Tsenadegle
Rooted in the highlands of Akele Guzai. Growing together in Canada.
A historic community of the Eritrean highlands
Tsenadegle (ጸንዓደግለ) is a historic community and district associated with the Akele Guzai highlands of Eritrea, particularly the area around Segheneiti. Its history is connected to ancestral traditions, family relationships, settlement patterns, land, culture and the wider history of the Eritrean highlands.
In Canada, our association brings together the families who trace their roots there, to celebrate, to support one another and to pass this heritage on to our children.
“Land could be connected to family membership, inheritance, community responsibilities and belonging, as well as farming and grazing.”
Four chapters of our story
Our origins
Traditional genealogies trace the communities of Akele Guzai to an ancestor called Akele, and identify Tsenai, also written Tesenai, as the founding ancestor associated with Tsenadegle.
Read about our origins
Villages and ancestral lands
Segheneiti, Akrur, Hebo, Degra Libei, Adi Angofom, Adi Qontsi, Adi Finnie and May-Ella: the places of the highlands that shaped our families.
Explore the villages
Traditional culture
Tigrinya and oral tradition, white garments and woven shawls, marriage and family, the coffee ceremony, songs and dance, farming and livestock.
Our culture
Stories from our elders
Our elders hold knowledge about ancestral families, village life, customary leadership and historical events. We are recording their stories before they are lost.
Share or record a storyCome together with us
Belong to the association
- Family$120
- Individual$60
- Senior / Student$30
Help preserve our heritage
The highlands of home
Every memory counts
Do you have a story, a photograph or a family tree? Help us build the history of Tsenadegle for the next generation.
Share with us