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Eritrean Diaspora: Strengthening Connection to Home CountryKalekristos Zerisenay, Jul 22, 2008Owing to different reasons that range from political unrest to drought and famine, the Eritrean people are perhaps one of the most scattered people in the world. Statistical data estimate that about a fifth of the Eritrean population lives abroad. Examining your family members living abroad could give an insight. Despite the large number in the Diaspora, the Eritrean society is far from being fragmented mostly due to the attachment Eritrean immigrants have with their people and country. The attachment to their home country and people is so strong that Eritreans in Diaspora have hardly assimilated with the culture and society of their host countries. This is particularly evident in the first generation of immigrants who still maintain their culture.Research indicates that older Eritreans that migrated to the United States in the 1970s did not assimilate their host country. But the story is a little bit different when it comes to younger Eritreans who migrated around the same time. This group is adjusted in other areas of life. However, as this research represents only Eritreans in the United States, it may not give full image of how Eritreans are doing in other countries. Regardless of the level of assimilation to the people and culture of their host countries, almost all Eritreans have one thing in common–strong affection for their country. As such, most of them prefer to spend their leisure time in Eritrea. During summer, Eritrea welcomes a large number of its citizens in the Diaspora. This periodic visit is especially vital for those who were born and grown abroad, as well as for those who left their country during childhood. For this group of people, such a visit is a practical experience of what they used to hear and see about their country through the media and from their parents. Likewise, such a visit is an opportunity for Eritreans at home to exchange experience with their fellow citizens. Most importantly, it is a good opportunity for parents abroad that often worry about their children’s identity and culture. There are good reasons for older immigrants to worry about their children. Born and raised in an alien country, the youth are more likely to assimilate the culture of the host country than their parents. And this, added with no or rare contacts with their home country might eventually lead to identity crisis. With this and other considerations in mind, Eritreans in the Diaspora living in big cities have community centers which organize cultural shows and offer education for the young. Similarly Eritrean Embassies and Consulates are doing their best to keep young Eritreans informed about their country, people and culture. Indeed in many of the cities where large Eritrean communities exist, there are community development associations that strive to meet the needs of families and individuals. In cities like Seattle for instance, school tutoring, parenting, language, and computer classes, cultural dance and music for the youth, and gathering space for elders is given. In neighboring countries like Sudan and Saudi Arabia Eritrean communities in cooperation with Eritrean Embassies and the Ministry of Education have established schools that teach up to 12th grade. These efforts have shown a modest success. Young Eritreans in the Diaspora have become representatives of their country and close to their people. Indeed about 2000 people have come to participate in the 3rd National Youth festival in Sawa.

• Release Date

  Aug 13, 2008

• Runtime

  33:46