Mendefera: A Hidden Gem of Eritrea

• Helloሰላም
  [selam]
• Goodbyeደሓን
  [dehan]
• Yesነይ
  [ney]
• Noኣይ
  [ay]
• Please/You're welcomeኣስርሓ/እንተዛኣበና
  [asreha/entzaben]
• Thank youኣመሰገን
  [amesegen]
• Excuse me/Sorryማሕበረ/ኣብዝበሓል
  [mahbere/abzebhel]
• How are you?ኣንስትዮ?
  [anstyo?]
• Fine. And you?ኣስተሮ. እንተ?
  [astero. ent?]
• Do you speak English?እንተ እንግሊዝኛ ኣይኮነን?
  [ent englisha aykonen?]
• I don't understandአይተወለድ
  [aytwaled]

• I'd like to see the menu, pleaseእንተ በቀል እወይ
  [ent bekle ewey]
• I don't eat meatእንተ ምንቅስ ኣይኮነን
  [ent minkes aykonen]
• Cheers!እስክር
  [eskere]
• I would like to pay, pleaseእንተ ክፍሊ እወይ
  [ent kifli ewey]

• Help!እዋን!
  [ewen]
• Go away!እወል!
  [ewel]
• Call the Police!ስርዓት ይኽእሉ!
  [sraat yekelul]
• Call a doctor!ሰላም ይኽእሉ!
  [selam yekelul]
• I'm lostእንተ ክምሃል
  [ent kemhal]
• I'm illእንተ ኣስቲማን
  [ent astiman]

• I'd like to buy...እንተ ኣምሓራን እወይ
  [ent amharan ewey]
• I'm just lookingእንተ ኣምሓርን
  [ent amharan]
• How much is it?ብዝሒ ክፍሊ ነይ?
  [bzhi kifli ney?]
• That's too expensiveእሞ ክፍሊ ኣብዚሒ ነይ
  [emo kifli abzhi ney]
• Can you lower the price?እንተ ሓሳይ ክፍሊ ወርከት እወይ?
  [ent hasay kifli warket ewey?]

• What time is it?ስምምን ነይ?
  [smamn ney]
• It's one o'clockኣካይ ሰዓት ነይ
  [akai sa'at ney]
• Half past (10)ዓለም ወዲ ኣምሓራ
  [a'lem wedi amhar]
• Morningኣማኑ
  [amanu]
• Afternoonኣምሓራ
  [amhar]
• Eveningሓፋሽ
  [hafash]
• Yesterdayትላንት
  [talanat]
• Todayዚመክ
  [zimek]
• Tomorrowኣብሓት
  [abhate]
• 1ኣካይ
  [akai]
• 2ርሻሽ
  [rashash]
• 3ርሻሽ ኣገልግሎት
  [rashash agelgilot]
• 4ኣምሓራ
  [amhar]
• 5ምግባር
  [migbar]
• 6ሓምለ
  [hamle]
• 7ምስጋና
  [msigana]
• 8ምዕናይ
  [menay]
• 9ምርጫን
  [mretan]
• 10ኣምሓራ
  [amhar]

• Where's a/the...?ከተማእቲ ነይ...?
  [ketma'eti ney...?]
• What's the address?ናይ ኣስርሓ ነይ?
  [nay asreha ney?]
• Can you show me (on the map)?እንተ ኣስርሓ እወይ (በቡናላ)?
  [ent asreha ewey (bebnala)?]
• When's the next (bus)?ክሳብ ዓርከበን ነይ?
  [ksab arkeben ney?]
• A ticket (to ....)ቲኬት (እወይ ...)
  [tiket (ewey ...)]

Mendefera’s history dates back to ancient times, with archaeological evidence indicating that the region was inhabited as early as 500 BC. The city’s name itself, derived from the Tigrinya words 'Men' and 'Defra,' meaning 'Who dared it,' is a testament to its long-standing significance and the courage of its early inhabitants.

During the first millennium AD, Mendefera was under the influence of the Aksumite Empire, one of the great civilizations of the ancient world. The Aksumites were renowned for their architectural achievements, and Mendefera benefited from this cultural infusion, becoming a key center for trade and religious activities.

Throughout the medieval period, Mendefera remained an important hub within the regional trade networks. The city thrived on commerce, connecting the highland regions of Eritrea with the Red Sea ports. This era saw the blending of various cultural influences, contributing to the rich heritage of Mendefera.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Eritrea, including Mendefera, fell under Italian colonization. The Italians established infrastructure and urban development, leaving a lasting architectural legacy in Mendefera. Buildings from this period, characterized by their distinctive colonial style, still stand as reminders of this era.

Mendefera played a crucial role during the Eritrean War of Independence, which lasted from 1961 to 1991. The city served as a strategic base for the Eritrean People's Liberation Front (EPLF). Many battles and significant events in the struggle for independence took place in and around Mendefera, marking it as a symbol of resilience and patriotism.

Following Eritrea's independence in 1993, Mendefera has seen considerable development. The city has grown as an administrative and commercial center in the Southern Region (Debub). Efforts to preserve its historical landmarks while fostering modernization reflect the city's ongoing evolution.

Mendefera is located in the Debub region of Eritrea. The nearest international airport is Asmara International Airport (ASM), approximately 54 kilometers away. From Asmara, you can take a taxi, a private car, or a minibus to Mendefera. The journey takes around 1 to 1.5 hours by road. Buses and minibuses are available at the Asmara bus station, offering a more economical option.

Mendefera is a relatively small city, making it easy to navigate on foot. For longer distances, taxis and minibuses are the most common forms of transportation. Taxis can be flagged down on the street or arranged through hotels. Minibuses operate on fixed routes and are an affordable option. Renting a car is also possible but less common due to the availability of other transport options.

The official currency in Eritrea is the Eritrean Nakfa (ERN). Credit cards are not widely accepted, so it is advisable to carry cash. ATMs are available in Mendefera, but they may not always be reliable, so withdrawing sufficient cash in Asmara is recommended. Keep smaller denominations for everyday transactions such as taxi fares and small purchases.

Mendefera is generally considered a safe destination for tourists. However, it is important to exercise standard precautions. Avoid walking alone at night in unfamiliar areas and stay vigilant about your belongings in crowded places. Crime rates targeting tourists are low, but it is always wise to be cautious and aware of your surroundings.

In case of emergency, dial 114 for the police, 115 for medical emergencies, and 116 for the fire department. Mendefera has a local police station and medical facilities, including a hospital. It is recommended to have travel insurance that covers medical emergencies. For minor health issues, there are pharmacies in the city where you can purchase over-the-counter medications.

Fashion: Do dress modestly, especially when visiting religious sites. Avoid wearing revealing clothing. Religion: Do respect local customs and traditions. Always remove your shoes when entering places of worship. Public Transport: Do be respectful and give up your seat to elderly passengers. Don't eat or drink on public transport. Greetings: Do greet people with a handshake, and use your right hand for exchanging items. Eating & Drinking: Do try local delicacies and accept food offerings graciously. Don't refuse hospitality, as it is considered impolite.

To experience Mendefera like a local, visit the local markets such as the Mendefera Central Market for fresh produce and traditional Eritrean goods. Engage with locals, who are often friendly and willing to share stories about the city's history and culture. Don't miss the chance to try traditional Eritrean coffee and dishes like injera. For a unique experience, explore the nearby historical sites and natural landscapes.