{"id":4548,"date":"2020-02-21T09:47:00","date_gmt":"2020-02-21T09:47:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/justiceandpeace.nl\/?p=4548"},"modified":"2020-04-07T13:38:37","modified_gmt":"2020-04-07T13:38:37","slug":"the-first-samen-hier-community-event-the-eritrean-afternoon","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/justiceandpeace.nl\/en\/the-first-samen-hier-community-event-the-eritrean-afternoon\/","title":{"rendered":"The first Samen Hier community event: The Eritrean afternoon"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Fun fact: Many of the newcomers participating in Samen Hier originally are from Eritrea. It thus came to no surprise that many Welcome Groups liked to be informed about Eritrea and ways to bridge cultural differences. Together with our enthousiastic Cultural Ambassadors Saron and Kaleb<\/a>, we organised a Samen Hier Community event for all Eritrean Samen Hier participants and their Welcome Groups.<\/p>\n

In general, Dutch people have limited knowledge of Eritrea. As one of the youngest countries in the world \u2013 it has been founded less than thirty years ago \u2013 Eritrea hasn\u2019t found it\u2019s place in Dutch collective memory yet. On the other hand, it also takes time for Eritreans to get used to Dutch culture. If you\u2019ve never owned a clock or an agenda, the Dutch culture of extensive planning and \u2018Datumprikker\u2019 could feel like you\u2019re on a different planet.<\/p>\n

Saron presented the program, which began with a short quiz during which people of Dutch and Eritrean descent were tested with questions about each other\u2019s culture. The sociable tone was set: Everyone participated enthusiastically, hoping to secure the win and one of the available prizes.<\/p>\n

The answers to the quiz were further clarified during the presentation that followed. People paid close attention to all the stories and facts being told about Eritrean history, culture, and identity. Did you know that Eritreans greet each other by giving up to six kisses on the cheeks? Or that \u201cCiao\u201d is used in the Tigrinya language because it\u2019s territories used to be part of an Italian colony?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Bridging differences<\/h3>\n

With their enthusiasm and honest way of speaking, Saron and Kaleb created a relaxed and intimate atmosphere, in which people felt comfortable speaking openly about their experiences with Samen Hier. Positive stories, but also the difficulties people came across were shared.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you\u2019re from another cultural background, it can be very difficult to understand each other. For example, I usually prepare food whenever Dutch Welcome Group members visit me. However, more often than not, they don\u2019t want to eat anything. It makes me wonder what I\u2019m doing wrong.\u201d<\/em> an Eritrean participant told us.<\/p>\n

Many Dutch participants confirm this: \u201cEvery single time we visit, there is food on the table!\u201d <\/em>one of them said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is a known cultural difference.\u201d<\/em>, Kaleb told us, \u201cIn Eritrea, it\u2019s considered hospitable to prepare a meal whenever you\u2019re expecting visitors. Denying food from your host is considered disrespectful. A tip for Dutch people: Whenever you\u2019re being offered food and you\u2019re not hungry, just take a little bit. Or, if you really don\u2019t want to eat, explain that you mean no offense. A tip for Eritrean people: Know that Dutch people mean no offense whenever they refuse to eat the food you offer them. Most of them are unaware that this is considered disrespectful.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Another reoccurring question: Participants often struggle to estimate whether their matches like to meet up as often as they do. This is a common issue, strengthened by the differences between Dutch straightforwardness and Eritrean shyness, popularly known as \u2018KelAlem\u2019 (you can read more about Eritrean culture in this Dutch interview with Cultural Ambassador Kaleb<\/a>). While Dutch people often take the initiative, Eritreans stay quiet most of the time. As a result, groups sometimes start to doubt themselves.<\/p>\n

However, the more experienced Welcome Groups (of which some have been matched for over six months already!), gave reassuring advice: By being patient, open, and unafraid to take the initiative, an increasingly strong bond will develop naturally.<\/p>\n

Through an exhibition with traditional Eritrean clothing, a demonstration of the Eritrean coffee ritual, and a Tigrinya writing workshop given by all Eritrean participants, the Dutch participants learned even more about Eritrean culture. The relaxed and intimate atmosphere became even stronger during the end of the event. The afternoon was concluded with a traditional Eritrean dance in which everyone participated, followed by a delicious Eritrean meal.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Samen Hier community<\/h3>\n

The Eritrean afternoon was the perfect opportunity for the Samen Hier community to share their experiences and tips with each other. After all, they are all part of this new and unique initiative. Feedback and experiences from our community are an essential part of the success of Samen Hier: Our participants truely make a difference!<\/p>\n

Together with the music, dance, and food, \u00a0the exchange of experiences and tips contributed to a better mutual understanding of Dutch and Eritrean culture. The most valuable lesson according to the community? Listening and trusting each other is key, the rest will follow naturally.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n

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