Does nakfa and gabbi ring a bell? If you are familiar with Eritrea, then you will know that nakfa is the country's currency in use; while gabbi are traditional shawls worn by villagers in the rural communities.
In 1952 Eritrea existed along side Ethiopia as part of a federation, then ten years later it was annexed as a province of Ethiopia, which started the 30year struggle for independence. By 1991 the war ended with the Eritrean rebels winning against the government forces of Ethiopia, and independence was overwhelmingly voted in a 1993 referendum.
Then again a border dispute in 1998 erupted, which only ended with the intervention of the U.N. peacekeeping forces. Relative peace is now being maintained through the auspices of the U.N. by monitoring the 25km-wide Temporary Security Zone (TSZ) on the border with Ethiopia.
The hard earned independence may have strengthened the resolve of the residents as clearly shown on their almost cult-like respect for the
National Flag of Eritrea. The current flag is dominated by a red triangle starting from the hoist all the way to the fly, with complimentary green and blue triangles above and below. A gold leaf is added at the center of the red triangle encircling a gold olive branch.
Green on the flag stands for abundance in agriculture; blue is for the ocean; while red signifies for blood spilled in the fight for freedom; and the yellow wreath on the red triangle is a symbol with 14 leaves.
It is also interesting to note that the red triangle geometrically serves as a fissure that divided the country from the start and diminishes, that would only signify peace and blood will no longer be shed in the end.
by:
The Flagman
