Colonialism and the Construction of National Identities: The Case of Eritrea

Abstract In spite of the common agreement on the relevance of Italian rule on the political and social shaping of Eritrea, little investigation has been carried out to analyse the political, juridical and economical, nature of the colonial system in Eritrea and its impact on Eritrean society. This article focuses on the structure and strategies of the colonial state in Eritrea. Special attention is given to the development of an alternative juridical and institutional system for colonial subjects, which is described as both a key aspect of the development and consolidation of colonial powers and a crucial factor in moulding new identities. The final section of the article discusses relations between the colonial state and local elites. It is a common assumption that one of the main negative consequences of the harsh policies adopted by Italian colonialism in order to frustrate Eritrean aspiration and access to education was the suppression of a local elite. It is argued that, while true in a general sense...