FAR (DANKALI)

Afars, also known as the Danakils, make up about 5 % of the Eritrean population, inhabit along the coastal strip stretching from the Gulf of Zula into Djibuti. Afar are nomadic pastoralists and mainly Muslims. The Afar oral literature reveals a high esteem for military powers. The Afar territory has been divided into kingdoms and ruled by indivduals, who have always remained fiercely independent of any foreign powers. Afar is a language of the Afar people. This language is spoken by the people who inhabit the costal provinces (Awraja) of Denkel and the southern part of northern (province) Awraja Semhar. This is equivalent to the area covered by the Denkel province of colonial days. The language of the Afar is sometimes referred in the literature as Dankali, but this is a name given by the neighbors. The people call their language as Afar only. Afar is also spoken across the border in Ethiopia's Afar administrative region and in Djibouti (the Republic of Afar & Isa) as well.

 

[ back ]

--------------------------------------
Dekebat-Eritra Team 2000-2007