Abobo (woreda)

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Abwobo is a woreda in the Gambela Region of Ethiopia, part of the Anywaa Zone. It is bordered by the Majang Zone to the southeast, Gog to the south, Jor to the southwest, Itang special woreda to the northwest, Gambela Zuria to the north, and the Oromia Region to the northeast. Part of its northern edge follows the Alworo River. The main town is Abwobo. The land is mostly high ground running southeast to northwest, at about 400–600 meters above sea level. Lake Alworo is a notable water body in the woreda. About 20% of Abwobo is forest, and Gambela National Park lies to the west, near the Pinyudo–Gambela road.

The economy is mainly agricultural, with road density estimated at 5.1 to 10 kilometers per 1,000 square kilometers.

Administration and history: At the start of Ethiopia’s current federal system, Abwobo was in Administrative Zone 2; between 2001 and 2007 the zone was reorganized, and Abwobo became part of the Anywaa Zone.

Population and people: In the 2007 census, Abwobo had 15,741 people (8,184 men and 7,557 women) in an area of 3,116.17 square kilometers, a population density of 5.05 per square kilometer. About 25.98% were urban (4,090 people). There were 3,867 households, averaging 4.1 persons each, and 3,663 housing units. The vast majority identified as Protestant (71.41%), with Catholics 10.77%, Ethiopian Orthodox 9.98%, and Muslims 6.12%.

In the 1994 census, the woreda’s population was 13,973 in 3,597 households, with 8.75% urban. The five largest ethnic groups were Anywaa (44.05%), Kambaata (20.1%), Amhara (12.57%), Oromo (6.31%), and Majang (5.99%). Anywaa was spoken by about 44.08% as a first language, followed by Kambaata (20.45%), Amharic (13.5%), Majang (5.93%), and Oromiffa (5.65%). The religious mix then was Protestant 32.2%, Ethiopian Orthodox 29.66%, traditional beliefs 16.01%, Muslim 13.71%, and Catholic 6.46%.