Saho people
| Total population | ||||||
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| 251,960 | ||||||
| Regions with significant populations | ||||||
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Afar • Agaw • Amhara • Beja • Oromo • Somali • Tigray • Tigre |
The Saho (Arabic: ساهو), sometimes called Soho,[1] are an ethnic group living largely in the Horn of Africa. They are principally concentrated in the Southern and Northern Red Sea regions of Eritrea, but some also live in adjacent parts of Ethiopia.
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[edit] Demographics
Exact numbers of Saho are difficult to estimate, as there has been no census in Eritrea since its founding (see Demographics of Eritrea). Estimates range from a low of 4% to as much as 10% of Eritrea's population - from 120,000 to 320,000 people.
The Saho have a system of clans (11 at present), which are in turn divided into kinship groups. Clan loyalty is an important factor in Saho politics.
[edit] Language
The Saho people speak the Saho language, which is part of the Cushitic branch of the Afro-Asiatic language family.
[edit] Religion
The Saho are predominantly Muslim. A few Christians, who are also known as the Irob, live in the Tigray region of Ethiopia and the Debub Region of Eritrea.[2]
[edit] Sub-divisions
1. Assa-Awurta (Asaworta)
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- Fokroti Are
- Lelish Are
- Assa- Kare
- Asa-Lesan
- Sarma Are
- Faqih Dik
- Urus Abusa
2. Gaaso Arabic قعسو
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- Shum Abdalla Gaisha
- Yofish Gaisha
- Shum Ahmad Gaisha
- Hassan Gaisha
- Silyan Gaisha
- Asa-Ushmaal
- Oni - Maal
- Salmunta
- Gadafur
3. Dasamo
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- Abdallah Harak
- Naefie Harak
- Mosat Harak
- Subakum Are
- Daili Are
- Kundes
- Illaishe
- Asa Bora
4. Faqat Harak
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- Faqih Abubakar
- Faqih Omar
- Faqih Ahmad
5. Silaita
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- Hakatti Are
- Qomma Are
- Zella Are
- Halato
- Abbarior
6. Idda (Ge'ez እዳ, Arabic إِدًّا, alternatively ادة or ادى), one of the earliest known Saho communities in Eritrea, also known as “Bado Ambalish” (Ge'ez ባዶ አምባልሽ, Arabic اصحاب الأرض, "friends of the land [Earth]") or "bearers of land".
7. Irob (Ge'ez: ኢሮብ ʾirōb, also spelled Erob), a Christian community in the highlands of the Tigray Region.
[edit] Notes
[edit] External links
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