Sitti Zone

Last updated
Sitti Zone
Gobolka Sitti
Siti Zone, formally Shinile Zone.png
Map of Sitti Zone
Somali in Ethiopia.svg
Map showing Somali Region in Ethiopia
Country Ethiopia
Region Somali
ZoneSitti
Capital Shinile
Area
  Total56,626 km2 (39,300 sq mi)
Population
 (2014-2017)
  Total546,168 [1]
Time zone UTC+3 (EAT)

Sitti Zone (Somali : Gobolka Sitti), formerly known as Shinile, [2] is a zone in Somali Region of Ethiopia.

Contents

Located at the northwestern point of the Somali Region and stretching across the savanna north of the Ahmar Mountains, Sitti is bordered on the south by Dire Dawa and the Oromia Region, on the west by the Afar Region, on the north by Djibouti, on the east by Somaliland, and on the southeast by Fafan Zone. Other towns and cities in this zone include Aysha, Shinile, Dewele, Harewa, Adigale, Erer, Bike and Āfdem. Part of the northwestern corner is occupied by the Yangudi Rassa National Park, which is a notable local landmark.

Climate

The Sitti Zone has colder winters than the highlands, while the lowlands has mild winters. The region elevation is the major factor in temperature levels, with the higher areas, on average, as 17 °C (62 °F) cooler, day or night. Hot summer days are tempered by the low relative humidity and cooler evenings during summer months since, for most of the state, the highest diurnal difference in temperature is often in the summer.

The annual mean statistics for some Sitti Zone centres is shown below:

TownMin. TempMax. TempRainfall
Shinile 15.1 °C (59.2 °F)35.0 °C (95.0 °F)557 mm (21.9 in)
Dewele 15.9 °C (60.6 °F)36.9 °C (98.4 °F)208 mm (8.2 in)
Bike 14.5 °C (58.1 °F)34.1 °C (93.4 °F)660 mm (26 in)
Āfdem 14.5 °C (58.1 °F)34.7 °C (94.5 °F)649 mm (25.6 in)
Aysha 16.6 °C (61.9 °F)37.3 °C (99.1 °F)223 mm (8.8 in)

Demographics

Ethnic groups of Sitti Zone

   Somali (97%)
   Oromo (1.42%)
   Amhara (1.34%)
  Other (0.24%)

Based on the 2017 Census conducted by the Central Statistical Agency of Ethiopia (CSA), this Zone has a total population of 750,320 of whom 324,120 are men and 326,200 women. While 286,493 are urban inhabitants, a further 463,827 were pastoralists. The total population of the Sitti Zone according to the 2014-2017 Ethiopian Census was 546,168. [1]

Based on the 2007 Census conducted by the Central Statistical Agency of Ethiopia (CSA), this Zone has a total population of 457,086 of whom 246,302 are men and 210,784 women. While 64,263 or 14.06% are urban inhabitants, a further 203,285 or 44.47% were pastoralists. Two largest ethnic groups reported in Sitti were the Somalis (97.03%) and Amhara (1.42%); all other ethnic groups made up 1.55% of the population. Somali language is spoken as a first language by 96.91%, Amharic by 1.36%, and Oromo by 1.34%; the remaining 0.39% spoke all other primary languages reported. 98.35% of the population said they were Muslim. [3]

The 1994 national census reported a total population for this Zone of 205,180 of whom 121,094 were men and 84,086 were women; 14.88% of its population were urban dwellers. The largest ethnic group reported in Shinile was the Somali (95%); a similar share spoke Somali (95%). Only 12,085 or 3.4% were literate. [4]

According to a May 24, 2004 World Bank memorandum, none of the inhabitants of Sitti have access to electricity, this zone has a road density of 17.3 kilometers per 1000 square kilometers, the average rural household has 1.2 hectare of land (compared to the national average of 1.01 hectare of land and an average of 2.25 for pastoral Regions) [5] and the equivalent of 1.4 heads of livestock. The memorandum gave this zone a drought risk rating of 387. [6]

The Sitti Zone is one of the regional administrative zones in the Somali Region. [7] The majority of the Zone's population are pastoralists from the Issa subclan of the Dir who make up the majority clan in the Zone. [8] [9] In addition, there is a large agro-pastoral population in the Zone almost exclusively from the Gurgura and Gadabuursi subclans of the Dir, both whom represent the majority inhabitants of the Erer and Dembel districts respectively, [10] [11] [12] and from the Gugundhabe and Karanle Hawiye clans who inhabit the Mieso district. [13] [14]

The Nutrition Assessment in Agro-Pastoral areas of Shinile, Dambal and Errer Districts Somali Region (2004) states concerning the demographics of the Sitti Zone:

"The population in these districts is made up of different Somali groups. The Issa, the majority of whom are pastoralists, are the dominant clan in the Shinile zone. The Gurgura, Gadabursi and Hawiya are mainly agro-pastoral and inhabit the Erer, Dambal and Mieso districts respectively." [15]

Agriculture

Camels watering hole near Hadigale. Camels watering hole in Shinile Zone.jpg
Camels watering hole near Hadigale.

