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Interesting Facts about Eritrea

Trivia, oddities, and curious tidbits about Eritrea.

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17 curious facts about Eritrea.

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.

Most Eritreans are known by their first name, followed by their father's first name.
The Kunama are the only matrilineal group among the Eritreans. Kunaman women head families, and only people from a mother's side of the family are considered relatives.
In 1997, the Eritrean government named its new currency after the town of Nakfa. The site of an important battle during the war, Nakfa symbolizes freedom and resilience.
Eritreans derive their passion for cycling from the Italians. One of the toughest cycling races goes along the Asmara-Keren road. The 91-kilometre route has many hairpin bends, steep slopes and winding roads. The winner of this race goes on to represent Eritrea in international competitions.
Making Eritrean coffee or bun involves an elaborate ceremony usually performed for guests at home. The raw coffee beans are roasted over a small charcoal fire, then ground with a mortar and pestle. The grounds are slow boiled in a clay pot with a long neck, and then the coffee is poured into tiny cups and mixed with lots of sugar. The process takes over an hour.
Rather than going to a doctor or hospital, many Eritreans prefer taking a dip in a maicholot, one of the country's numerous hot springs that are believed to cure sickness.