Anuak Zone, written Anywaa Zone in the region’s own usage, is the southern and largest-populated zone of Ethiopia’s Gambela Region, and its centre is Gambela city, which is also the regional capital. The zone counted 99,556 people at the 2007 census and about 195,700 under the 2022 CSA projection, across five woredas plus the city administration.
The zone is named for the Anywaa (Anuak), who make up two-thirds of its population. It holds the Baro River, the only navigable river in Ethiopia, and most of Gambela National Park.
| Zone centre | Gambela |
| Region | Gambela |
| Woredas | 5, plus Gambela city administration |
| Population (2007 census) | 99,556 |
| Population (2022 projection) | 195,705 |
| Urban share (2007) | 52.8 percent |
| Main rivers | Baro, Alwero, Gilo |
Woredas (Districts)
Census tables count Gambela town separately from Gambela Zuria, the rural woreda that surrounds it, which is why six units appear below for five woredas.
| Woreda | 2007 census | 2022 projection |
|---|---|---|
| Gambela (town) | 39,022 | 97,643 |
| Gog | 16,836 | 29,373 |
| Abobo | 15,741 | 26,155 |
| Gambela Zuria | 10,590 | 15,705 |
| Jor | 9,366 | 13,507 |
| Dima | 8,001 | 13,322 |
| Total | 99,556 | 195,705 |
Major Towns
| Town | Woreda | Population (2022 proj.) |
|---|---|---|
| Gambela | City administration | 97,600 |
| Abobo | Abobo | — |
| Pugnido (Pinyudo) | Gog | — |
| Gog | Gog | — |
| Dima | Dima | — |
Gambela is the only town in the zone with a published population, and it holds close to half of all zone residents. Its share explains the unusual 52.8 percent urban figure for 2007, the highest of any zone in the region by a wide margin. Abobo, Pugnido, Gog and Dima are woreda centres with markets and administrative offices.
Geography
The terrain is flat lowland at 400 to 550 metres, rising towards the eastern edge. Three rivers cross it: the Baro, which is navigable and once carried steamer traffic down to the Nile; the Alwero; and the Gilo. Lakes Alwero and Thatha are the largest standing water. Gambela National Park, one of Ethiopia’s largest protected areas, covers a wide block of the zone and holds white-eared kob and Nile lechwe.
Anuak Zone is bordered on the south-west and north-west by South Sudan, on the south-east by the South West Ethiopia Region, on the east by Mezhenger Zone, on the north-east by the Oromia Region, and on the north-west by Nuer Zone. Itang special woreda lies immediately north-west of Gambela city.
Demographics
The 2007 census recorded 99,556 residents, 50,722 men and 48,834 women, of whom 52,561 lived in towns. The 2022 projection is about 195,700, nearly double, and almost all of that growth is in Gambela city.
The Anywaa are the largest group at 66.7 percent, followed by Oromo at 9.14 percent, Amhara at 9.1 percent, Kambaata at 4.35 percent, Mezhenger at 2.3 percent and Tigrayans at 2.19 percent. Anywaa is the first language of 66.7 percent of residents, with Amharic at 11.33 percent, Oromo at 8.59 percent and Kambaata at 4.47 percent. Protestants form the largest religious group at 64.81 percent, ahead of Ethiopian Orthodox Christians at 29.16 percent, with Catholic and Muslim minorities.
Economy & Local Life
Anywaa households farm river-bank plots of maize and sorghum, fish the Baro, Alwero and Gilo, and keep small livestock. Fishing is a serious part of the diet and of local trade, which is unusual in Ethiopia. Sesame and cotton grow well on the flats.
Abobo woreda holds the Alwero irrigation dam and the largest block of commercial farmland in the region, leased for rice, maize and cotton. Gambela city is the trade and services centre for the whole region and the base for the aid operation serving the refugee camps. Pugnido and Okugo camps, in Gog and Dima woredas, are among the seven camps in Gambela that together housed about 338,700 South Sudanese refugees.
Getting There
Gambela is about 766 km west of Addis Ababa. The road runs through Nekemte, Bedele, Metu and Gore, and is asphalt for the full distance, with the last stretch dropping sharply off the escarpment into the lowlands. Buses take two days.
Gambela Airport has scheduled Ethiopian Airlines flights from Addis Ababa and is the fastest way in. From the city, roads run south to Abobo and on to Gog, Pugnido and Dima, and north-west to Itang. Lowland roads soften badly in the May-to-October rains.
FAQ
Where is Anuak Zone?
In western Ethiopia, in the southern part of the Gambela Region, on the border with South Sudan, about 766 km west of Addis Ababa.
What is the capital of Anuak Zone?
Gambela city, which is also the capital of the Gambela Region and has a projected population of about 97,600 for 2022.
How many woredas are in Anuak Zone?
Five: Abobo, Dima, Gambela Zuria, Gog and Jor. Gambela city is administered separately and counted on its own in census tables.
What is the population of Anuak Zone?
99,556 at the 2007 census, projected to about 195,700 for 2022.
What language is spoken in Anuak Zone?
Anywaa, a Nilotic language, is the first language of about two-thirds of residents. Amharic and Oromo follow.
Which rivers run through Anuak Zone?
The Baro, the Alwero and the Gilo. The Baro is the only navigable river in Ethiopia.