Daily Life In Eritrea 2023

MASSAWA, ERITREA - JANUARY 05: A view of the al-Sahaba (or Sahaba Shrine) in the city of Massawa as seen on January 05, 2023 in Massawa, Eritrea. According to local historians, the al-Sahaba (or Sahaba Shrine) was a mosque constructed of coral stone which according to local historians was constructed in 615 A.D. The structure was constructed by followers of the Prophet Muhammad who migrated to Abyssinia during the 7th century. The word Sahaba in Arabic means companions or "companions of the Prophet" and is meant to imply that the al-Sahaba Mosque was built by the companions of Prophet Muhammed. The shrine is only used for prayers on rare occasions and is revered as the oldest mosque on the continent of Africa. The port at Massawa is the largest natural deepwater port on the Red Sea and handles goods coming from neighboring regions like Saudi Arabia and Yemen as well as other regions. The port was originally a village during the Axumite kingdom (first century - sixth century CE) and eventually became the major port on the coast after the port at Adulis to the south fell into decline. After the fall of the Axumite kingdom in the 8th century CE, the port came under the control of numerous indigenous and external conquering and colonial forces including the Portuguese, Ottoman Empire and the Italian Fascist. Each of those colonial occupations and periods of administrative rule had a significant effect on the architecture and certain cultural structures in Massawa. The towns architecture is largely Turkish and Egyptian influenced with some Italian styled structures present. During the war of independence with Ethiopia (September 1, 1961 – May 29, 1991), the city of Massawa was bombed and shelled by the Ethiopian government during “Operation Fenkil” which resulted in the liberation of the port city of Massawa by Eritrean forces or "EPLF" following an intense three-day battle from February 8th to the 10th, 1990. (Photo by J. Countess/Getty Images)