Overview
The highest point in this woreda, and in the Zone, is Mount Welel (3312 meters). A survey of the land in Hawa Welele shows that 53.99% is cultivated or arable, 14.72% pasture, 10.39% forest, and 22.22% infrastructure or other uses. [1] 5,864 hectares of the land considered forest is covered by the Yemalogi Forest, which is a part of the Gergedda forest. Important crops include corn, sorghum, finger millet, sesame, pepper, and navy beans. Land is tilled using indigenous variety of plough drawn by oxen. [2] Coffee is an important cash crop of this woreda; between 2,000 and 5,000 hectares is planted with this crop. [3]
Mount Welel is a mountain in southwestern Ethiopia. Located in the Mirab Welega Zone of the Oromia Region, it has an elevation of 3,301 metres (10,830 ft) above sea level. Characterized by twin peaks, Welel is the highest point in the Zone and Hawa Welele woreda.
In the late nineteenth century, about 30% of Ethiopia was covered with forest. The clearing of land for agricultural use and the cutting of trees for fuel gradually changed the scene, and today forest areas have dwindled to less than 4% of Ethiopia's total land. The northern parts of the highlands are almost devoid of trees. However, about 45,000 square kilometres of dense forest exist in the southern and southwestern sections of the highlands. Some of these include coniferous forests, found at elevations above l,600 meters, but a majority of the forestland consists primarily of woodlands found in drier areas of the highlands and in the drier areas bordering the highlands.
Maize, also known as corn, is a cereal grain first domesticated by indigenous peoples in southern Mexico about 10,000 years ago. The leafy stalk of the plant produces pollen inflorescences and separate ovuliferous inflorescences called ears that yield kernels or seeds, which are fruits.
There are 49 primary schools, and 1 secondary education schools in this woreda. Health services are provided by one hospital, one health center, 10 clinics, and nine health posts; most of these facilities are located in urban areas. [4]
Health in Ethiopia has improved markedly since the early 2000s, with government leadership playing a key role in mobilizing resources and ensuring that they are used effectively. A central feature of the sector is the priority given to the Health Extension Programme, which delivers cost-effective basic services that enhance equity and provide care to millions of women, men and children. The development and delivery of the Health Extension Program, and its lasting success, is an example of how a low-income country can still improve access to health services with creativity and dedication.
Hawa Welele was selected by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in 2003 as an area for voluntary resettlement for farmers from overpopulated areas and this woreda became the home for a total of 7006 heads of households and 20,053 total family members in that year. [5] Hawa Welele was selected again the next year and became the new homes of another 11,369 heads of households and 56,625 total family members. [6]
Demographics
Based on figures published by the Central Statistical Agency in 2005, this woreda has an estimated total population of 113,604, of whom 56,943 are men and 56,661 are women; 5,347 or 4.71% of its population are urban dwellers, which is less than the Zone average of 10.9%. With an estimated area of 1,329.14 square kilometers, Hawa Welele has an estimated population density of 85.5 people per square kilometer, which is less than the Zone average of 91.7. [7]
The 1994 national census reported a total population for this woreda of 81,780 in 15,289 households, of whom 40,972 were men and 40,808 were women; 2,986 or 3.65% of its population were urban dwellers. The two largest ethnic groups reported in Hawa Welele were the Oromo (89.44%), and the Amhara (10.3%); all other ethnic groups made up 0.26% of the population. Oromiffa was spoken as a first language by 89.58%, and 10.25% Amharic; the remaining 0.17% spoke all other primary languages reported. The majority of the inhabitants observed Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity, with 71.36% reporting that as their religion, while 20.37% were Muslim, and 7.37% Protestant. [8]
The Oromo people are an ethnic group inhabiting Ethiopia. They are one of the largest ethnic groups in Ethiopia and represent 34.5% of Ethiopia's population. Oromos speak the Oromo language as a mother tongue, which is part of the Cushitic branch of the Afro-Asiatic language family. The word Oromo appeared in European literature for the first time in 1893 and then slowly became common in the second half of the 20th century.
