Religious Affiliation By Geography and By Ethnic Group
The highland region is predominantly Christian while Muslims predominate in the east and west lowlands.
Among the ethnic groups of Eritrea the Tigrinya are mainly Orthodox Christian and Catholic (about 95%) and an exception to this is the Jeberti people (Djiberti Tigrinya) who are Muslim (about 5%). More than 50% of the Kunama people are Catholic, with a sizable minority of Muslims and some who practice traditional religions. Approximately 40% of the Bilen people are Christian, the majority being Catholic, but most are Muslim. Along with the Bilen, most members of the Tigre, Saho, Nara, Afar, Rashaida and Beja ethnic groups are Muslim.
The Christian Tigrinyas along with some Muslim Djiberti Tigrinya and Saho live in the central and southern highlands. The eastern lowlands are inhabited by the Afar, the Rashaida along with some of the Saho and Tigre. The border formed between the western lowlands and the central highlands are the home to the Bilen who are concentrated in the Keren area. The area is also home to a large minority of Tigre and Tigrinya. The western lowlands are home to the Beja, Kunama, Nara and the majority of Tigre.
| Ethnic Group | Main Regions | Population | Percentage of total population | Christians | Muslims | Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tigrigna | Maekel Region, Debub Region | 3,319,680 | 57% | 95% | 4% | 1% |
| Tigre | Gash-Barka Region, Anseba Region, Maekel Region | 1,630,720 | 28% | 6% | 90% | 4% |
| Saho | Northern Red Sea Region, Debub Region | 232,960 | 4% | 7% | 93% | N/A |
| Kunama | Gash-Barka Region | 174,720 | 3% | 41% | 23% | 36% |
| Afar | Southern Red Sea Region | 174,720 | 3% | 2% | 98% | N/A |
| Bilen | Anseba Region | 116,480 | 2% | 48% | 47% | 5% |
| Nara | Gash-Barka Region | 58,240 | 1% | 14% | 85% | 1% |
| Beja | Gash-Barka Region, Anseba Region | 58,240 | 1% | 1% | 98% | 1% |
| Rashaida | Northern Red Sea Region | 58.240 | 1% | N/A | 99% | N.A |
Read more about this topic: Religion In Eritrea
Famous quotes containing the words ethnic group, religious, affiliation, geography, ethnic and/or group:
“Caprice, independence and rebellion, which are opposed to the social order, are essential to the good health of an ethnic group. We shall measure the good health of this group by the number of its delinquents. Nothing is more immobilizing than the spirit of deference.”
—Jean Dubuffet (1901–1985)
“The Civil rights of none shall be abridged on account of religious belief or worship, nor shall any national religion be established, nor shall the full and equal rights of conscience be in any manner, or on any pretext, be infringed.”
—James Madison (1751–1836)
“Women will not advance except by joining together in cooperative action.... Unlike other groups, women do not need to set affiliation and strength in opposition one against the other. We can readily integrate the two, search for more and better ways to use affiliation to enhance strength—and strength to enhance affiliation.”
—Jean Baker Miller (20th century)
“Yet America is a poem in our eyes; its ample geography dazzles the imagination, and it will not wait long for metres.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)
“Motherhood is the second oldest profession in the world. It never questions age, height, religious preference, health, political affiliation, citizenship, morality, ethnic background, marital status, economic level, convenience, or previous experience.”
—Erma Bombeck (20th century)
“[The Republicans] offer ... a detailed agenda for national renewal.... [On] reducing illegitimacy ... the state will use ... funds for programs to reduce out-of-wedlock pregnancies, to promote adoption, to establish and operate children’s group homes, to establish and operate residential group homes for unwed mothers, or for any purpose the state deems appropriate. None of the taxpayer funds may be used for abortion services or abortion counseling.”
—Newt Gingrich (b. 1943)