Mareko Special Woreda (Amharic: ማረቆ ልዩ ወረዳ) is one of three special woredas in Ethiopia’s Central Ethiopia Region, with its administrative centre at Koshe. It is the homeland of the Mareko people and recorded 64,512 residents at the 2007 census, of whom 6,880 or 10.67% lived in towns. The CSA’s 2022 projection is 93,424. A special woreda answers directly to the regional government rather than to a zone.
| Region | Central Ethiopia |
| Status | Special woreda (reports directly to the region) |
| Administrative centre | Koshe |
| Population (2007 census) | 64,512 |
| Population (2022 proj.) | 93,424 |
| Main language | Libido (Mareko) |
| Main religion | Islam |
Towns & Localities
Mareko is a single woreda with no subordinate districts. Koshe is the only town of consequence; the rest of the woreda is farmland with scattered hamlets and weekly market sites.
| Place | Role |
|---|---|
| Koshe | Woreda administrative centre and main market |
| Mareko | Rural locality that gives the woreda its name |
| Kella | Nearest town outside the woreda, in East Gurage Zone |
Geography
Mareko lies on the eastern slope of the Gurage highlands where they run down to the Rift Valley floor, south-east of Butajira. It is lower and drier than the highland woredas to the west, and rainfall is less reliable.
The woreda borders East Gurage Zone on the west and north, meeting it through the East Meskan district, Siltʼe Zone to the south, and the Oromia Region to the east, where the land falls towards Lake Ziway.
Demographics
The 2007 census counted 64,512 people, 32,730 men and 31,782 women. Urban residents were 6,880, or 10.67% of the total, nearly all of them in Koshe. The CSA’s 2022 projection is 93,424.
The Mareko speak Libido, a Highland East Cushitic language also called Maraqo. Libido speakers were recorded at 4.09% of the neighbouring Gurage Zone’s population in 2007, which reflects long settlement across the boundary. Amharic is the language of schooling and trade. Islam was reported by 84.02% of residents, Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity by 7.98% and Protestant Christianity by 7.41%.
Economy & Local Life
Mixed farming supports most households. Maize, teff, wheat, sorghum and haricot beans are the main crops, with pepper grown for sale, and enset appears on the higher western ground. Cattle, goats and sheep are kept on nearly every holding and are traded at Koshe. Chat is a cash crop and moves quickly by road towards Butajira and Addis Ababa. The lower altitude means shorter, less dependable rains than in the Gurage highlands, so households spread risk across several crops and rely on livestock sales when the harvest is thin.
Getting There
Koshe is about 30 km south-east of Butajira on the road towards Ziway, and Butajira is roughly 130 km south of Addis Ababa on the asphalt Rift Valley route. The drive from the capital takes about three hours in good conditions. Minibuses run from Butajira to Koshe through the day. Ziway, on the main Addis Ababa to Hawassa highway, is another approach from the east. The nearest scheduled airport is Addis Ababa Bole.
FAQ
Where is Mareko Special Woreda?
In the Central Ethiopia Region, about 30 km south-east of Butajira on the edge of the Rift Valley.
What is the capital of Mareko Special Woreda?
Koshe.
What is a special woreda?
A district that reports directly to the regional government instead of belonging to a zone. Ethiopia uses the status for smaller ethnic homelands.
What language is spoken in Mareko?
Libido, also called Maraqo, a Highland East Cushitic language. Amharic is the common second language.
How many people live in Mareko Special Woreda?
64,512 at the 2007 census, with a 2022 projection of 93,424.
What is farmed in Mareko?
Maize, teff, wheat, sorghum, haricot beans and pepper, alongside cattle, goats and sheep.