and purpose. Most of my music is about were those around you -- do they just vulnerable to me, something that I That showcasing the value in life. want you to pay for the studio time? love. I am very careful with whom Eritrean is the dream.