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Eritrea Heritage Tourism
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Archaeological heritage: i. Prehistoric cave paintings & etchings in |
Architectural heritage: i. Traditional circular dwellings,  Aginet & Hudmo. ii. Ottoman Turkish style in the port city of Massawa. iii. Italian Rationalist Art-Deco style of which perhaps the largest surviving single collection in Asmara. |
Qo Haito, Himbirti and Hashimile ii. Ruins of the ancient Adulite empire in Qo Haito and Metera. iii.Remains of ancient Adulis port in Zula bay. iv. Necroplois, Ancient Islamic cemetery dating back to the 8th & 9th centuries.Historic sites: i. Big Trees meeting place in Saganetti. Large Ficus trees  were considered sacred and traditionally provided meeting places for Eritreans. ii. World War II military cemeteries. Two British cemeteries in Asmara and Keren and one Italian cemetery in Keren, all of which are well maintained. iii. Struggle for Independence sites. Nakfa, the principal command centre has trenches, underground command posts and hospital, which served the 30 year struggle. Other sites at Himbol and Orota |
Cuisine: Basic to most highland meals is injera a soft, round, pancake-like bread but much larger in size. Usual meat served with it with a thick gravy are mutton (zigni) and beef (spriss), prepaed with red hot berbere or white without pepper. A vegetable variant is alitcha. Main lowland dish is a fluffy preparation from wheat flour called akelet which is heaped in the middle of the plate. Burkutta is a pancake-like bread used by people when they travel long distances. Principal beverages are plain tea (shahi), plain coffee (boon), cappuccino and machiatto. Eritrea has its own beer, swa, brewed from a local grain. Local brews of whiskies, brandies and wines are also available. Coffee ceremony: This may take 2 to 3 hours, but occupies an important position among social traditions. It begins with the frying of the raw beans and ends with at least three rounds of drinks. Visitors are advised to stay so as to consume the complete cycle of three drinks. |
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Eritrean Railway - A fascinating story of commitment & dedication The century old, Italian built |
Industrial past: Under Italian colonial rule, Eritrea was the most industrialised country in Africa with an electrified cable car system running from Asmara to the coastal city of Massawa. Industrial units still in operating with the old technology:- production of mortadella ham, ricotta cheese and salami; textile factory north of Asmara, factories producing paper, soap, cement, matches and candles - a veritable industrial museum. |
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railway ran from Asmara to the port city of Massawa. The rolling stock and the lines were destroyed during the war of liberation. The sleepers and the lines were utilised to construct bunkers and other fortifications. Brushing aside foreign offers to re-build the railway; Eritrea proceeded to salvage the lines and sleepers with the aid of local volunteers and to put the engines back into running condition using the know-how of retired engineers and the physical effort of the youth. The railway is now in full operation.|
Arts & Crafts: Basketry, a craft based on the culinary habits, with the more colourful ones serving also as wall décor; Pottery like |
the coffee pot, water containers and cooking utensils are also items required for important occasions and living habits; Gold and silver jewellery like bracelets, earrings, necklaces, rings and ankle bracelets are produced in both traditional and modern design; fashionable shoes are among the nation's important export items. Leather, available in plenty, also goes to make good drums; Among traditional musical instruments are both bowed and plucked string instruments like the krar, abungala, and wata, unusually long wind instruments like the embilta and melekhet and drums known as keboro.