Jarar Zone (Somali: Jarar) is one of eleven zones in Ethiopia’s Somali Region, covering the northern Ogaden. Its administrative centre is Degehabur, Somali Dhagaxbuur, and the zone spans about 61,130 km². Jarar counted 478,168 people at the 2007 census and holds eleven woredas. It was known as Degehabur Zone until the regional renaming of the 2010s, when it took the name of the Jarar valley.
| Somali name | Jarar |
| Former name | Degehabur Zone |
| Administrative centre | Degehabur (Dhagaxbuur) |
| Area | 61,130 km² |
| Woredas | 11 |
| Population (2007 census) | 478,168 |
| Population (2022 projection) | 698,976 |
Woredas (Districts)
Jarar has eleven woredas. Five carried separate figures at the 2007 census; the rest were created from them afterwards and have no published series of their own.
| Woreda | 2007 census | 2022 projection |
|---|---|---|
| Degehabur | 115,555 | 170,713 |
| Gunagado | 112,924 | 164,233 |
| Awaare | 96,011 | 141,011 |
| Gashamo (Misraq Gashamo) | 95,191 | 138,537 |
| Dhagaxmadow (Degehamedo) | 58,487 | 84,482 |
| Araarso | created after 2007 | — |
| Bilcil Buur | created after 2007 | — |
| Birqod | created after 2007 | — |
| Daroor | created after 2007 | — |
| Dig | created after 2007 | — |
| Yoocaale | created after 2007 | — |
Major Towns
Only 62,584 residents, or 13.01 per cent, lived in towns at the 2007 census. Degehabur is the only sizeable centre.
| Town | Woreda | Population or position |
|---|---|---|
| Degehabur | Degehabur | 30,027 (2007); 47,200 (2022 proj.) |
| Aware | Awaare | 8°15′N 44°09′E |
| Dig | Dig | 7°49′N 44°26′E |
| Gashamo | Gashamo | North-eastern Jarar, near the Somaliland border |
| Daroor | Daroor | Woreda seat |
| Gunagado | Gunagado | Woreda seat |
| Araarso | Araarso | Woreda seat |
| Yoocaale | Yoocaale | Woreda seat |
Geography
Jarar lies in the north of the Ogaden, between the Fafan plateau and the eastern plains. It is bordered on the north-west by Fafan Zone, on the south-west by Nogob Zone and Erer Zone, on the south by Korahe Zone, on the south-east by Dollo Zone, and on the north-east by Somaliland.
The land is a gently sloping plain of red soils and acacia bush, between roughly 500 and 1,000 metres, falling south-east. The Jarar and Fafan valleys cut across it; both are seasonal watercourses that carry water only after rain. There are no perennial rivers. Deep boreholes at Degehabur and Aware supply the main towns, and berkad catchments serve the rangeland.
Demographics
The 2007 census recorded 478,168 residents: 268,006 men and 210,162 women. Somali was the first language of 99.62 per cent, and 98.72 per cent reported being Muslim. The zone is Ogaden Somali country, with the Bartire and Yabare among the clans in the north.
Central Statistical Agency projections put the five census-era woredas at 698,976 by 2022, about 46 per cent above the census count. Ethiopia has held no census since 2007, so that figure is a projection.
Economy & Local Life
Herding is the main livelihood, with camels, goats, sheep and cattle. Gashamo and the north-east feed the export trade towards Berbera and the Gulf. Degehabur holds the largest market, and Aware and Daroor hold weekly stock markets. Around Degehabur, small rain-fed plots grow sorghum and maize when the rains allow, and irrigated fodder is a newer business.
Frankincense and gum arabic collected in the bushland are traded through Jijiga. Water trucking and borehole maintenance are constant work in the dry months.
Getting There
Degehabur is about 170 km south of Jijiga by road, roughly three hours. From Addis Ababa the route runs east to Jijiga, some 630 km of paved highway, then south. Gravel roads continue south from Degehabur to Kebri Dehar and east through Aware to Gashamo and Warder. Degehabur has an airstrip used chiefly by government and humanitarian flights; the nearest scheduled services are at Jijiga and Kebri Dehar.
FAQ
Where is Jarar Zone?
In the northern Ogaden, in the east of Ethiopia’s Somali Region, between Fafan Zone and the Somaliland border.
What is the capital of Jarar Zone?
Degehabur, Somali Dhagaxbuur.
What was Jarar Zone called before?
Degehabur Zone, after its main town. It was renamed Jarar after the Jarar valley.
How many woredas does Jarar have?
Eleven: Araarso, Awaare, Bilcil Buur, Birqod, Daroor, Degehabur, Dhagaxmadow, Dig, Gashamo, Gunagado and Yoocaale.
What is the population of Jarar Zone?
478,168 at the 2007 census, projected to 698,976 by 2022. Ethiopia has not held a census since 2007.
How big is Jarar Zone?
About 61,130 km², larger than Sri Lanka.