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* Dr. Ghirmai Negash, University of Leiden.
* Dr. Yemane Mesghenna, Asmara University.
* Dr. Sandra Ponzanesi, University of Utrecht.
* Prof. John Markakis, University of Crete, Greece.
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A joint seminar on Eritrea, organised by the African Studies Centre (ASC) and the Centre for Non-Western Studies (CNWS), Leiden University.
This seminar will host four scholars who will discuss issues of history, identity and linguistic diversity in post-1941 Eritrea. In a historical perspective, the newly won independence of Eritrea from Ethiopia (1993) has posed new and interesting challenges to understanding national identity and ethno- linguistic diversity in the country.
In the Italian colonial period (1890-1941) a tradition of largely 'Orien-talist' inspired research by foreign scholars into the country's history and languages emerged (Conti Rossini, Littmann, Rodén, Pollera, a.o.). Under British Mandate rule (1941-52), the country saw the beginnings of a more liberal political climate and an indigenous literary revival. The Eritrean-Ethiopian federation (up to 1962) was a deeply problematic period, where the new political and cultural gains were undermined and Eritrean identity was redefined. The emergence of the Eritrean state provides an opportunity to re-evaluate the historical, literary and language aspects of 'diversity' in Eritrea.
In this context the various speakers will discuss aspects of the social, cultural and literary changes that were visible in Eritrea in the post-1941 era, and reflect from a historical and cultural perspective on the chances and challenges of interpreting and dealing with unity, diversity and identity, also in contemporary Eritrea.
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