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Irob people

2024-01-31T01:40:17Z

2001:56A:72E2:F200:D921:6710:ED9F:2B03: /* History */

{{Short description|Ethnic group of Tigray Region, Ethiopia}}
[[Image:Kafna Village.jpg|thumb|300px|Kafna Village.]]
{{More citations needed|date=January 2009}}
The '''Irob people''' ([[Ge'ez alphabet|Ge'ez]]: ኢሮብ ''ʾirōb'', also spelled Erob) are an ethnic group who live in a predominantly highland, mountainous area by the same name in northeastern [[Tigray Region]], Ethiopia. They speak the [[Saho language]]. Most of them profess the [[Catholic Church|catholic]] Christian religion and are mostly farmers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/14641/ET|title=Saho, Irob in Ethiopia|last=Joshua Project|website=joshuaproject.net|accessdate=Feb 2, 2021}}</ref> The etymology of the name Irob is debatable, but Irob's elders say that the term comes from the Saho word "Oroba", which means "welcome to our home". The boundaries of Irobland are, to an extent, identical to the [[Irob (woreda)|Irob]] woreda; both are bordered by the following areas: Dabri-Mela to the north, Hado to the east, the [[Afar Region]] to the east and south, Shoumezana and [[Gulomahda|Gulomakeda]] to the west, and [[Saesi Tsaedaemba]] to the south. The first two neighbors are Saho speakers and predominantly Muslim, the third are Muslim Afars, and the others are Tigrigna-speaking Christians.

==History==
[[Image:Irob boys in Alitena.jpg|thumb|300px|Irob boys in [[Alitena]].]] The capital (traditional center) of Irob is [[Alitena]]. Irobs trace their lineage to one man, Summe, son of Neguse Worede-Mehret, who according to the Irob oral history, migrated to the Irobland from Tsira'e in [[Kilite Awla'elo]], a part of Tigray, about 700 years ago.<ref>{{Cite web|title=History of Irob Short History of Irob... - ኣዱሓ ኢሮብ ዳይሎ Konjo Erob Boys & Girls {{!}} Facebook|url=https://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:Q-D_fLVEnEYJ:https://www.facebook.com/Dekierob/posts/history-of-irobshort-history-of-irob-peopleas-most-of-the-history-of-african-peo/1889556737961936/%20&cd=2&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us|access-date=2021-01-02|website=webcache.googleusercontent.com}}</ref>

Despite their relatively small population, the Irob have been at the forefront of regional and national politics in Ethiopia. Starting with the [[Zemene Mesafint]], the Irob family of [[Ethiopian aristocratic and court titles|Shum]] Agame Woldu dominated Tigrayan politics. The dynasty included [[Dejazmach]] [[Sabagadis|Subagadis]] (whose rule extended to present-day Eritrea), Shum Agame Desta, Ras [[Sebhat Aregawi]], and many others including Emperor [[Yohannes IV]].

During the Italian invasion, Irob patriots, led by individuals such as Dejazmach [[Ayele Sebhat]] and Dejazmach [[Kassa Sebhat]],<ref>Anthony Mockler recounts how they attacked, and almost destroyed, an Italian column that had advanced from southern Eritrea, across the [[Danakil Depression]], to reach the edge of the [[Ethiopian highlands]]. (''Haile Selassie's War'' [New York: Olive Branch Press, 2003], pp. 66f)</ref> contributed to the anti-Italian resistance movement from their base on [[Mount Asimba]].

In more recent times, many Irobs, such as Dr. [[Tesfay Debessay]], who was a leader of the [[Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Party]] (EPRP), played an important role in the struggle waged against the dictatorial junta led by Colonel [[Mengistu Haile Mariam]].

[[Image:Assimba mountain in the distance.jpg|thumb|300px|[[Mount Assimba]] from a distance.]][[Image:Aiga Village.JPG|thumb|300px|Aiga Village.]] Moreover, the Irobland proper, particularly around the Assimba and Aiga localities, served as a base for several Ethiopian revolutionary movements, including EPRP and the [[Tigray People's Liberation Front]](TPLF). Aiga is also the location of significant battles during the Ethio-Eritrean border war (1998–2000), which ultimately led to the removal of occupying Eritrean forces from the region.

In early January 2021 during the [[Tigray War]] at least 52 civilians (50 men, 2 women) were [[extrajudicial killing|extrajudicially killed]] in Irob by Eritrean soldiers, according to ''Irob Advocacy Association'', which prepared a list of the victims' names.<ref name="EEPA_No72_31Jan2021" />

Tigrai TV reported 13 victims, members of the same family thrown in a river which coloured red; relatives were denied to bury the bodies and mourn.<ref>Tigrai TV, 3 October 2021: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6am6LnT99pw ግፍዓዊ ጨፍጫፍ ወረዳ ኢሮብ]</ref>

==Lifestyle and culture==

The Irob are divided into three major subgroups or ''Are'' (Houses): Adgadi-Are, Buknaiti-Are and Hasaballa. The Adgadi-Are and Hasaballa are predominantly Orthodox Christians, while Bouknaiti-Are consist of Catholics.

