Info For Yous Saho People: Ancient Agro-Pastoral People Of Eritrea

 The Saho (Soho) people an agro-pastoral as well as amalgamated ethnolinguistic as well as cultural grouping belonging to the larger Cushitic ethnic grouping inhabiting the Horn of Africa. They are principally concentrated inward Eritrea, with to a greater extent than or less also living inward side past times side parts of Ethiopia. Ancient Saho speaking people are descendants of ancient Kushites.

Beautiful adult woman from Saho tribe of Eritrea

The term Kushite derives from the ancient peoples of North East Africa, which started to alive inward this business office of Africa since to a greater extent than than 5000 B.C., with their ain civilization as well as language.  The ancient Kushite peoples are those who spoke languages of the Kushite branch of the Afro-Asiatic (also known every bit Hamito-Semitic) family. They are the indigenous peoples of the nowadays hateful solar daytime Eritrea, Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia as well as Kenya.
The tidings "Saho" agency "nomad," ("saa" agency animals as well as "hoo" agency caretaker), which is also an seem of their previous pastoral way of life.

                              Saho women

In Eritrea, Saho mainly dwell inward the Eastern foothills of Akele-Saho (aka Akele-guzai) as well as Semhar occupying 60% or to a greater extent than of the landmass. Sahos’ are also constitute intermingled with Tigrinia speaking public inward parts of Eritrea’s highland regions (Akeleguzai, Seraye as well as Hamasein). They also intermingle with Tigre speaking tribes inward Lowland regions such every bit Barka.

Saho woman

Language
 The Saho people speak the Saho language (saahot waani or saahot zirho), which belongs to the Cushitic branch of the Afro-Asiatic family, every bit a woman bring upwards tongue. Historians as well as anthropologists every bit yet to accurately create upwards one's heed the exact archeological fourth dimension inward which Kushitic languages started to split until they expire separate languages every bit known inward modern times.  According to Bender as well as most scholars, the split of the Saho linguistic communication from the remainder of the East Kushitic linguistic communication took house almost 4 G years ago. It is believed that this split happened piece of cake as well as gradually over many centuries. Thus, Saho speaking ancestors started to expire a separate ‘linguistic as well as ethnic group’ almost 4 G years ago.
Saho linguistic communication is mainly spoken  in territories bounded past times the bay of Idhafale inward the E of Eritrea, the Laasi Ghedé valleys inward the south, the Eritrea highlands to the westward (Akele-Guzai, Shimezana) every bit good every bit inward borders with Tigre on the westward of Eritrea. It is also spoken inward Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia mainly inward Tigray Region.
 The Kushitic languages are divided into 3 major subgroups. These include:  (a) East Kushitic languages (Saho, Afar, somali as well as Sidama), (b) Central Kushitic or Agaw linguistic communication (such every bit Bilen ), (c) South Kushitic languages inward Republic of Kenya as well as Tanzanya. According to linguistics, the Kushites spoke historically closely related dialects of the same linguistic communication as well as they all shared a mutual cultural heritage.
Saho linguistic communication has 4 main dialects: Tarua, Assawurta, Minifre, as well as Irob. Irob is mainly spoken inward Ethiopia
Although in that place is no reliable accurate statistics thus far, it is believed that Saho is spoken past times over 320,000 speakers.

Woman from Saho tribe

Relationship betwixt Saho & Afar language:
“The Afar & Saho receive got over 70% of linguistic relationships as well as they tin communicate easily with each other without whatever difficulty”. (Abdulkader S. Mohammed, 1977 p8)
“The Afar & Saho portion a large publish of words with the same meaning, cognates are unremarkably closely related. This is because in i trial people speaking a mutual linguistic communication receive got expire socially or geographically separated (…). But to a greater extent than or less words are to a greater extent than resistant to borrowing than others, that agency they hare less plain of written report to modify over time. In East-Cushitic languages, such words include those for universal concepts [eat, drink, rain, sky, Sun, moon, Star, Earth, cattle, etc..] as well as basic parts of human body”. M Nuuh Ali (1985: 21-22).
According to Leo Reinisch, (1886:795) that the Afar & Saho are non ii languages but the same language. The construction & grammatical forms are the same i language. And this lies inward their geographical place as well as isolation particularly past times the Saho inward the highlands who kept the language.
Herbert S. Lewis (1966:42) assumes that Afar & Saho receive got patently been inward their expanse long plenty to receive got diverged into ii closely related but distinctly dissimilar languages.

