Weyto people

The Weyto people are a group of hippopotamus hunters who lived in Ethiopia around Lake Tana. They were known to speak the Weyto Language, which became extinct at some point in the 19th century.^[1] According to the 1994 national census, 1172 individuals were reported belonging to this ethnic group; it was not an ethnic choice in the 2007 census.^[2]

Due to their diet on hippopotamus meat, the Weyto have been considered an outcaste people by neighboring groups. Enrico Cerulli linked them to two other outcaste groups of Ethiopia with similar names and live primarily as hunters: the Watta or Manjo of the Gibe region and former Kingdom of Kaffa; and the Watta amongst the Borana people.^[3]

See also

• Weyto language

References

Ethnic groups in Ethiopia Afar Agaw Amhara Anuak Arbore Argobba Awi Banna Basketo Berta Chara Chebo Daasanach Danta Dawro Dizi Dorze Gabra Gamo Gedeo Gumuz Gurage Habesha Hadiya Hamar Harari Harla Irob Jeberti Kambaata Kichepo Konso Koore Kunama Kwama Kwegu Maale Macha Oromo Majang Mekan Murle Mursi Nuer Nyangatom Oromo Qemant Rer Bare Saho Shabo Shanqella Shinasha Shita Sidama Silt'e Somalis Surma Tigray-Tigrinya Tirma Tsamai Welayta Werji Weyto Yejju Oromo Yem Zay