The Irob economy is primarily based on agriculture, including animal husbandry. The region is also renowned for its excellent honey. In fact, the Miess /[[Tej]] or local "Beer"(honey-wine) made from the honey is praised throughout the region for its quality.

In general, the Irob are a bicultural community. With their Saho-speaking neighbors, they share a common language and certain social structures, such as a clan division system called ''Mela'', and the title ''Ona'' for their regional leaders. Many other cultural practices, including wedding ceremonies, dress, dance, and food; however, are more similar to their Tigrigna-speaking neighbors specially with the peoples of Agame.

Irobs also have distinctive customs. For example, they have an elaborate poetry-telling tradition called ''Adar''. The Irob men have a dance/step routine called ''Hora'' and ''Alkafo'', which was traditionally performed in preparation for battles and still commonly displayed during weddings and other ceremonies. [[Image:Addaga Village.jpg|thumb|300px|Addaga Village.]]

==See also==
*[[Irob (woreda)]]
*[[Agame]]
*[[Saho people]]

==References==
{{reflist|refs=

<ref name="EEPA_No72_31Jan2021">{{cite web | title= Situation Report EEPA HORN No. 72 – 31 January 2021 | website= [[Europe External Programme with Africa]] |date = 2021-01-31 | url = https://www.eepa.be//wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Situation-Report-EEPA-Horn-No.-72-31-January-2021-1.pdf | access-date = 2021-02-01 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210131201228/https://www.eepa.be//wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Situation-Report-EEPA-Horn-No.-72-31-January-2021-1.pdf |archive-date= 2021-01-31 |url-status=live }}</ref>

}}

==External links==
* [https://www.irobadvocacy.org ''Irob Advocacy Association'']: cultural and historical overview, human rights promotion

{{Ethnic groups in Ethiopia}}
{{authority control}}

[[Category:Ethnic groups in Ethiopia]]
[[Category:Tigray Region]]

Gorgora

2024-01-30T23:48:04Z

2001:56A:72E2:F200:D921:6710:ED9F:2B03: /* History */

{{For|the genus of moth|Gorgora (moth)}}
{{short description|Place in Amhara Region, Ethiopia}}
{{Infobox settlement
|official_name = Gorgora
|native_name = ጎርጎራ
|image_skyline = ET Amhara asv2018-02 img034 Lake Tana at Gorgora.jpg
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|pushpin_map_caption =Location within Ethiopia##Location within the Horn of Africa##Location within Africa
|subdivision_type = [[Countries of the world|Country]]
|subdivision_type1 = [[Regions of Ethiopia|Region]]
|subdivision_name = [[Ethiopia]]
|subdivision_name1 = [[Amhara Region|Amhara]]
|subdivision_type2 = [[Zones of Ethiopia|Zone]]
|subdivision_name2 = [[Semien Gondar Zone|Semien (North) Gondar]]
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|population_total = 4783 (est)
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'''Gorgora''' ([[Amharic language|Amharic]]: ጎርጎራ ''Gōrgōrā'', also, especially formerly, ጐርጐራ ''Gʷargʷarā'', modern pronunciation ''Gʷergʷerā'') is a town and peninsula in northwestern [[Ethiopia]]. It is located south of [[Gondar]] on the north shore of [[Lake Tana]], in the [[Semien Gondar Zone]] of the [[Amhara Region]]. Gorgora has a latitude and longitude of {{coord|12|14|N|37|18|E}}.

== Geography ==
Gorgora is a peninsula on the north shore of [[lake Tana]]. It has some 12 kilometers of width in its southern parts and stands on strategic location, an elevated rocky [[promontory]] overlooking the lake and next to a series of islands suitable for habitation.<ref name=Aethiopica853>{{cite book |editor-last1=Uhlig |editor-first1=Siegbert |editor-last2=Bausi |editor-first2=Alessandro |editor-last3=Yimam |editor-first3=Baye |date=2003 |title=Encyclopaedia Aethiopica: D-Ha |work= |publisher=Harrassowitz |location=Wiesbaden |pages=853–855 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oFhyAAAAMAAJ |access-date= |isbn=9783447052382 |issn= |oclc= }}</ref>

