Irob
The Irob ( Old Ethiopian : ኢሮብ ʾirōb , also Erob ) are an ethnic group that populate a mountainous highland region of the same name in the north-eastern Tigray region in Ethiopia . They speak Saho , are predominantly Christian ( Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church and Ethiopian Catholic Church ) and mostly farmers. Although the boundaries of Irobland are to some extent identical to those of Irob Woreda , it is bordered by the following regions: Dabri-Mela in the north, Hado in the east, the Afar region in the east and south, Shoumezana and Gulomahda in the west, and Saesi Tsaedaemba in the south. The largest neighbors are the Saho and Muslims, then the Muslim Afar , the rest are Christian Tigray .
history
The traditional center of the Irob is Alitena . They can be traced back to a man: Sum, son of Neguse Worede-Mehret, who, according to oral tradition, immigrated to Irobland from Tsira'e in Kilite Awla'elo , part of the Tigray region, over 700 years ago.
Despite their relatively small population, the Irob pioneers of regional and national politics in Ethiopia. Shum Agame Woldu's family has dominated Tigrayan politics since the Zemene Mesafint . This dynasty included Dejazmach Sabagadis , Shum Agame Desta, Ras Sebhat Aregawi and many more including Emperor Yohannes IV.
During the Italian invasion, Iberian patriots took part under the leadership of Dejazmach Ayele Sebhat and Dejazmach Kassa Sebhat . It was reported that they attacked and nearly destroyed an Italian column advancing from southern Eritrea via Danakil Somalia to reach the edge of the highlands of Abyssinia . in the anti-Italian resistance movement from their base in Mount Asimba .
In other times many irobes played, such as B. Tesfay Debassay, a leader of the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Party (IHAPA), played an important role in the fight against the feudal regime under Emperor Haile Selassie and against the later dictatorial junta under Colonel Mengistu Haile Mariam .
In addition, the Irobland, especially around Assimba and Aiga, served as a base for several Ethiopian revolutionary movements, including the RPRP and the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF). Important battles took place in Aiga during the Eritrea-Ethiopia War (1998-2000), which eventually led to the withdrawal of the Eritrean forces from the region.
Society and culture
The Irob are divided into three large subgroups, also Are (houses): Adgadi-Are, Buknaiti-Are and Hasaballa. The Adgadi-Are and Hasballa are predominantly Orthodox Christians, while the Bouknaiti-Are are predominantly Catholic.
The Irob's economy is primarily based on agriculture, including livestock. The region is also known for its excellent honey. The miess / tej (honey wine), which is made from the honey from this region, is praised for its quality throughout the region.
In general, the Irob are a bicultural society. They share a common language and certain social structures with their Saho-speaking neighbors, such as a clan system called “Mela” or the title “Ona” for the regional leaders. However, many other cultural practices, such as wedding ceremonies, dress, dancing, and dining, are more similar to their Tigringa-speaking neighbors.
Even so, the Irob have distinctive customs as well. They know, for example, an elaborate storytelling of poems under the name "Adar". The men of the Irob know a dance / step routine called "Hora" and "Alkafo", which was traditionally danced in preparation for fights and can now be seen mainly during weddings and similar ceremonies.
Individual evidence
- ^ Anthony Mockler: Haile Selassie's War . Olive Branch Press, New York 2003, pp. 66 f.