Tsedal Magazine

By: Abeba Isahac

If I am not mistaken, understanding Tsedal to be a female’s name, I thought it was a women’s magazine. And it was because of this that I was rather disappointed, but not really surprised, that , among either the editors or selected contributors toward the magazine, not even a single female name appears, like we say in Tyrigna, N FEWSI TCHENA QUA.

For a magazine that is supposed to carry so many subjects such as Eritrean culture, arts, music, poetry and social issues, surely, a woman could have contributed something, especially in the social issues department, a subject where women would have plenty to say and I am sure can articulately write about too.

The editorial board consists of Abraham Tesfalul, Samuel Menghistaab, Beyene Hailemariam and Elias Amare.

Contributors

1) Alemseged Tesfai, on the importance of writing history for Eritreans;

2) Beyene Haile, on the writing process in literary works, why and how he writes;

3) Solomon Tsehaye, on Eritrean oral tradition of "Mase" and "Melqes"

4) Haile Bizen review/criticism on Beyene Hailemariam's poetry;

5) Article on Eritrea's great cartoonist and humorist, Abraham Sahle;

6) Some cartoons, crossword puzzle, jokes, etc., by Abraham Sahle;

7) Various poems by Beyene Hailemariam, Haile Bizen, Meles Negusse, etc.

8) Chapter Two on living with HIV/AIDS and effective counseling services in Eritrea;

9) Abraham Tesfalul, critical review on the music of Dawit Shelan, the voice of the new generation;

10) Elias Amare on the late Malian musician, Ali Farka Toure;

11) Elias Woldgabriel, notes on Eritrean music and how to move forward;

12) Samuel Menghistab, on the Kunama culture of funeral ceremony of "Kishkishe" for old grandparents;

13) Tribute to the late Sudanese-Eritrean poet/writer Mohammed Osman Kajarai;

14) Article on Beles fruit;

15) Excerpts from Eritrea's greatest novelist, Beneye Haile's latest up coming book, "Tetsbit Bahghu"; etc.

How ironic that the maiden issue of the magazine should be made to be published in time for the 2006 festival, where Eritrean women contribute a great deal for its success.

I was reminded of an article written by a western journalist, way back before the woyane attacked Eritrea. He was interviewing a ‘tegadalit’ who seemed so nostalgic of the fighting days when men and women fought side by side on equal terms and respect. She also told him that, once it was all over and Eritrea got her independence, women have been put in the back burner. She was of course happy that the war was over and that Eritrea and her people were free, but she also missed the days of equality with her fellow male Eritreans.

Men and women are two very different beings, but, with the gentle understanding and patience of a woman and less of the ego of the male species, can compliment and complete one another in many ways, helping to create a better world for all.

August 21, 2006