== Overview ==
Gorgora refers to a small peninsula jutting into Lake Tana as well as to a small village hosting a harbor. The peninsula was important in the past as the site of an important Jesuit residence: "Old" Gorgora was located 5  km northeast, inland from Maryam Gimb, which was called [New] Gorgora, and 5  km west of Debre Sina and its churches (usually not considered a town in its own right).<ref>Andreu Martinez, "Gorgora", in Siegbert Uhlig, ed., ''Encyclopaedia Aethiopica'', vol. 2, Wiesbaden: Harrasowitz, 2005, pp. 853-4.</ref> Other notable landmarks include the monastery of Mandaba, located at the headlands of Gorgora peninsula. R.E. Cheesman visited Mandaba in 1932 and described the monastery as being enclosed by a high wall and no woman is allowed inside its gate. There are 150 residents, monks, the monastery is governed by an Abbot who has the power of putting refractory monks in chains, and is all powerful in his own monastery. Cheesman was told that if a man fleeing from justice rings the monastery bell and is given sanctuary, he is safe from even the highest person in the land.<ref>R.E. Cheesman, [https://www.jstor.org/stable/1785868 "Lake Tana and Its Islands", ''Geographical Journal''], 85 (1935), pp. 499f</ref>

[[Ferry|Ferries]] sail from the port to [[Bahir Dar]] via [[Kunzela]] and [[Dek Island]].

== History ==
Gorgora served as one of the early capitals of Ethiopia during the reigns of Emperor [[Susenyos of Ethiopia|Susenyos I]] and his son [[Fasilides of Ethiopia|Fasilides]] before Fasilides founded [[Gondar]]. It was selected as a capital as it started with the letter "gʷa" (Ge'ez: ጐ), as dictated by a prophecy of the time (the same prophecy led to the rise of Gondar). Gorgora is the Ethiopic bastardization of the Greek name "Γρηγόριος" (Gregorios). The city is named after the 4th-century Saint & Church Father [[Gregory the Illuminator]], who is a prominent figure in Ethiopian Orthodox Theology.

Ruins of the structures the [[Jesuit]]s built can still be seen, although most of the buildings were destroyed following an earthquake in the 1950s. Their construction is credited to the missionary [[Pedro Paez]], who also succeeded in converting Emperor Susenyos to Catholicism.<ref>David Buxton, ''Travels in Ethiopia'', second edition (London: Benn, 1957), p. 115</ref> The town is known for the [[Debre Sina (church)|Debre Sina]] [[Church (building)|church]] (built in 1608), its many [[monastery|monasteries]], the [[palace]] of the Emperor Susenyos located nearby, and the [[Portugal|Portuguese]] cathedral that was abandoned after Emperor Fasilides expelled the Jesuits.

Gorgora formed part of the defenses of the [[Battle of Gondar|Italian last stand]], under General [[Guglielmo Nasi]], around Gondar. In October 1941, the Italians had one battalion at Gorgora; within a month the garrison was 1500 strong. In 1960 the public health service set up a center in this town, one of the first four in the countryside of Ethiopia. Gorgora was selected due to its proximity to the [[Gondar College of Medical Sciences|Public Health College]] in Gondar.<ref>[http://130.238.24.99/library/resources/dossiers/local_history_of_ethiopia/g/ORTGOR.pdf "Local History in Ethiopia"]{{dead link|date=October 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} The Nordic Africa Institute website (accessed 19 March 2008)</ref>

The [[water hyacinth]] plant was rapidly [[Invasive species|invading]] Lake Tana around Gorgora in 2018.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kibret |first1=Solomon |last2=Worqlul |first2=Abeyou |date=31 October 2018 |url=https://satenaw.com/why-ethiopia-is-unable-to-control-water-hyacinth-from-lake-tana-and-what-to-do-about-it/ |title=Why Ethiopia is unable to control water hyacinth from Lake Tana and what to do about it |work=Satenaw News |location=Addis Abeba |access-date=7 May 2021}}</ref>

== Demographics ==
Based on figures from the [[Central Statistical Agency (Ethiopia)|Central Statistical Agency]] in 2005, Gorgora has an estimated total population of 4783, of whom 2283 are men and 2500 are women.<ref>[http://www.csa.gov.et/text_files/2005_national_statistics.htm CSA 2005 National Statistics] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061123121716/http://www.csa.gov.et/text_files/2005_national_statistics.htm |date=2006-11-23 }}, Table B.4</ref> The 1994 census reported this town had a total population of 2,768 of whom 1,201 were men and 1,567 were women.

== Notes ==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commonscat}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20010904102653/http://www.addistribune.com/Archives/2000/05/26-05-00/Travel.htm The View From Gondar: Part III, Gorgora] by John Graham (Addis Tribune)

[[Category:Populated places in the Amhara Region]]
[[Category:Populated places on Lake Tana]]
[[Category:Portuguese colonial architecture in Ethiopia]]
[[Category:North Gondar Zone]]