Eritrean Religion Interview: Christian Priest – Keychi Aron(Frankfurt-Germany) explains the Meaning of Amen and the Relationship to Geez and Tigrinya with High Quality from eritrea-chat.com.

Any one who visits the city of Keren (which means mountain in one of the local languages) the first thing he would repeatedly hear being mentioned is ‘Dearit’ and specially the Baobab tree. Mariam Dearit for Keren is more or less like Eiffel Tower is for Paris or the Great Wall for Beijing or the Colosseum for Rome or the Statue of Liberty for New York…
Driving about two kilometers north east of the city, crossing the Italians’ cemetery, you reach a green area located on a river bank covered by big trees of different types but mainly mim. Looking straight forward, when you reach the gate, you see a huge tree most of the time with a number of visitors.
The Baobab Tree! That is the most interesting part of the story of Mariam Dearit.
A writer, trying to describe this giant tree once wrote: “If there was a leader of the trees of the Savannah, it would be the great Baobab tree; in most parts of Africa, this is the social center. If in America, the Baobab tree would be called ‘Capitol Hill’ for under its shades, social issues are discussed, negotiations are carried-out and pacts made. The great tree is so stubborn. Like a camel, its trunks, which can grow to be 15 meters in diameter, act like a sponge and stores a huge volume of water…”
The Tree is believed to have lived for over 500 years majestically standing about 23 meters high. According to people who lived there for long time, Kerenians are attached to the tree that symbolizes patience, perseverance and strength that defies nature. At times of hardship, and all the time, believers go there to pray and ask their Mary for mercy.
It is the symbol of their strength: it gets thirst but never dies. “It ages but never gets old. It stands majestically competing against the mountains of Ziban, Lalmba, Senkil and Et’Aber that surround the city from where it derived its name.” It is one of the most visited places of the city by both local and foreign visitors, according to the Ministry of Tourism Anseba Region Branch office’s report.
Tourists, or any visitors for that matter, that come to Eritrea during the month of May get to experience the fervent celebrations that Eritreans hold to commemorate their independence anniversary (May 24). Just a few days later, On May 29 each year, there is a pilgrimage to the shrine of St. Mariam Dearit.
The sacred place shelters the statue of the Virgin Mary that has its residence inside the trunk of an ancient baobab tree, standing over 20 meters, out in an open field.
It is believed that in 1869, a group of French nuns known as ‘deqi feqri (Daughters of Charity) opened an orphanage in the Keren area where they were granted by a French priest a piece of land to grow orchards. According to legend, one of the nuns, Catherine Labure, dreamt that they established ‘a statue of Virgin Mary’. Then the sisters received a bronze statue from French Lazarists. The nuns located a huge Baobab tree and curved in its trunk a shrine, where they set the statue. The orchards that the sisters planted still stand.
The legend also says that the statue is black in color because the French Lazarists told the nuns that they would send them black colored statues of Mary that looks like them [the residents].
On top of the powers of healing that it’s supposed to have, the statue is also believed to mark the spot from which fertility springs. Legend has it that local women brew coffee in the shade of the tree and believe they would be blessed with fertility-wise if a passing traveler accepts a cup.
The Italian styled city of Keren was a strategic importance at different periods: for instance, the Second World War in East Africa came to an end following a long war among the British and Italian forces when the Italians, who had a strong military base, lost the battle of Keren at Tenkuluhas; and the city also faced major battles at different times of the war for Eritrea’s liberation.
During the Second World War, for example, a group of Italian soldiers, who were under attack by British war planes, sought refuge inside the shrine to avoid bombing. Suddenly, a bomb struck the trunk of the Baobab tree and landed among the soldiers. In 1941 Italian soldiers took refuge in the tree from British Planes. This tree was hit but the Italians and the shrine survived.
Since the planes had targeted the area, a bomb splinter hit the tree making a big whole which can still be witnessed on the sides of the trunk. The tree survived the war, saved the lives of many soldiers and many believers who took refugee.
On the spiritual side, May 29 is just like all religious pilgrimages (Nighdet); the day is a colorful event in which tens of thousands visitors join the pilgrimage. With a procession led by the clergy in their vibrant attires, complete with incense and hymns, followed by flocks of the faithful and other visitors.
Apart from the religious side, the holy festival also evokes nationalistic features; a travel website, www.Traveladventures. org, has put the shrine of Mariam Dearit as one of the 100 must-see sites of the world.
“Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is a holy ground,” the notice reads.

