Shifta
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Shifta (or "shufta") is an East African term used in Eritrea, Ethiopia, Somalia, and Kenya for bandits.[1][2] The word is derived from shúfto (Somali: "bandit").[3] Historically, shifta served as local militia in the lawless rural mountainous regions on the Horn of Africa. They were chiefly known for robbing or killing travelers, stealing cattle, raiding rival villages and protecting loyal villages from other shifta.
[edit] Concepts
The term shifta has positive and negative connotations, that of a common bandit and that of a revolutionary; both concepts being distinct but not necessarily mutually exclusive. Shiftas are often considered as politically minded outlaws struggling for social order or a political cause and are highly respected. In Eritrea during British administration, military units were used to police the lawless areas and stop common shifta activity [4][5]
Both Isaias Afewerki of Eritrea and Meles Zenawi of Ethiopia were called shifta when they served as rebel leaders of the EPLF and TPLF (respectively). Kassa Hailu is another notable person who had lived as a shifta before becoming Emperor of Ethiopia. [6]
[edit] See also
- Shifta War (1963-1967) in northeastern Kenya
[edit] References and notes
- ^ Somali Refugees in Kenya. Human Rights Watch.
- ^ Hunt for tourists moves to Eritrea. Scotland on Sunday. Retrieved on 2007-03-29.
- ^ shifta definition, Encarta
- ^ Battling the Shifta in Eritrea.
- ^ THE ROYAL BERKSHIRE REGIMENT THE LAST TWELVE YEARS.
- ^ [2003] Rethinking Resistance: revolt and violence in African history. Brill Academic Publishers, 95-96. ISBN 9-0041-2624-4.
