Houston, we have a Problem
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In the Eritrean Tewahdo Orthodox culture, modesty is incredibly important. It was so important that you rarely saw women wearing gold or anything that significantly, in a show off manner, in some way or another ultered their exterior. In the same way, despite the fact they could be financially well off, men would go barefoot around. Up to recent, till the rule of DIA, even wearing lipstick or make up (except for eyeliner) was not common. Why? Why, because it was previously religiously and culturally not accepted. This lasted to the time I can remember, before DIA took our culture south to the lugubre and shabby.
Today, we have people speaking of "Tgrinna cultural domination". The question that arises is; What Tgrinna culture?
We also hear about the submissive culture of this particular part of Eritrea. The question that comes to mind is: What kind of submissiveness?
The idea of modesty is connected, strictly speaking, to the notion of the good and wisdom/ sophia, hence ultimately to the will of God. It derives from the Hellenic culture of the pre- and post Christendom world in which Eritrea, during its rule of Axum, Yemen, Sudan and Southern Egypt, was deeply part of. If you ask interested to a priest about the cultural aspects of their church, he will surely answer you, "Hellenic". Hellenic ideas are today taught at universities and impart high schools (specially in France) on early philosophy such as Socrates/Plato, Aristotle, Thales etc.
Of course we share this with our neighbours to the south. But there is however a difference; because we are not submissive in nature, they call us "stupid Hamasien". Hamasien is an Abyssinian/Ethiopian, in particular a Tgrayan name for all of Eritrea. In fact, both Tgray and Amhara call us stupid. A part from the, specially, living grandparents from Kebessa, I suggest you check the interviews of Keleta Kidane to have this verified.
The reason is not because we are objectively stupid, it is only because the Abyssinian by and large are used to be ruled by totalitarian and submissive kings. In Eritrea, we didn´t need to be submissive. During the rule of Axum, we were internationally known for being effective and skilful warriors, no one could mess with us. After the fall of this kingdom, we were ruled by laws, regional laws that protected our individual rights vis a vis each other and our kings, and nature, incl animals.
Today, we have people speaking of "Tgrinna cultural domination". The question that arises is; What Tgrinna culture?
We also hear about the submissive culture of this particular part of Eritrea. The question that comes to mind is: What kind of submissiveness?
The idea of modesty is connected, strictly speaking, to the notion of the good and wisdom/ sophia, hence ultimately to the will of God. It derives from the Hellenic culture of the pre- and post Christendom world in which Eritrea, during its rule of Axum, Yemen, Sudan and Southern Egypt, was deeply part of. If you ask interested to a priest about the cultural aspects of their church, he will surely answer you, "Hellenic". Hellenic ideas are today taught at universities and impart high schools (specially in France) on early philosophy such as Socrates/Plato, Aristotle, Thales etc.
Of course we share this with our neighbours to the south. But there is however a difference; because we are not submissive in nature, they call us "stupid Hamasien". Hamasien is an Abyssinian/Ethiopian, in particular a Tgrayan name for all of Eritrea. In fact, both Tgray and Amhara call us stupid. A part from the, specially, living grandparents from Kebessa, I suggest you check the interviews of Keleta Kidane to have this verified.
The reason is not because we are objectively stupid, it is only because the Abyssinian by and large are used to be ruled by totalitarian and submissive kings. In Eritrea, we didn´t need to be submissive. During the rule of Axum, we were internationally known for being effective and skilful warriors, no one could mess with us. After the fall of this kingdom, we were ruled by laws, regional laws that protected our individual rights vis a vis each other and our kings, and nature, incl animals.
This was not, however, the general reality of Abyssinia. By contrary, their kings and rulers were incredibly racist (since 1200 AD till now) and harassing. The people had absolutely no rights vis a vis their kings and each other.
Trust needs to be built. In such kind of environment it was naturally difficult to trust people easily. It is a known fact that Ethiopians (Amhara & Tegaru) tend to lie, quite a lot, because it is in their culture necessary for survival. And unlike in Eritrea at the time, their lands were owned by their kings. They were, as citizens, left to their diplomatic and communication skills to have it their way with their rulers. The Kebessa in turn would regard the Absyssians as people who do not hold word, untrustworthy and people who lack integrity. We never had to do these things, because we could be upfront with things we disliked. You could say we had more courage and balls. Despite successive colonisers and misery, this courage and self respect was still intact till DIA ate it all alone.
Trust needs to be built. In such kind of environment it was naturally difficult to trust people easily. It is a known fact that Ethiopians (Amhara & Tegaru) tend to lie, quite a lot, because it is in their culture necessary for survival. And unlike in Eritrea at the time, their lands were owned by their kings. They were, as citizens, left to their diplomatic and communication skills to have it their way with their rulers. The Kebessa in turn would regard the Absyssians as people who do not hold word, untrustworthy and people who lack integrity. We never had to do these things, because we could be upfront with things we disliked. You could say we had more courage and balls. Despite successive colonisers and misery, this courage and self respect was still intact till DIA ate it all alone.
Today, however, we are being taught that the culture of this region is submissive, hegemonic and that we suffer from the notion of "znegese ngusna", which translates to "whoever becomes a king, is our king". In the znegese nugusna talk, there is an inbuilt and expressive idea of that this region suffers from worship of persons and personalities. There is however nothing that can support this idea; in the culture of the people in general and their law books, and last in the Ethiopian engrained perception of Eritreans. As for hegemony, although Eritrea have been invaded by foreign forces since the 1500s, making us religiously rich and more diverse than before, it seems mutual respect and accept have prevailed till the day DIA stole Asmara to suit his own agenda of Grand Ethiopia.
PS: the idea of modesty that leads to Sophia does not equal being modest to all actions and passivities of the world. On the contrary, you are regarded as an ignorant, hence unwise, if you keep silent in the face of injustice. This is the exact reason why Eritreans were regarded as stupid by Ethiopians. Because Eritreans did not remain passive and silent in the face of injustice and things they disliked.
Modesty in this text means the "Golden Mean". One can use both terminologies.
Modesty in this text means the "Golden Mean". One can use both terminologies.
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"The Hellenic devotion to simplicity and the golden mean gave way to extravagance in art and to a love of luxury and riotous excess". The modesty in my text is the "golden mean". This link explains the Hellenic Period, hence it explains impart its philosophical ideologies. http://www.greek-thesaurus.gr/hellenistic-period.html
What is the Golden Mean? "According to the principle of the Golden Mean in ancient Greek philosophy, one may be able to clarify a code of conduct. A general must seek courage, the mean between cowardice and foolhardiness, in order to gain honor. A person who seeks pleasure through eating must find the mean between being a glutton and starving. A person who seeks knowledge must find the mean between ignorance and seeking knowledge to excess; excess knowledge is not wisdom, but the mind turned to cunning." http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Golden_mean_(philosophy)
Eritrean priest from the 20s
Eritrea in the 20s
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