Sources: www.shaebia.org

Eritrean movie documentation: History of Christian Religious Tsaeda Emba with High Quality from Eri-TV.

Eritrean christian religion: The priest Bishop Mekarios of the Eritrean Christian Tewahdo Church explains the meaning and the reason for “Hosana”.

Eritrean christian religious celebration event of eastern “Beal Fasika”.

Eritrean celebration of christian religious “Beal Fasika – Tinsae – Awdeamet” with singer Abera Beyene and his traditional tigrinya music instrument “Wata” in Keren – Sarina Hotel 2013.

Eritrea christian religious celebration of “Beal Fasika – Tinsae – Awdeamet” in Keren – Sarina Hotel 2013. Beautiful traditional Tigre music by “Wedi Sheikh”. More videos on http://www.eritrea-chat.com.

Eritrean celebration of religious christian “Beal Fasika – Awdeamet” in Keren 2013 – Sarina Hotel with singer Jemal Romodan. More videos on www.eritrea-chat.com or www.blip.tv/eritvenglish.

Eritrean religious event: 

The 8th Annual North American Eritrean Orthodox Tewahdo Church Sunday School Conference
2013,

Location: Toronto, Canada
                         St. Michaels
                         Eritrean Orthodox Tewahdo Church

                         702 Jane Street
                         Toronto, ON M6N 4A8

Date:            June 21st – 23rd

Eritrean religious news: Eri-TV Zena – Asmara, 19 June 2013 – Prayer services were conducted today in mosques and churches nationwide in connection with commemoration of Martyrs Day.

The prayer services in Asmara at Debre-Sahle St. Michael Church and Al-Khulafae Al-Rashideen Mosque witnessed the participation of government and PFDJ officials, as well as thousands of nationals.

Members of various clergies and the faithful headed by Abune Petros, Chairman of the Holy Synod, and Bishop in Gash-Barka region, Abune Atnatyos, took part in the prayer service at St. Michael Church.

Likewise, thousands of members of the Islamic faith attended the ceremony at Al-Khulafae Al-Rashideen Mosque headed by members of the Office of the Eritrean Mufti, Sheikh Ali Mohammed-Ali and Sheikh Salem Ibrahim Al-Mukhtar respectively. More videos @ http://www.eritrea-tv.net.

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Eritrean christian religious celebration: “ሆየ ሆየ!” (Hoye Hoye/هوى هوى) is a traditional chant sung by Orthodox Christians belonging to the Tigrinya ethno-linguistic group in the highlands of Eritrea on the eve of the “Geez New Year” (September 11) and the “Finding of the True Cross” (September 27).*

*This segment featuring video from Festival Eritrea 1998 in Asmara, is brought to you by the Cultural Literacy Education Program (CLEP) of California. CLEP: Think radical, embrace your roots!

Want more information about CLEP or YPFDJ California?

Online at YPFDJcalifornia.org

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Eritrean christian religious event: Asmara, 10 September 2013 – His Holiness Abune Dioskoros, 4th Patriarch of the Eritrean Orthodox Tewahdo Church, gave benediction in connection with Kidus Yohannes celebrations.

In his message, the Patriarch wished the faithful happy Geez New Year, and called on them to celebrate the Day through spirit of sharing with need nationals. He further gave detailed briefings regarding the historical background of the religious event, and prayed for citizens lying on the bed of sickness, besides the Eritrean people inside the country and abroad who are engaged in the nation-building process.(shabait)

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Eritrean religious christian history of Gedam Abune Henok close to Adi Arba(ዓርባዓ) and Adi Quala(ቕዋላ). More videos of EriTV @ www.eritrea-chat.com.