From the 5th to the 23rd November 2003, the CSA conducted the first ever national agricultural census, of which the livestock census was an important component. [16] For the Somali Region, the CSA generated estimated figures for the livestock population (cattle, sheep, goats, camels, and equids) and their distribution by commissioning an aerial survey. For the Sitti Zone, their results included:

AnimalEstimated totalNumber per km2
Cattle207,4726.8
Sheep670,95649.5 (including goats)
Goats849,45149.5 (including sheep)
Camels103,0523.4
Asses16,1380.5 (all equids)
Mules1910.5 (all equids)
Horses0

Notes

  1. 1 2 "Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Central Statistical Agency Population of Ethiopia for All Regions At Wereda Level from 2014 Page: 21 Somali region". Archived from the original on 2015-09-23. Retrieved 2017-01-19.
  2. "Ethiopie - Perspectives sur la sécurité alimentaire: Wed, 2014-04-30 to Tue, 2014-09-30 | Famine Early Warning Systems Network". www.fews.net. Archived from the original on 19 August 2014. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
  3. Census 2007 Tables: Somali Region, Tables 2.1, 2.4, 3.1, 3.2 and 3.4.
  4. 1994 Population and Housing Census of Ethiopia: Results for Somali Region, Vol. 1 Archived November 19, 2008, at the Wayback Machine Tables 2.1, 2.8, 2.12, 2.15, 3.7 (accessed 1 January 2009).
  5. Comparative national and regional figures comes from the World Bank publication, Klaus Deininger et al. "Tenure Security and Land Related Investment", WP-2991 Archived 2007-03-10 at the Wayback Machine (accessed 23 March 2006). This publication defines Benishangul-Gumaz, Afar and Somali as "pastoral Regions".
  6. World Bank, Four Ethiopias: A Regional Characterization (accessed 23 March 2006).
  7. "Nutrition Assessment in Agro-Pastoral areas of Shinile, Dambal and Errer Districts Somali Region" (PDF). 2004. p. 32.
  8. "Nutrition Assessment in Agro-Pastoral areas of Shinile, Dambal and Errer Districts Somali Region" (PDF). 2004. p. 32. The population in these districts is made up of different Somali groups. The Issa, the majority of whom are pastoralists, are the dominant clan in the Shinile zone. The Gurgura, Gadabursi and Hawiya are mainly agro-pastoral and inhabit the Erer, Dambal and Mieso districts respectively.
  9. "A Retrospective Cohort Study on the Impact of Community Based Animal Health Service Delivery System in Shinile Zone, Somall National Regional State of Ethiopia" (PDF). 2004. p. 26. There are four main Somali clans in the zone; Issa, Gurgura, Hawya and Gadabursi.
  10. "Nutrition Assessment in Agro-Pastoral areas of Shinile, Dambal and Errer Districts Somali Region" (PDF). 2004. p. 32. The population in these districts is made up of different Somali groups. The Issa, the majority of whom are pastoralists, are the dominant clan in the Shinile zone. The Gurgura, Gadabursi and Hawiya are mainly agro-pastoral and inhabit the Erer, Dambal and Mieso districts respectively.
  11. "FSAU Monthly Food Security Report February 2003" (PDF). 2003. p. 2.
  12. "A Retrospective Cohort Study on the Impact of Community Based Animal Health Service Delivery System in Shinile Zone, Somall National Regional State of Ethiopia" (PDF). 2004. p. 26. There are four main Somali clans in the zone; Issa, Gurgura, Hawya and Gadabursi.
  13. "Nutrition Assessment in Agro-Pastoral areas of Shinile, Dambal and Errer Districts Somali Region" (PDF). 2004. p. 32. The population in these districts is made up of different Somali groups. The Issa, the majority of whom are pastoralists, are the dominant clan in the Shinile zone. The Gurgura, Gadabursi and Hawiya are mainly agro-pastoral and inhabit the Erer, Dambal and Mieso districts respectively.
  14. "A Retrospective Cohort Study on the Impact of Community Based Animal Health Service Delivery System in Shinile Zone, Somall National Regional State of Ethiopia" (PDF). 2004. p. 26. There are four main Somali clans in the zone; Issa, Gurgura, Hawya and Gadabursi.
  15. "Nutrition Assessment in Agro-Pastoral areas of Shinile, Dambal and Errer Districts Somali Region" (PDF). 2004. p. 32. The population in these districts is made up of different Somali groups. The Issa, the majority of whom are pastoralists, are the dominant clan in the Shinile zone. The Gurgura, Gadabursi and Hawiya are mainly agro-pastoral and inhabit the Erer, Dambal and Mieso districts respectively.
  16. "Livestock aerial survey in the Somali Region" Archived 2011-07-16 at the Wayback Machine , CSA (November 2003), Tables 4, 6 (accessed 17 May 2009)

10°15′N42°00′E / 10.250°N 42.000°E / 10.250; 42.000

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Somali Region</span> Regional state in eastern Ethiopia

The Somali Region, also known as Soomaali Galbeed and officially the Somali Regional State, is a regional state in eastern Ethiopia. Its territory is the largest after Oromia Region. The regional state borders the Ethiopian regions of Afar and Oromia and the chartered city Dire Dawa to the west, as well as Djibouti to the north, Somalia to the northeast, east and south; and Kenya to the southwest.

