Adaba (woreda)

Adaba is one of the woredas in the Oromia Region of Ethiopia; it shares the name of its administrative center, Adaba. Part of the West Arsi Zone, Adaba is bordered on the southwest by Nensebo, on the west by Dodola, on the northwest by the Shabelle River which separates it from the Gedeb Asasa, and on the east and south by Bale Zone.

Ulrich Braukämper theorizes that the name "Adaba" comes from a Hadiya subgroup mentioned in the Royal Chronicle of Zara Yaqob, where they are referred to as the "Hababo". Braukämper has argued that the Hadiya kingdom prior to the Great Oromo migration in the 16th century included in this area, presenting a number of facts supporting his argument, as opposed to other experts who argue that it extended to the east.

Overview

The highest point in this woreda is Mount Darkeena; other notable peaks include Mount Doda and Mount Gamma; most rivers are tributaries of the Shabelle River and include the Meribo, Ieliso, Furuna, Ashiro and Mancha Kara. A survey of the land in this woreda shows that 16.9% is arable or cultivable, 23.3% pasture, 52.2% forest, and the remaining 7.6% is considered swampy, mountainous or otherwise unusable. Notable landmarks include Bale Mountains National Park. Linseed, sugar cane, cereals and fruits and vegetables are important cash crops.