Author: Chefena Hailemariam
-
Critical Reading: a reply
Introductory notes :For all the reductionist talk that try to depict the current crisis in narrow, simplistic, static, dichotomized views, the turn of events are much more fluid, characterized by inconsistencies, unpredictability, indeterminacies, ambiguities and ambivalences as actors keep on aligning and realigning themselves to gain political favorsmotivated by tactical rather than strategic interests. It
-
The Eritrean keyboard Master: Abdalla Abubakar
Abdalla Abubakar’s towering contribution towards the development of the Eritrean music had not received its due acknowledgement until late. Thanks to the efforts made by Habtom Debessay, there is a documentary released recounting the 50 years of musical life of the legendary Abdallah Abubakar. The war of liberation was raging and came closer to the
-
Eritrea: A Classic African dictator took over (Book Review)
Book Reviewer: Chefena Hailemariam Bjork, Christina. 2019. Eritrea: A Classic African dictator took over. Themes, Stockholm. ISBN 978-91-985588-0-7 Christina Bjork’s book which made its debut in 2019 is about the history of modern Eritrea with a focus on the armed struggle. Her book comprises of twelve sections of personal narratives drawn from her in depth
-
Post-DC Voices and Identity Politics (Part II)
Introductory note “Countering dominant and hegemonic narratives is the flip-side of being complicit” (Michel Bamberg 2004). [i] In my part I, I promised that I was going to do rhetorical analysis on DC Yiakil Boito based on (mis)representation its detractors. Given the gravity the of the subject and its consequences one feels obliged to react
-
Post-DC Voices and Identity Politics (Part I)
Introduction “ይኣክል” or “Enough” is a dynamic grassroots based process around which Eritreans globally are getting organized to make their voices heard and stand up against tyranny. Undoubtedly, the movement is marking visible gains world-wide as the fields of mobilisation get wider with renewed revolutionary fervour. But everything has not been rosy as its critics,
-
PFDJ’s Art of Deception
A cultural troupe overflew Mekele, where it could have enjoyed much excitement from bigger and more lively audience. But this 60-person contingent was ordered to impress the Amhara, Isaias’ new allies. The claimed objective of this programme. To ‘celebrate the peace and friendship agreement and develop cultural exchange between the two countries. Far from achieving
-
Grassroots view: The Discourse of Martyrdom and Sovereignty (P2)
In Part I tried to show two separate narratives or discourses around martyrdom, sovereignty, and nationalism as represented by the dominant Party-State versus the grassroots or popular views. I also argued the Party-State’s intense propaganda that the population have been subjected to on its own, cannot explain why the majority of the communities, at least
-
Grassroots View: The Discourse of Martyrdom and Sovereignty
Introductory note: This article is based on my contribution to a panel discussion on the 14th of May 2016 organized to mark the Eritrean Martyrs Memorial Day. By way of introduction let me share with you the following brief anecdote. On reading the email posting announcing the event, a friend of mine suggested that I was
-
In Search Of An Appropriate Politics For Eritreans Diaspora
After years of silence and indifference, it looks that some Eritrean academics and professionals in the Diaspora have started to come up with personal views on the ways the Eritrean politics is being played out. I read an article dated June 16, 2015 on the Internet that primarily forwards ideas on why it is important
-
The Revolutionary Tesfamariam Woldemariam And SAUA
In memory of a young revolutionary SAUA has nothing to do with SAWA, the military camp that gained notoriety associated with the horrific violation of human right in Eritrea. SAUA is the acronym of the Student Association University of Asmara and Tesfamariam Woldemariam was one the founding members and once its president. This week opposition