Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
of ancestors and are sometimes kept as house pets. The Sidama social organisation, like
the Oromo's
gada
system, is based on an age-group system.
The Sidama comprise about 4% of Ethiopia's population and most live in the Southern
Nations, Nationalities and People's region.
The Gurage
Semitic in origin, the Gurage practise herding or farming, and the
enset
plant is their fa-
voured crop. They are known as great workers, clever improvisers and skilled
craftspeople. Many work as seasonal labourers for the highlanders. Their faith is Christi-
an, Muslim or animist, depending on the area from which they originate.
They comprise only 2% of Ethiopia's population, but make up more than 10% of the
population in the Southern Nations, Nationalities and People's region.
The Afar
The Afar, formerly also known as the Danakils, inhabit the famous region of Dankalia,
which stretches across Ethiopia's east, Djibouti's west and into Eritrea's southeast. It's
considered one of Earth's most inhospitable environments. Rightly or wrongly, they've
proudly latched onto early-20th-century adventurer Wilfred Thesiger's portrayal of them
as famously belligerent and proud. Thesiger wrote of the Afar winning social prestige in
the past for murdering and castrating members of an opposing tribe. Fortunately for male
travellers this is somewhat rarer today!
The Afar comprise 1.7% of Ethiopia's population.
The Harari
Like the Gurage, the Harari people (sometimes known as Adare) are also Semitic in ori-
gin. They have long inhabited the walled Muslim city of Harar. The people are particu-
larly known for their distinct two-storey houses, known as
gegar
(see the boxed text,
Click here
)
, and for the very colourful traditional costumes still worn by many Harari wo-
men today. In the past, the Harari were known as great craftspeople for their weavings,
baskets and bookbinding. They're also renowned Islamic scholars.
The Falashas
Falashas (Ethiopian Jews) have inhabited Ethiopia since pre-Christian times. Despite act-
ively engaging in wars over the years to defend their independence and freedom, few now