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On Wednesday we celebrated Kidus Yohannes, aka Geez New Year. Happy Holiday!

God knows how many of you have been dumbfounded as to why we get to celebrate two New Years: one in September and another with the rest of the world in January. I know I have!
Over the years I have come across many foreigners who demanded an explanation. The common explanation goes that Eritreans, who officially stuck to the Gregorian calendar (GC), also resorted (usually the elders) to the Julian calendar for traditional and religious holidays and that because of the latter the year begun in the month of September.

According to the Julian calendar, the year, which starts in September, is divided into 12 months of 30 days each and a 13th  month, known as Pagumien, of 5 days and 6 days in leap years (like the present year).

Coming at the end of the rainy season, Pagumien is a Greek word meaning addition, rightly referring to the fact that Eritrean tradition dictates that bathing your bodies during the five days in any water source is vital to keep one’s health throughout the coming year. It is considered as cleansing one’s soul from any sin committed during the past year and ensuring a healthy journey throughout the coming year. Back in the old days, everyone, except for the ill and aged, bath their bodies.

Particularly in the Eritrean highlands, women wake up early in the dawn hours to bathe in the village ponds and rivers. The traditional significance of this norm say that it symbolizes the cleansing of the body and soul in time for the New Year. In old times, except the mobility impaired and very old people, everybody reportedly bathed each morning during the epagomenal days.

Melodious folksongs by the young women as they bathe or play in the meadows are abundant these days.

“Adeye abrehaley, kwerdo maye
Adeye abrehaley, kwerdo maye…”

Rough translation of the song is: “Mother, please put the light on so that I go to fetch water.”

This is an allusion to St. Mary, inferring that the young women are asking her to help them wash themselves of their sins.

And why is it commonly known as Kudus Yohannes? In honor of John the Baptist.

Reasons for celebrating this new beginning in September is said to have biblical implications: in the Old Testament, it is believed that the new season, after the great floods, begin with the month of September.

Similarly in the Eritrean context, especially in the rural areas, September is also the beginning of a sunny weather in which crops are gathered and harvested, after toiling all summer. It’s also during this month that flowers blossom after heavy rains. Therefore, this new beginning is jovially celebrated. During such time, most of the pastoralists that had left with their livestock return home at the beginning of this month.

In the old times, it was the time when young boys acknowledged their adulthood because being chosen to leave for the meadows proves a boy’s maturity; that also gave the young men the opportunity to look for a bride and the women to display their beauty.

The days leading up to the big event, young girls go out to the streets singing laudatory songs to passerby who in return give them some money. That’s probably fundraising at the traditional level. Particularly in the rural Eritrea, the girls, with the money collected, supposedly buy decorations to make themselves more beautiful for the New Year. At dusk, on the eve of the day, the streets are filled with smoke (or its smell) from the burning torches, made of bundles of dry leaves and thick wood sticks that children carry around the neighborhood chanting “Hoye Hoye” , announcing the beginning of the new year.

Growing as a child I remember looking forward to our relatives who would come from the village – honestly what we wanted most were the torches they would bring us. And then on the eve, we would get restless until it got dark so we could light our torches and run along the street. Tradition has it that you lay the burning torch on the ground and ask people cross it three times, wishing for blessed and prosperous returns of the day. Once they cross three times, people are supposed to give the children small tips.

After we had made a round in our block and make as many people as we could find cross our torches we would make our way back home, where the family gathers in the compound. My grandmother, who loved to stick to tradition, would then pick one of the torches and go around every room and, shall we say fumigate them, reciting some verses that supposedly wish for prosperity with the coming of the New Year:

“Akokay, akokay…
kurae hamli wtsa’e
Geat tesmi eto…”

The wish, in simple words, would sound something like:

“Begone, dishes of vegetable
Welcome porridge of butter…”

The verses are simply good wishes of wealth and abundance for the New Year.

