Dorze in Ethiopia

Introduction / History

The Dorze live in the Gamo Gofa region, an eight hour journey from Addis Ababa. There are 12 kebeles (Amharic for village or small township) of Dorze people.

They are "cousins" of the Gamo tribe but consider themselves superior to the Gamo.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The Dorze are very industrious and comparatively well-educated. Their literacy rate is estimated to be 45%.

Dorze people are famous for their beehive-shaped huts, which are constructed with vertical hardwood poles and woven bamboo. According to the inhabitants, this towering, re-locatable structure can go as high as 12 meters and last from 60-80 years. Traditionally, the bamboos that are used as frames for the huts are cut during moonlight. For insulating the roof of the hut a thatch of false banana (Enset), grass and cover of the bamboo stem are used. Through time, when termites destroy the basement of the huts, after having avoided the rotten part of the basement, the whole structure can be lifted and relocated to a different place of the same compound. This practice explains why the hut is first built so high. The older the house the shorter the height.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Dorze Christians are largely Orthodox, while the Gamo Christians are largely Protestant.

What Are Their Needs?

There is no clean water, school/medical supplies are lacking, and there is no electricity. Sickness from water-borne diseases is common.

Prayer Points

Pray for the physical needs for clean water and medical clinics to be met.
Pray for the Holy Spirit to do a mighty work in Dorze churches and families, bringing many to total faith in Jesus Christ.
Pray that soon Dorze people will take the gospel to nearby unreached peoples like the Hamars.

Text Source:   Joshua Project