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Eritrea
Ertra
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Customs and Culture
Customs and Culture
Cultural Attributes
Eritreans believe in cooperation and friendliness. Self-sufficiency is also valued. Love of country is important.
The Red Sea's Resilient Shore
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6 more cultural topics for members
Social Customs & Etiquette · Diet · Family · Dating Customs · Recreation · Student Life
Holidays
Independence Day
5/24Independence Day
Dates of Interest
- September 1st
How do people greet each other in Eritrea?
Greetings vary by region and ethnic group, but generally involve a handshake and always inquiring about one's well-being.
Do
- Shake hands (highlanders and urban dwellers)
- Ask about the other person's well-being when greeting
- Use a general greeting like 'Salaam'
- Call people by their surname; use second-person plural to show respect
Good to know
- Villagers may nudge right shoulders during a handshake
- Urban dwellers shake hands and 'kiss the air' while touching cheeks three times
- Muslims grasp and kiss each other's right hands, asking 'Kefelhal?'
- Boys and men often hold hands in friendship
What are the dining customs in Eritrea?
Diners eat from a communal tray at a low table, using only the right hand and taking the portion in front of them; guests are always served tea or coffee.
Do
- Eat with your right hand
- Take only the portion of food in front of you
- Accept the tea or coffee always offered to guests
Don’t
- Don't expect everyone to eat together—in highland families children and adults eat separately
Good to know
- Before the meal, the oldest man blesses a piece of bread and offers some to each person
- The hostess serves guests and eats later with the children
- Ingera (also called taitah) accompanies spicy dishes
- Orthodox Christians eat no animal products on Wednesdays and Fridays
What should I know about etiquette and visiting in Eritrea?
Eritreans value cooperation and friendliness; visiting among friends and relatives is common without invitation, and guests are usually invited to share a meal.
Do
- Bring a gift when visiting on special occasions—townspeople take tea or coffee, villagers bring local produce or firewood
- Enjoy the prolonged conversation of the tea and coffee ceremony
Good to know
- For some events, men and women socialize separately
- A heavy barley porridge, ga'at, is served to welcome new babies
- When someone dies, friends and relatives cook for the grieving family for twenty-one days
How should I dress in Eritrea?
Eritreans wear Western-style clothing, though traditional dress remains common among highlanders and Muslims.
Good to know
- Highland Christian women often wear white cotton dresses with embroidery and a matching shawl
- Highland men wear a long-sleeved knee-length white shirt over white pants
- Muslim men wear long gowns and caps; women cover their dresses with cloth called luiet
- Women and girls do wear pants
What gestures should I use or avoid in Eritrea?
The right hand is used for gesturing and eating, and pointing at people is considered impolite.
Do
- Use your right hand for gesturing
- Beckon by waving all fingers with palm facing out
- Snap your fingers to show agreement
- Raise a hand high as a greeting
Don’t
- Don't point at people
- Don't wave a hand back and forth—it is a negative signal
Good to know
- Young girls keep knees together and uncrossed, with elbows on knees, to show respect
What is family life like in Eritrea?
The family—often including grandparents, parents, and four or more children—is regarded as more important than any individual within it.
Good to know
- A son and his wife generally live with his parents for a couple of years after marrying
- Almost all marriages are arranged, though the couple usually makes the final decision
- Homes are always kept clean and neat
What do people do for fun and sport in Eritrea?
Soccer is the most popular sport, and traditional games are widely played, especially by children in rural areas.
Good to know
- Fans gather by the thousands at Asmara Stadium to support the national football team
- Volleyball is also liked by many
- Traditional games include Kwosso (Afar goatskin ball game), Feres gugs (on horseback), and the board game Gabata
- Children enjoy games like Arimando (marble race), Inkil (played with old car tires), blabburo, cucinetti, and kib-kib
Last updated: 2026-07-12 · Sources: CountryReports
Photos of Eritrea
Photos of Eritrea
Travel and Tourism
Travel and Tourism
- Travel Alert Status
- Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
- Currency
- 15.38
- Time Difference
- UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
- Climate
- The climate in the central highlands, including Asmara, is near perfection, usually in the 70”™s or 80”™s during the day, cooling off to the 50”™s at night. There is little humidity and it seldom rains except during the July/August rainy season when daily afternoon showers are the norm. Asmara receives about 21 inches of rain each year. April, May and June are the warmest months on the plateau, with the cooler season stretching from November to March. Temperatures in the lowlands can be scorchingly hot, typically ranging from 105°F to 120°F, sometimes more, in August. Along the coast, including in the port cities of Massawa and Assab, high humidity often accompanies the heat. Winter highs here are around 90, with evening temperatures in the 70s.
