“Days Gone By” invites you to step back in time and revisit a nostalgic, often overlooked era — from the post-war years through to the early 1970s. It was a golden age filled with hope, optimism, and joy, yet also shaped by turbulent political uncertainty.
A picturesque colour Kodachrome postcard of central Asmara, photographed in the early 1960s before the city’s final switch to right-hand traffic in 1964.
Swinging Asmara
By the 1960s and early 1970s, a new generation of young Eritrean Asmarinos (Asmarini) had emerged — modern, urban, and reflecting the city’s changing social and cultural life. Shaped by Asmara’s cosmopolitan atmosphere, they coexisted alongside Italian Asmarini and other established communities, all blending within the city’s shared urban spaces. It was a time of dreams and optimism, when politics, music, sport, cinema, fashion, cafés, and nightclubs pulsed with the rhythm of change, cultural expression, and freedom.
A typical street scene in down town “Combishtato” — the Tigrinya adaptation of the Italian Campo Cintato.
A bygone era of politics, music, nightclubs, fashion, football, cycling, and car racing.
Memorable nightclubs and cultural venues that left a lasting mark on popular Asmarino culture and nightlife during the 1960s and 1970s.
Legendary Haile Ghebru & Zerai Deres Band — the most celebrated musical group(’60s -’70s), whose music shaped a generation. Watch on YouTube.
The Imperials, who frequently played at venues like the Nayala Hotel, the CUA Club, and Club Junior. Watch on YouTube.
Eritrean legends, Italian pop icons and global rock and soul artists that shaped a generation of Asmarini. View more on Facebook.
The Golden Age of Football
Rivalries of the 1960s and early 1970s: the matches between Hamassien FC (Asmara) and Embasoira FC (Akele Guzai) brought Eritrean football to memorable heights at Cicero Stadium — a period of strong passion, pride, and intense competition, reflecting both the excitement and complexities of the era.
Hammassien Legends — Back row from left: Fenili (Manager), Abraham, Yemane, Yohannes (Joker), Bokre, Berket and Mehari. Front row: Tesfagiorgis, Seyoum, Abdulrahman (Pacé) , Mokonnen and Ismail.
Embasoira Legends — Back row from left: goalkeeper Elias Mario (2nd from left) and the legendary attacker Ahmed Abdella (“Wedi Abdella”) (far right). Front row includes Ellé (subject to confirmation).
kagnew Station
The large U.S. communications and radio surveillance base, Kagnew Station, brought thousands of American personnel to the city from the 1950s through the early 1970s. It contributed to employment, imports, and cultural exchange, and provided access to recreational facilities and community events. Its presence also reflected the broader regional, geopolitical, and social dynamics of the period.
Main gate of Kagnew Station.
Memorable TV series aired from Kagnew Station.
Motor Racing
“The famous and long-established Asmara Circuit (“Circuito Asmara”) was held on the city’s main streets, featuring racing cars such as Abarth, Porsche and Alfa Romeo. The circuit remained active until 1972, when the final known race — the Gran Premio Automobilistico Expo ’72 — marked the end of car racing in Asmara during the years of the Eritrean Civil War. Following Eritrea’s independence, the event was revived in the 1990s.
