Abwobo is a woreda in Gambela Region, Ethiopia. Part of the Anywaa Zone, Abwobo is bordered on the southeast by the Majang Zone, on the south by Gog, on the southwest by Jor, on the northwest by Itang special woreda, on the north by Gambela Zuria, and on the northeast by the Oromia Region; part of its northern boundary is defined by the Alworo River. The major town in Abwobo is Abwobo.
The terrain of Abwobo is dominated by comparatively high ground extending on a southeast-northwest axis; the elevations range 400 – 600 meters above sea level. Major bodies of water in this woreda include Lake Alworo. According to the Atlas of the Ethiopian Rural Economy published by the Central Statistical Agency (CSA), around 20% of the woreda is forest. [1] A notable landmark is the Gambela National Park, which occupies the land west of the Pinyudo - Gambela road.
The economy of Abwobo is predominantly agricultural. Estimated road density is reported to be between 5.1 and 10 kilometers per 1000 square kilometers. [2]
At the start of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Abwobo was part of the Administrative Zone 2; however between 2001 and 2007 the Zone was reorganized and this woreda became part of the Anywaa Zone. [3]
Abwobo’s Woreda Administrators from 1991– to the present.
It began with King Gora who divided his three crowned sons Apïr (Giilø), Olwiith, and King Odiel into two clans Tuung-Nyudöla, and Tuung-Gööc.
Apïr (Giilø), and Olwiith become a clan of 'Tuung-Nyudöla’ and their descendant. King Odiel became the clan of 'Tuung-Gööc' and the descendant.
Quick Facts:
King Kwot who explores Abwobo is a descendant of King Odiel from the 'Tuung-Gööc' clan. He was responsible for bringing Dinka/Ajwiel from S. Sudan to Abwobo land and created a Clan called “Tuung-Jo-Waad-Jayo”, “Ajang-Jure-Kwot”, “Nyujang’, to present. He was succeeded by his son King Ngenyo Kwot followed by Revolutionary King Odiel Ngenyo (Wenyi-Julla) who crowned his three sons and one grandson.
Abwobo has about 21 kebeles, and 6 of them are the homes of resettlers. The following are the lists of the kebeles in Abwobo woreda.
Based on the 2007 Census conducted by the CSA, this woreda has a total population of 15,741, an increase of 12.65% over the 1994 census, of whom 8,184 are men and 7,557 women; with an area of 3,116.17 square kilometers, Abwobo has a population density of 5.05, which is greater than the Zone average of 4.83 persons per square kilometer. The census reported 4,090 or 25.98% are urban inhabitants. A total of 3,867 households were counted in this woreda, which results in an average of 4.1 persons per household, and 3,663 housing units. The majority of the inhabitants said they were Protestant, with 71.41% of the population reporting they observed this belief, while 10.77% were Catholic, 9.98% of the population practiced Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity, and 6.12% were Muslim. [4]
According to the 1994 national census, the woreda's population was reported to be 13,973 in 3,597 households, of whom 7,223 were men and 6,750 women; 1,222 or 8.75% of the population were urban inhabitants. The five largest ethnic groups in Abwobo were the Anywaa people (44.05%), the Kambaata (20.1%), the Amhara (12.57%), the Oromo (6.31%), and the Majang (5.99%); all other ethnic groups made up 10.98% of the population. Dha-Anywaa is spoken as a first language by 44.08%, 20.45% speak Kambaata, 13.5% Amharic, 5.93% Majang, and 5.65% speak Oromiffa; the remaining 10.39% spoke all other primary languages reported. The largest group of the inhabitants said they were Protestant, with 32.2% of the population reporting they practiced that belief, while 29.66% professed Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity, 16.01% practiced traditional religions, 13.71% were Muslim, and 6.46% were Catholic. [5]
The Gambela Region, officially the Gambela Peoples' Region, is a regional state in western Ethiopia, bordering South Sudan. Previously known as Region 12, its capital is Gambela. The Region is situated between the Baro and Akobo Rivers, with its western part including the Baro River.
Administrative Zone 2 was one of the three zones of the Ethiopian Region of Gambela. This zone was bordered by South Sudan and the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples Region on the south, Administrative Zone 3 on the west, Administrative Zone 1 on the north, and the Godere special woreda on the east. It was added to Anuak Zone. Towns in this zone included Abobo and Fugnido.
Godere is a woreda in Gambela Region, Ethiopia. Part of the Mezhenger Zone, Godere is bordered on the south and east by the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Region (SNNPR), and on the west by Mengesh. The largest town in Godere is Meti.
Gog is a woreda in Gambela Region, Ethiopia. Part of the Anuak Zone, Gog is bordered on the south by Dimma, on the southwest by the Akobo River which separates it from South Sudan, on the west by Jor, and on the north by Abobo. The major town in Gog is Fugnido.
Jor is a woreda in Gambela Region, Ethiopia. Part of the Anuak Zone, Jor is bordered on the south by the Akobo River which separates it from South Sudan, on the west and north by the Nuer Zone, on the northeast by Abobo, and on the east by Gog; the Alooworro River defines part of its northern boundary. The administrative center of this County is Ongoogi.
