Asmara Eritrea May 21 2011

 

In the Nda Gabriel church in Akria Terhas and Hadgembes will marry before God in the Orthodox Christian church. Family, friends, and neighbors are gathered inside the churches compound.

When I arrive at the church, I am surprised that everyone is waiting, but nothing happens. I am told that both marrying couples are to late, and the priests have left.

Later I will hear a different story: the priests demanded just a little to much from the marrying couples, and they didn't agree.

So they just do the photo session on the stairs in front of the church, making pictures of every possible combination of persons with the bride and bridegroom.

After the religious photo session the whole group moves to the Expo compound for a second photo session in the Expo gardens.

In the Harhare Bar & Restaurant we have lunch and tea. The women dance around the fountain in the garden restaurant.

Around noon the first day of the marriage is finished.

At 3:00 PM a group of some 30 Eritreans from Rotterdam will visit the Kagnew center for disabled veterans. I will join them.

Hidat and her fellow Eritreans collected 99.000 Nakfa for the disabled fighters in the camp. They will personally bring the goods bought to the camp inhabitants and staff.

The meeting gives me a double feel. On the one hand so many military men and women in wheelchairs. On the other hand the joy of celebrating 20 years of independence with cake and fake champagne.

Some of the staff and veterans remember me from both the exhibition of the Ministry of Labor and Human Welfare on May 14 and the ENWDVA independence day celebration in their office yesterday.

After this small meeting, I follow the Kagnew support group to collect my entry card for the celebration in Asmara Stadium, without any further delay. Actually I should have collected it at another desk, for foreign visitors near the British Council, but fortunately they show some mercy, so there will be no further delay.

At 6:00 PM I walk to the Nacfa House area to watch the preparations for this evenings carnival. They will not start before 7:00 so I will try to find myself a drink in a bar. Loud music of the Caravel Bar and Restaurant draws my attention. When I enter the place, there is a private party for a Norwegian / Eritrean child celebrating its first birthday.

I am invited to join the party, the dancing , and the beer. For an hour I share the happiness of the Norwegian / Eritrean family and their Asmara family members and guests.

At 7:00 I am back on the streets of Asmara to watch the carnival, following the trucks of the various Asmara companies from Nakfa House to Godana Harnet.

In front of the Dawit Caravel Furniture showroom, the employees are finishing their contribution to the carnival. I point to the chair in front of their trailer, suggesting I will use it for some rest "No problem, but after you have rested, you will dance with us."

I accept the invitation, and join their dance & music in front of their shop, when they are warming up for the final event. The interaction of the staff with the Dutch tourist is recorded by the manager of Dawit Caravel Furniture on video.

After the carnival, I try to locate the wedding feast of Terhas and Hadgembes, but unfortunately, the address I received was not very specific, only mentioning the area, so I return to my residence in Denbe Sembel.

 

Wedding ceremony Nda Gabriel Orthodox church - Akria Asmara Eritrea.

Terhas and Hadgembes - Akria Asmara Eritrea.

Family pictures - Nda Gabriel Orthodox church - Akria Asmara Eritrea.

Wedding guest Nda Gabriel Orthodox church - Akria Asmara Eritrea.

Mercedes Benz limousine - Akria Asmara Eritrea.

Terhas and Hadgembes - Expo compound Asmara Eritrea.

Selam and Mebrat - Expo compound Asmara Eritrea.

Terhas, Almaz and Mebrat - Expo compound Asmara Eritrea.

Lunch in the Harhare Recreation Center - Asmara Eritrea.

Waitresses of the Harhare Recreation Center - Asmara Eritrea.

Pastry on the occasion of 20th Independence Day and
the visit of the Rotterdam support group to the Denden
disabled fighters quarters - Kagnew area Asmara Eritrea.

Pastry on the occasion of 20th Independence Day and
the visit of the Rotterdam support group to the Denden
disabled fighters quarters - Kagnew area Asmara Eritrea..

Birthday party of the Eritrean boy from Norway - Caravel Bar and Restaurant.

Dawit Caravel Furniture preparations for the Carnival - Semetat Avenue Asmara.

Carnival - Sematat Avenue Asmara Eritrea.

Carnival - Sematat Avenue Asmara Eritrea.

Carnival - Sematat Avenue Asmara Eritrea.

Carnival - Sematat Avenue Asmara Eritrea.

Carnival - Sematat Avenue Asmara Eritrea.

Carnival - Sematat Avenue Asmara Eritrea.

Carnival - Sematat Avenue Asmara Eritrea.

Carnival - Harnet Avenue Asmara Eritrea.

Carnival - Harnet Avenue Asmara Eritrea.

Carnival - Harnet Avenue Asmara Eritrea.

Carnival - Harnet Avenue Asmara Eritrea.