Daily Life In Eritrea 2023

KEREN, ERITREA - JANUARY 02: A view of the statue of the Virgin Mary inside of the Mariam Dearit shrine on January 02, 2023 in Keren, Eritrea. Mariam Dearit is a Shrine or church named for the Virgin Mary and is constructed in the trunk of a 500 year old, 75 foot baobab tree. The site which is just two kilometers outside of the city of Keren is a destination for devout pilgrims of all faiths. Constructed in 1869 by a group of French nuns known as the Daughters of Charity the shrine contains a statue of the Virgin Mary which is believed to have healing powers. Keren is the second largest city in Eritrea and is known for being a major hub for trade in vegetables and livestock. Goods produced in the Gash-Barka region to the southwest pass through Keren before heading to Asmara to the east. The city has an estimated population of 120,000 people who are predominately Muslim by faith with Catholic and Orthodox practitioners as well. (Photo by J. Countess/Getty Images)