Category: Negarit
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Negarit 319: Eritrean Harikari, like The Japanese
In our culture, hurt or shamed persons never blame themselves but seek revenge on those who caused the shame or indignity, and the Japanese have a right tradition on that. But there are stories of determination, valor, and dignity. Let’s compare the Japanese Harikari and the Eritrean valor. Japanese are different. The Samurai were governed
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Negarit 318: Beware of Fake News and Misinformation
This article dives deep into the role of fake news and misinformation in the Horn of Africa, focusing on suspicious news outlets and personalities. We explore the spread of unverified rumors, the potential influence of foreign powers like the UAE, and the consequences of misleading narratives. Read or watch to understand why we must hold…
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PFDJ self-appointed Matchmakers
A stranger followed a young girl to her house. After a short time, he knocked on the door, and an elderly man answered. The stranger, seemingly uncertain, asked, “Is the girl who just walked in your daughter?” “Yes, she is my daughter. What’s the matter? What did she do?” The stranger assured him, “Nothing. What’s
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Understanding Stupidity: Inspired by Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Exploring the deeply rooted issue of stupidity in society and its relationship with ignorance. Drawing inspiration from Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s work on stupidity, we reflect on how societies can combat this dangerous trait through education, critical thinking, and philosophy. From the history of thinkers like Galileo to modern reflections on political ignorance, this video explores how…
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Abiy’s Red Sea Obsession and the Blue Wave’s Challenges
The last few weeks have been filled with significant developments, though one issue seems to have lost momentum: Abiy’s Red Sea obsession and the Blue Wave conference in Addis Ababa. It’s good to remember that hate of others doesn’t translate to love of your people; even the self-centered do not necessarily hate others; they must
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Notes on Culture, Identity, and Social Change
I have a habit of jotting down interesting things I see or hear. Today, I’d like to share a few of those notes with you. Yusra, the amazing performer Recently, many people sent me a clip of a young woman—a gifted artist—singing in multiple languages: English, Arabic, Bedawyet, Tigrigna, and Tigrayit. What an amazing performer!
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Excuse Me PFDJ, I’m Sorry
Rumors about Isaias Afwerki grooming his son, Abraham, to take over the presidency of Eritrea. Is it just a father passing down his legacy, or does it reflect a broader trend in global politics where dynasties and nepotism take center stage? Should Abraham be blamed for his father’s actions? The political system in Eritrea, along…
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Negarit 308: The Ethiopian Red Sea Craze
Over a week ago, I started to record an episode that I didn’t finish. This is what I prepared: For the last five or six months, I have been suffering from a nasty papilloma growth in my nostril. Tomorrow, I will lie on an operation table to get rid of it. Those of you who
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What is the PFDJ problem with the UN?
If you are oblivious to how things work, you risk feeding on every propaganda or rumor and endlessly blaming everyone but yourself. There is a danger of forgetting the root cause, thus point your fingers in the wrong direction. For instance, if you misplace any of your clothes, you would make sure to check the
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Negarit 306: Saving or Shooting?
Negarit 306 is the final episode for 2024; Happy New Year. As we welcome 2025 though the security situation in the Horn of Africa is as worrying as ever: Eritrea is still in the middle of a precarious situation. And nothing can improve unless the single ruling party and its leader change their attitudes and
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Negarit 305: Merry Christmas and New Year
Holidays, festivals, and celebrations are days to escape the grind of life and unwind. Christmas is one of those holidays. Before independence, though life choked with oppression and was brutal, we still remember it with nostalgia. Eritreans enjoyed a few holidays that we still cherish the memories despite the tragedies. Anything with limited supply is
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Brezidenti Isaias Named to Lead IGAD
Usually, there are a few people who get knee jerk reaction whenever Isaias is mentioned in a negative tone or criticized. Given the situation at home, I wish they get used to it. Isaias is not your pet, but a man who is ruthlessly ruling Eritreans unelected, for a too long. It’s better to swallow
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Isaias Calls for Intifada in Eritrea
Recently a usual “interview” of Isaias Afwerki was aired on Eritrean television; none of the people I talked to expected something new, but somehow all had the urge to listen to it. The interview was widely spread, thanks to the many Youtubers who rushed to publish it. People speak to the public because they have
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Stuttering Yemane Gebremeskel Does it Again!
Recently, the PFDJ has deployed its senior advocates, who are spreading provoking and controversial statements. At the same time, they are exposing their obsession with insulting the people’s intelligence and spreading confusion. In the last few days, a Swedish foundation awarded Dawit Isaak the prestigious “Edelstam Prize.” Dawit was the editor of the private Setit
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A Secret Letter To President Donald Trump
Satire: republished twice since 2016, and the following is a slightly updated version of it.11 Eight years ago, on November 8, 2008, I published Isaias’ congratulatory letter to the then president elect, Obama. On Nov. 9, 2016, I published Isaias’ congratulatory letter to president-elect Donald Trump. You will notice the two letters seem to have
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Modeling Election Done; Govern’t Election…
Today’s Negarit could well be version 2 of the 5-year-old episode, which was a sort of social critique. Generally, writers, journalists, and artists are keen observer of life; they mirror the life of societies. They expose forces, mainly pseudo-patriots who spread ignorance, bigotry, and chaos, unwilling to change despite the frequent reminders pointing to their
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Dear Brezidenti, Is The PFDJ A Fairy?
Growing up, my old aunt was bedridden. I used to visit her in her room, which had a rope with two ends fitted to the opposite wall. Clothes, towels, and a host of other things were hung there. My aunt saw things we couldn’t see hanged on the string. I will return to the remaining
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A Corporal Warned Eritrea!
In 2021, Negarit 147, I raised the issue of SFO Safer, an oil tanker that was stranded across the Hodeida, a Yemeni port on the Red Sea since 2015. At the time, it carried over a million barrels of oil. SFO Safer used as a storage tank for Yemeni oil that was piped from the
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Shall we calm down or not?
Our dialogue is a thermostat that reflects our mental development; reading comments, observing debates shows it all. I always strive and encourage my compatriots to dialogue calmly and rationally. So far, its satisfactory and I continue to do my part. Our state of mind needs to be refreshed like beating cotton. Sometimes mattresses and pillows
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Do Eritreans Envy Tigray?
Envy is a human trait; however, most people are often envious of people they know. They are rarely envious of people they don’t know or are geographically far removed from them. What’s the difference between envy and jealousy? Are they basically rooted on superstitions? I am not sure if the evil eye is envy or