Take time to make a list of open air markets in Asmara where vendors sell vegetables, cereals and grains, fish, spices, pottery and basketry works, new and second hand household and office equipments. Probably you might end up with these: Markato, Edagha Ekhli, Edagha Haraj, Edagha Lakha….etc. Take a look at the names. With the exception of the former, the name tells what type of services is given at the market. For instance, in Edagha Haraj, second hand articles, household equipments are sold. So is in Edagha Lhaka where a range of Lakha and its byproducts like basketry made up of wickers, pottery works, souvenirs and spices are sold.

Situated behind the grand mosque, Al Kulafae Al Rashideen, Edagha Lakha is one of the many Asmara open air markets. Established as the city’s main market during the 1930th by the Italians, it has been a place where craftworks including basketry and pottery works, souvenirs, woodcarvings and parchments, and other household necessities like spices were sold. In return, several families have been earning their bread for more than half a century.

According to Mr. Yishak Yosief, 74, an author of 12 books, during the 1930th Edaga Lakha was dominantly inhabited by the ‘Tekurirs’ other wise referred to as ‘Kerama’ who migrated from West Africa. They were enroute to Mecca for pilgrimage, yet for certain reasons; they didn’t make it up and they settled in Eritrea. Though craftsmanship was practiced in the lowlands, the ‘Tekurirs’ did well in the craftworks like baskets, pottery and mats referred as tesli or tenkobet, made up of dried palm tree leaves which are used in households and religious sites. During the time the ‘Tekurirs’ were engaging in various household works, added Mr. Yishak.

A newly wedded couple might need to come to Edagha Lakha when establishing their home: for some of the household accessories and decorations like, jebena, tsahli, megogo and traditional hand woven basketry like sife , agelgil and kirnchat are available there says Mr. Mohammed Nur Mohammed Brhan, 65, who worked there since 1962.

“Edagha Lakha has maintained its original structure, though the services have diversified over the years,” Mr. Mohammed Nur added.

I found Yorsalem Abraha buying a hat made up of lakha . “I am buying it for I want it to protect me from sunlight in Dubai,” she said. “Off course I chose this hat from others for it has the feel and touch of my country.” Generally, Eritrean basketry works like zenbile are not only used to carry goods but such works like seteta and mesob are used in preparing and holding local bread Injera . This manifests the importance of it in the livelihood of the society, she noted.

Mr. Gail Smith, a German tourist says the craft works there especially the basketry, has attracted her most. Also the pottery works such as coffee pots with slender necks, brightly painted incenses holder and various sized of bowls which can also used as plant pots are simply beautiful, she added.

The basketry works done by woman weavers is of dual significance, says Fowzia Ahmed, a vendor owner. Firstly the weavers are getting their works sold and generate an income to their livelihood and at the same time preserving the country’s cultural heritage, she said.

Mrs. Weini Sereke, an owner of a souvenir shop in Edagha Lakha says, paintings done in skin and parchment are highly demanded article by foreign tourists and locals alike. Those paintings are important in introducing the Eritrean culture to foreigners and the artists should try to encompass other kinds of art techniques so as to have a wide influence.

Edaga Lakha is not only a place for objets d’ art but also a site for spices market in Asmara. The most common spice in the local dish by far is berbere which is prepared by grinding dried berries of certain plants with several spices found there. “In Edaga Lakha, there are about 15 types of spices mostly used in preparing berbere,” says Ghenet Araia, who runs her family spices’ shop. Among them the most important is makmako, a local grown herb, which she claimed to be an effective herb used to treat blood pressure. “My neighbor found it to have a relieving effect and has used it for years. The result: “it eased his pressure considerably,” she added. Makmako is used in tea instead of tea leaf.

Eritrea geographical location and its diverse culture of different ethnic groups, endowed the country a rich heritage of arts and crafts. Handcrafts, as a tangible cultural heritage and an expression of a national pride, their integration into the tourism industry is apparent. They also create new opportunities in the production, sales and thus improvement of quality of life of their proprietors.

Hence, it is hi time of for the concerned authority to take its responsibility in reviving and flourishing the industry for common good.

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