Eritrea 191,000 | Ethiopia 22,800 | |
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The Saho (Arabic: ساهو), sometimes called Soho, are an ethnic group inhabiting the Horn of Africa. They are principally concentrated in Eritrea, with some also living in adjacent parts of Ethiopia. Historical evidence confirm that the Saho occupied their present home much earlier than their claims of originating from the Arabian peninsula. The Saho can be traced back to 2000 BC. They speak Saho as a mother tongue, which belongs to the Cushitic branch of the Afro-Asiatic family and is closely related to Afar.
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Demographics
According to Ethnologue, there were approximately 213,800 Saho speakers in 2006. Most are concentrated in Eritrea (191,000 speakers), with the remainder inhabiting Ethiopia (22,800 speakers). Within Eritrea, the Saho primarily reside in the Southern and Northern Red Sea regions.
The Saho have a system of clans (11 at present), which are in turn divided into kinship groups. Clan loyalty is an important factor in Saho politics.
Language
The Saho people speak the Saho language as a mother tongue. A Lowland East Cushitic Languages, it is part of the Cushitic branch of the Afro-Asiatic family and is quite similar to Afar.
The Irob dialect is only spoken in Ethiopia.
Religion
The Saho are predominantly Muslim. A few Christians, who are also known as the Irob, live in the Tigray region of Ethiopia and the Debub Region of Eritrea.
Customary Law
Regarding the customary law of the Saho, when there is an issue the Saho tend to call for a meeting or conference which they call '"rahbe". In such a meeting the Saho people discuss how to solve issues related to water, pasture or land, clan disputes and how to alleviate these problems. This is also discussed with neighboring tribes or ethnic groups and sub-clans to reach a consensus.
A skilled representative is chosen for this meeting, this representative is called a "madarre". A madarre brings forth arguments to his audience and sub-clans or tribes who are involved and tries to win them over. This is discussed with clan or tribal wise men or elders, "ukal".
On smaller scale conflicts between 2 individuals, one of the 2 takes their grievances to the "ukal", they in turn appoint "shimagale" or mediators for the dispute
Sub-divisions
Based on research done by the Eritrean author 'Abdulkader Saleh Mohammad' in his book 'The Saho of Eritrea', the Gadafur Saho is said to have Somali origins from the Gadabursi.
1. Dabri-Mela (Dabrimela)
2. Assa-Awurta (Asaworta)
3. Gaaso Arabic قعسو
4. Dasamo
5. Faqat Harak
6. Silaita
7. Idda (Ge'ez እዳ, Arabic إِدًّا, alternatively ادة or ادى), one of the earliest known Saho communities in Eritrea, also known as “Bado Ambalish” (Ge'ez ባዶ አምባልሽ, Arabic اصحاب الأرض, "friends of the land [Earth]") or "bearers of land".
8. Irob (Ge'ez: ኢሮብ ʾirōb, also spelled Erob), a Christian community in the highlands of the Tigray Region.
9. Torra (طروعه), Serrah Aria (سرح عرى) and Mussa Aria (موسى عرى)