I mentioned some terms like kebele and woreda in my latest posts, obviously neglecting the fact that most readers are not familiar with the administrative divisions of Ethiopia. In fact, in literature these words are used but in most cases left unexplained. So, let me introduce you to the concept of kilil, chartered city, zone, woreda and kebele.
Kililoch
Ethiopia is divided into 9 administrative regions called kililoch (singular – kilil) or Regional States. This division is ethnically-based which causes fierce criticism from some opposition parties; the word “kilil” means “reservation” or “protected area” (Wikipedia: Regions of Ethiopia). The nine regions are:
Afar- Amhara
- Benishangul-Gumuz
- Gambela
- Harari
- Oromia
- Somali
- Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples Region
- Tigray
The regional divisions have substituted the thirteen former provinces, to which still is being referred when describing locations (Wikipedia: Administrative divisions of Ethiopia). As I described in a previous post, the government has decentralized the implementation of land management to the Regional States in 1997.
Chartered cities
A charter city may have some exemptions from national or regional laws. Because of these possible law exceptions, the three chartered cities of Ethiopia belong to the first level of administrative divisions of Ethiopia, together with the kililoch described above. The three two chartered cities of Ethiopia are:
- Addis Ababa (Ethiopia’s capital city)
- Dire Dawa
- Harari
A charter gives a city’s residents the flexibility to choose any kind of government structure allowed by law (Wikipedia: Charter city).
Zone
The kililoch are subdivided in 68 zones. (Which can be found here.)
Woreda
A woreda is equivalent to a district, managed by a local government. The zones of Ethiopia are subdivided in around 550 woredas. Although some woredas can be traced back as institutions (kingdoms) to earliest times, many are of more recent creation (Statoids.com, Wikipedia: Woreda).
Kebele
The woredas are composed of a number of kebele, the smallest unit of local government. Kebeles can best be regarded as a neighbourhood, a localized and delimited group of people or ward (Wikipedia: Woreda, Wikipedia: Kebele). Most of the efforts on land registration are made on this level, which happens to be the key to succes, as I mentioned in my previous post.
Link Summary
- Wikipedia: Regions of Ethiopia
- http://upload.wikimed...a_regions_english.png
- Wikipedia: Administra...divisions of Ethiopia
- Ethiopia’s history ... Republic of Ethiopia
- Wikipedia: Charter city
- Statoids.com: Zones of Ethiopia
- Statoids.com: Ethiopa States
- Wikipedia: Woreda
- Wikipedia: Kebele
- Nine benefits of Ethi...ion Committees (LACs)
¿Do you know where I could find a list of the kebeles in Soro Woreda, please?
¡Thanks a lot!
Dear Berta,
Thank you for your question. It seems to be a though one; kebele level information is only scarcely available.
After running some google searches, I’ve found a population report on http://www.dppc.gov.et/Livelihoods/Soro.htm, listing the kebels in Soro, however I do not know whether it is complete. You can find the report at http://www.dppc.gov.et/Livelihoods/SNNP/Summary/Soro%20pop.pdf .
If you find a better resource, please post a comment.
Most sources have Hareri as a “Kilil”, not a “Chartered City”. Are you sure your information is correct?
Hi Ken,
Thank you for your response! I have looked into it, seems you’re right, so I have edited the post (the sources’ content seems to have been changed).
Nice Article. Thanks!
BR from Addis Abeba, Alexander
Hi,
Great explanations!
I am trying to find the location of the Awitu Mendera Kebele. Would you know I can do that?
lauren