Elabered Eritrea - September 15th 2002

 

Today we go to Elabered, a beautiful agricultural center 25 kilometers from Keren, famous for its oranges, mango trees, tomato's and hundreds of Dutch cows, providing milk and meat to the region.

We walk for several hours, crossing the meadows and visit an old Italian farm. When we pass the cows there is some confusion. Habte tells me the man who takes care of them asks me to get back. The cows are afraid of the video camera. I have to laugh. Dutch cows afraid of a Dutch tourist with a video camera?

Elabered also was the scene of heavy fights in 1977. Lots of rusty military hardware defaces the so beautiful landscape with its green hills, fruit trees and huge stones.

Back in Keren, both Hansu and Afworki are a bit worried. Do the brothers of Afworki have a permit to travel to Nacfa tomorrow? Usually when the military are off duty, the receive a permit which allows them to travel in certain areas, but Afworki doubts if Gebre or Habte have a permit to visit Nacfa. "God will help us" Hansu says.

 

Wall painting on a little restaurant in Elabered

Think I recognize Meles Zenawi, prime minister of Ethiopia on the right side.

Huge trees in he Elabered region.

Little workers houses in Elabered.

Traditional house in Elabered.

Traditional kitchen Elabered.

Hundreds of Dutch cows grazing in Elabered.

Entrance to one of the Elabered estate.

Riverbed near Elabered.

Curious shaped soil as a result of erosion near Elabered.