Migration and Rural-Urban Linkages in Ethiopia

Ankober was discussed rather as the centre of their political and administrative burdens.They indicated that they go to attend meetings called by wereda officials and to attendcourt when necessary.All the FGD participants agreed that the most important rural migration destinations foradults from Dinki are Addis Alem, Lalo, Zego, Gendawuha, Haramba, Ayigebir Rassaand Koka. The participants revealed that Addis Alem has been a very important centreespecially for the Muslims in terms of marriage, kinship relations and religious or ritualactivities. Addis Alem was revealed to be the centre of different worship rituals andhigher-level religious education. There are three famous worshipping places in AddisAlem that Muslim pilgrims from urban areas such as Addis Ababa, Awash, Debre Birhanand Nazareth used to celebrate. Another important destination for Quranic education isKoka. It was revealed that since the Imperial Period Muslims from Dinki have beensending their children to attend a prestigious religious school in Koka from which theygraduate with the title of Deressa.Participants agreed that Addis Alem has also been an important place for Christians interms of accessing formal education and acquiring jobs as daily labourers. There is apublic owned primary school (grades 1-3). Genda Nahal Chibite was also mentioned asan important destination due to the availability of a primary school (grades 1-6), localgovernment administration office and attractive chat trade. In the FGD, the respondentshave also indicated that Chibite will be an even more important destination in the nearfuture as the construction of a health post was completed at the beginning of this year.Genda Wuha, Zego, Lalo and Ayigebir were especially important for the AmharaChristian inhabitants living in Dinki as they were linked through regular marriage andkinship ties, attending wedding and funeral ceremonies, and important religiousactivities. Almost all of the Amhara in Dinki were said to have marriage relations withsome of the above areas as the majority of their kin group had remained there since theymoved to Dinki.Rassa, although far away from Dinki, was considered to be an important centre ofmigration for weavers. It was revealed that during bad times Muslims used to carry theirweaving implements and settle in Rassa where weavers are warmly welcomed.Based on the above FGD, we can say that people in Dinki are very much connected torural and urban destinations for various reasons. While the linkages with rural areas aredominated by social and religious reasons, the linkages with urban areas are explainedmostly by market opportunities, and the availability of health and administrative services.38