saho

The Saho are an ethnic group in the Horn of Africa, primarily located in Eritrea, with smaller communities in neighboring Ethiopia and Sudan. They belong to the Cushitic branch of the Afroasiatic language family and speak the Saho language.

The Saho language is a Cushitic language with several dialects and is spoken by most members of the ethnic group. In Eritrea, Saho is taught informally and used in local media alongside official languages, while literacy in Saho varies by region.

Culturally, many Saho have historically engaged in pastoralism and trading, though modern livelihoods include farming and wage labor. The majority of Saho are Muslim, with other faiths present in smaller numbers. Religious practices influence social life, ceremonies, and community organization.

Historically, the Saho have lived in contact with neighboring groups such as the Tigrinya, Afar, and Beja, influencing and being influenced by regional trade and migrations. In contemporary Eritrea, the Saho are part of the country’s diverse mosaic of ethnic communities, contributing to its linguistic and cultural landscape.