History

The descendants of ancient Saho speaking people, are descendants of ancient Kushites who ruled Arab Republic of Egypt inward 25th dynasty as well as played a primal purpose inward Africa’s greatest as well as oldest civilization at Meroe, the nowadays hateful solar daytime northern Sudan as well as lower Egypt.

Ancient Saho speaking people, every bit descendants of ancient Kushites, receive got left potent traceable testify of their over 5000 years of rich history. The traceable testify include ancient stone paintings, monuments steles, ruined building, ancient pottery … etc. Some of these are constitute inward Saho solid reason such every bit inward (Qohaito, Kaskase, Adulis (Adola/Ado-Lai ), Balaw Kalaw, ruins of  Matara 

Historians as well as anthropologists every bit yet to accurately create upwards one's heed the exact archeological fourth dimension inward which Kushitic languages started to split until they expire every bit separate languages every bit know inward modern times.  According to Bender as well as most scholars, the split of the Saho linguistic communication from the remainder of the East Kushitic linguistic communication took house almost 4 G years ago. It is believed that this split happened piece of cake as well as gradually over many centuries. Thus, Saho speaking ancestors started to expire a separate ‘linguistic as well as ethnic group’ almost 4 G years ago.

According to the oral traditions, the Idda, Kabota as well as Asa-bora are the most ancient Saho ancestors inward the electrical current Saho region. The Saho telephone phone these 3 tribes the guardians of the Saho solid reason (Badho Ambadish or Badho Sogos inward Saho language).  As the oral history narrates "an Idda homo married a adult woman from kabota tribe as well as afterwards destroyed Kabota inward a bitter war, thus that Idda became the dominant tribe inward the region, as well as extended its powers upwards to the highlands. The Asabora, according to legends, are ancestors of the Minifere tribeswho commonly descended from i Asabora woman. 

Oral traditions hold that to a greater extent than or less Saho clans came from various geographical origins as well as all adopted Saho, every bit their mutual linguistic communication as well as all shared a mutual cultural heritage.  Some Saho clans affiliate their origins to Islamic dignitaries during Khilafa menses including to i of the 4 Khalifas themselves. This should non hold upwards surprising, every bit good known inward this region; peoples of the Horn of Africa as well as the Arabian Peninsula receive got a long history of human migration across the ruby sea, intermarriage, intensive linguistic, social as well as cultural exchange.

The people of Saho were known for their tearing opposition to whatever unusual invaders as well as  colonial aggressors. Their oral history as well as poems say many amazing stories of bravery as well as sacrifices they had offered over the final ii centuries. They uncompromisingly as well as heroically defended their dearest solid reason from repeated attempts of highland Abyssinian rulers to invade their solid reason as well as had defeated Raas Araia as well as Raas Alula until the Italians invaded Eritrea inward 1889.

The Saho, earlier the Italians’ occupation, were organised every bit clans, which receive got expire federated into several major tribes. They had chiefs, their affairs existence managed past times councils of elders. This did non suit the Italians’ demand for closed command as well as accordingly they appointed chiefs inward accuse of each tribe: a measure, which made for administrative efficiency if non for popularity. These chiefs receive got been dismissed outright past times the electrical current authorities without introducing an choice system.

Today, the take away chances of losing oral Saho history as well as heritage is greater than ever. It is similar watching potent winds spreading bully burn downwardly with piddling resistance hoping that nosotros would hold upwards left with to a greater extent than or less of our possessions. Therefore in that place is an urgent telephone phone for spreading awareness as well as a massive responsibleness upon every concerned private as well as every organised Saho grouping of the electrical current generation, wherever they are, to collate as well as document their ancestors’ history, nonetheless they can.

Saho tribes

The Saho people every bit it has already been narrated is composed of several tribes (kisho, meela or qabila). This includes:

1- ASA BORA as well as it consists of; Asa Asa Bora, Da’ Asa Bora

2- ASAWURTA as well as it clans comprise;

A) Asa Lesan as well as it consists of: Hassan Dik, Hussain Dik, Malasa Dik, Hummad Durwa, Ahmaddin Dik, Gaddali Dik.

B), Lelish Are as well as it consists of: Abdalla Dik, Omar Dik, Eishe Dik, Diot Abusa.

C)Fokroti Are*, Asa Kare*, Faqih Dik*, Sarma Are*, Uruske Dabbasit Abusa*.