When she was done with touring all rooms in the house, we would all gather around a small bonfire made from what remains of the torches. My grandmother would then sing traditional New Year folksongs. That was a lot of fun!

Such traditions make up an important part of the rich Eritrean cultural heritage. Even today, as I listen to the songs on the radio or television, my mind goes back to those smoke-filled evenings that we, as children, would eagerly await.

While it’s not customary to exchange greeting cards during this holiday, nowadays, owing to globalization, well wishing text messages are common among the urban sophisticated.

The Geez New Year is generally considered as a fresh beginning and remains to this date the most important of the Eritrean traditional holidays.

Source: shabait.com

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Eritrean Tigrinya Video News from 27 September 2013 by Eri-TV:

Meskel Holiday observed nationwide

Asmara – Meskel Holiday was today observed nationwide with zeal.

The ceremony conducted at Bahti Meskerem square in the presence of His Holiness Abune Dioskoros, 4th Patriarch of the Eritrean Orthodox Tewahdo Church, High Priests, government officials, diplomats and numerous members of the Faithful witnessed hymns, holy dances and briefings.

The Head of the church’s clergy, Beyene Eyassu, made presentation on the historic aspect of the holiday, and wished peace and prosperity to the Eritrean people.

The Administrator of the Central region, Mr. Kahsai Gebrehiwet, lit the Damera, following the extending of a blessing by His Holiness Abune Dioskoros.

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Eritrean christian religious celebration of Meskel in Eritrea in 1936 – በዓል መስቀል 1936 ዓ.ም.ፈ.

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Eritrean Traditional Tigrinya Bahlawi Wisdom – Kedem ssetfeeh selamawi adi – Haile Selaisse by EriTV. More videos of EriTV @ www.eritrea-chat.com or www.youtube.com/eritreachat.

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By Sirak H/Mikael

The Monastery of Abune Libanos (Aba Meta’e), the oldest Christian monastery in a hideous dark cave, is situated squarely in the tourist corridor deep down a tranquil valley with a breathtaking landscape. It possesses an ancient church in the sprawling forest, somewhere in the walls, on the edge of the cliff. If one happens to climb and manages to reach the cave safely, one enjoys a familiar church of “Abyssinian architecture”. Wandering far inside the cave one comes head on with a painting of the various Blessed Christian saints and angles. Venturing deep inside the jangle of the valley, one enjoys a quite heavenly scene blessed with an atmosphere of acquiescent stateliness. Sitting under the caves of the monastery just for five minutes, one takes a pleasure in the shower of tranquility and serenity. “The monks have taken the right decision to pass their whole life here,” said one of my colleagues staring at the panorama of the hidings “ The natural melody that reverberates throughout this deep woodland is really a medicine,” said another friend. They were right to say that. In fact, for me, it was more than theirs; it reminded me of the place we have always imagined, the Garden of Aden.

That blessed moment our team’s mood seemed to have concurred. Our imagination of nature danced in harmony. We liked the place very much. Out of the time scheduled, attracted by the magnificence of the site, the team went on enjoying around the forest. We stayed there roughly half an hour more time. A couple members of the team got crazy and ventured far away in a look out for wild fruits. And some others stayed under the cave to bathe their eyes from the holy drops of waters. In an attempt to get some moving shots, our photographer jumped here and there, up and down until he gets the perfect position for a perfect shoot. On my part, I reserved a private moment of composing the melody of nature. I empathized dancing in an imaginary heaven, swaying in harmony with a melodious instrumental music that sounds the lovely music of Far East orchestra. I do not know if the masters of musicology have the analogy for this natural jangle-band. Which artificial musical instruments could be played in place of the songs of the diverse colorful birds that tirelessly banged around the countless nests? Can a box guitar play in place of the kav – kav-kavs of the apes that were swaying in the branches of the old sycamore trees?

