Shewa

Shewa, also spelled Shoa, is a historic region of Ethiopia located in the central highlands. It has long been a political and cultural core of the Ethiopian state, and its territory has shifted over time through changing administrative arrangements. In the 18th and 19th centuries, Shewa rose to prominence as a power center under rulers such as Sahle Selassie and his son Menelik II, who are credited with consolidating the Ethiopian empire and expanding its influence. The region’s historical capital was Ankober, a seat of Shewan rulers, before the imperial era gave rise to Addis Ababa as the capital of the country.

In the modern Ethiopian federal system, the historic region of Shewa is divided among two regional states. North Shewa lies within the Amhara Region, while East Shewa, West Shewa, and South West Shewa are parts of the Oromia Region. Addis Ababa, the nation’s capital, is an independent chartered city enclave surrounded by the East Shewa Zone of Oromia. As a result, references to Shewa today often pertain to a historical concept rather than an administrative unit.

Geographically, Shewa encompasses parts of the central Ethiopian highlands, with a climate and terrain suitable for diverse agriculture and settlement. The region has been home to diverse ethnic and linguistic communities, contributing to the historical and cultural complexity of central Ethiopia.

See also: History of Ethiopia, Amhara Region, Oromia Region, Addis Ababa.