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The Irob people (Ge'ez: ??? ?ir?b, also spelled Erob) are an ethnic group who occupy a predominately highland, mountainous area by the same name in northeastern Tigray Region, Ethiopia. They speak the Saho language, are Christians (Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo and Ge’ez Rite Ethiopian Catholic), and mainly agriculturalists. Irobland is bordered by the following areas: Dabri-Mela to the north, Hado to the east, Afar to the east and south, Shoumezana and Gulomakeda to the west, and Sae`se to the south. The first two neighbors are Saho speakers and predominately Muslim, the third is Muslim Afars, and the others are Tigrigna-speaking Christians.
History
The capital (traditional center) of Irob is Alitena. Irobs trace their lineage to one man, Summe, son of Neguse Worede-Mehret, who according to the Irob oral history, migrated to the Irobland from Tsira'e in Kilite Awla'elo, Tigray about 700 years ago.
Despite their relatively small population, the Irob have been at the forefront of regional and national politics in Ethiopia. Starting with the Zemene Mesafint, the Irob family of Shum Agame Woldu dominated Tigrayan politics. The dynasty included Dejazmach Subagadis (whose rule extended to present-day Eritrea), Shum Agame Desta, Ras Sebhat, and many others including Emperor Yohannes IV.
During the Italian invasion, Irob patriots, lead by individuals such as Dejazmach Ayele Sebhat and Dejazmach Kassa Sebhat, contributed to the anti-Italian resistance movement from their base in Assimba.
In more recent times, many Irobs, such as Dr. Tesfay Debessay, who was a leader of the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Party (EPRP), played very important roles in the struggle waged against the feudal regime of Emperor Haile Selassie I and the subsequent dictatorial junta led by Colonel Mengistu Hailemariam.
Assimba mountain from a distance.
Moreover, the Irobland proper, particularly around the Assimba and Aiga localities, served as a base for several Ethiopian revolutionary movements, including EPRP and the Tigray People's Liberation Front(TPLF).
Lifestyle and Culture
The Irob are divided into three major subgroups called Are (House): Adgadi-Are, Buknaiti-Are and Hasaballa. The Adgadi-Are and Hasaballa are predominantly Orthodox Christians, while Bouknaiti-Are are Catholics.
The Irob economy is primarily based on agriculture, including animal husbandry. The region is also renowned for its excellent honey. In fact, the Miess/Tej (honey-wine) made from the honey is praised throughout the region for its quality.
In general, the Irob are a bi-cultural community. With their Saho-speaking neighbors, they share a common language and certain social structures, such as a clan division system called Mela, and the title Ona for their regional leaders. Many other cultural practices, including wedding ceremonies, dress, dance, and food; however, are more similar to their Tigrigna-speaking neighbors.
Irobs also have distinctive customs. For example, they have an elaborate poetry-telling tradition called Adar. Also, the Irob men have a dance/step routine called Hora and Alkafo, which was traditionally performed in preparation for battles and still commonly displayed during weddings and other ceremonies.
References
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