Gibe

Gibe is a term with several distinct meanings. In English, gibe (often spelled jibe in some varieties) can be a noun or a verb meaning a taunt or derision. To gibe at someone is to mock or jeer; the spelling jibe is sometimes preferred in nautical or idiomatic contexts, but both forms are recognized, with the taunting sense typically associated with gibe.

In geography and energy, Gibe refers to a cascade of hydroelectric dams on the Omo River in southwestern Ethiopia. The projects are known as the Gibe I, Gibe II, and Gibe III dams, forming a coordinated development intended to increase Ethiopia’s electricity production. The cascade has contributed significantly to national power generation and has potential for regional export, but it has also sparked discussion about environmental effects, water rights, and impacts on downstream communities and ecosystems in the Lower Omo Valley.

There are few other uses of the term; as a proper name, Gibe appears in some place-name contexts in the region, but the most prominent modern reference is the hydroelectric cascade on the Omo River. The term’s meanings are thus distinct: one relates to mockery, the other to large-scale infrastructure projects in Ethiopia.