Itang is a woreda in Gambela Region, Ethiopia. Because Itang is not part of any zone in the Gambela Region, it is considered a Special woreda, an administrative subdivision which is similar to an autonomous area. It is bordered on the south and southeast by the Anuak Zone, on the west by the Nuer Zone, on the northwest by South Sudan, and on the north by the Oromia Region; part of the southern boundary is defined by the Alwero River. The major town in Itang is Itang.
Gambela Zuria was a woreda in the Gambela Region of Ethiopia. Part of the Anuak Zone, Gambela Zuria is bordered on the south by Abobo, on the west by Itang special woreda, and on the north and east by the Oromia Region. Gambela, which is the capital of the Region, is surrounded by this woreda.
Akobo is a woreda in Gambela Region, Ethiopia. It is named after the Akobo River, which flows westwards then north into the Baro River, defining its border with South Sudan. Part of the Nuer Zone, Akobo is bordered on the south and west by South Sudan, on the north by Wentawo, and on the east by the Anuak Zone. The westernmost point of this woreda is the westernmost point of Ethiopia. Towns in Akobo include Tergol.
Jikawo is a woreda in Gambela Region, Ethiopia. Part of the Nuer Zone, Jikawo is bordered on the south by the Anuak Zone, on the west by the Alwero River which separates it from Wentawo, on the north by the Baro River which separates it from South Sudan, and on the east by Lare. Towns in Jikawo include Nginngang and Telut.
Yeki is a woreda in South West Ethiopia Peoples' Region, Ethiopia. Part of the Sheka Zone, Yeki is bordered on the south by the Bench Maji Zone, on the west by the Gambela Region, on the north by Amderacha, and on the east by the Keffa Zone.The name 'Yeki' is named after the name of Sheko chief. The major town in Yeki is Tepi. Tepi is also named after the name of Majang man who live in the center of the current Tepi town.
Bure is one of the woredas in the Oromia Region of Ethiopia. Part of the Illubabor Zone, Bure is bordered on the south by Nono, on the southwest by the Gambela Region, on the west by the Kelem Welega Zone, on the northeast by Metu, and on the southeast by Ale; the Birbir River defines the west and north boundaries. Towns in Bure include Bure and Sibo. Huka Halu woreda was separated from Bure.
Fentale is one of the districts in the Oromia of Ethiopia. Part of the East Shewa Zone located in the Great Rift Valley, Fentale is bordered on the southeast by the Arsi Zone, on the southwest by Boset, on the northwest by the Amhara Region, and on the northeast by the Afar Region. The administrative center of Fentale is Metehara; other towns include Haroo Adii.
Naannawa Shashamane is a woreda in Oromia Region, Ethiopia. It is named after the town of Shashamene what was separated from this woreda. Part of the West Arsi Zone located in the Great Rift Valley, Shashamene is bordered on the south by the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Region, on the west by Shala, on the north by Arsi Negele, on the east by the Kore, and on the southeast by Kofele. The largest town in Shashamene is Kuyera.
Moyale(Oromo: Moyyaalee) is one of the Districtss in the Oromia Region of Ethiopia. It is named after the administrative center of the woreda, Moyale. Located in the southeast corner of the Borena Zone, Moyale is bordered on the south by Kenya, on the west by Dire, on the northwest by Arero, on the north by the Dawa River which separates it from Liben, and on the east by Dawa Zone Somali Region.
Dimma is a woreda in Gambela Region, Ethiopia. Part of the Anuak Zone, Dimma is bordered on the southeast by the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Region (SNNPR), on the southwest by the Akobo River which separates it from South Sudan, on the north by Gog, and on the northeast by the Mezhenger Zone. The major town in Dimma is Dimma.
Lare is one of the Districts of Ethiopia, or woredas, in the Gambela Region of Ethiopia. Part of the Nuer Zone, Lare is bordered on the south and east by the Anuak Zone, on the west by the Baro River which separates it from Jikawo, and on the north by the Jikawo River which separates it from South Sudan. Towns in Lare include Kuergeng.
Wentawo is one of the woredas in the Gambela Region of Ethiopia. Part of the Nuer Zone, Wentawo is bordered on the south by Akobo, on the west and north by South Sudan, on the east by Jikawo, and on the southeast by Anuak Zone; the Akobo River to the west and the Baro River on the north define Wentawo's boundaries with South Sudan. Towns in this woreda include Metar.
The Mezhenger Zone or Majang Zone is a zone in Gambela Region of Ethiopia. It is named for one of the three largest indigenous groups in Gambela, the Majangir. This zone is bordered on the south and east by the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Region (SNNPR), on the west by the Anuak Zone, and on the north by the Oromia Region. Towns in this Zone include Meti.
Anyuak Zone or Anywaa Zone is a zone in Gambela Region of Ethiopia. It was created from former Administrative Zone 1 and Administrative Zone 2 of Gambela. This zone is bordered on the southwest by South Sudan, on the southeast by the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples Region, on the east by Majang Zone, on the northeast by the Oromia Region, and on the northwest by South Sudan and Nuer Zone. Towns in this zone include Gambela, Abwobo and Pinyudo.