Demographics
The 2007 national census reported a total population for this woreda of 66,654, of whom 33,452 were men and 33,202 were women; 7,399 or 11.1% of its population were urban dwellers. The majority of the inhabitants said they practised Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity, with 45.84% of the population reporting they observed this belief, while 18.88% of the population practiced traditional beliefs, 18.76% were Moslem, and 15.47% were Protestant. [2]
Based on figures from the Central Statistical Agency in 2005, this woreda has an estimated total population of 56,290, of whom 28,078 are men and 28,212 are women; 5,010 or 8.90% of the population are urban dwellers which is less than the Zone average of 10.7%. With an estimated area of 2,425.32 square kilometers, Dibate has a population density of 23.2 people per square kilometer which is above the Zone average of 8.57. [3]
The 1994 national census reported a total population for this woreda of 41,570 in 8,831 households, of whom 20,843 were men and 20,727 were women; 2,912 or 7.01% of its population were urban dwellers. The five largest ethnic groups reported in Dibate were the Gumuz (30.6%), the Amhara (26.3%), the Oromo (24%), the Shinasha (16.5%) and the Awi (2%) a subgroup of the Agaw. Gumuz is spoken as a first language by 30.6%, 26.5% speak Amhara, Oromiffa 25%, and 2% Awngi. Most of the inhabitants practiced Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity, with 46% of the population reporting that they held that belief, while 25% observed traditional religions, 17.6% were Muslim, and 8.9% were Protestant. Concerning education, 15.49% of the population were considered literate, which is less than the Zone average of 18.61%; 11.22% of children aged 7–12 were in primary school; 4.62% of the children aged 13–14 were in junior secondary school; and 0.71% of the inhabitants aged 15–18 were in senior secondary school. Concerning sanitary conditions, 14.3% of the urban houses and 5.9% of all houses had access to safe drinking water at the time of the census; 57.6% of the urban and 7.1% of the total had toilet facilities. [4]
Benishangul-Gumuz is a regional state in northwestern Ethiopia bordering Sudan. It was previously known as Region 6. The region's capital is Assosa. Following the adoption of the 1995 constitution, the region was created from the westernmost portion of the Gojjam province, and the northwestern portion of the Welega Province. The name of the region comes from two peoples – Berta and Gumuz.
Metekel Zone is located in the current Benishangul-Gumuz region of Ethiopia. It was previously known to be part of the Amhara land.(H.Dufton Narrative of a journey through Abyssinia in 1862-3.P.129). It is bordered on the south and southwest by Kamashi, on the west by Sudan, and on the north and east by the current Amhara region. The Abay River which formery defined the western border of the Amhara land,defines the Zone's boundaries with Kamashi, while the Dinder River defines part of its boundary with the current Amhara region.
Pawe is one of the 20 woredas in the Benishangul-Gumuz Region of Ethiopia. Because it is not part of any Zone in Benishangul-Gumuz, it is considered a Special woreda, an administrative subdivision which is similar to an autonomous area. It is a model special woreda in the country for its demographic diversity and huge mix in population while sustaining a peaceful co-existence. Pawe is bordered on the south and west by Metekel, and on the east and north by the Amhara Region. The largest town in Pawe is Almu; other towns include Felege Selam and Ketema.
Kamashi is a zone in the Benishangul-Gumuz Region of Ethiopia. It covers part of the southern bank of the Abay and the valley of the Didessa Rivers. The Zone is bordered on the south and east by the Oromia Region, on the west by the Asosa and Sudan, and on the north by Metekel and the Amhara Region, which lie on the further bank of the Abay. The majority ethnic group in the zone is the Gumuz people, with significant Oromo and Amhara minorities as well.
Dangur is one of the 20 Districts of Ethiopia, or woredas, in the Benishangul-Gumuz Region of Ethiopia. It is named after the Dangur range of mountains, which extend southwest from the mountains along the west side of Lake Tana. The administrative center of this woreda is Manbuk.
Guba is one of the 20 Districts of Ethiopia, or woredas, in the Benishangul-Gumuz Region of Ethiopia. It is named after the former Sultanate of Gubba. Part of the Metekel Zone, Guba is bordered by the Abay River on the south which separates it from the Kamashi Zone, Sudan on the west, Amhara Region on the north, Dangur on the east, and on the southeast by the Beles River, which separates it from Wenbera. Towns in Guba include Mankush. A refugee camp for displaced persons from Sudan operated in this woreda at Yarenja until all of its inhabitants were repatriated and the camp closed 28 March 2007.
Wenbera is one of the 20 Districts of Ethiopia, or woredas, in the Benishangul-Gumuz Region of Ethiopia. Part of the Metekel Zone, it is bordered on the south and west by the Kamashi Zone, on the north by the Beles River which separates it from Guba and Dangur, and by Bulen on the east; the Abay River defines the boundary between Wenbera and the Kamashi Zone.
