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.
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]
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.
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]