Oromo is an Afroasiatic macrolanguage which is primarily composed of four distinct languages: Southern Oromo which includes the Gabra and Sakuye dialects, Eastern Oromo, Orma which includes the Munyo, Orma, Waata/Sanye dialects, and West–Central Oromo. Like Arabic, Oromo is a dialect continuum so language varieties spoken in neighbouring regions differ only slightly, but the differences accumulate over distance so that widely separated varieties are not mutually intelligible.
Islam is the second largest religion in Ethiopia with over 33.9% of the population practicing it in 2007. The faith arrived in Ethiopia at an early date, shortly before the hijira. Islam is the religion of the overwhelming majority of the Somali, Afar, Argobba, Harari, Berta, Alaba, and Silt'e and also has many adherents among the Gurage and the Oromo, the largest ethnic group in Ethiopia, as well as a minority of Amhara, the second largest ethnic group in the country.
Bedele Zuria is one of the woredas in the Oromia Region of Ethiopia. Part of the Illubabor Zone, Bedele Zuria is bordered on the south by Gechi, on the southwest by Chora, on the west by Dega, on the north by the southern exclave of the Benishangul-Gumuz Region, on the northeast by the Didessa River which separates it from the Misraq Welega Zone, and on the southeast by Gechi. Towns in Bedele Zuria include Bedele. Bedele Zuria, Chewaka, Dabo Hana woredas and Bedele town were part of former Bedele woreda.
Gechi is one of the woredas in the Oromia Region of Ethiopia. Part of the Illubabor Zone, Gechi is bordered on the south by Didessa, on the east by the Jimma Zone, on the north by Bedele, and on the east by the Didessa River which separates it from the Jimma Zone. Gechi is the major town in Gechi. Borecha woreda was part of Gechi.
Nono is one of the woredas in the Oromia Region of Ethiopia. It is named after the Nono Oromo, a subgroup of the Macha Oromo, who live in this area. Part of the West Shewa Zone, Nono is bordered on the southwest by the Gibe River which separates it from the Jimma Zone, on the northwest by Dano, on the north by Cheliya, on the northeast by Tikur, on the east by the Southwest Shewa Zone, and on the southeast by the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Region. Jibat woreda was part of Nono woreda.
Mana Sibu is one of the 180 woredas in the Oromia Region of Ethiopia. Part of the Mirab Welega Zone, Mana Sibu is bordered on the south by Jarso, on the southwest by Begi, on the north by the Benishangul-Gumuz Region, and on the southeast by Nejo. Mendi is the administrative center. Kiltu Kara woreda was part of Mana Sibu woreda.
Gimbi is one of the 180 woredas in the Oromia Region of Ethiopia. Part of the Mirab 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 Misraq 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.
Lalo Asabi is one of the 180 districts in the Oromia Region of Ethiopia. Part of the Mirab Welega Zone, Lalo Asabi is bordered on the south by Yubdo, on the west by Ayra Guliso, on the north by Boji, on the east by the Benishangul-Gumuz Region, and on the southeast by Gimbi. The administrative center of this woreda is Inango; other towns in Lalo Asabi include Dongoro.
Boji was one of the 180 woredas in the Oromia Region of Ethiopia. It is divided between Boji Chokorsa and Boji Dirmaji woredas. Part of the Mirab Welega Zone, Boji was bordered on the southwest by Ayra Guliso, on the west by Jarso, on the northwest by Nejo, on the northeast by the Benishangul-Gumuz Region, and on the southeast by Lalo Asabi. Towns in Boji included Bila and Muklemi.
Ayra Guliso was one of the 180 woredas in the Oromia Region of Ethiopia. It was separated for Ayra and Guliso woredas in November 1999. Part of the Mirab Welega Zone, Ayra Guliso was bordered on the south by Dale Lalo, on the west by Gawo Dale, on the north by Jarso, on the northeast by Boji, and on the east by Lalo Asabi. The administrative center of this woreda was Guliso; other towns in Ayra Guliso included Ayra and Cheliya Yeka.
