Menz Keya Gebreal
Menz Keya Gabreal
መንዝ ቀያ ጋሪኤል | |
|---|---|
 Flag | |
| Zone | Semien Shewa |
| Region | Amhara Region |
| Area | |
• Total | 544.54 km2 (210.25 sq mi) |
| Population (2012 est.)[1] | |
• Total | 50,168 [1] |
Menz Keya Gebreal (Amharic: መንዝ ቀያ ጋብሪኤል) is one of the woredas in the Amhara Region of Ethiopia. It is part of the Semien Shewa Zone and was formerly included in the larger woreda of Gera Midirna Keya Gebriel. The administrative center of Menz Keya Gebreal is Zemero.
Geography
[edit]Menz Keya Gebreal is bordered:
- on the southeast by Menz Lalo Midir,
- on the southwest by the Jamma River, which separates it from Moretna Jiru,
- on the west by Merhabiete,
- on the northwest by the Qechene River, which separates it from the Debub Wollo Zone,
- and on the northeast by Menz Gera Midir.
The terrain is largely mountainous and part of the Ethiopian highlands, which influence the climate and agricultural practices of the region. The area is part of the watershed that feeds the Jamma River, a significant tributary of the Abay River (Blue Nile).[2]
History
[edit]Historically, the Menz area, including Keya Gebreal, has been known as a center of conservative Orthodox Christianity and resistance to central authority, particularly during the reign of Emperor Menelik II and the Derg regime.[3]
The area was administratively reorganized in the post-1991 period after the fall of the Derg, leading to the division of Gera Midirna Keya Gebriel into smaller administrative units, including Menz Keya Gebreal.
Demographics
[edit]According to the 2007 national census conducted by the Central Statistical Agency of Ethiopia (CSA), Menz Keya Gebreal had a total population of 46,219, with 22,965 men and 23,254 women. Urban inhabitants numbered 2,623, constituting 5.68% of the total population.[4]
Religion
[edit]The majority of the population adheres to Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity, with 99.64% of residents reporting that as their religion.[4]
Economy
[edit]The local economy is primarily agricultural, with most inhabitants engaged in subsistence farming. Common crops include barley, wheat, and pulses. Livestock rearing is also common. Due to the highland climate, the region is suitable for certain highland fruits and vegetables. However, land degradation and soil erosion remain major challenges.[5]
Infrastructure
[edit]Road access in Menz Keya Gebreal is limited but gradually improving. The Ethiopian government has launched rural road development initiatives across Amhara Region aimed at linking remote woredas like Menz Keya Gebreal with markets and service centers.[6]
Health and educational facilities are available but limited in number. The woreda administration has focused on expanding primary education access and basic health services, often with support from NGOs and regional development programs.[7]
Culture
[edit]The people of Menz Keya Gebreal share the traditional cultural practices of the Menz area, known for their distinct dialect, strong Orthodox Christian identity, and customary legal systems. Traditional conflict resolution and community structures such as the *Yegobez Aleqa* (local elder council) remain influential.[8]
References
[edit]- ^ a b Geohive: Ethiopia Archived 2012-08-05 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Ayalew, D., Yilma, D., & Tamene, L. (2019). "Hydrological responses to climate and land use changes in Jamma sub-basin, Upper Blue Nile basin, Ethiopia". *Hydrology*, 6(3), 78. doi:10.3390/hydrology6030078
- ^ Crummey, Donald (2000). *Land and Society in the Christian Kingdom of Ethiopia: From the Thirteenth to the Twentieth Century*. University of Illinois Press. pp. 280–282. ISBN 9780252024826.
- ^ a b Central Statistical Agency (2007). "Census 2007 Tables: Amhara Region" (in Amharic). Archived from the original on 2010-11-14.
- ^ Taffese, S., & Woldetsadik, A. (2018). "Soil Erosion Assessment and Control Practices in the Ethiopian Highlands: The Case of Menz." *Journal of Environmental Studies*, 23(2), 90–101.
- ^ Ministry of Transport and Logistics (2021). "Rural Roads Access and Development Plan (RRADP)". Addis Ababa: Government of Ethiopia.
- ^ Save the Children Ethiopia (2020). "Annual Report on Health and Education Projects in Amhara Region". Addis Ababa.
- ^ Young, John (1997). "Peasant Revolution in Ethiopia: The Tigray People's Liberation Front, 1975–1991". Cambridge University Press. p. 44. ISBN 9780521585646.
