Eritrean nationalism is centered on the fact that since 1889,

Eritreans Eritreans are the native inhabitants of Eritrea, as well as the global Eritrean diaspora, diaspora of Eritrea. Eritreans constitute #Component ethnicities, several component ethnic groups, some of which are related to ethnic groups that make up t ...

have shared a common history, and as such constitute a nation onto themselves. The historical development that first gave birth to the new "Eritrean" identity occurred in 1882 when the Italian colonization of the territory started occurring in that year. Up until that point, the "Eritrean" identity hadn't existed and most of the territories of the modern-day state had been closely integrated for thousands of years with

Ethiopia Ethiopia, officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a landlocked country located in the Horn of Africa region of East Africa. It shares borders with Eritrea to the north, Djibouti to the northeast, Somalia to the east, Ken ...

, either as a unified dominion or through various

vassal A vassal or liege subject is a person regarded as having a mutual obligation to a lord or monarch, in the context of the feudal system in medieval Europe. While the subordinate party is called a vassal, the dominant party is called a suzerain ...

relationships, with brief periods of occupation by other powers such as the

Ottoman Empire The Ottoman Empire (), also called the Turkish Empire, was an empire, imperial realm that controlled much of Southeast Europe, West Asia, and North Africa from the 14th to early 20th centuries; it also controlled parts of southeastern Centr ...

. The basis for this nationalism is mainly centered on the Italian colonization of the territory in 1889, and the modern state of Eritrea with its current borders was formed as the successor to the Italian colony that was established in 1889 as a compromise between

and

Italy Italy, officially the Italian Republic, is a country in Southern Europe, Southern and Western Europe, Western Europe. It consists of Italian Peninsula, a peninsula that extends into the Mediterranean Sea, with the Alps on its northern land b ...

following the Italo-Ethiopian War of 1887–1889. Eritrea has nine major ethnic groups, each with their own language and culture and is split between two major religions, Christianity and Islam. However, the Eritrean government seeks to foster Eritrean nationalism through programs such as national service, the promotion of

civic nationalism Civic nationalism, otherwise known as democratic nationalism, is a form of nationalism that adheres to traditional liberal values of freedom, tolerance, equality, and individual rights, and is not based on ethnocentrism. Civic nationalists ...

and the formation of the youth organization YPFDJ, as well as curbing foreign influences.Sorenson, John. "Discourses on Eritrean nationalism and identity." The Journal of Modern African Studies 29.2 (1991): 301-317.

Symbols

Symbols that have been associated with Eritrean nationalism include the

emblem of Eritrea The Emblem of Eritrea was adopted on 24 May 1993 on the occasion of Eritrea's declaration of independence from Ethiopia. The national emblem mainly depicts a camel surrounded by an olive wreath. Present emblem The modern emblem of Eritrea was ad ...

, the anthem Ertra, Ertra, Ertra, and the

Flag of Eritrea The flag of Eritrea (, ) is the national flag of Eritrea. It was adopted on 5 December 1995. The flag combines the basic layout and colors from the flag of the Eritrean People's Liberation Front with an emblem of a wreath and an upright olive br ...

as well as the Flag of the EPLF. Movements that have been associated with Eritrean nationalism include the

Eritrean Liberation Front The Eritrean Liberation Front (ELF; ; ; ), colloquially known as Jebha, was the main Eritrean War of Independence, independence movement in Eritrea Province, Eritrea which sought Eritrea's independence from Ethiopia during the 1960s and the ear ...

Eritrean People's Liberation Front The Eritrean People's Liberation Front (EPLF), colloquially known as Shabia, was an armed Marxism–Leninism, Marxist–Leninist organization that fought for the Eritrean War of Independence, independence of Eritrea from Ethiopia. It emerged in 1 ...

and

People's Front for Democracy and Justice The People's Front for Democracy and Justice (, PFDJ) is the founding, ruling, and sole legal political party of the State of Eritrea. The successor to the Marxist–Leninist Eritrean People's Liberation Front (EPLF), the PFDJ regards itsel ...

. People that are often associated with Eritrean nationalism include

Isaias Afwerki Isaias Afwerki (, ; born 2 February 1946) is an Eritrean politician and leader who has been the List of heads of state of Eritrea, president of Eritrea since 1993 and the chairman of the People's Front for Democracy and Justice (PFDJ) since 1994 ...

, Sebhat Efrem and Ramadan Mohammed Nur.

References

Ethnic conflict Ethnicity in politics Ethnocentrism Political theories Politics and race {{Eritrea-stub

Symbols

See also

References