Asmara Eritrea - May 21st 2005

 

The Medeber markets are another place to bring copies of last years pictures. And a nice scene to make some new, although I must admit that nothing really changed.

But I like the place. Hard working people. Typical Eritrean. USA oil cans are turned into cooking utensils. Cog wheels from automobile gears are welded into graveyard crosses. Complete iron gates, windows, gutters, ovens, beds Recycling is taken to new levels here at Medeber markets.

In other workshops spices are refined, grinded and mixed into Berbere. The dust of these spices strikes your lungs, when passing the workshops and even more when you enter them (when invited). The girls ask when I will be back to give them their pictures. I did not forget them this time. I will not forget them next time.

Using some chewing gum, I attach Fred Siwak's butterfly to one of the stalls. Nobody seems to care. A little girl is willing to pose next to the butterfly. It feels like connecting two worlds. I buy the girl a Coke to reward her courage. This gesture is attracting a lot of new children. With the help of an interpreter, I explain the meaning of the butterfly: "It will fly where Fred cannot go, because of his handicap."

After some hours, I have seen it all and in a slow pace I walk back to the city center, passing the many stalls selling household stuff, shoes, clothes, second hand books and toys. I enter the Nda Mariam church compound , using a side entrance. Some people are either praying or meditating.

Not far from the church is Bar Selas, my favorite place for a rest and a beer or coke. I shake hands with Freweini and her father, Tesfai. I show Freweini today's pictures, hoping she will melt. She makes it a sport not to be pictured for the last three years.

In the early afternoon I walk back to the main street. No sign of parades or any other activity yet. It is almost 4 o'clock in the afternoon when some police pickups unload a few dozen of police men, who will take their position to divert the traffic and to stop the people crossing the road. Police motor cycles with red flashing lights and sirens indicate the show is about to begin.

A marching band is followed a a carnival parade. Children, lories, priests. A small intro to this evenings recreational program on Bahti Meskerem Square of cultural shows, music and dance. The pictures below will speak for themselves. As a guest I can walk freely to the dancing Saho, Kunama and other cultural troups to make some nice pictures.

 

Workshops Medeber - Asmara Eritrea.

One of Fred Siwak's butterflies at Medeber markets - Asmara Eritrea.

Female workers - Medeber markets - Asmara Eritrea.

Kasanet selling peanuts and cigarettes - Asmara Eritrea.

Boys enjoying ice cream - Harnet Avenue - Asmara Eritrea.

Marching band - Harnet Avenue - Asmara Eritrea.

Carnival - Harnet Avenue - Asmara Eritrea.

Children's Carnival - Harnet Avenue - Asmara Eritrea.

Eritrean Orthodox Tewahdo Church - Harnet Avenue - Asmara Eritrea.

Women of various ethnic groups, singing and displaying traditional dance.
Celebrations of 14th Independence Day - Bahti Meskerem Asmara Eritrea.

Men of various ethnic groups, singing and displaying traditional dance.
Celebrations of 14th Independence Day - Bahti Meskerem Asmara Eritrea.

Kunama traditional troupe singing and displaying the Kunama tradition.
Celebrations of 14th Independence Day - Bahti Meskerem Asmara Eritrea.

Kunama traditional troupe singing and displaying the Kunama tradition.
Celebrations of 14th Independence Day - Bahti Meskerem Asmara Eritrea.

Saho traditional troupe singing and and displaying the Saho tradition
Celebrations of 14th Independence Day - Bahti Meskerem Asmara Eritrea.

Girls of the Asmara University giving a street show on African drum beats.
Celebrations of 14th Independence Day - Bahti Meskerem Asmara Eritrea.