Customs
If being hosted by an Eritrean, and they
offer food it is rude for guest to reject it and
even should be eaten if not hungry. Eritrean
families often eat off of one platter.
Families expect schools to teach their
children everything, even discipline and
respect.
Drugs/Alcohol
Drugs are frowned upon. Children may
often hide their drug use from their parents.
Alcohol is used on special occasions by the
Eritreans.
[A Christian Eritrean woman in traditional scarf and cloths.]
Religious Practices
Churches are seen as a place to socialize for
the community and is a way to bring the
Eritrean people together. Eritreans are often
Christians or Muslims. How one dresses can
give insight to one’s religion. Muslim
women wear scarves covering their entire
head and Christian women wrap a scarf
around their head. However, women do not
always wear the scarves.
This project was made possible by a collaboration
between the University of Iowa College of Nursing
and the Early Childhood Department of Northwest
Are Education Agency in Sioux City, Iowa.
Early Childhood/Special Education Nurses: Jennifer
Mars, Judy Turner, Sheila Finch
University of Iowa, College of Nursing Lecturer:
Carol Dupic
Students: Sara Pohlen, Jenny Tran, Laura Binnebose
References
Eritrea’s
Cooper, D., & Underwood, A. (2010).
Eritrean cultural profile. Retrieved from
https://ethnomed.org/culture/eritrean
Fau, V. (2012). Children of Eritrea: realizing
Culture
children’s right is Eritrea. Humanium.
Retrieved from
http://www.everyculture.com/multi/D
u-Ha/Eritrean-Americans.html
Ockerstrom, L. Eritrean Americans. Northwest Area Education Agency does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color,
Countries and their Cultures. Retrieved religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity,
from disability, veteran status or as otherwise prohibited by law in its educational programs, services
http://www.everyculture.com/multi/D and employment practices. Questions or grievances related to this policy may be addressed to:
Jerome Shaefer, Equity Coordinator, 1520 Morningside Ave., Sioux City, IA 51106-1716,
u-Ha/Eritrean-Americans.html

Who are the Eritreans?
Background
The Eritreans are people who have
immigrated to the United States due to civil
war. The war is causing lack of opportunity
for the people to make a good living in their
country. Starting in the 1980’s, the Eritreans
started immigrating to the US to create a
home; some people did this without
knowing anyone and others came over with
family or friends.
Eritrean’s native language is Tigrinya. Most
under the age of 50 will speak some English
in the US. It is important to remember even
though one may speak English an
interpreter should be used when explaining
technical medical information.
Medical Practices
Traditionally​: Eritreans use plants and native
remedies. Among the elderly population
therapeutic burning is common. Male and
female circumcisions are seen.
Western medicine​ is used when here in the
US, and if that is unsuccessful they may turn
to their traditional practices. It is sometimes
found that they feel too much blood is being
drawn.
Family Structure
The culture holds traditional family and
gender roles as the women traditionally
take care of the house chores and cooking
while the men work. Due to immigration
both men and women are working outside
the home and sharing the household tasks.
It is preferred that Eritreans marry other
Eritreans, and 18 years of age is a common
age for marriage. Arranged marriages are
common with the culture and divorce is not
Health
acceptable. Homosexuality is not accepted
in the culture. If a person is Muslim the Being overweight is thought to be attractive
men can have up to seven wives and if so education is needed on health, exercise,
Christian the man will only have one wife. and eating habits. It is common for Eritreans
to have obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol
Frequently Eritreans will stay together as a and high blood pressure are common.
community. The elderly family members
are often cared for by their children in their If an Eritrean has a life-threatening illness
home. If family is left behind in Eritrea, it is the family would like to be the ones to tell
also common practice to send money home the individual the news. It has been found
to help the extended family. that Eritreans do not take medications for
chronic illnesses such as cholesterol or
hypertension.
Children
Birth control is often used for the Depression may be common especially for
practicality of having small families. When those who have just immigrated. Eritreans
giving birth the women often value natural often times do not understand the concept
birth with no intervention and only females of depression. Those with mental health
may attend the birth both at home or in the issues are often cared for by the family and
hospital. Women most often breastfeed the family is supportive of the individual.
their child. A fat baby is believed to be a
HIV and AIDS are a feared stigma and most
healthy baby.
keep this diagnosis to oneself.
The Eritrean culture does not approve of
teen dating and since that is common in the Death
US, some parents have a difficult time
The mourning period may last 1-2 weeks
accepting that change. Sex education with
and the family is often gathered at a central
the topics of STDs, birth control, and female
location to accept condolences. It is not
circumcision is also being taught to the
common for a spouse to remarry, unless
teens in the U S.
one has no children.