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Asmara (Asmera)
Agordat (Akordat)
Assab (Asseb)
Barentu
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Dekemhare (Decemhare)
Ghinda (Ginda)
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Tessenei
(Teseney)
Eritrean music
Each of Eritrea's nine Nationalities has its own litary tradition, its music and dance. Eritrea celebrates its rich heritage at all its major feast and festivals.
Traditional instruments are the kraar – a stringed instrument, the abangala, a banjo like instrument, the wata, a violin-like instrument; and kebero, drums.
Traditional dance in Eritrea is popular. The Tiginya dancers slowly move in a counter-clockwise circle, shuffling their feet to the beat of the music and bob their shoulders in a rhythmic fashion. When Tigre and Bilen women dance the sheleel, they shake their long braids so they swing.
Live performances are regular in the night clubs in the Expo area. Announcements are made on billboards in Harnet Avenue and around the central post office.
Every year - starting on the last Saturday in July - a one week Festival Eritrea is held in the Asmara Expo area, with performances and exhibits that showcase the unique contribution each Nationality makes to Eritrea's diverse traditions.
| Selection of Eritrean singers and their music | |||
| Female singers | Male singers | ||
| Helen Meles | Bereket Mengisteab | ||
| Elsa Kidane | Wedi Sheik (Tigre) | ||
| Dehab Faytinga (Kunama) | Abraham Afewerki († 2006) | ||
| Abeba Haile | Yohannes (Wedi) Tikabo | ||
| Bekita Ali (Bilen) | Temesgen Michael (Bilen) | ||
| Almaz Abraham | Tekeste Woldu | ||
| Huria Haile | Te'ame Woldemichael | ||
| Fatna Ibrahim (Bilen) | Tesfaldet Mesfin | ||
| Tsehaytu Beraki | Tesfalem Arefaine (Korchach) | ||
| Helen Pawlos | Orion Saleh | ||
| Kedija Adem | |||
| Senait Amine | |||
| QLzIM (Sedet) |  |
||
| Zeymawi |  |
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Helen Meles - Asmara Intercontinental May 2004.
Dehab Faytinga - Asmara Intercontinental May 2005.
Elsa Kidane - Festival Eritrea 2007 Utrecht Holland.
(Tigre) Wedi Sheik - Festival Eritrea 2006 Asmara.
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Tekeste Woldu - Wedding in Asmara 2005.