Mandura is one of the 20 Districts of Ethiopia, or woredas, in the Benishangul-Gumuz Region of Ethiopia. Part of the Metekel Zone, it is bordered by Dangur in the north and northwest, by Pawe special woreda in the northeast, by Amhara Region in the east, by Dibate in the south, and by Bulen in the southwest. Towns in Mandura include Genete Mariam.
Yaso is one of the 20 Districts of Ethiopia, or woredas, in the Benishangul-Gumuz region of Ethiopia. Part of the Kamashi Zone, Yaso is bordered by the Abay River on the north which separates it from the Metekel Zone and the Amhara Region, by the Oromia Region in the southeast, by the Hanger River on the south which separates it from Belo Jegonfoy, and by the Didessa River on the west which separates it from Kamashi and Agalo Mite.
Bullen is one of the 20 Districts of Ethiopia, or woredas, in the Benishangul-Gumuz Region of Ethiopia. It is named after its highest point, Mount Bullen. Part of the Metekel Zone, Bullen is bordered by Dangur in the north, Mandura in the northeast, Dibate in the east, the Abay River on the south, and by Wenbera in the west. Its largest settlement is Bullen.
Asosa is a woreda in Benishangul-Gumuz Region, Ethiopia. Part of the Asosa Zone, it is bordered by Kurmuk and Komesha in the north, by Menge in the northeast, by Oda Buldigilu in the east, by Bambasi in the southeast, by Mao-Komo special woreda in the south and by Sudan in the west. This Woreda is named after its largest settlement, Asosa. Rivers include the Yabus and its tributary the Buldidine. One of the highest points in Asosa is Mount Bange.
Bambasi is a woreda in the Benishangul-Gumuz Region of Ethiopia. Part of the Asosa Zone, it is bordered by the Mao-Komo special woreda on the southwest, Asosa in the northwest, Oda Buldigilu in the northeast, and by the Oromia Region in the southeast.
Sherkole is one of the 20 Districts of Ethiopia, or woredas, in the Benishangul-Gumuz Region of Ethiopia. Part of the Asosa Zone, it is bordered by Menge on the south, Kurmuk on the west, by Sudan on the north, and Kamashi Zone on the east.
Sirba Abbay is one of the 20 Districts of Ethiopia, or woredas, in the Benishangul-Gumuz Region of Ethiopia. Part of the Kamashi Zone, Sirba Abbay is bordered by the Oromia Region on the southwest, by Asosa Zone and Sudan on the west, by the Abay River on the north and east which separates it from the Metekel Zone, and by Agalo Mite on the southeast.
Agalo Mite is one of the 20 Districts of Ethiopia, or woredas, in the Benishangul-Gumuz Region of Ethiopia. Part of the Kamashi Zone, it is bordered by Kamashi woreda on the southeast, the Oromia Region on the southwest, Sirba Abbay on the northwest, the Abay River on the north, and by the Didessa River on the northeast.
Guangua is one of the woredas in the Amhara Region of Ethiopia. Part of the Agew Awi Zone, Guangua is bordered on the south and west by the Benishangul-Gumuz Region, on the north by Dangila, on the northwest by Faggeta Lekoma and Banja Shekudad, and on the east by Ankasha Guagusa; the Dura River, a tributary of the Abay River, defines part of its western border. The administrative center of this woreda is Chagni; other towns in Guangua include Kilaj, and Menta Wuha.
Dega is one of the woredas in the Oromia Region of Ethiopia. Part of the Buno Bedelle Zone, Dega is bordered on the south by Chora, on the west by Supena Sodo, on the north by the Mirab Welega Zone, on the northeast by the southern exclave of the Benishangul-Gumuz Region, and on the east by Bedele. Towns in Dega include Dega and Mako. Mako woreda was part of Dega woreda.
Gimbi is a woreda in Oromia Region, Ethiopia. Part of the West Welega Zone, Gimbi woreda is bordered on the south by Haru, on the southwest by Yubdo, on the west by Lalo Asabi, on the north by the Benishangul-Gumuz Region, on the east by the East Welega Zone, and on the southeast by an exclave of the Benishangul-Gumuz Region. The administrative center for this woreda is Gimbi. Homa woreda was part of Gimbi woreda.
Limmu is a woreda in Oromia Region, Ethiopia. Part of the East Welega Zone, Limmu is bordered on the south by an exclave of the Benishangul-Gumuz Region, on the southwest by Sasiga, on the west by the Benishangul-Gumuz Region, on the north by Ibantu, and on the east by Gida Kiremu. The administrative center of the woreda is Gelila. Haro Limmu woreda was part of Limmu woreda.
Wemberma is one of the woredas in the Amhara Region of Ethiopia. Its name comes from the historic district of Wemberma, which lay north of the Abay River between its tributaries the Zingini and Fatam. Part of West Gojjam Zone Wemberma is bordered on the south by the Abay River which separates it from the Oromia Region and Benishangul-Gumuz Region, on the north by the Agew Awi Zone, and on the east by Bure, Gojjam. The administrative center of Wemberma is Shendi. Wemberma was part of former Bure Wemberma woreda.
