Introduction / History

The Gurage ethnic group has usually been said to consist of three distinct subgroups, Northern, Eastern and Western. The largest grouping within the Eastern subgroup, known as the Silt 'e, did not consider themselves to be Gurage, and in a referendum in 2000 they voted unanimously to form their own administrative unit, the Silte Zone, within the SNNPR (Southern Nations, Nationalities, and People's Region).

The term Silt 'e is the modern ethnonym of the speakers of the Silt 'e language. Today's Silt 'e comprise the following major historical sub-groups: Azernet, Berbere, Alichcho, Wuriro, Melga (or Ulbareg) and Silt'i (or Summusilt 'i). The name Silt 'i (for the subgroup) is derived from the alleged ancestor Gen Silt 'i. The modern ethnonym Silt'e was chosen in memory of this ancestor and as a reminiscence of the old Islamic sultanate of Hadiyya the Silte people claim a historical relation to.

Until the second half of the twentieth century the Silt 'e were considered to be part of the Gurage (but called Adiyya or Hadiyya by the Sebat Bet Gurage). Other designations were Islam or East Gurage (after their language which forms part of the East Gurage language area). After the fall of the Derg regime in 1991 a political movement formed to establish an independent ethnic identity for the Silt'e, as they now called themselves. Ten years later, the Silt'e were successful in obtaining an administrative independence from the Gurage Zone in the creation of the Silt 'e Zone.

The Silt'e are an ethnic group in southern Ethiopia. They inhabit today's Silt'e Zone which is part of the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Region. A considerable number of Silt'e live in Addis Ababa, Adama and other cities and smaller urban centers of southern Ethiopia where they make a living as merchants or keepers of petty shops. In the countryside the Silt 'e practice mixed farming and cultivate ensete.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The great majority of the Silt'e population is Muslim.

What Are Their Beliefs?

There is a need for addressing poverty, human development, rural development, food security, capacity building, greater commercialization of agriculture, enhancement of private sector development, and industrial development.

There are wonderful opportunities to show the love of Christ to the people of Silt'e especially in areas of health and education.

There are many local resources that the church can use or give one time support for the indigenous people who can be an insider leader so that he can support him/herself in tent-making ministry. There are many opportunities to work with the youth of Silt 'e because they gather together often. The only recreation for them is to gather and play. Ministries such as football friends, water aid and the like can be helpful. There are opportunities to help the local people with sustainability and independence.

What Are Their Needs?

Pray for the Lord to thrust out loving and dedicated workers to the Silt'e people.

Pray for spiritual hunger among Silt'e people.

Pray for the Lord to send dreams of the risen Christ to Silt'e family leaders.

Pray for Silt'e disciples who will make more disciples.

Prayer Items

Scripture Prayers for the Silt'e in Ethiopia.

References

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gurage_people
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silt 'e_people
Tamrat Gezahgen