D) Beit Tawakkal, Beit Khalifa, Adefer & Beit Danya, Beit Suleiman, Logo Chewa  & Inda Asmail of 4te Asmera, Zingar of Dorfo.

3-BARADOTTA*

4-DABRI MELA as well as it consists of; Alades Are, Labhalet Are.

5-GADAFUR*

6-GALLE GIYA*

7-GINNI KARA*

8-HADO(aka HAZO)  and it comprises the next clans:

A) Asa Alila as well as consist of: Asa Ali Gaisha, Hammadi Gaisha, Asa Alila, Musabaggo, Bokite, Mahammad Kayya, Higoga, Omarto, Konsubifire, Amo-buri Gaisha, Danderi Hazoita.

B) LAASA as well as it consists of :Ona Dawud Gaisha, Ona Abdalla Gaisha, Ona Ismaeel Gaisha, Ona Omar Gaisha, Ona Ahmaddin Gaisha, Ona Ali Gaisha, Sheikha Abusso, Ab Dawuud Gaisha, Shum Omarto, Asa Lak Hena, Toujoumona, Shum Ahmaddo, Shum Hasanto, Ona Mahammad Dik, Bokite shum Bukoh dik, Maar dik, Asa Ibrahim Dik, Asa Abdalla dik, Semaye as well as Surrugso.

C) Shum Hummad Dik as well as it consist of : Sheikh Adamto, Dawud gafo dik, Talak, Maadar dik, Asa Alila (Barah).

9-HASABAT ARE,  and it consists of;Hamad Are; Aleit Are; Mieenqut Are as well as Sandaqa Are.

10-IDDA*

11-IROB as well as it consists of; Algadi  Are, Buknaitee Are , Hasaballa

12-KABOTA  and it consists of; Gorbey, Tabita, Hataba, Shekhait, Zakarit, Alirga

13-MINIFRE as well as it consists of the next  tribes;

A) GAASO as well as it is made upwards of the next clans: Shum Abdallah Gaisha, Yofish Gaisha, Shum Ahmad Gaisha, Hassan Gaisha, Silyan Gaisha, Asa Ushmaal, Oni Maal.

B) DAASAMO is made upwards of the next clans: Abdallah Harak, Naefie Harak, Mosat Harak, Subakum Are, Daili Are, Kundes, Illas.

C) SILAITA  and it comprises: Hakatti Are, Qum Mee Are, Zeila Are, Hilato, Abbarior, Abdiaa

D)FAKAD HARAK (aka FAKIH HARAK) as well as it comprises: Faqih Abubakar, Faqih Omar, Faqih Ahmad 

14-NAFEEAA*

15-SHEIKHA (These are families as well as tribes that crossed the Red Sea to spread Islam inward Eritrea at dissimilar times. Hence, produce non draw their linage to a mutual ancestor).

A)Intile Sheikh Are B) Sheikh Salim Are including Bet Sheikh Mahmoud as well as Ad Dirke inward Sahel C) Danagulta  D) Hajji Abkur  E) Iror Naba F) Sheikh Dimbagog G) Sheikh Lahlaha H) Akhadar Abusa I)Muallim Dik J) Hajji Hedor

16-TARU3A as well as it consists of; Sara7 Are, Mosat Are.

17-SAATOT*

18- SALMUNTA as well as it consists of; A’sa Salmunta as well as Dat Salmunta

19-SANAFE (SAN3FE) as well as it consists of; Sheikh Umori as well as Uwaal Dik, Hassan Silah Dik,Umar Gorx Dik,Sancaffe Mahmoud Dik.

20-Samhar is domicile to a publish of Saho clans as well as families that branched out from the main tribes that are listed above. Some of those nosotros tin draw are;

Qadida, Chewai Dik, Barole Dik, Sabbe Dik, Harak Dik, Haggi Wad Hamid Are, Shenghebai Dik, Sangor Dik, Khalifa Are, Adulai Are, Minni Are, Shehabi Are, Habona Are, Amir Dik, Zakaria Dik, Shemo Are, Tsewai Are, Hasino Are, Talke Are, Shikan Are, Sadiko Are, Edim Bagi Are, Sheik Humad Arkale Are, Sheikh Yassin Are, Ansara Are, Debrom Are, Falul Are, Dini Are, Gubbala Are, Yusuf Are, Unda Ali Are, Haggi Abdu Are, Khalifa Ahmad Are, Nabara Dik, Ali Babu Dik, Gadam Dik. 

