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From: awetnayu@hotmail.com
Date: Mon Jan 17 2011 - 12:49:49 EST
Eritrea Is a
Grateful Nation
Amanuel Biedemariam
If one runs into any
Eritrean and ask how she or he is doing; the answer is always, “Al Hamdu
Li-Lah” or “Temesghen Amlakh”, which means thanks to God/Allah. This is true no
matter what the time, place or prevailing circumstances. It is Eritrean nature
to always be grateful no matter what.
During the struggle for
our Independence; Eritrea faced some of the darkest moments in
her history. Yet, from the beginning of the struggle until independence,
Eritreans espoused unshakable faith, confidence and gratefulness. When the
archaic monarchy of Ethiopia ascended on the people
of Eritrea and started killing and imprisoning Eritreans en mass;
Eritreans gathered their faith and braced for the struggle ahead. After the
start of the struggle, Eritrea gradually turned into a big prison.
Villages were being torched by Ethiopian soldiers to teach Eritrean communities
lessons with one aim, to quell the rebellion. And as the struggle
progressed Eritrea’s trials and tribulations intensified. Yet, Eritreans
doubly intensified their faith and braced for more.
To make matters worse,
on top of the war with Ethiopia, Eritreans fought a civil war that cost
the lives of thousands of dear Eritrean youth. This was a source of major
anguish for the mothers and fathers that saw their beloved perish needlessly.
In addition the Derg hankered down, shutting all the check
points, cutting cities from villages in an effort to secure its
stronghold. Families were cut-off from each other and barriers were created
making traditional trade difficult. People were unable to get commodities.
Everything was scarce and expensive. People were unable to work; schools were
shut forcing students to become aimless wanderers.
Those days were very dark.
Eritrean families were beset by problem after problem mired in a cycle of
seemingly endless violence that affected the lives of every family. With the
help of the Soviet Union, the military regime
of Ethiopia intensified its military campaigns that suffocated every
aspect of Eritrean life and forced thousands to flee to Sudan. At one
moment, it seemed as though Ethiopia succeeded in
destroying Eritrea’s aspiration and momentum. Eritreans also faced
daunting instabilities when villages, cities and towns were changing hands
between the fronts and Ethiopia. The hardship, the killing and the bad
news kept on mounting. Eritrea became hell on earth to compel some to
say, “Even the stones are burning.” People were destroying furniture for wood, no
electricity, water, food or money. It was extremely dire that it felt time
stood-still as the nation was being torched. It was a nightmare and hell on
earth. While Eritreans have endured many challenges; those were the darkest
days that could serve as a measuring stick to the depth of sufferings Eritrea
endured to get to here and now.
However, Eritrean
mothers and fathers remained faithful and thankful and prayed day in and out.
They prayed for the victorious return of their children and peaceful life. They
prayed to free their children from shackles and Ethiopia’s
dungeon-prisons. They prayed and kept praying anguished. Yet they remained
faithful and grateful.
Then freedom,
jubilations and hope for a better future resonated on the hearts of all
Eritreans after 1991. However, the TPLF regime, at the behest of its masters
cast darkness into the fresh wounds of a nation that just begun to exhale in a
brief respite. That was a calculated move based on a belief that Eritreans have
let their guards down. But, to quote President Isaias, “Eritreans reacted like
bee, when its hive gets attacked.” Mothers, fathers and kids escorted
their sons, daughters, brothers and sisters with joy handing them whatever they
can. Mothers went to the fronts giving those fighting milk and comfort. That
too passed. As it passed, it tested the will, endurance, the unity, commitment,
loyalty and above all, it tested the will-to-sacrifice of every Eritrean. And
Eritreans passed it with flying colors.
But, why
did Eritrea succeed when all the weight of the world was weighing
mightily on them? How did Eritreans manage when all was denied to them?
How did Eritrea survive when all those who were tested in a similar
manner faltered in despair? How did Eritrea use that negative into a
positive? What inspires Eritrea to persevere? What is the secret?
Eritrea survived
and is thriving in a transformative stage as a young nation. We can credit it
to unity,
perseverance, dedication, commitment, selflessness and sacrifice and so on for
the successes…but, gratitude
stands as the key ingredient above all tying it all together. When things were
rough, scarce and, people suffered as a result; Eritreans never lost their
gracious nature. Neighbors looked-out and supported each other with grace. No
matter how bad things got, Eritreans always raised their level of
tolerance and perseverance knowing those golden days will arrive. There was no
time-frame, just a hopeful outlook, a can do spirit and a belief that our
better future lays ahead.
At the height of the wars, it
was uplifting to see mothers gathering everything they had and, take it to the
fronts with the hopes of seeing their sons and daughters. They gave all they
had to support their kids at a great risk to their lives. They traveled a great
distance often on foot following a hunch of the whereabouts of their kids. On
the way, they always encountered Ethiopian military check points that conducted
intrusive and extensive searches. When they reached the areas occupied by
Eritrean fighters (Tegadelti) they were not often successful to find their sons
and daughters. However, they got satisfaction by spending time with the
Tegadelti. Here is a beauty. These mothers never asked their kids to come back
with them. They always encouraged their kids and wished them success and went
back to their hollowed lives in the Ethiopian occupied cities. When asked, “why
do you trouble these much?” those mothers always said, “Temesghen, intay
Kefiuna n-skum eko ale-khumo” or, “Thank God/Allah we are not the ones
suffering; you are our concerns”. These mothers followed every step their kids
stepped on. They gave them moral support, comforted them and provided
assistance. One must keep in mind that the mothers were visiting hardened
fighters that did not want to have emotional attachment with their families
once they joined the struggle.
