Prof. Gianfrancesco Luisini is an Italian scholar who has been to Eritrea a number of times since independence. He has recently been to where he gave trainings on cataloguing and interpreting the Eritrean Geez and Islamic manuscripts. He gave an interview to Shaebia.org on his researches and the detailed purposes of his visit to Eritrea. Excerpts:

 

Could you introduce us with your self?

 

I am an Associate Professor at the Universita of Napoli “L’Orientale,” dealing with the history, philology and linguistics of the horn of Africa and particularly the Eritrea region since 20 years. I can say I am the representative of the Italian schools of studies of this subject, schools that date back to the end of the 19^th century.

 

Why did you become interested in this region?

 

When I started researching on this region some 20 years ago, I found it very fascinating. Everything about this region is so special: the language, the remnants, the manuscripts and many other things which could help in the reconstruction of the history of the region. For example in the case of languages, the relation between Geez and the widely spoken Tigrigna and Tigre languages.

 

What is it exactly that you are trying to accomplish?

 

In short, my main task at the moment is the reconstruction of the history of this region based up on the philological data that can be extracted from very old manuscripts and inscriptions.

 

How many times have you been to Eritrea? What are your impressions?

 

I have been in Eritrea in 1992, 2001, 2006 and 2008. In my first visit, I came with two colleagues to conduct a research on the monasteries in what was then the Seraye region. I remember the country celebrating their newfound independence. Everyday was a celebration. The people’s faith in a never ending peace about to start was evident. But now the country is forced to go into an attitude of a country engaged in war.

 

But still, what I found surprising was that the Eritrean community is strongly committed to maintain its dignity despite what is being said in the outside. This is a very beautiful experience for me. I can see that Eritrea’s stance against all odds is sooner or later going to reverse the international community’s misperception of the country.

 

 

 

 

Could you share some of your findings with us?

 

I would like to mention that there are many explanatory remnants and astonishing manuscripts in Eritrea. The Geez manuscripts for instance indicate that the people of this region (Eritrea) have always been subjected to external threats.

 

You had conducted a seminar in Asmara. What was it all about?

 

I have presented three research papers. The first discussed the linguistic approach to the ancient history of Eritrea while the second talked about the philological approach to the medieval history of Eritrea. The third paper was sort of the synthesis of the first two presentations and was devoted to the historical relationship of Eritrea and the Red Sea as well as the importance of Eritrea as a passageway for civilizations and influences coming through the Mediterranean, Indian Ocean and the horn of Africa. The research clearly indicates that Eritrea was the door to all activities in the Red Sea at that time.

 

I found the audience ready to understand and capable to receive.

 

What else have you been doing while in Eritrea?

 

I gave members of the Eritrean Research and Documentation Center trainings on cataloguing and the interpretation of Eritrean Geez and Islamic manuscripts. During the one week of trainings, I found the trainees to be very attentive and eager to know more of the worldwide accepted criteria and techniques in this kind of intellectual operation. I am confident that with the potential they have, the trainees will efficiently carry out the tasks required of them.     

 

Any last words…

 

I intend to return to this country soon and I am always ready to give trainings related to my profession any time any where in Eritrea.

 

 

Thank you