- Airports
- 18
Read the full travel guide — health, safety, vaccinations, disease risk, sanitation, and transit details.
View full travel guideRecipes
Recipes
History
History
Historical Eras
Ancient & Medieval Eritrea
300 – 1500
Eritrea formed a core part of the powerful Aksumite Kingdom, one of the ancient world's great trading empires, centered on the Red Sea coast. Following Aksum's decline, Arab merchants introduced Islam to the coastal lowlands from the 7th century onward, reshaping the region's religious and commercial character. Successive local sultanates and competing regional powers contested control of the strategically vital Red Sea littoral.
Ottoman & Pre-Colonial Era
1500 – 1885
The Ottoman Empire annexed Eritrea's coastal territories in the 16th century, establishing Massawa as a key Red Sea port and administrative hub. Ottoman influence gradually waned, and Egyptian khedival forces occupied parts of the region in the 19th century. This era was defined by shifting suzerainties among Ottoman, Egyptian, and local Tigrinya and lowland powers, leaving no unified political entity prior to European colonization.
Italian Colonialism
1885 – 1941
Italy established the colony of Eritrea in 1885–1890, creating the country's modern borders and naming it after the Latin term for the Red Sea. Italian authorities developed infrastructure, ports, and the capital Asmara, while subjugating the population under a racially stratified colonial system. In 1896, Italy launched its catastrophic invasion of Ethiopia from Eritrean territory, suffering decisive defeat at the Battle of Adwa.
British Administration
1941 – 1952
British forces expelled the Italians from Eritrea in 1941 during World War II and administered the territory first as a military occupation and then as a UN trust territory. Postwar deliberations over Eritrea's fate became intensely contested, with Eritrean political parties divided between independence and union with Ethiopia. A 1950 UN resolution ultimately imposed federation with Ethiopia over widespread Eritrean objections.
Federation, Annexation & Liberation War
1952 – 1991
The UN-brokered federation with Ethiopia quickly eroded as Emperor Haile Selassie curtailed Eritrean autonomy, and his 1962 outright annexation ignited a decades-long armed independence struggle. The Eritrean Liberation Front (ELF) and later the Eritrean People's Liberation Front (EPLF), led by Isaias Afwerki, fought successive Ethiopian governments, including the Soviet-backed Marxist Derg regime. The EPLF achieved final military victory in May 1991 after the collapse of Soviet support for Mengistu Haile Miriam's government.
Independence & Modern Eritrea
1991 – present
Eritrea formally declared independence following a 1993 referendum in which over 99% voted for sovereignty, with Isaias Afwerki becoming the first president. A devastating border war with Ethiopia from 1998 to 2000 killed approximately 70,000 people before a UN-brokered ceasefire established a monitored buffer zone, though final border demarcation remained unresolved for years. Domestically, the government consolidated single-party rule under the People's Front for Democracy and Justice, drawing sustained international criticism for authoritarian governance and indefinite military conscription.
Overview
Prior to Italian colonization in 1885, what is now Eritrea had been ruled by the various local or international powers that successively dominated the Red Sea region. In 1896, the Italians used Eritrea as a springboard for their disastrous attempt to conquer Ethiopia. Eritrea was placed under British military administration after the Italian surrender in World War II. In 1952, a UN resolution federating Eritrea with Ethiopia went into effect.
Timeline of Key Events
300 – 600
Eritrea part of the Ethiopian kingdom of Aksum.
Eritrea part of the Ethiopian kingdom of Aksum.
600
Arabs introduce Islam to coastal areas.
Arabs introduce Islam to coastal areas.
1500
Ottoman Empire annexes Eritrea.
Ottoman Empire annexes Eritrea.
1891 – 1941
Eritrea was occupied by the Italians for almost 50 years.
Eritrea was occupied by the Italians for almost 50 years.
1941
The British seized Eritrea from the Italians.
The British seized Eritrea from the Italians.
1949
Britain administers Eritrea as a United Nations trust territory.
Britain administers Eritrea as a United Nations trust territory.
1952
UN decides to make Eritrea a federal component of Ethiopia.
UN decides to make Eritrea a federal component of Ethiopia.
Read the full history profile — narrative overview, defining eras, and the complete timeline in one place.
