West Arsi Zone (Oromo: Arsii Lixaa) is a zone in southern Oromia, split from Arsi Zone in the mid-2000s, with its administrative centre at Shashamane. It covers 11,776.72 square kilometres and recorded 1,964,038 residents in the 2007 census, making it one of Oromia’s most populous zones. It runs from the Rift Valley lakes in the west up to the northern slopes of the Bale massif.
| Region | Oromia |
| Administrative centre | Shashamane |
| Woredas | 12 |
| Area | 11,776.72 km² |
| Population (2007 census) | 1,964,038 |
| Urban share (2007) | 13.85% |
| Majority religion | Islam (80.34%, 2007) |
| Main language | Afaan Oromoo |
Woredas (Districts)
- Adaba
- Arsi Negele
- Dodola
- Gedeb Asasa
- Kofele
- Kokosa
- Kore
- Naannawa Shashamane
- Nensebo
- Seraro
- Shala
- Shashamane Town
Naannawa Shashamane is the rural woreda surrounding the town; Shashamane town is administered separately.
Major Towns
| Town | 2007 census | 2022 projection |
|---|---|---|
| Shashamane | 100,454 | 208,400 |
| Arsi Negele | 47,292 | 98,100 |
| Dodola | 20,830 | 43,200 |
| Asasa | — | 42,900 |
| Kofele | 13,483 | 27,900 |
Adaba, Aje, Kokosa, Gedeb and Nensebo are the other woreda centres, all on or near the highland roads east and south of Shashamane.
Geography
The zone spans a steep west-to-east climb. In the west it takes in part of the Rift Valley floor at about 1,600 metres, including Lake Shala and part of Lake Abijatta within Shala woreda and the Abijatta–Shalla Lakes National Park. East and south of Shashamane the land rises through the Munessa–Shashamane forest to the Arsi–Bale highlands, passing 3,000 metres around Adaba and Dodola, where trekking routes lead into the Web valley and the Bale Mountains.
West Arsi borders East Shewa Zone to the north, Arsi Zone to the north-east, Bale Zone to the east and south-east, Guji Zone to the south, and Sidama Region and South Ethiopia Region to the west and south-west.
Demographics
The 2007 census counted 1,964,038 people: 973,743 men and 990,295 women. Urban residents numbered 272,084, or 13.85 per cent. The Oromo were 88.52 per cent of the population and the Amhara 3.98 per cent. Afaan Oromoo was the first language of 87.34 per cent and Amharic of 6.46 per cent. Muslims were 80.34 per cent, Ethiopian Orthodox Christians 11.04 per cent and Protestants 7.02 per cent.
Ethiopia has held no census since 2007. The statistical agency projects Oromia as a whole at about 40.1 million for 2022, but has published no zone-level projection for West Arsi.
Economy & Local Life
Gedeb Asasa and the plains around Asasa form one of Ethiopia’s main wheat and barley belts, farmed with tractors and combine harvesters on a scale unusual for the country. The higher woredas — Kofele, Kokosa, Nensebo and Adaba — grow potatoes, barley and enset and keep large cattle herds; Kofele potatoes reach markets across the south. Khat is a significant cash crop, and coffee is grown in Nensebo and Kokosa. Fishing and reed-cutting support villages around lakes Shala and Abijatta.
Shashamane is one of southern Ethiopia’s busiest road junctions, where the Addis Ababa–Moyale, Hawassa and Bale roads meet, and its wholesale market serves the whole region. The town also holds the settlement founded on land granted to Rastafarian returnees from the Caribbean in the 1960s, still a distinct community south of the centre.
Getting There
Shashamane is about 250 kilometres south of Addis Ababa on the asphalt Moyale highway, four to five hours by bus, and only about 25 kilometres north of Hawassa. From Shashamane the eastern road runs to Kofele, Dodola, Adaba and on to Bale Robe and Goba; the northern road passes Arsi Negele and Ziway. Dodola is the usual starting point for horse-trekking routes into the Bale highlands. There is no airport in the zone; Hawassa’s is the closest.
FAQ
Where is West Arsi Zone?
In southern Oromia, between the Rift Valley lakes and the Bale highlands, with its centre at Shashamane about 250 kilometres from Addis Ababa.
What is the capital of West Arsi Zone?
Shashamane, projected at about 208,400 people for 2022 and one of Oromia’s largest towns.
How many woredas are in West Arsi Zone?
Twelve, including Shashamane town administration.
What is the population of West Arsi Zone?
1,964,038 at the 2007 census, over 11,776.72 square kilometres.
What is West Arsi known for?
Large-scale wheat farming around Asasa, the Abijatta–Shalla lakes, and Shashamane’s road junction and Rastafarian settlement.
What religion is most common in West Arsi?
Islam, practised by 80.34 per cent of residents at the 2007 census.