Silt'e in Ethiopia Silt'e in Ethiopia
The people: The people:
Population: 1,155,000 The term Silt'e is the modern name of the Population: 1,155,000 The term Silt'e is the modern name of the
Language: Silt'e speakers of the Silt'e language. Today's Silt'e Language: Silt'e speakers of the Silt'e language. Today's Silt'e
Location: South of comprise the following major historical sub- Location: South of comprise the following major historical sub-
Addis Ababa 150 km, groups: Azernet, Berbere, Alichcho, Wuriro, Addis Ababa 150 km, groups: Azernet, Berbere, Alichcho, Wuriro,
Silte administrative zone, Melga (or Ulbareg) and Silt'i (or Summusilt'i). The Silte administrative zone, Melga (or Ulbareg) and Silt'i (or Summusilt'i). The
Werbey Town name Silt'i (for the subgroup) is derived from the Werbey Town name Silt'i (for the subgroup) is derived from the
Religion: Islam alleged ancestor Gen Silt'i. The modern name Religion: Islam alleged ancestor Gen Silt'i. The modern name
% Christian: 2% Silt'e was chosen in memory of this ancestor and % Christian: 2% Silt'e was chosen in memory of this ancestor and
% Evangelical: 0.50% as a reminiscence of the old Islamic sultanate of % Evangelical: 0.50% as a reminiscence of the old Islamic sultanate of
Christian resources Hadiyya the Silte people claim a historical relation Christian resources Hadiyya the Silte people claim a historical relation
available: Bible portions, to. available: Bible portions, to.
audio recordings, Jesus audio recordings, Jesus
film Until the second half of the twentieth century the film Until the second half of the twentieth century the
Silt'e were considered to be part of the Gurage (but called Adiyya or Hadiyya Silt'e were considered to be part of the Gurage (but called Adiyya or Hadiyya
by the Sebat Bet Gurage). After the fall of the Derg regime in 1991, a political by the Sebat Bet Gurage). After the fall of the Derg regime in 1991, a political
movement formed to establish an independent ethnic identity for the Silt'e, as movement formed to establish an independent ethnic identity for the Silt'e, as
they now called themselves. In 2000, the Silt'e voted unanimously to form they now called themselves. In 2000, the Silt'e voted unanimously to form
their own administrative unit and successfully obtained creating their own their own administrative unit and successfully obtained creating their own
administrative zone, the Silt'e Zone. administrative zone, the Silt'e Zone.
In the countryside the Silt'e practice mixed farming. Their main staple food is In the countryside the Silt'e practice mixed farming. Their main staple food is
the false banana plant, Enset Edulis. The fruit is not edible but the massive the false banana plant, Enset Edulis. The fruit is not edible but the massive
roots feed their families. They also grow cereals, legumes, coffee and roots feed their families. They also grow cereals, legumes, coffee and
sorghum. There is a shortage of farmland, so many have migrated to towns sorghum. There is a shortage of farmland, so many have migrated to towns
and cities. A considerable number of Silt'e live in Addis Ababa, Adama and and cities. A considerable number of Silt'e live in Addis Ababa, Adama and
other cities and smaller urban centres of southern Ethiopia where they have other cities and smaller urban centres of southern Ethiopia where they have
become successful merchants, traders or businessmen. become successful merchants, traders or businessmen.
The Gurage people were followers of a traditional The Gurage people were followers of a traditional
religion which focused on three lesser dieties. This religion which focused on three lesser dieties. This
became weakened as more Christian and Muslim became weakened as more Christian and Muslim
influences penetrated the tribes. The Silt'e became influences penetrated the tribes. The Silt'e became
Muslim. However, there has been widespread church Muslim. However, there has been widespread church
planting within this people group in the past few planting within this people group in the past few
years. years.
What are their needs? What are their needs?
There is a need for addressing poverty, human development, rural There is a need for addressing poverty, human development, rural
development, food security, capacity building, greater commercialization of development, food security, capacity building, greater commercialization of
agriculture, enhancement of private sector development, and industrial agriculture, enhancement of private sector development, and industrial
development. There are wonderful opportunities to show the love of Christ development. There are wonderful opportunities to show the love of Christ
to the Silt'e especially in areas of health and education. to the Silt'e especially in areas of health and education.
There are many local resources that the church can use such as businesses There are many local resources that the church can use such as businesses
to support the indigenous leaders. There are many opportunities to work to support the indigenous leaders. There are many opportunities to work
with the youth of Silt'e because they gather together often. Ministries such with the youth of Silt'e because they gather together often. Ministries such
as football, friendships, water aid and the like can be helpful. There are as football, friendships, water aid and the like can be helpful. There are
opportunities to help the local people with sustainability and independence. opportunities to help the local people with sustainability and independence.
Prayer Points Prayer Points
➣ Pray for the Ethiopian churches in the diaspora & in Ethiopia to ➣ Pray for the Ethiopian churches in the diaspora & in Ethiopia to
mobilize their people & resources to reach the Silt'e for Christ. mobilize their people & resources to reach the Silt'e for Christ.
➣ Pray for the completion of Bible translation in this people group's ➣ Pray for the completion of Bible translation in this people group's
primary language. primary language.
➣ Pray that God will protect, nurture, feed and grow the new ➣ Pray that God will protect, nurture, feed and grow the new
church plants that will lead to many Silt'e people coming to church plants that will lead to many Silt'e people coming to
follow Christ. follow Christ.
Information from The Joshua Project at www.joshuaproject.net and Global Information from The Joshua Project at www.joshuaproject.net and Global
Prayer Digest January 2011 Prayer Digest January 2011
“How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? “How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed?
And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard?
And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?
And how are they to preach unless they are sent? And how are they to preach unless they are sent?
As it is written ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the As it is written ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the
good news!” Romans 10: 14 - 15 good news!” Romans 10: 14 - 15
For information on adopting the Silt'e of Ethiopia For information on adopting the Silt'e of Ethiopia
www.hornofafrica.org http://www.hornofafrica.org
www.engagers.org
www.engagers.org