View expanded historyInteresting Facts
Interesting Facts
The name Eritrea comes from the Greek word erythrea, meaning red. The word is referred to in a famous shipping manual called Periplus of the Erythrean Sea. The name Erythrean or Red Sea refers to the way that the water's turquoise colour changes to scarlet when algae form at certain times.
The camel is the national emblem of Eritrea. During Eritrea's war of independence from Ethiopia, the camel was the main mode of transportation for moving food supplies, arms, ammunition and people across the country.
The Red Sea is a unique body of water. Because no rivers flow into it, the sea has a higher salt content than most oceans. Volcanic activity beneath the surface causes water temperatures to be generally high. Over 1,000 species and subspecies of marine life live in the sea, approximately 15% of which are unique to this area.
In 1995, one of the oldest human fossils ever found was discovered in Eritrea, leading experts to speculate that Eritrea may well be the cradle of our species. The fossil is estimated to be over one million years old.
See every fact — trivia, oddities, and curious tidbits gathered from across the country.
View all interesting factsGeography and Environment
Geography and Environment
- Terrain
- dominated by extension of Ethiopian north-south trending highlands, descending on the east to a coastal desert plain, on the northwest to hilly terrain and on the southwest to flat-to-rolling plains
- Climate
- The climate in the central highlands, including Asmara, is near perfection, usually in the 70’s or 80’s during the day, cooling off to the 50’s at night. There is little humidity and it seldom rains except during the July/August rainy season when daily afternoon showers are the norm. Asmara receives about 21 inches of rain each year. April, May and June are the warmest months on the plateau, with the cooler season stretching from November to March. Temperatures in the lowlands can be scorchingly hot, typically ranging from 105ºF to 120ºF, sometimes more, in August. Along the coast, including in the port cities of Massawa and Assab, high humidity often accompanies the heat. Winter highs here are around 90, with evening temperatures in the 70s.
- Natural Hazards
- frequent droughts; locust swarms
- Current Environmental Issues
- deforestation; desertification; soil erosion; overgrazing; loss of infrastructure from civil warfare
Read the full geography and environment profile — terrain, climate, natural resources, hazards, land use, and international agreements.
View full geographyPeople & Demographics
People & Demographics
Religion
Languages Spoken
Afar, Arabic, Tigre and Kunama, Tigrinya, other Cushitic languages
- Arabic
- Tigrinya
Population
- Population
- 3,748,901
- Population in Major Urban Areas
- ASMARA (capital) 712,000
- Nationality Noun
- Eritrean(s)
- Ethnic Groups
- Ethnic Tigrinya 50%, Tigre and Kunama 40%, Afar 4%, Saho (Red Sea coast dwellers) 3%, other 3%
- Language Note
- Eritrea has no official language. Tigrinya, Arabic and English are all government, working languages. Tigrinya is spoken by highlanders, and is related to Tigre, spoken by people in the western and eastern lowlands. They use an ancient Ge'ez script. Like Arabic, they are both Semitic tongues. Arabic is widely used in commerce.
Education
- Literacy Definition
- NA
Ten years after the independence of Eritrea, the government started investing enormously in the educational sector. Recent surveys have concluded that school enrollment in Eritrea has increased to more than 200% as compared to the rate of enrollment 5 years ago. Although many schools in the countryside are below average level, most urban schools are of modern architecture and provide students with reasonable environments for learning. However, most Eritrean schools lack modern scientific laboratories and other experimental tools that are the cornerstone of a successful education process. Moreover, a high percentage of Eritrean schools don’t have adequate computers to serve their students’ needs. A few schools across Eritrea offer their students Internet access on campus. Eritrean students have to wear school uniforms that differ according to the level of education.
