Raytu
Encyclopedia
Raytu is one of the 180 woreda
s in the Oromia Region
of Ethiopia
. Located in the eastern part of the Bale Zone
, Raytu is bordered on the south by the Somali Region
, on the west by Ginir
, and on the north and east by Seweyna
; the Gestro River (or Weyib River
) defines the southwest boundary. Towns in Raytu include Tedecha Bela'a.
, and Dinikte. A survey of the land in this woreda shows that 17% is arable (15% was under annual crops), 39% pasture, 37% forest
or heavy vegetation, and the remaining 7% is considered swampy, mountainous or otherwise unusable. Teff
, corn
and sorghum
are important local crops. However raising livestock is a more important source of food and income, which include in order of importance shoats, camels and cattle. Raytu is a chronically food insecure woreda, and food aid is needed an average of five to six months in an average year.
Industry in the woreda consists of a few small-scale establishments, as well as some retailers and service providers. There were 12 Farmers Associations with 6,273 members and 3 Farmers Service Cooperatives. Raytu has 52 kilometers of dry-weather road, for an average road density of 0.28 kilometers per 1000 square kilometers. About 7% of the total population has access to drinking water
.
in 2005, this woreda has an estimated total population of 43,222, of whom 20,788 were males and 22,434 were females; 2,409 or 5.57% of its population are urban dwellers, which is less than the Zone average of 13.5%. With an estimated area of 7,055.22 square kilometers, Raytu has an estimated population density of 6.1 people per square kilometer, which is less than the Zone average of 27.
The 1994 national census reported a total population for this woreda of 31,056, of whom 16,182 were men and 14,874 women; 1,343 or 4.32% of its population were urban dwellers at the time. The two largest ethnic groups reported in Raytu were the Oromo
(91.25%), and the Somali
(8.47%); all other ethnic groups made up 0.28% of the population. Oromiffa
was spoken as a first language by 89.34%, and 10.35% spoke Somali
; the remaining 0.31% spoke all other primary languages reported. The majority of the inhabitants were Muslim
, with 99.56% of the population reporting they practiced that belief.
Woreda
Woreda is an administrative division of Ethiopia , equivalent to a district . Woredas are composed of a number of Kebele, or neighborhood associations, which are the smallest unit of local government in Ethiopia...
s in the Oromia Region
Oromia Region
Oromia is one of the nine ethnic divisions of Ethiopia...
of Ethiopia
Ethiopia
Ethiopia , officially known as the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. It is the second-most populous nation in Africa, with over 82 million inhabitants, and the tenth-largest by area, occupying 1,100,000 km2...
. Located in the eastern part of the Bale Zone
Bale Zone
Bale is one of the 17 zones in the Oromia Region of Ethiopia. Bale is named for the former kingdom of Bale, which was in approximately the same area...
, Raytu is bordered on the south by the Somali Region
Somali Region
Somali Region ; is the eastern-most of the nine ethnic divisions of Ethiopia. It is often called Somalia, though it is not to be confused with the independent country of the same name. The capital of Somali State is Jijiga...
, on the west by Ginir
Ginir (woreda)
Ginir is one of the 180 woredas in the Oromia Region of Ethiopia. It is named after the administrative center of the woreda, Ginir. Part of the Bale Zone, Ginir is bordered on the south by the Gestro River which separates it from Goro, on the west by Sinanana Dinsho, on the northwest by Gaserana...
, and on the north and east by Seweyna
Seweyna
Seweyna is one of the 180 woredas in the Oromia Region of Ethiopia. Located in the eastern part of the Bale Zone, Seweyna is bordered on the south by Raytu, on the southwest by Ginir, on the northwest by Gaserana Gololcha, on the north by Legehida, and on the east by the Somali Region...
; the Gestro River (or Weyib River
Weyib River
Weyib River is a river of eastern Ethiopia. It rises in the Bale Mountains east of Goba in the Oromia Region, flowing east to pass through the Sof Omar Caves, then to the southeast until it joins the Ganale Dorya River in the Somali Region....
) defines the southwest boundary. Towns in Raytu include Tedecha Bela'a.
Overview
The geography of this woreda consists of mountainous terrain along the northern and southern edges, while the remainder is dominated by a flat plain. High points include Mount Elwak. Perennial rivers include the Shabelle, WeyibWeyib River
Weyib River is a river of eastern Ethiopia. It rises in the Bale Mountains east of Goba in the Oromia Region, flowing east to pass through the Sof Omar Caves, then to the southeast until it joins the Ganale Dorya River in the Somali Region....
