Invisible Diversity: Exploring the Historical Dynamics of the Saho Muslim Settlements in Tǝgray

The classical academic literature generally defines the Saho populations as a non-homogenous ‘ethno-linguistic’ group, found mainly in Eritrea but also in some parts of Tǝgray (Ethiopia), and the Sudan. Though the use of the Saho language is almost always considered as their major identity marker, these populations are often associated with the ‛Afar communities, with whom they would share the same geographical origins in the eastern lowlands, and transhumant animal herding tradition. However..

Youths on Perilous Journeys: Irregular Migrants from Tǝgray, Northern Ethiopia, to the Gulf Region

The paper deals with irregular migrants from Tǝgray region, northern Ethiopia to the Gulf region. In recent years irregular migration has become rampant not only in the region, but also in the country. The massive emigration of the youthful population is having adverse socioeconomic, psychological and political impact. It is also damaging the image of the country and it can be argued that also the development endeavors of the country are undermined. A study on irregular migrants is also triggered by the following observations : 1. it is associated with all sorts of life-threatening risks and yet its magnitude has been increasing enormously ; 2. it is happening when there are also legal means of migrating out of the country, and 3. there are indications that lately it is changing its nature i. e. from human smuggling to human trafficking. The topic is timely and seeks critical intervention. But despite this fact it is not well researched and not well less understood. Thus it is high time for thorough empirical research like this that will lead to the full understanding of the problem. Based on the empirical data collected from field research in different localities of Tǝgray the paper discusses the drivers of migration, the processes of the irregular migration and those involved in it and the reasons why persons are resorting to irregular migration when the legal means of migrating to the Gulf is there.Des jeunes dans des voyages périlleux : migrants irréguliers du Tegray, Éthiopie du Nord, vers la région du Golfe Ce papier s'intéresse aux migrants irréguliers de la région du Tegray, dans l'Éthiopie du Nord, vers la région du Golfe. Ces dernières années, les migrations irrégulières augmentent non seulement dans la région, mais aussi dans le pays. L'émigration massive de la jeunesse a un impact socio-économique, psychologique et politique négatif. Cela nuit à l'image de l'Éthiopie, et mine les efforts de développement du pays. L'étude de ces migrants irréguliers est encouragée par les observations suivantes : 1. leur voyage est associé à toutes sortes de risques vitaux et pourtant son ampleur a crû énormément ; 2. cela se passe alors qu'il existe des moyens légaux de migrer hors du pays ; et 3. des indications montrent que la nature du voyage est en train de changer, de contrebande d'êtres humains au trafic d'êtres humains. Ce sujet est opportun et nécessite une intervention critique, bien qu'il soit peu étudié et peu compris. Il est temps que des recherches empiriques facilitent la compréhension du problème. Fondé sur des données empiriques recueillies lors de terrains d'enquête dans différents sites du Tegray, cet article discute les facteurs de migrations, les procédures de la migration irrégulière et les acteurs qui y sont engagés, ainsi que les raisons pour lesquelles les personnes choisissent ce type de migration alors qu'il existe des moyens légaux pour émigrer vers le Golfe.Berhe Fesseha. Youths on Perilous Journeys: Irregular Migrants from Tǝgray, Northern Ethiopia, to the Gulf Region. In: Annales d'Ethiopie. Volume 28, année 2013. pp. 345-361

Movements in Ethiopia, Ethiopia in Movement. Volume 1

In November 2012, the 18th International Conference of Ethiopian Studies was convened in Dire Dawa, a cosmopolitan city in the eastern lowlands of Ethiopia. This event gathered more than 300 international scholars from all disciplines of the humanities and social social sciences. Under the general theme of ‘movement’ these two volumes gather a collection of 70 papers that reflect recent trends in the field of Ethiopian studies. From local studies to regional and international perspectives, these studies question long term historical processes and current social and economic transformations. A number of contributions explore and give access to fresh sources of knowledge from unpublished or rediscovered texts and documents, from recordings of oral information, or from ethnographic observation. They also review literature, challenge conventional ideas and propose critical investigations on past and present issues, such as interethnic relations, women’s role, development policies and their impact