Health Information
- Life Expectancy at Birth
- Life expectancy at birth in Eritrea stands at approximately 67 to 68 years for the overall population, with women generally outliving men by several years. Female life expectancy hovers around 69 to 70 years, while male life expectancy is estimated at roughly 65 to 66 years. These figures represent a notable improvement over past decades, reflecting gradual advances in public health infrastructure, maternal care, and disease prevention efforts within the country. Eritrea's life expectancy gains have been shaped by a complex mix of factors. On the positive side, the government has prioritized community-based health programs, vaccination campaigns, and the expansion of rural health facilities, which have contributed to reductions in child mortality and improvements in basic care access. Malaria control initiatives have also played a role in extending average lifespans, particularly in lowland and coastal regions where the disease has historically been most prevalent. However, significant challenges persist. Eritrea remains one of the lower-income nations in the Horn of Africa, and its healthcare system faces ongoing resource constraints. Access to clean water, adequate nutrition, and specialized medical services varies considerably between urban centers like Asmara and more remote rural communities. Poverty, food insecurity, and limited access to advanced medical technology continue to place downward pressure on potential lifespan gains. Infectious diseases, including tuberculosis and malaria, remain among the leading health concerns affecting longevity. Additionally, Eritrea's political isolation and limited foreign aid relationships have constrained the country's ability to rapidly modernize its health sector. Despite these obstacles, the overall trend in life expectancy has been upward over recent decades. In the early 1990s, following independence in 1993, life expectancy was considerably lower, making the current figures a meaningful marker of progress. Continued investment in primary healthcare, nutrition programs, and maternal and child health services will be critical to sustaining and improving upon these gains in the years ahead.
- Major Infectious Diseases — degree of risk
- High
Life Expectancy
- Life Expectancy at Birth
- Life expectancy at birth in Eritrea stands at approximately 67 to 68 years for the overall population, with women generally outliving men by several years. Female life expectancy hovers around 69 to 70 years, while male life expectancy is estimated at roughly 65 to 66 years. These figures represent a notable improvement over past decades, reflecting gradual advances in public health infrastructure, maternal care, and disease prevention efforts within the country. Eritrea's life expectancy gains have been shaped by a complex mix of factors. On the positive side, the government has prioritized community-based health programs, vaccination campaigns, and the expansion of rural health facilities, which have contributed to reductions in child mortality and improvements in basic care access. Malaria control initiatives have also played a role in extending average lifespans, particularly in lowland and coastal regions where the disease has historically been most prevalent. However, significant challenges persist. Eritrea remains one of the lower-income nations in the Horn of Africa, and its healthcare system faces ongoing resource constraints. Access to clean water, adequate nutrition, and specialized medical services varies considerably between urban centers like Asmara and more remote rural communities. Poverty, food insecurity, and limited access to advanced medical technology continue to place downward pressure on potential lifespan gains. Infectious diseases, including tuberculosis and malaria, remain among the leading health concerns affecting longevity. Additionally, Eritrea's political isolation and limited foreign aid relationships have constrained the country's ability to rapidly modernize its health sector. Despite these obstacles, the overall trend in life expectancy has been upward over recent decades. In the early 1990s, following independence in 1993, life expectancy was considerably lower, making the current figures a meaningful marker of progress. Continued investment in primary healthcare, nutrition programs, and maternal and child health services will be critical to sustaining and improving upon these gains in the years ahead.
Read the full people and society profile — demographics, health, education, religion, languages, and notable people.
View full people and societyGovernment & Politics
Government & Politics
Country Identity
- Country Name
- Eritrea
- Full Country Name
- State of Eritrea
- Local - Long
- Hagere Ertra
- Local - Short
- Ertra
- Former Name
- Eritrea Autonomous Region in Ethiopia
Government Structure
- Government Type
- transitional government
- Legal System
- primary basis is the Ethiopian legal code of 1957, with revisions; new civil, commercial, and penal codes have not yet been promulgated; also relies on customary and post-independence-enacted laws and, for civil cases involving Muslims, Sharia law
- Executive Branch
- chief of state: President ISAIAS Afwerki (since 8 June 1993); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government and serves as head of the State Council and National Assembly head of government: President ISAIAS Afwerki (since 8 June 1993); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government and serves as head of the State Council and National Assembly cabinet: State Council is the collective executive authority; members appointed by the president elections: the president is elected by the National Assembly; the last election was held on 8 June 1993, when Eritrea gained independence; no subsequent presidential elections have been held, and the National Assembly has been suspended since 2002, leaving ISAIAS Afwerki as the country's sole leader without a renewed electoral mandate election results: ISAIAS Afwerki elected president; percent of National Assembly vote - ISAIAS Afwerki 95%
- Legislative Branch
- Unicameral National Assembly (150 seats; term limits not established) Eritrea has operated without a functioning legislature for decades. Following the adoption of the constitution in May 1997, a Transitional National Assembly was established, composed of 75 members of the PFDJ (People's Front for Democracy and Justice) Central Committee, 60 members of the 527-member Constituent Assembly that had been convened to ratify the new constitution, and 15 representatives of Eritreans living abroad. This body was intended to serve as the country's legislative authority until nationwide elections to a permanent National Assembly could be held. Although the constitution stipulates that all members of the National Assembly are to be elected by secret ballot of all eligible voters, elections scheduled for December 2001 were postponed indefinitely following a government crackdown on political dissent. No national elections have been held since Eritrea's independence-era vote in 1993. The PFDJ remains the sole legal political party, and the 1997 constitution has never been fully implemented. A new constitutional review process was announced in 2012 and a revised constitution was ratified in 2023, though meaningful legislative activity and free elections remain absent, leaving effective political power consolidated in the executive under President Isaias Afwerki.
