Mereja.Forum

An Eritrean in America, in 1922?!

Before the Civil Rights Movement. Before Eritrea was a nation.

This is the story of Abraha Elefe, an Eritrean who came to the U.S., married, raised a family, and served in the U.S. Army.

🧵 A thread on legacy, identity & service: @MicaelGoitom




Most people guess the first Eritrean arrived in the U.S. in the 1970s, during the independence struggle.

Wrong!

Abraha Elefe arrived in New Orleans in 1922 and again in New York in 1924, as a crewman on Italian ships.

He was just 19.




First Pic: Abraha. Second Pic: Elefe

Born in 1903 in Asmara, Abraha was the son of Elefe Newatu, an Eritrean adopted by Italians in the 1880s.

At just 12, Abraha snuck onto a ship and eventually became an Italian citizen.

His journey was bold, dangerous, and ahead of its time.




In 1924, he arrived in New York again, this time as a coal man aboard the ship- the President Wilson.

But he didn’t go back.

According to family, he was influenced to stay in NY and he never returned to the sea.




Third Pic: From a letter after the liberation of Sicily

Abraha assimilated into American society. He Married an African American woman. Raised four children. 🪖 Joined the U.S. Army during WWII, serving in Italy & Korea.





His decision to serve the U.S., his host nation, speaks volumes about Eritrean values of duty, resilience, and integration.

His son Tewoldemedhin (still alive today) and grandchildren, carry this dual heritage forward.





First Pic: Notice the posture. The pride. The connection to home never lost.

Here he is in 1943 and beyond, visiting his family in Asmara, standing with his father Elefe Newatu.




Abraha’s story reminds us, that Eritrean-American ties are not new.

Our people, didn’t just come here. We belonged, contributed, and fought for this country.

And now, as relations between and improve..

We stand on shoulders like his.

Victory to the Masses/Awet N’Hafash!




Research Credit:

Prof. Issayas Tesfamariam, head of Hoover's Library and Archive's microfilming and language professor at Stanford University.

Our people, didn’t just come here. We belonged, contributed, and fought for this country.

And now, as relations between and improve..

We stand on shoulders like his.

I thought we were told that the US doesn't build anything except printing money.

Actually on the habesha news I heard the other way around. Senators were preparing a document accusing Eritrea the way it handles human right. Before that we heard POTUS called Isayas and we thought there might be something positive. It looks not so quick and easy peasy. Any ways good luck if there is anything positive!