Troubles and travels of an Eritrean aristocrat

Viac o knihe

The memoirist was born to fight, and he did so until the end of his life, shaped by the tumultuous era he lived in. Growing up in Eritrea, a battleground for foreign interests, he witnessed the harsh realities of life from an early age. Cruel tax collectors seized peasants' possessions, warriors battled for political control, and looters wreaked havoc; in one incident, his eldest brother was killed. These struggles were driven by larger political forces seeking to dominate the country. Like his parents, he tried to survive by aligning with the prevailing power, regardless of the shifting tides of victory. His blend of traditional and Western education, along with his agility and intelligence, enabled him to adapt to various roles: soldier, interpreter, researcher, public administrator, telegraphist, and political intermediary, all while maintaining his composure. Yet, the demands of the time brought him no peace. Forced into exile, he later returned only to face new political upheavals in his refuge. The turmoil in his native village continued to disrupt his life, leading to personal suffering, imprisonment, and financial burdens caused by his own family.