Ghirmai Negash is the founder and head of the Department of Eritrean Languages and Literature of the University of Asmara, Eritrea (2001-2005). He is the author of A History of Tigirnya Literature in Eritrea (1999), and Nay Deresti Naznet [The Freedom of the Writer, 1993], with more titles forthcoming. He specializes in postcolonial theory, orature, and applied linguistics. Negash has recently moved to Ohio University to work as assistant director of the African Studies Program and professor of African Literature.