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Eritrean Literature reflects the culture and outlook of the Eritreans. Initially, the European missionaries introduced the Eritrean Literature in Tigrinya language. The earlier works of literature that had been published during this period include translations and collections of folklores, traditional poems and fables.
During the period between the 4th and 11th centuries AD, the Ge'ez language had been the main language of the country and also the language of literature. This literature mainly included ecclesiastical works, historical tales of royals and other nobles and religious poems. Thereafter Tigrinya replaced Ge'ez.
In the early years of the 20th century a wonderful collection of folktales and forty fables by Ghebre-Medhin Dighnei appeared. The other noted works of this time included three collections of oral poetry written by Johannes Kolmodin, Carlo Conti Rossini and Jacques Faitlovitch. Again, between 1903 and 1906, Tigrinya Popular Songs were published by Conti Rossini.
Most of the Eritrean literature depicts the social and historical aspects of Eritrea and maintains quality. The Renaissance and Fascism period also played a vital role in enriching Eritrea literature. Renaissance revived the culture and gave a new arena to the literary field of Eritrea.
On the other hand, in the Fascism period the major artistic creation was Conti Rossini's Tigrinya Traditional Proverbs and Songs. In 1942 it was published just after the end of Italian rule.
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