Phut Asmareno
Phut Asmareno is a Eritrean artist whom I met in Asmara in September 2000. Eritrea was the frist stop for my self-initiated Africa Development Research Project that would eventually include travels to seven African countries spanning more than two years and culminate in post-graduate Development research at the University of South Africa. I departed Eritrea for Ethiopia in mid-December 2000.
A Helpful Friend
Phut Asmareno worked in her home studio in a house she shared with her mother. The family (father now deceased) previously lived in Mozambique for a number of years after relocating there due to the ravages of war between Eritrea and Ethiopia. They later returned home to Asmara but the internal political was still unstable though the war had ended. United Nations peacekeepers were now arriving (November 2001) to ensure lasting security between the two countries. Phut was very helpful with providing advice for my personal safety, given the current local political climatic and general suspicion of foreigners.
I had an open invitation to their home where I was always served tea and asked to join them in a meal. One day I asked Phut if her mother would be willing to teach me how to prepare the delicious food she served. To my pleasant surprise she posed this question to her mother and she agreed. Thus begin my foray into a combined Eritrean and Mozambican gastronomic adventure.
Phut introduced me to several of her friends and colleagues (a local artist known simply as ‘Goy’, being one) and she was instrumental in arranging for me to meet Faytinga, a former Eritrean freedom fighter (then a young girl just 14 years old) who achieved national fame, and is now a world renowned singer performing on the international scene. It was also through Phut’s efforts that Faytinga agreed to accompany me on a trip upcountry to her home village where I wanted to work on a photographic project.
Note: Information related to people, places and events mentioned above will be detailed in separate postings.
