General Information About Sheka Area

The Sheka zone is located in the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Regional State  (SNNPRS). Geographically, the Sheka zone lies between 7O24’-7O52’ N latitude and 35O13’-35O35’ E longitude.

The zone has three Woredas (districts), namely the Masha, Anderacha and Yeki. In total, there are 56 rural and 7 urban Kebeles in the three Woredas. Sheka zone covers about 2175.25 km2, out of which ca. 47% is covered by forest, including bamboo. The topography of sheka zone is predominantly plateau and mountainous which covers 2/3 (two-third) of the total area. The agro-ecological zones division shows 55.6% highland, 24% mid altitude and 20.33% lowlands.The altitudinal range of the areas in the zone falls between 900-2700 m asl, and it receives high amounts of rainfall, with an average between 1800-2200 mm/yr.

The indigenous peoples in the area who lived for centuries in sheka zone, specially in Yeki woreda are: Shekacho, Sheko, Majangir, and Bench. Other ethnic groups are migrants who came from other parts of the country in to the woreda for economic activities. Currently the major ethnic groups are Shekacho, Majangir, Sheko, Bench, Kafa, Amhara and Oromo. The dominant ethnic group in sheka zone is the Shekacho. Amharic is spoken as second language in addition to sheki nono. The over all-ethnic composition is Shekacho 34.7%, Kafacho 20.5%, Amhara 20.5%, Oromo 9.6%, Sheko 5%, Bench 4.8%, Majangir 2% and others 2.9%.   

As far as, religion concerned, many writers believed that most of the Shekacho were formerly followers of Christianity of Orthodox faith well before the 20th century, though it was restricted to the ruling class. However, until the recent time most of the Shekacho believes their own way of traditional belief. Nevertheless, this belief has gradually converted greatly into Protestant Christianity at present day. However, The current religion composition in sheka zone shows: Orthodox 52%, Protestant 15.5%, Catholic 0.3%, Muslim 13.9%, Traditional belief 17.8% and others 0.5.

According to the 1994 national census, the total population of sheka zone is 131,864 (with out projection of growth rate at present). Among these, 95 percent are rural dwellers and 5 are urban. As far as, population distribution within the zone concerned, Masha and Andiracha woredas are entirely settled disparsly and occupied by Shekacho nation with the population of more than 85 percent in each woreda, whereas, Yeki is known by accommodating different ethnic groups.

The Agricultural practice in the area depends upon the Agro-ecological type of the zone. However, the predominant practice is mixed forming, crop production, livestock and other economically important activities such as, beekeeping for honey production (traditionally in the forest), spices collection and coffee harvesting. The main staple food in the area is 'Kocho' which is found from the steam of 'enset' known as false banana. Barely, Wheat, Maize, Pea, Bean and Teff, etc is major crops grown in the area. Most of the subsistence and income-generating activities of Shekacho community is endowed largely with the natural forests. clik here to see the geographical location of Sheka Zone

The results of a baseline study conducted by MELCA in 2005 on the situation and threats to Sheka Forest provide a framework for MELCA’s work to save the forest and bring about policy change on issues concerning environmental and community rights, and a focused and coordinated advocacy. Thus, five research works which focused Land use/Land cover changes, the impact of land use/ land covers changes on biodiversity, the impact of cultural changes on the people of Sheka and their traditional resource management practices, legal and institutional analysis for sustainable use of forest resources, and economic value of natural forest in sheka Zone have been sponsored by MELCA.

In relation to the advocacy work, MELCA coordinated a workshop to develop an advocacy strategy for Sheka Forest, which was attended by different NGO representatives and researchers. MELCA also became founding member of the Sheka Forest Alliance (SheFA), along with thirteen national NGO’s who joined the Sheka Forest alliance. Moreover, awareness raising workshops on environmental and cultural rights organized for different level cabinet members. MELCA also provided a workshop and training for local people from Sheka on human and environmental rights. In addition to these activities MELCA undertook training workshop on Eco-mapping for different stakeholders as well as training for eco-advocates with the purpose of strengthening their work.