Wollo

Wollo, also spelled Wollo, is a historic region in northern Ethiopia. Traditionally a province of the Ethiopian Empire, it covered a highland area that now largely falls within the Amhara Region. In Ethiopia’s modern federal system, the area associated with Wollo is divided into the North Wollo and South Wollo (Debub Wollo) zones, with major towns such as Dessie, Weldiya, and Lalibela located within or near its historical boundaries. The landscape features highland plateaus and valleys, with a climate that ranges from cool to temperate.

Economy and society: Agriculture is the mainstay of Wollo’s economy, with crops including teff, barley, sorghum, and maize, along with livestock husbandry and trade along historic routes linking the highlands to the lowlands. The region is home to Amhara communities as well as Oromo-speaking groups, and languages commonly spoken include Amharic and Oromo.

History: Wollo has long been a nexus of Ethiopian politics, religion, and trade. It endured famines in the 20th century, including the severe 1984–85 famine that affected much of northern Ethiopia. The area is also known for the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the northern part of the historical Wollo region.

See also: North Wollo Zone, South Wollo Zone, Dessie, Lalibela, Amhara Region.