Koore in Ethiopia

Introduction / History

Koore oral tradition says they might have emigrated from Gamo highlands sometime in the middle of the 14th century. Some informants also say a group of people emigrated as Christian missionaries from Manz, Shewa to Amaro (also called Koorso by the Koore) via Dawuro and Gamo between the middle of the 14th century and the beginning of the 15th century (Awoke, 1985).

When these emigrants came to Amaro (Koorso), there were many dispersed and unified Indigenous Oma in Koorso. The new emigrants fought with these Indigenous tribes and eventually forced some of them to fly to Burji, Konso and Derashe. The remaining indigenous tribes intermingled with the newcomers to form a people of new identity: the Koore.

The emigrants who were assimilated with indigenous tribes were said to have carried with them Tabots (Arc of the Covenant) and are believed to have founded some Orthodox churches, including Yero Medhane Alem, Icha Giorgis and Derba Menena Michael. Eventually, the Kingdom of Amaro was established at about the end of the 14th century with 23 administrative units or districts called daynete. Since its establishment, the Kingdom of Amaro was ruled by Kaates, kings (Awoke, 1985). As oral informants say, Ahmed Gran invaded the Kingdom of Amaro (Koorso) in the 16th century, thereby burning its churches and persecuting the Christians.

Generally, there were 19 kings from three dynasties in Koorso from the middle of the 14th century to the incorporation of the kingdom into the Ethiopian Empire by Ras Lul Seged, general of Menelik II, in 1896. After its incorporation into the Ethiopian Empire, Amaro (Koorso) became a Wereda administration first based at Qerchele, later at Dano and finally at Kele. This Wereda structure lasted until 1981 a time when Amaro Wereda was dissolved and partitioned between Gedeo and Gamo Gofa. After the military regime of Derg was toppled in 1991 by the struggle of the Ethiopia people led by EPRDF, Amaro Special Wereda Administration was reestablished as one national administrative unit of SNNPRS.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Like most people in Ethiopia, the Koores have an agricultural economy.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Currently the Koores are predominantly Christians (Protestant and Orthodox, but very few Catholics) and Muslim. Christianity has a long history among the Amaro. The first Orthodox Churches, established in about the 14th century, were the Yero Mednalne Mon

What Are Their Needs?

Koore land (Koorso or Amaro) is highly rugged and mountainous. So the basic need of the Koore now is road accessibility. Elementary education is in Koore language; however, there is no literature, and this may be a crucial area some NGOs have to address.

Prayer Points

Pray for the Holy Spirit to move powerfully in Koore churches and families.
Pray that soon Koore disciples will make disciples of the less reached tribes of Ethiopia.
Pray for the Lord to bless the Koores with good health and pure, clean water.

Text Source:   Joshua Project