The jazz, perhaps, plays in place of the boo, boo, woo of the invisible creatures resounding far from the dark holes and hideaways of the caves. I stopped my contemplation only when a sudden dissonance of sounds showered from somewhere at the top and seemed to be ringing back and forth, alarming the peace, and tranquility of the pretty valley. At first I thought it sounded like apes, but soon I came to know the object when our photographer told me that it was an owl that made the disturbance. As the sun was about to down in the western horizon, masking itself behind Arato Mountain, the bird was probably looking for a perfect hide for the night ahead. After all, the bird was right; Aba Meta’e seems to have infinite actors at night. Imagine the place during the night when the dangerous beasts are busy looking for their dishes. Think of the hide and seek of the pray and predators that share the same dreamland. Danger may come from all sides; any creature can not sleep deeply otherwise its life gone. During the day, however, it is peace. Humans swoop in the valley for spiritual medication only when the sun is available in the sky. Many believe that the monastery, although it possesses seasonal monks, is spiritually and physically linked to the heaven. In the quiet and isolated caves scattered throughout the valley, one can enjoy a perfect spiritual meditation and inquiry. The myth and mystery behind the belief “of a drop of water from the cave of the monastery heals wounds” has for centuries attracted innumerable visitors. Through out the year, on a clear day, guests of all walks of life take a bathe from the Holy Water of the monastery. Visitors have an extraordinary belief especially in the drops of water that indefinitely trickle from inside the rocky roof of the house of worship. Hence, wrapped in legend and history, Aba Meta’e Monastery is the most prominent symbol of Christianity in Eritrea. It is said that the monastery has counted over 1500 years since its inception. According to traditional accounts, Aba Meta’e arrived here in Eritrea after Aba Yohani, Syrian, who came to this land of Habesha and enabled the spark of the heralds of the Gospel 451-464 G.C.Later on, Abune Libanos, a great churchman who traveled from Lebanon to Eritrea’s southern highlands in 463-260 G.C, preached Christianity in the area. For that reason, he is still known as pioneer eremite of Werk’ Ham and Guna-Guna Enda Meskel monasteries. The Eritrean Tewahdo Christian Churches have also credited Abune Libanos for he was the first holy man to translate the book of Mathew, first part of the New Testament, from Greek into Geeze. Abune Libanos monastery, at the moment, perches in a gorgeous valley at a pinnacle of 2000 meters above sea level. In the afternoon, when the sun downs in the western horizon, the monastery swiftly gets masked under the shadow of the Arato Mountain, which is the regions second highest mountain, standing high just some 3 kilometers away to the west of the monastery.

Eritrean Religion: His Holiness Abune Dioskoros, 4th Patriarch of the Eritrean Orthodox Tewahdo Church, gave benediction in connection with Christmas celebrations.

In his message, Abune Dioskoros wished the faithful inside the country and abroad Merry Christmas, in addition to EDF members and patients under hospitalization. The Patriarch further prayed that the Holiday be celebrated in a spirit of love, peace, societal harmony and unity, and advised the faithful to celebrate the event through sharing and extending support to the needy.

By Berhane Woldu

New Year and the Orthodox Christmas were celebrated with much fun fair manifesting how tradition and modernity intertwine. Night had fallen on the ancient city of Massawa, all along the banks of the Red Sea golden ray of sun light flickering to life. Mosques loudspeakers across the city echoing with the pursuing intonation of the call to prayer “Allah We’akber” the faithful dashed to Mosques, the rest of the city carried on with their business. Restaurants serving their customers, merchants selling their goods and the tourists watching with amazement; this was a busy city in harmony. A city of the same force religious, secular, ancient yet contemporary. This timeless city was quite literally the place to be during the New Year. The air moist with a cold breeze unusually cold for Massawa the rain has stopped battering the ground the rivers full to their banks flowing and merging into the Red Sea turning the Sea brown. This was the first time in my life that I stayed in Massawa without immersing myself in the holy Sea. Massawa was nicely decorated for the New Year the city vibrant, people everywhere, streets crowded, and restaurants full to capacity. The old part of the city known for its outdoor bars was echoing with music people dancing on the pavement. Down town was scintillating with decoration. Grand Dahlak Hotel, Central hotel, Red Sea hotel and Luna restaurant were packed with dinners. The city was over populated packed with people from all walks of life. I am sure that there were some people who could not find accommodations and were forced to stay with relatives.

