Meki

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Meki is a town in east-central Ethiopia. Located in the Misraq Shewa Zone of the Oromia Region, this town has a latitude and longitude of 8°9′N, 38°49′E with an elevation of 1636 meters above sea level. Meki is the administrative center of Dugda Bora woreda.

Based on figures from the Central Statistical Agency in 2005, Meki has an estimated total population of 36,597 of whom 18,422 were males and 18,175 were females.^[1] The 1994 national census reported this town had a total population of 20,460 of whom 9,991 were males and 10,469 were females.

Visitors in early 1927 found that there was a kind of bridge over the Meki river near the town which could be crossed by a motorcar. The bridge was the creation of a foreign farmer, who had modified a large tree trunk which had grown more or less across the river.^[2]

News sources reported in March 1974 that, as part of the Ethiopian Revolution, peasants near Meki rose up against local landlords, settling old grievances. At least 15 persons were reported killed: about ten victims had been hacked to death with knives and spears, and the bodies of three people were found in wells. The police regained control after killing a dozen peasants and arresting hundreds.^[2]