Mekelle፡ 24 August 2024 (Tigray Herald)
By Tsegazeab HadusH
Bridging Tigrayans on both sides of the Mereb River: A Path Towards Solidarity and Unity
The Tigrayan people, who trace their roots to the ancient Aksumite civilization, share a deep cultural, historical, and linguistic bond across the borders of Tigray and Eritrea. Despite the modern geopolitical divisions, particularly the separation of Eritrea from Ethiopia in 1993, the connection between the Tigrayan people on both sides of the Mereb River remains profound. The feelings that were demonstarted during the short-lived “peace” in September 2018 can be taken as a bold evidence. Bridging these communities requires a recognition of their shared identity and a collective commitment to overcoming the political and historical challenges that have kept them apart.
Historically, they were united under the Aksumite Empire, a powerful and influential kingdom that spanned both present-day Tigray and much of Eritrea. The Aksumites were known for their innovations in trade, agriculture, architecture, music, and governance, with their legacy enduring in the shared heritages, culture, religion, and the language of Tigrigna-speaking people in both countries. The introduction of Christianity in the 4th century and Islam in the 7th century (Sahabas) further cemented this shared heritage, with the Orthodox Christianity playing a central role in the lives of Tigrayans on both sides of the border.
However, the advent of Otoman empire, European colonization, the rise of modern nation-states in the 19th and 20th centuries, and the way how shoan kings built the Ethiopian empire fractured this unity. Italian colonization of Eritrea in the late 1800s and the subsequent formation of the Ethiopian Empire under Emperor Menelik II led to the division of the Tigrayan people into two different political entities. The bitter conflict over Eritrea’s independence from Ethiopia, culminating in the 1998-2000 border war, deepened these divisions, leading to decades of hostility and isolation.
Despite these challenges, the cultural and linguistic ties, life style and familial relationships between the Tigrayans in both sides of the Mereb river have remained strong. The shared Tigrigna language serves as a powerful symbol of unity, allowing for communication and cultural exchange across the border. Festivals, religious practices, and social customs remain remarkably similar, demonstrating the resilience of this shared identity despite political separation.
To bridge the gap, there needs to be a concerted effort at multiple levels. Politically, the young generation in opposition parties and movements (forget the old ones) in both regions must recognize the importance of fostering unity among the Tigrigna-speaking populations. This could involve and start with initiatives to encourage joint dialogues, especially in the diaspora community, joint annual cultural and religious festivals, traditional sports, and panel discussions on the common language, history, and culture which should also be able to produce and distribute a printed or online journal for the wider mass. Building trust will be essential, particularly given the history of conflict and mutual suspicion that has characterized the relations between TPLF and PFDJ in the past half century.
And later, when peace is secured, at the grassroots level, civil society organizations, religious leaders, and community groups can play a crucial role in promoting reconciliation and fostering a sense of shared identity. Activities like cross-border cultural festivals, religious pilgrimages, educational exchange programs, and sport games that teach our shared history can help to bridge the division and foster a sense of solidarity and unity.
