Culture

The Eritrean region has traditionally been a centre for trade throughout the world, and the influence of diverse cultures can be seen throughout Eritrea. Today, the most obvious influences in the capital, Asmara, are that of Italy, where there is a clear merging of the Italian colonial influence with the traditional Tigrinya lifestyle.

Traditional Eritrean dress is very varied with the Kunama traditionally dressing in brightly coloured clothes whilst the Tigrinya and Tigre traditionally dress in bright white costumes, resembling traditional Oriental and Indian clothing. The Rashaida women are ornately bejewelled and scarfed.

Cycling is by far, the most popular sport in Eritrea, and the Tour of Eritrea is a bicycle race from the hot desert beaches of Massawa, up the winding mountain highway with its precipitous valleys and cliffs to the capital Asmara. From there, it continues downwards onto the western plains of the Gash-Barka Zone, only to return back to Asmara from the south. Long-distance running has also become popular, seen lately in the successes of Olympians Zersenay Tadesse and Mebrahtom (Meb) Keflezighi.