Eritrean Music Legend; Bereket Mengisteab - Meley
Bereket Mengisteab is an Eritrean living legend to say the least. He has been performing/singing since he was quite young, however after joining the Eritrean Liberation Front (Jebha) in 1974, he took his writing and performance skills to a whole other level. Performing and with the ELF cultural troupe, he used his lyrics to sing about Eritrea and Her struggles. Like many other ELF members, they fled to various neighboring countries. Bereket left for Jeddah, Saudi Arabia still singing about hope, a free Eritrea, and so much more while touring the world. Finally making a permanent return to Eritrea in 1998 still singing and performing all over Eritrea and the world for various historic events.
During the Derg era however, it was forbidden to sing about Eritrea in any shape, context, form, etc. But Eritreans being so resilient that we are, singers gave Eritrea code names. For example, this classic hit Meley, talks about missing Eritrea as he sings from a far or in general a song for those who are currently away from Eritrea due to the war.
"Anta ha'lal menge'dhi inte'rekhib ki'ya, Meley selam be'lelulay."