Some Eritreans and Tigreans, who call themselves “Agazians,” have lately been
dominating the Tigrinia-speaking Paltalk chat rooms, claiming that the Tigrinia

speaking Christian Eritreans have ancient historical connections with the Agazians

of Northern Ethiopia’s province of Tigrai, and, because of this ancient connection
the present sovereign, “Christian” nation of Eritrea must be annexed with
“Christian” province of Tigrai. I believe this is an absurd and utter nonsensical
theory, which reflects a narrow-minded and adventurous extremism.
First of all, Tigrai is not a nation by itself, but one of Ethiopia’s provinces. Also, a
key point that these misguided individuals have failed to understand is that the
sovereign nation of Eritrea belongs to all its nine ethnic groups, which include
Christians, Muslims and non-believers, together. The historical social fabric of
Eritreans had been the envy of the world, and despite some temporary setbacks,
the new spirit, the stamina, and the momentum of the Yeakle Movement is
reviving it again. So the proponents of this theory have zero chance of dividing
Eritreans along religious lines.
The theory of the Tigrean Agazians, in my opinion, has no legal or historical basis,
and must be condemned. And those who naively entertain such illogical and
nonsensical thinking must either be Esayas Afeworki’s paid agents, Tigreans by
birth with some personal interest, or others who fail to grasp the true value of the
lives of the 80,000 plus gallant martyrs that Eritrea had sacrificed for its
independence and in defense of its national sovereignty
The history of the Agazians in Tigrai, Ethiopia, is an ancient religious history, which
has some connections with the right-wing Israeli Zionists and their religious
doctrine. That doctrine was later exported to the Axumite kingdom of Tigrai, in
Northern Ethiopia. But these ancient connections have nothing to do with the
historical and geographical definition of Eritrea.
The history of Eritrea is similar to the history of virtually all other post-colonial,
independent African nations, and many other nations throughout the world.
Before the territory we now call Eritrea was occupied by its Italian colonizers, it
was ruled by the Turks and Egyptians. It was inhabited by many different
indigenous people, speaking their many different languages, practicing different
cultures, religious beliefs and social norms. Post Italian colonization, however,
those diverse peoples were centralized and developed a common geographic
identity, common cultural, sociological and psychological bonds, as has happened
in the history of most nations of the world. Eritrea should not be an exception.
To be , the present, independent nation of Eritrea and the neighboring peoples of
Northern Tigrai share important linguistic and cultural ties. As good neighbors,
we have a great opportunity to further encourage and strengthen our
socioeconomic ties, for the common good. Eritrea also needs good
socioeconomic and political relations with the rest of Ethiopian ethnic groups, as
well as with all other East African neighboring nations. There is nothing better
than making peace and cooperation with all one’s neighbors.
But for now, as a matter of priority, we, as Eritreans, should be ever mindful of
the present grave and deteriorating socioeconomic and political situation in
Eritrea. Hence, we cannot afford to waste our precious time in challenging such
wrong-headed and divisive claims as Ethiopian Agiazinism. Enough is enough !!
Berhe Desta
Seattle Washington, USA.