Gawo Dale was one of the woredas in the Oromia Region of Ethiopia. Part of the Mirab Welega Zone, Gawo Dale was bordered on the south by Hawa Welele, on the west by Jimma Gidami, on the northwest by Begi, on the north by Jarso, on the northeast by Ayra Guliso, on the east by Dale Lalo, and on the southeast by the Illubabor Zone. The administrative center of this woreda was Kake; other towns in Gawo Dale included Chanka. It was separated for Dale Wabera and Gawo Kebe woredas.
Anfillo is one of the woredas in the Oromia Region of Ethiopia. Part of the Kelem Welega Zone, Anfillo is bordered on the southwest by the Gambela Region, on the north by Jimma Gidami, on the northeast by Yemalogi Welele, and on the east by Sayo. The major town in Anfillo is Mugi.
Darolebu is one of the woredas in the Oromia Region of Ethiopia. Part of the Mirab Hararghe Zone, Darolebu is bordered on the south by the Shebelle River which separates it from the Bale Zone, on the west by the Arsi Zone, on the northwest by Guba Koricha, on the north by the Habro, and on the east by Boke. Towns in Darolebu include Machara and Micheta.
Boke is one of the woredas in the Oromia Region of Ethiopia. Part of the Mirab Hararghe Zone, Boke is bordered on the south by the Shabelle River which separates it from the Bale Zone, on the southwest by Darolebu, on the northwest by Habro, on the northeast by Kuni, and on the east by the Galetti River which separates it from the Misraq Hararghe Zone. The major town in Boke is Boke Tiko.
Kuni is one of the woredas in the Oromia Region of Ethiopia. Part of the Mirab Hararghe Zone, Kuni is bordered on the south by Boke, on the west by Habro, on the northeast by Chiro, and on the east by the Galetti River which separates it from the Misraq Hararghe Zone.
Jimma Arjo is one of the woredas in the Oromia Region of Ethiopia. It shares the name of one of the subgroups of the Oromo people, the Jimma Arjo. Part of the Misraq Welega Zone, Jimma Arjo is bordered on the southwest by the Didessa River which separates it from the Illubabor Zone, on the northwest by Diga Leka, on the northeast by Guto Wayu, and on the southeast by Nunu Kumba. The administrative center of this woreda is Arjo.
Gololcha is one of the woredas in the Oromia Region of Ethiopia. It was part of former Gaserana Gololcha woreda what was divided for Gadera and Gololcha woredas. Part of the Bale Zone, Gaserana Gololcha is bordered on the south by Ginir, on the southwest by Sinanana Dinsho, on the west by Agarfa, on the north by the Shebelle River which separates it from the Arsi Zone, on the northeast by Legehida, and on the east by Seweyna. The administrative center for the woreda is Jara.
Berbere is one of the woredas in the Oromia Region of Ethiopia. Part of the Bale Zone, Berbere is bordered on the south by Mennana Harena Buluk, on the northwest by Goba, on the north by Sinanana Dinsho, on the northeast by Goro, and on the east by Guradamole; the Mena River separates it from Shinanana Dinsho and Goro. The administrative center of the woreda is Haro Dumal.
Uraga is one of the woredas in the Oromia Region of Ethiopia. Part of the Guji Zone, Uraga is bordered on the south by Odo Shakiso, on the west by the Borena Zone, on the north by the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples Region, and on the east by Bore. The largest town in Uraga is Solomo. Dima and Hambela Wanema woredas were separated from Uraga.
Jimma Gidami was one of the 180 woredas in the Oromia Region of Ethiopia. Part of the Mirab (West) Welega Zone, Jimma Gidami was bordered on the south by Anfillo, on the west by South Sudan, on the northwest by the Benishangul-Gumuz Region, on the north by Begi, on the east by Gawo Dale, and on the east by Hawa Welele. Towns in Jimma Gidami included Gidami and Nunu. It was separated for Gidami and Jimma Horo woredas.
Yemalogi Welele is one of the woredas in the Oromia Region of Ethiopia. Part of the Kelem Welega Zone, Yemalogi Welele is bordered on the south by Hawa Gelan and Sayo, on the west by Anfilo and Gidami, on the northwest by Jimma Horo, on the north by Gawo Kebe, and on east by the Dale Wabera. The administrative center of this woreda is Tejo. Hawa Gelan was separated from former Hawa Welele woreda.