, and Dinikte. A survey of the land in this woreda shows that 17% is arable (15% was under annual crops), 39% pasture, 37% forest
Forestry in Ethiopia
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...
or heavy vegetation, and the remaining 7% is considered swampy, mountainous or otherwise unusable. Teff
Teff
Eragrostis tef, known as teff, taf , or khak shir , is an annual grass, a species of lovegrass native to the northern Ethiopian Highlands of Northeast Africa....
, corn
Maize
Maize known in many English-speaking countries as corn or mielie/mealie, is a grain domesticated by indigenous peoples in Mesoamerica in prehistoric times. The leafy stalk produces ears which contain seeds called kernels. Though technically a grain, maize kernels are used in cooking as a vegetable...
and sorghum
Sorghum
Sorghum is a genus of numerous species of grasses, one of which is raised for grain and many of which are used as fodder plants either cultivated or as part of pasture. The plants are cultivated in warmer climates worldwide. Species are native to tropical and subtropical regions of all continents...
are important local crops. However raising livestock is a more important source of food and income, which include in order of importance shoats, camels and cattle. Raytu is a chronically food insecure woreda, and food aid is needed an average of five to six months in an average year.
Industry in the woreda consists of a few small-scale establishments, as well as some retailers and service providers. There were 12 Farmers Associations with 6,273 members and 3 Farmers Service Cooperatives. Raytu has 52 kilometers of dry-weather road, for an average road density of 0.28 kilometers per 1000 square kilometers. About 7% of the total population has access to drinking water
Water supply and sanitation in Ethiopia
Access to water supply and sanitation in Ethiopia is amongst the lowest in Sub-Saharan Africa and the entire world. While access has increased substantially with funding from external aid, much still remains to be done to achieve the Millennium Development Goal of halving the share of people...
.
Demographics
Based on figures published by the Central Statistical AgencyCentral Statistical Agency (Ethiopia)
The Central Statistical Agency is an agency of the government of Ethiopia designated to provide all surveys and censuses for that country used to monitor economic and social growth, as well as to act as an official training center in that field. It is part of the Ethiopian Ministry of Finance and...
in 2005, this woreda has an estimated total population of 43,222, of whom 20,788 were males and 22,434 were females; 2,409 or 5.57% of its population are urban dwellers, which is less than the Zone average of 13.5%. With an estimated area of 7,055.22 square kilometers, Raytu has an estimated population density of 6.1 people per square kilometer, which is less than the Zone average of 27.
The 1994 national census reported a total population for this woreda of 31,056, of whom 16,182 were men and 14,874 women; 1,343 or 4.32% of its population were urban dwellers at the time. The two largest ethnic groups reported in Raytu were the Oromo
Oromo people
The Oromo are an ethnic group found in Ethiopia, northern Kenya, .and parts of Somalia. With 30 million members, they constitute the single largest ethnic group in Ethiopia and approximately 34.49% of the population according to the 2007 census...
(91.25%), and the Somali
Somali people
Somalis are an ethnic group located in the Horn of Africa, also known as the Somali Peninsula. The overwhelming majority of Somalis speak the Somali language, which is part of the Cushitic branch of the Afro-Asiatic language family...
(8.47%); all other ethnic groups made up 0.28% of the population. Oromiffa
Oromo language
Oromo, also known as Afaan Oromo, Oromiffa, Afan Boran, Afan Orma, and sometimes in other languages by variant spellings of these names , is an Afro-Asiatic language, and the most widely spoken of the Cushitic family. Forms of Oromo are spoken as a first language by more than 25 million Oromo and...
was spoken as a first language by 89.34%, and 10.35% spoke Somali
Somali language
The Somali language is a member of the East Cushitic branch of the Afro-Asiatic language family. Its nearest relatives are Afar and Oromo. Somali is the best documented of the Cushitic languages, with academic studies beginning before 1900....
; the remaining 0.31% spoke all other primary languages reported. The majority of the inhabitants were Muslim
Islam in Ethiopia
According to the latest 2007 national census, Islam is the second most widely practised religion in Ethiopia after Christianity, with over 25 million of Ethiopians adhering to Islam according to the 2007 national census, having arrived in Ethiopia in 615...
, with 99.56% of the population reporting they practiced that belief.