Gergusum Hotel known for its white sandy beach was full of people blue environment in place and the weather warmer. There were kids running up and down, some taking the camels for a ride others swimming. There were a lot of young adults swimming further than eye can see. Evening hours in the beach area where the night clubs are located were like no other place. It reminded me of downtown Washington DC on a Friday night with high traffic and no parking space available where people have to walk blocks to reach the clubs. The Red Sea coastal beaches were full of cars. The clubs no surprises to anyone were full to capacity and some had to turn customers away; the music was blasting to full capacity. People dancing, hugging and lovers being affectionate it was a night of excitement and full of joy every one wishing 2014 to be the year of prosperity.

Asmara the morning sun fully rose, casting long shadow down the wide roads that snake between the market place. Shopkeepers had begun throwing open the metal grates and their plastic covers that protect their merchandise and shops; the air misted with the aromas of morning espresso and freshly baked pastries. People were moving in the direction of the markets to start shopping for the Orthodox Christmas which is celebrated on the seventh of January.

Edaga Asmara’s ancient food and utensil market is one of the largest covered market place in Eritrea. Built in the shape of a square in different blocks have over hundreds small spacey divided rooms. Local merchants passionately stash a mind-boggling selection of edible pleasures from around the country, fruits, vegetables, herbs, spices, cereals and artifacts are traded. The bazaar’s entry way is a massive open space from all direction and is said to witness the passage of more than a hundred thousand people a day during holidays. Asmara city has a lot of market place; Markato, Mai Aba-Sohul, Shouk and Meda-Eritrea are some famous shopping sites during holidays. All over the city there are open space where small farmers sell hens, roosters, eggs and other additional items. Adding stark drama to the radiant holiday shopping natural heat piercing the dark coldness out of the rooms; Markato market crowded assisted by high, wide deeply recessed windows despite being in them many times one can fill the mystical pull of the space and let your gaze clime skyward. The streets of Asmara were crowded downtown, uptown and outskirt of the city turned as a market place. Live cows, bulls, sheep, goats, rosters and hens sold in the middle of the streets sellers and buyers bargaining over size and price.

Christmas mass attendants’ were reminded by the resonate of the bells coming out the different Churches in Asmara; people are religious and very faithful and loving as they go to Church one can see the unifying and calming effect of religion. Mothers covered with their white Vaile, fathers with their traditional white cloth, priests and deacons with colorful decorations add to the celebration. As it is the tradition the extended family comes together to celebrate the holidays in a manner that serves the countries social structure. Holiday is an affair of three generations worshiping, eating and spending the week under one roof joyously, with the grandparents showering the family with blessings. Visiting one another to wish happy holiday and seeping coffee; hanging out with friend and relatives is a holiday duty. Young kids who drop by dressed in their new cloth to wish happy holidays to their neighbors’ houses are given gifts. Toddlers are offered sweets. The crowded shop, rushed mothers, men buying live animals and kids with new cloth is what makes the holiday exciting. The day prior to Christmas comes to an end with slaughtering of live animals and preparation of exotic, spiced and delicious food for the holiday. I was beneficiary of these delicious festival meals in three different homes.

What I saw most exciting, amusing and something new this year was the many fashion shows that were preformed in Massawa and Asmara. The one in Asmara was prepared by ladies in their early 20th new graduates of the fashion school. The show went on for about three hours. Clothes made out of traditional materials designed in western and Eritrea styles were out of this world. Seeing the old SHIDA monument turn to a Christmas park was an addition to the holiday spirit. Holiday celebrated with ancient tradition; togetherness, love and respect are things that make Eritrea uniquely loveable.