Exceptional kemise’s & Northern Caravan and Historic Tours offer
About This exceptional Caravan & Historic Route Itinerary
Mimosa-Ethiopia Tours encourages Group and Individual Tourists to experience our long history, hospitality, endemic foods and drinks, smiling faces, cultures, beautiful natural sceneries, social life, ritual ceremonies, wearing, feeding ,hairdressing, marriage, and the like styles We organize different Historical, Cultural, Adventurer, Trekking/Mountain climbing, Hiking, Natural and requested Tour packages in conducting research on the interest and demand of Tourists. This exceptional and unspoiled caravan/Islamic and Historic route is one of our ancient sites and history, so that our clients will be able to explore the magnificent caravan & historic route starting from Ankober (the former capital of Emperor Menelik II) to Goze Mosque around shewa Robit town, the beautiful and still existing village of Shonke which ages 900 years and the Argobans traced their amazing architectural design on their layer houses and the exiting thatched roof mosque of Turusina which was built in 1960s and then you will be treated by natural steam bath of Aweytu Hot spring, the landscapes (chained mountains) of south wollo are marvelous, the local markets where you can observe 5 ethnic groups buying and selling out their products are adorable, not only these but more and more attraction sites will be discovered in Kemise and surroundings.
Tourists will cover all important sites of Kemise zone in this Caravan-Historic route. Hiking and walking on foot from one site to another are fabulous. Mimosa-Ethiopia Tours suggest you to book for this trip in advance, before the last booking date because there is a limit of maximum number of visitors in a group or individual , we will be serving you on a ‘first comes first served basis’ we will confirm you by email when you are part of it.
The last booking date of this Tours is 20 days before departure date. The detail itinerary is presented as follow:-
Company name = Mimosa Ethiopia Tours Tour code = MET Kemise & Surroundings (caravan & historic route)
Group name = Length of stay = 12 days/11 nights
Means of Transport = Surface (Flight on Request)
Route = Caravan & Historic Route
Guide name = Jemal Birega (Professional English, French & Italian Speaking Guide
Day 1, You are going to be welcomed by our professional guide on arrival at Addis Ababa Bole International Air Port, and transfer to hotel., then you will have a full day city tour of Addis that includes visiting the National Museum of Ethiopia where Lucy is found, Merkato – the largest open-air market in Africa, and driving to Mt. Entoto (3,200 meters) the former capital of Emperor Menelik II who was the founder of Addis, trinity cathedral church and Ethnographic Museum.
Over Night at Panorama/Siyonat Hotel
Day 2, ADD – Ankober
Ankober is located, off-the-road about 40 km from Debre Birhan (and 170 km from Addis Ababa) through the hilly area and dusty roads. Ankober today is typical of the villages of the southern Ethiopian highlands where several cottages scattered in the Shewan Mountains bordering the Afar region. However, it is not only the beautiful landscapes and rural culture that makes this place worth visiting; Ankober is one of the most historical places in Ethiopia and also the cultural heart of the province of Shewa. The people of Ankober say that the dynasty of Shewan lords ruled from these mountains since the time of Emperor Yikuno Amlak in the thirteenth century. Yikuno Amlak is known in Ethiopian tradition as the one who restored Solomonic dynasty. This line of emperors did not belong to one family but claimed their origin from the Queen of Sheba (called Makeda by the Ethiopians), King Salomon and their son, Menelik I. This is the same dynasty which Menelik II and Haile Sellasie I, both powerful emperors of the 20th century Ethiopia, belonged to. The highlands surrounding Ankober, which sit at an elevation of some 2,500m, are great for hiking and even more rewarding for birdwatchers. You will have the chance to observe the very rare endemic Ankober serin, while two breeds of seedeater, the white throat and the yellow throat may also be spotted and hiking on the mount of Ankober.
Over night at Ankober Palace Lodge
Day 3, Ankober – Kemise
After breakfast, we will drive from Ankober to Kemise to explore the oldest villages and mosques. Kemise (also known as Kascim) is a town and separate woreda in northeastern Ethiopia. The administrative center of Oromia Zone of Amhara Region.
There are three villages with mosques around Kemise, Dewe Rahmedo, about 20 kilometers from Kemise; Shonke, 23 kilometers away; and about 12 kilometers south of Kemise Tiru Sina mosque can be seen. These are allegedly Muslim monasteries for men and women around this town, with their members living in round huts distributed in the landscape.
The genealogy of Wallo
The Oromo tribe that is at present known as a “Wallo" (with stressed words is), according to Warra Qallu elders, said to be correctly known by the same word “Walo" (without stress). The first writer’s account of wallo genealogy is the work of Abba Bahrey. Accordingly, four main evidences on the genealogy of wallo Oromo. 1) he says that Wallo is the son of Karrayu, w/c is, grouped under the Barentuma branch. 2) The second evidence presents a list of Karrayu descendants including Wallo w/c consists of Liban, Wallo, Jille, Obbo, Subba, and Balaa. 3) The third evidence presents Wallo separately with its known families of Warra-Bukko, Warra-Gurra and Warra Nole (Illu).
