Meki Explained

Official Name:Meki
Native Name Lang:am
Settlement Type:Town
Pushpin Map:Ethiopia
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name: Ethiopia
Subdivision Type1:Region
Subdivision Type2:Zone
Subdivision Name2:East Shewa Zone
Subdivision Type3:Woreda
Coordinates:8.15°N 87°W
Population As Of:2005
Population Total:36,597
Utc Offset:+3
Elevation M:1636

Meki (Amharic: መቂ; Oromo: Maqii) is a town in east-central Ethiopia. Located in the East Shewa Zone of the Oromia Region, it has a latitude and longitude of 8.15°N 87°W with an elevation of 1636 meters above sea level. Meki is the administrative center of Dugda woreda.

History

Visitors in early 1927 found that there was a kind of bridge over the Meki River near the town which could be crossed by a motorcar. The bridge was the creation of a foreign farmer, who had modified a large tree trunk which had grown more or less across the river.[1]

News sources reported in March 1974 that, as part of the Derg, peasants near Meki rose up against local landlords, settling old grievances. At least 15 persons were reportedly killed: about ten victims had been hacked to death with knives and spears, and the bodies of three people were found in wells. The police regained control after killing a dozen peasants and arresting hundreds.[1]

Demographics

Based on figures from the Central Statistical Agency in 2005, Meki has an estimated total population of 36,597 of whom 18,422 are men and 18,175 are women.[2] The 1994 national census reported this town had a total population of 20,460 of whom 9,991 were males and 10,469 were females.

Catholic Church services

The Apostolic Vicariate of Meki of the Catholic Church has its headquarters in Meki, which also runs a local high school in the town, Meki Catholic School (MCS), and the Community of Saint Paul, a Catholic Association of the Christian faithful, has a presence there.[3] The Kidist Mariam Pastoral Centre provides training courses for vulnerable women including food preparation, tailoring and hairdressing.[4]

Notes and References

  1. http://130.238.24.99/library/resources/dossiers/local_history_of_ethiopia/B/ORTBAL.pdf "Local History in Ethiopia"
  2. http://www.csa.gov.et/text_files/2005_national_statistics.htm CSA 2005 National Statistics
  3. Community of Saint Paul, Who we are, accessed 26 November 2022
  4. Catholic Mission, Kidist Mariam Pastoral Centre (Phase II), accessed 26 November 2022