For detailed information on Saho tribes  kindly read Abdulkader Saleh Mohammad`s volume "The Saho of Eritrea: Ethnic Identity as well as National Consciousness.

Economy

They are agro-pastoralists as well as their subsistence economic scheme relies livestock breeding as well as rain-fed agriculture, based on communal solid reason ownership system. Prior to the Italian colonization, they secured caravan merchandise routes betwixt the coasts as well as the highlands, which provided the clans with additional income.

Land Ownership:

As most parts of the pre-colonial Africa, solid reason is owned commonly past times the clan. It was because of this mutual ownership of solid reason it was piece of cake for colonialists as well as indigenous province to accept away the solid reason from pastoral nomads. Italians declared solid reason owned past times pastoralists every bit belonging to the State. Surprisingly, The 1994 Land Reform annunciation past times the Eritrean government, did non ascension upwards to the expectations of pastoralist communities, since did non accord them whatever legal rights to their land.

The 3 types of solid reason ownership, which are prevalent with Saho are:

1. Regional land, people of i geographical expanse owned the solid reason commonly regardless of their tribal distribution.

2. Tribal land, solid reason owned on tribal basis. Here menage unit of measurement has no specific rights to the land.

3. Family or sub-clan land, this was a solid reason protected past times specific menage unit of measurement for their grazing or shifting cultivation. (Abdulkader S. Mohammed 1997: 11)

Socio-political structure

Traditional Saho guild was strongly patriarchal as well as the roles of the granddad as well as virile someone bring upwards was highly respected. The extended menage unit of measurement had the ability to command the deportment as well as acquit of its members, as well as elders were cherished every bit the cultural transmitters of the society. Marriage followed patterns related to the marking of menage unit of measurement relations, as well as matrilateral cross-cousin union was strongly preferred. In the absence of formal government-supported safety system, the extended menage unit of measurement organization as well as kinship affiliations played as well as proceed to play an of import purpose to back upwards the aged, widows, the handicapped as well as immature people. Those who alive inward urban areas back upwards their menage unit of measurement members as well as kins inward the countryside.

The organizing regulation of Saho guild was a decentralized egalitarian (acephalous) system, inward which leaders of sub-tribes as well as clans were democratically elected for specific menses of fourth dimension inward full general meetings (rakhbe) of elders as well as wise men. The main responsibleness of the elected leaders were securing the basic requirement of their sub-tribes as well as mediating as well as settling problems according to the customary laws. 

Marriage

Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 menage unit of measurement who wishing to secure a husband for their children volition telephone phone a coming together as well as hash out the consequence to ensure that the husband whom they desire to select for their menage unit of measurement fellow member is non introduced, pledged or promised to to a greater extent than or less other family.

 They essay to observe detailed data almost the girl`s menage unit of measurement life as well as get together data on her graphic symbol through gossips as well as visits. this is done earlier the official negotiation takes house inward monastic enjoin to select a adult woman who volition adapt to the family`s codes of deportment as well as to facilitate her integration into the household to avoid futurity tensions. The mediation is handled past times the elders (shemagelle), i of whom should hold upwards the uncle of the spouse. If the ii parties comes into an agreement, they innovate themselves into the menage unit of measurement of the immature women.

The mediators brings with them gifts such every bit coffee, sugar, coin or wheat as well as give them to the menage unit of measurement who inward plough prepares nutrient (porridge) for the guests. 

After eating the meal, honey as well as milk are served every bit a sign of hospitality, thus they educate java as well as get-go to discuss. The Saho telephone phone this procedure of starting give-and-take "afti-fakkot", which agency "opening the mouth" to speak or discuss. All the gifts expire to the moth

er of the fiancee (liisho), as well as the virile someone menage unit of measurement members of the twosome fixed the appointment of the union as well as hash out what contribution shall hold upwards made every bit dowry past times the groom or the gift to hold upwards given to the bride. 

Usually the union ceremony takes house i yr after the engagement. In the rural areas, it is celebrated during the harvest seasons, whilst inward the urban centres the preferred fourth dimension is the summertime opor-garai as well as the menses earlier the celebration of the Ramadan. 

                                Saho bride

Religion

The Saho are predominantly Muslim. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 few Christians, who are also known every bit the Irob, alive inward the Tigray part of Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia as well as the Debub Region of Eritrea

Saho cultural grouping - Festival Eritrea 2006 - Asmara Eritrea.

source:http://www.allsaho.com/

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