The ways of our highlands
Tsenadegle's cultural heritage is part of the wider traditions of the Eritrean highlands, carried with us to Canada and shared with our children.
Language and oral tradition
Tigrinya has been an important language of communication, storytelling and cultural transmission in the surrounding highland communities.
Traditional clothing
Traditional highland clothing, including white garments and woven shawls, forms part of the region's cultural heritage.
Marriage and family
Marriage celebrations, extended family relationships and community participation have traditionally been important aspects of social life.
Food and hospitality
Traditional foods, shared meals and the Eritrean coffee ceremony are important expressions of hospitality and social connection.
Music and dance
Songs, poetry, dance and oral storytelling have helped preserve community memories and cultural identity.
Agriculture and livestock
Farming and the keeping of cattle, sheep and goats have been important elements of traditional highland livelihoods.
Every elder is a library
Oral history is an important source for understanding Tsenadegle's past. Older generations may hold knowledge about ancestral families, village settlements, customary leadership, historical events, land use and everyday life in earlier generations.
Recording these accounts can help preserve information that may not exist in published documents. Our Heritage & History Project visits elders in Calgary and beyond to record their stories, in Tigrinya, for future generations.