Top 10 Greatest Eritrean Sayings

The following are some of the most memorable sayings and catchphrases made by Eritreans over the years.

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10) The camel keeps on marching, while the dogs keep on barking! – Unknown Eritrean
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Background Info: This is a common saying among Eritreans that reiterates the march towards development will always be met by forces looking to stop Eritrea from achieving its goals.

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9) If war with Eritrea was difficult yesterday, it is impossible today! – Unknown Eritrean
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Background info: When Ethiopia occupied and fought against Eritrea, they had the support of America, Soviets, 18,000 Cuban troops, Israelis, thousands of South Yemenis, Eastern Germans, and Ethiopia had Africa's largest and best equipped troops, numbering well into a million. The end result was Eritrea's independence, hence the saying if war was difficult for Eritrea's enemies even under those immensely favorable odds, then it's impossible today.

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8) Dishonestly trying to challenge our sovereignty, they tried to take it back claiming a 5 year warranty – Bordoli
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Background info: When 1998 came around, it marked Eritrea's 5 years of de-jure independence. That very year was also the same year Ethiopia invaded Eritrea over its sovereignty, which is why the Eritrean poet and rapper Bordoli linked Ethiopia's 1998 invasion as their way of trying to claim Eritrea back with a 5 year warranty.

To listen to the verse in its entire context, click here.

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7) Aid is like a pill that numbs the pain, if you take it too often you get addicted.  – President Isaias Afwerki
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Background info: Self-explanatory


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6) Eritrea sending weapons to Somalia is like Saudi Arabia sending Ice to Alaska. – Ali Abdu
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Background Info: After a few American diplomats falsely accused Eritrea sending weapons to Somalia, Ali Abdu jokingly reminded reporters that Somalia is awash with weapons and accusing Eritrea of sending weapons to Somalia would be tantamount to Saudi Arabia trying to send Ice to Alaska.

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5) Ana sabr heliko ask sabr abieni  - I'm still patient until patience gets tired of me – Alamin Abdulatif
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Background Info: After decades of endless war, Eritrea's legendary singer Alamin Abdulatif was asked in the 1980s, how does he continue to sing independence songs and not lose hope in seeing Eritrea becoming independent. Alamain responded in his native Tigre language with, "Ana sabr heliko ask sabri abieni", which translates to, "I'm still patient until patience gets tired of me."

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4) They always say might is right but we say right is might.  – Ali Abdu
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Background info: After hostile and aggressive junior diplomats of the Bush administration tried to threaten and bully Eritrea with false accusations in relation to Somalia, Ali Abdu calmly reminded them that their cowboy diplomacy of "might is right" might work against other nations, but for Eritreans, being right means having might.


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3) Eritreans build with sweat, not debt!– Unknown Eritrean
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Background info: This simple and timeless quote sums up Eritrean people's self-reliance policy, where major loans and aid are regularly rejected in favor of Eritrean ingenuity and self-sufficiency.


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2) The reason people stab behind you is because you are ahead of them. – Alamin Mohammed Said
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Background info: Self-Explanatory.


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1) Eritreans kneel on only two occasions: when they pray and when they shoot! – Ali Abdu
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Background Info: After Jendayi Frazer, the former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State of African Affairs under the Bush administration had threatened Eritrea's Government and people, Eritrea's Minster of Information, Mr. Ali Abdu, reminded the junior diplomat that if her intentions were to try to make “Eritrea kneel down in front of her,” she had better learn some basic Eritrean facts. The witty and highly intelligent Minster told the New York Times that she needs to know "Eritreans kneel on only two occasions: when they pray and when they shoot!"






                                                         [Click on the image to see larger quality.]
                                           Photo below: Eritrean boy from Asmara

Eritreans build with sweat, not debt! Photo Credit:  Alex Tesfay

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