Wolqayt

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Wolqayt (also Welqayt, Wolkait, Walkait, etc.; Ge'ez ወልቃይት welḳāyt or wolḳāyt, IPA: [wɔlk’ayt]) is a woreda and region in northwestern of Ethiopia. Located in Mi'irabawi Zone in Tigray Region, this woreda is bordered on the northwest and north by Kafta Humera, then separated on the northeast by Tahtay Adiyabo and on the east by Asigede Tsimbela by the Tekezé River, on the southeast by Tselemti, and on the south by Tsegede. Towns located in Wolqayt include Addi Remets, Maygaba, and Awura.

Based on figures from the Central Statistical Agency in 2005, this woreda has an estimated total population of 151,254 of whom 60,763 were males and 60,092 were females; 7,985 or 6.61% of the population are urban dwellers, which is less than the Zone average of 14.7%. With an estimated area of 4,142.82 square kilometers, Wolqayt has a population density of 29.2 people per square kilometer which is below the Zone average of 86.56.^[1]

1 Location
2 History
3 Notes
4 External link

[edit] Location

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Wolqayt is known for its fertile alluvial soil, which grows cash crops such sesame, cotton and also sorghum. It is also known for the production of essence. Because this region has a long and strong historical ties with Sudan, Tigray, Eritrea and Begemder, it has become a hot spot for all people from all the parts of Ethiopia and neighbouring countries. Most of the people can speak Amharic and Tigrinya. There are some who also speak Sudanese Arabic due to its proximity to the border with Sudan. Regardless of these facts, the Ethiopian dictatorial regime of Meles Zenawi who assumed power in 1991 annexed these areas to the Tigray region without consulting the people under the excuse that the people speak Tigrinya, which is the language of the Tigray region.

[edit] History

Wolqayt had been part of Begemder province (now mainly in Amhara Region) before the 1996 re-organization.

Throughout their history, the people of Wolqayt have never identified themselves as being Tigrayans. They have even until now a strong cultural and historic ties with the people of Gondar. There is no common history nor ties with the people of Tigray.^{[citation needed]}

Hundreds of Wolqayt people continue to be intimidated, killed and tortured by the current government. Their land contiue to be exploited without any form of development of their own region. Many have fled their homeland to neighboring cities and others even further away from their country. Most of their land have been given away to the people of Tigray.^{[citation needed]}