A SHORT PROFILE ON THE SIBRIT NATIONAL CULTURAL GROUP FROM ERITREA 

Background

During the National Liberation Struggle, cultural activities in various forms constituted an important part of the conscientiation, the overall national mobilization of the entire Eritrean population and social transformations both inside and outside the country. Cultural groups were established in the liberation army, inside the liberated areas and by Eritrean communities in the diasporas. Cultural events and festivals were thus conducted to reflect on the Eritrean culture and to transmit the cultural heritage to the new generation through arts and culture performances.

The above process and the efforts have been very instrumental in the portrayal of the values and goals of liberation, freedom and democracy in Eritrea and the contribution made by the cultural groups in the promotion of national unity, national mobilization, the socio-cultural transformation of the society and the transmission of the cultural heritage to the next generation has thus been very crucial in the achievement of independence in the country.

The SIBRIT National Cultural Group is hence a group established in 1993 and was established with the mission of continuing the various activities and developments achieved by the cultural groups which functioned during the Liberation Struggle. It stages traditional Eritrean music, song and dance of Eritrea 's nine ethnic groups. The name comes from one of the Eritrean languages ( Tigre ) and means heritage.

Objectives

SIBRIT is a cultural group with a mandate to implement the following cultural objectives of the State of Eritrea:-

•  Transfer the basic values of liberation, freedom and democracy as a cultural heritage to the new generation

•  Disseminate ideas of peace, stability and development through cultural activities

•  Promote cultural activities that represent unity and diversity in the Eritrean society

•  Promote cultural exchange programmes

•  Contribute to the development of traditional music, song, dance, arts

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