It might surprise some people to learn that most Eritreans speak two or three languages with a high rate of literacy. The country was part of Ethiopia until independence in 1991. Conflict on the Horn of Africa drove many Eritreans out of the country. Imagine that journey and the culture shock when they arrived.
The Seattle region has been fortunate to become the ultimate landing spot for many Eritreans who left the palm trees and sand of the Red Sea for the evergreens and snow capped mountains of Washington State. Descendants from this part of the world date their histories back in millennia. Their traditions of music, dance, fashion, and food are alive and well here for anyone who wants to learn about and experience them.