On Sun, 30 Mar 1997 17:20:38 -0500 (EST) HBokure@AOL.COM writes:
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>The Christian Eritreans inhabiting the northern plateaux are not still
>well
>known by any arbitrary or official identification based on racial and
>linguistic classifications. For the matter of convenience, the word
>TIGRGNA
>(tigrNa) can be used to refer both the language and ethnic groups who
>speak
>it. For Tigrgna is also spoken by Moslem Geberti. They were Christians
>before
>the advent of Turks who converted them by shear of force. Obviously,
>they
> have a kinship tie with Christians who are indistinguishable from
>them in
>their physical appearance.
Selam Haile:
Gebertis are people who may have been Christians or animists before
the introduction of Islam to Ethiopia.
Prophet Mohammed sent some of his followers to a king in Ethiopia who
was known to be righteous. The king received the messengers well and
also converted to Islam. So most Muslims in Ethiopia/Eritrea could be
descendants of the people who accepted Islam at that time or people who
voluntarily converted later on, not by force by the Turks.
Remember people who live in the same area also convert to each others'
religions voluntarily, some them fall in love and take their lover's
religion -
all kind of possibilities. This is just a rough account of what I know,
please refer to books on prophet Mohammed or Islam in Ethiopia.
I believe most Gebertis have kinship with all Eritreans. They can relate
to Christians because of their common language and towns/villages and
they can also relate to Tigre, Saho,and others through their religion.
Sincerely,
Said Nurhussein
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