When one has
nothing, anything becomes plenty. For Eritreans gratitude is and remains
necessary for continuity and success. When the struggle started, Eritreans
had nothing. No medicine, clothing, ammunition, tanks, money, supplies,
women’s-needs and necessities. They didn’t have regular food supplies, set
stations that they can call home. All they had was each other and a vision of a
free Eritrea. They scavenged for a lot of their needs. They built the
Eritrean army from munitions that they took from the Ethiopian military. When
they killed enemy soldiers and stripped their guns and other
belongings, it was a sense of accomplishment. When they took away
Ethiopia’s armored vehicles and tank, it was a joyous moment and a sign that
their ideas and endurance is paying off big. It was a beginning of bigger
successes to come.
When Eritreans liberated
areas and settled in it; students that use to learn in caves and under trees
started to learn in class rooms. Eritreans grew their food and started to
implement the programs that are based on the self reliance ideals. The villagers
gathered and built roads with bare hands and
shovels. Eritrea manufactured her own plastic cups and other plastic
products. It manufactured her own shoes “Shida” that is the symbol of the
struggle and a reminder of those that passed. They manufactured soaps and other
industrial needs within the liberated areas. In other words it was the birth of
a nation; a nation that believed; a nation that could not look for others to
stand for her and knew that others will not stand for her. This was also the
mindset of all Eritreans abroad. They knew no-one will come to the aid of
Eritrea. They understood their responsibilities and worked hand and glove and
struggled with their brothers and sisters. That was a synergy that served as a
foundation for today’s Eritrea.
Eritreans have been
thankful and remain thankful for every little achievement because that is a
step forward and a departure from the past. It is also the basis that served as
a foundation for what Eritrea is today. Most forget that Eritreans believed
and worked to be self reliant from the very beginning. The foundation for what
Eritrea is today was set decades back. The pharmaceutical industry that is
sprouting started in caves during thick war times.
The Fred Hollows Hospital in the center
of Asmara that is exporting all types of optical products, in a way,
started in the fields of Eritrea. The water dams and agricultural
infrastructures that Eritrea put in place is an example of a
visionary nation that is ahead of all. It is a reason to celebrate and be
thankful because people in other countries are rioting for scarcity and price
hikes of food and fuel.
It takes a certain
characteristics to say thanks and work hard regardless of the times. That is
what defines Eritreans. Eritreans have always sacrificed
for Eritrea and each other often at great personal price. While most
Africans and people from the Middle East focused on themselves;
Eritreans focused on their country and each other. Every one that passed through Sudan, Italy and
other places knows the generosity of Eritrean mothers. Eritrean mothers abroad
cleaned floors to support their families, the struggle and the refugees all at
the same time. They gave all they had including their Jewelry in times of
needs. This was not a onetime event. It is a way of life for Eritreans
everywhere. The signs of Eritrean gratefulness are in every aspect of Eritrean
life today. The railroad industry that is attracting worldwide attention is
one. After Westerners demanded billions to repair the railroads
tracks; Eritrea looked inward and used indigenous talent. Those that
revived the railroads and the trains are revered and appreciated for leaving a
legacy. They are the true role model for future generations.
Conclusion
As we embark on the 20th
Anniversary of the independence of Eritrea, it is crucial that we look
back as we focus ahead and appreciate what makes Eritrea tick. It is
all around us with vivid examples. Those who live a thankless life and failed
to be grateful live empty lives that a friend calls a “Black-Hole.” They are
missing a lot of good to focus on perceived negatives and as a result
distancing themselves further and further. Their thankless nature is the
quicksand to their inevitable demise. They forget to site a famous quote,
“Those who declared death on Eritrea have died
and Eritrea is still there and those who are declaring death
on Eritrea will die and Eritrea will always be there!”
Yes, that is
true; Eritrea is marching gracefully; more thankful than ever because
while the enemies are being sifted as dirt, Eritreans are uplifted and lifted
to a new level. That is a result of all the small graces that Eritreans
embraced throughout the history of the blessed nation. Eritreans have always
known how blessed they are. All the blessings of our parents have come to
fruition and graced Eritrea with humble leaders and gracious people
that have become the envy of oppressed people in the region and beyond. And
every day that goes by, the secret of the people of Eritrea is being
exposed to the world. Therefore, in-order to grow what we have, we must all be
cognizant and be fully aware of the great blessings that surrounds us. We must
appreciate, as we always do, the joy and the blessing that we have on each other
and make it blossom to new levels. We must appreciate the efforts of each
other, be thankful for any little contribution and make it grow.
Above all, we must give
thanks to those who fought for years to bring the joy that
is Eritrea. We must be grateful to those who paid with limbs, eyes
ears and mental damages. We must be grateful for those who
lead Eritrea to where it is today. Most of all, we must not forget
those who perished to sustain Eritrea with their blood. Because the
greatest payoff for them is Eritrea’s success and continued gratitude for
their life. As we approach the 20the Anniversary of
Eritrea’s Independence, let us remind ourselves to be grateful and
keep in mind how lucky we are as we celebrate in honor of the martyrs.
Wetru Awet N-Hafash
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