Thomas Gerezghier: My Hometown
Thomas was born and raised in Sudan. Although he only spent short periods of his life in Eritrea, his parents are Eritrean. Because of this, he identifies himself as Eritrean.
Audio (1:59)
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Thomas Gerezghier
Age: 19
Community: Eritrea
Languages: Arabic, Tigrinya
Hobbies: Hanging out with friends, playing soccer, running.
Favourite cultural icons: gospel singer Lily Tilahun, runner Zersenay Tadese
Favourite traditional foods: Injera
Country/Culture Information
(from the 2008 CIA World Factbook)
Name: Eritrea
Population: 4,906,585 (July 2007 est.)
Capital: Asmara
Languages: Afar, Arabic, Tigre and Kunama, Tigrinya, other Cushitic languages
Area: 121,320 sq km
Economy – Exports commodities: Livestock, sorghum, textiles, food, small manufactures
Government: Transitional government note: following a successful referendum on independence for the Autonomous Region of Eritrea on 23-25 April 1993, a National Assembly, composed entirely of the People's Front for Democracy and Justice or PFDJ, was established as a transitional legislature; a Constitutional Commission was also established to draft a constitution; ISAIAS Afworki was elected president by the transitional legislature; the constitution, ratified in May 1997, did not enter into effect, pending parliamentary and presidential elections; parliamentary elections were scheduled in December 2001, but were postponed indefinitely; currently the sole legal party is the People's Front for Democracy and Justice (PFDJ)
Flag of Eritrea
Thomas Gerezghier: My Culture
Thomas talks about what it means to be Eritrean.
Audio (1:29)
Eritrea has two official languges and Thomas speaks both.
Audio (0:35)
A hero to many Eritreans, including Thomas, is runner Zersenay Tadesse.
Audio (0:43)
Thomas Gerezghier: Bridging Cultures
How does Thomas think other people see Eritreans?
Audio (0:31)
What are Thomas’ impressions of the Aboriginal population and does he see any similarities between Aboriginals and Eritreans?
Audio (0:54)
Thomas Gerezghier: All About Me
Thomas talks about the hardest thing he has to do every day.
Audio (0:29)
There's one rule that exists in Thomas' large family.
Audio (0:36)
What is Thomas most proud of and where does he want to be in 10 years?
Audio (0:31)