- Judicial Branch
- High Court - regional, subregional, and village courts; also have military and special courts
- Suffrage
- 18 years of age; universal
- Constitution
- the transitional constitution, decreed on 19 May 1993, was replaced by a new constitution adopted on 23 May 1997, but not yet implemented
- Independence
- 24 May 1993
- National Holiday
- Independence Day, 24 May (1993)
Capital City
- Capital Name
- Asmara
- Capital - geographic coordinate
- 15 20 N, 38 56 E
- Capital Time Difference
- UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
The name means "they [women] made them unite," which according to Tigrinya oral tradition refers to the women of the four clans in the Asmara area who persuaded their menfolk to unite and defeat their common enemy; the name has also been translated as "live in peace"
Military
Branches: Eritrean Armed Forces: Eritrean Ground Forces, Eritrean Navy, Eritrean Air Force (includes Air Defense Force)
Embassy / Diplomatic Mission
U.S. Embassy Eritrea
179 Alaa Street, PO Box 211, Asmara
Telephone: (291-1) 12-00-04
Facsimile: (291-1) 124-255 and (291-1) 127-584
Read the full government profile — flag symbolism, national anthem, and other national symbols.
View full government detailsEconomy
Economy
Since independence from Ethiopia on 24 May 1993, Eritrea has faced the economic challenges of a small, low-income country.
Snapshot
- Currency Name and Code
- nakfa (ERN)
- GDP — official exchange rate
- $1,244,000,000 (USD)
- GDP Real Growth Rate
- 3.1%
- GDP by Sector
- agriculture: 12.4% industry: 25.3% services: 62.4%
News & Weather
News & Weather
Current Weather
Latest News
US steps up Eritrea, Somalia talks over Red Sea access - Semafor
Semafor · 2d ago
Behind Cairo’s Push for a US-Eritrea Rapprochement - horn review
horn review · 6d ago
Who is driving diplomacy in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea, and why? - Al Jazeera
Al Jazeera · 6d ago
Atrocity Alert No. 488: Eritrea, Central African Republic and Children and Armed Conflict - Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect
Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect · 33d ago
Ethiopia and Eritrea are on the brink of war again - Atlantic Council
Atlantic Council · 66d ago
Could Eritrea come in from the cold? - The Economist
The Economist · 46d ago
UN expert raises concern about the deterioration of human rights in Eritrea - Jurist.org
Jurist.org · 36d ago
Veteran freedom fighter Minister Semere Russom passes away - Eritrea Ministry Of Information
Eritrea Ministry Of Information · 4d ago
News via Google News
Climate Overview
The climate in the central highlands, including Asmara, is near perfection, usually in the 70”™s or 80”™s during the day, cooling off to the 50”™s at night. There is little humidity and it seldom rains except during the July/August rainy season when daily afternoon showers are the norm. Asmara receives about 21 inches of rain each year. April, May and June are the warmest months on the plateau, with the cooler season stretching from November to March.
Temperatures in the lowlands can be scorchingly hot, typically ranging from 105°F to 120°F, sometimes more, in August. Along the coast, including in the port cities of Massawa and Assab, high humidity often accompanies the heat. Winter highs here are around 90, with evening temperatures in the 70s.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Eritrea?
How do people greet each other in Eritrea?
What are the dining customs in Eritrea?
What should I know about etiquette and visiting in Eritrea?
How should I dress in Eritrea?
What gestures should I use or avoid in Eritrea?
What is family life like in Eritrea?
What do people do for fun and sport in Eritrea?
What is the capital of Eritrea?
Where is Eritrea located?
What countries border Eritrea?
What religions are practiced in Eritrea?
What is the currency of Eritrea?
What languages are spoken in Eritrea?
What is the geography of Eritrea like?
What is Eritrea known for?
Last reviewed 2026