The Dir is one of the largest and most prominent Somali clans in the Horn of Africa. They are also considered to be the oldest Somali stock to have inhabited the region. Its members inhabit Djibouti, Somalia, Ethiopia, and northeastern Kenya.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gadabuursi</span> Northern Somali clan

The Gadabuursi, also known as Samaroon, is a northern Somali clan, a sub-division of the Dir clan family.

Ayesha is a woreda in Somali Region, Ethiopia. The northernmost woreda of the Shinile Zone, Ayesha is bordered on the south by Dembel, on the west by Shinile, on the north by Djibouti, on the east by Somaliland, and on the southeast by the Jijiga Zone. Towns in Ayesha include Ayesha, Dewele, Lasarat and Mermedebis.

Erer is a woreda in Somali Region, Ethiopia. Part of the Shinile Zone, Erer is bordered on the south by Dire Dawa and Oromia Region, on the southwest by Afdem, on the northwest by the Afar Region, and on the east by Shinile.

Afdem is a woreda in Somali Region, Ethiopia. Located in the Sitti Zone, this woreda is bordered on the southwest by Mieso, on the north by the Afar Region and on the east by Erer, and on the south by the Oromia Region. The administrative center of this woreda is Afdem; other towns in Afdem include Ali jiir

Dembel is a woreda in Somali Region, Ethiopia. Part of the Shinile Zone, Dembel is bordered on the west by Shinile, on the north by Ayesha, and on the east and south by the Jijiga Zone. Towns in Dembel include Arabi, Dembel, Samakab, Sandalol, Biobahie, Dure and Harmukale.

Shinile is a woreda in Somali Region, Ethiopia. Part of the Sitti Zone, Shinile is bordered on the south by Dire Dawa, on the west by Erer, on the north by the Afar Region, on the east by Ayesha, and on the southeast by Dembel and Jijiga Zone. Towns in Shinile include Adigale, Harewa, Milo, and Shinile; villages include Jaldessa, Marmaarsa, and Toome.

Jijiga is one of the woredas in the Somali Region of Ethiopia. Part of the Jijiga Zone, Jijiga is bordered on the south by Kebri Beyah, on the southwest by Gursum, on the southeast by Ajersagora, on the northwest by the Shinile Zone, and on the north by Awbare. Towns and cities in this woreda include Jijiga.

Mieso is a woreda in Somali Region, Ethiopia. Part of the Shinile Zone, this woreda is bordered on the south by the Oromia Region, on the northwest by the Afar Region, and on the east by the Afdem woreda. The administrative center for this woreda is Mulu town.

Mieso is a woreda in Oromia Region, Ethiopia. Part of the West Hararghe Zone, Mieso is bordered on the south by Guba Koricha, on the west by the Afar Region, on the north by the Somali Region, on the east by Doba and on the southeast by Chiro. The administrative center for this woreda is Mieso; other towns in Mieso include Asebot, Kora, Bordode and Gololcha.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lughaya</span> Town in Awdal, Somaliland

Lughaya is a coastal town in the northwestern Awdal region of Somaliland.

Derwernache is a town in eastern Ethiopia. Located in the Fafan Zone of the Somali Region, this town has an elevation of 1402 meters above sea level.

Metehara is a town in central Ethiopia. Located in the East Shewa Zone of the Oromia Region, it has a latitude and longitude of 08°54′N39°55′E with an elevation of 947 meters above sea level.

Erer is a town in central Ethiopia. Located in the Sitti Zone of the Somali Region, it is located 51km east of Shinile. It is the administrative center of Erer woreda.

Āfdem is a town is east central Ethiopia. Located in the Sitti Zone of the Somali Region. It is located 59 km east of Shinile. It is the administrative center of Afdem woreda. It sprawls on a wide basin surrounded by granitic mountains on all sides.

Hurso is a town in eastern Ethiopia. Located in the Shinile Zone of the Somali Region about 40 km west of Dire Dawa, it has a longitude and latitude of 9°36′N41°38′E and an altitude of 1130 meters above sea level. It is one of four towns in Erer woreda.

The Gurgura, Gorgorah or Gurgure is a northern Somali clan, a sub-division of the Dir clan family.

Dembel is a town in central Ethiopia. Located in the Shinile Zone of the Somali Region. It is the administrative center of Dembel woreda.