Finally, he explained Wallo by a collective name of its three members known as Sadacha consisting of Warra – Karrayu, Warra-Illu and Warra-Nole Ali. Though Abba Bahrey explained that Wallo Oromo into six families (tribes). But, elders of Wollo says that Wallo is divided into seven families; Warra – Hibano, Warra-Illu, Warra -Bobo, Warra-Qallu, Warra-Albuko, Warra -Karrayu, Warra-Nole.
(Many elders obviously agreed on this genealogical pattern of Wallo Oromo) (Source; History of Oromo to the 16 th century)
We will visit Goze mosque or the famous Senbete market (if the day is Sunday) on the way when we get in Shewa Robit.
Over night at Hotel in Kemise
Day 4, Kemise – Shonke Village
It has been witnessed by elders of the area that Shonke mosque and its village is an ancient place which is 900 years old, the village is basically found in Dewa Chefa district, Jirota kebele which is 25 km away from Kamise town towards the east. Compared to other Ethiopian rural houses, Shonke village and its Mosque have a unique building structure in its design. This is to say that the houses were built using white stones for their walls and wood, sand and soil for the roofs. Amazingly, white sand and soil spread out and flattened on top of the roof so that people can use to dry their grain and sit to relax. Geographically, the place is situated in a way that it is inclined to the east and south. The houses were built on a slant from north towards the south. When looked up ward from north to south, these houses do not seem stories built jointly. Rather, they seem a kind of hill standing there. Roofs to be used as a ladder so that visitors can easily visit the area and the way the stories were built. The other thing that makes Shonke village & its mosque exceptional is that the communities are capable of speaking four languages which is Argoba, Afan Oromo, Amharic and Arabic (to some extent) so the village is a place where researchers and other visitors can easily get services without getting any difficulties. It is believed that the Toleha village & its mosque which is found near Shonke village was the cause for the foundation of Shonke village & its mosque. Shek Feki Ahmed was said to be the founder of the village. Juhar Hayider Bin Aliy, a teacher of Islamic religion, was a respected person and latter named Shek Shonke. It’s from this village got its name. By the time Shek Shonke had taught in the mosque, people from Gurage, Jimma as well as from Yemen were said to come to this village to learn Islamic education. This clearly indicates that the Shonke mosque was a place where Islamic education was given long time ago.
Short History of Argobans
The Argobans are one of the Semitic-speaking peoples’, and their language is part of the south Semitic group of languages. The data provided by knowledgeable elders in all the areas inhabited by the Argobans indicate that there are three different versions on the origin of this people. The first version holds that when the Arab clan known as Benew Imeya lost its ruling power to another clan 800 years ago and dispersed throughout the world, it came also to Ethiopia. The second version holds that when a dispute arose between the Prophet Muhammad and the followers of other religions, eighty-two followers of the Prophet came to Ethiopia to Ahmed Nejash carrying a letter asking him to accept Islam. After having delivered the letter, they came to Yifat and settled there. The third version on the origin of Argobans differs from the previous two. According to this version, the Argobans are not immigrants, but an ancient and indigenous people who accepted Islam very early from religious leaders who came from Arabia. The elders give various reasons for the migration of Argobans from the center of the country to different regions.
Among the chief reasons they cite, are the forcible conversion to Christianity that the Emperor Yohannes tried to impose, and the problems caused to them during the era of Lij Iyassu, the fascist Occupation, and by the troops of Ras Abebe. They maintain that migrations took place during these periods. When we observe the movements made and the settlements chosen, we see that the Argobans selected well-watered and hilly areas which they cleared for cultivation. Once settled they engaged in agriculture and weaving. The elders explained the matter thus, and it has been possible to confirm their account of village settlements from field observation. Argoba is a name used for both the ethnic groups and the language. The name is related to the historical origin and settlement of the ethnic group. There is one point on which all the elders knowledgeable about the people’s history and culture agree. In all the areas studied and according to all the elders, the name Argoba is derived from the Amharic phrase Arab gebba (“Arabs came"). On the other hand, the term Argoba has a variety of significations when we examine written documents. In this regard, if we look under the entry Argobba in Kesate Birhan’s Amharic Dictionary, we find that it gives as its meaning a woreda in Yifat which is inhabited by Muslims. From this definition, we understand two basic points: one, that argobba is the name of a place or territory, and, two, that it is an area inhabited by followers of Islam who are called Argoba. Of scholars who have made a study of the history, culture, and language of the Argoba people, one is Volker Stitz. In his study entitled “The Argoba of Western Yifat, Central Ethiopia", he writes that the term Argoba refers to the people who speak Argobigna, follow Islam, and engage in agriculture, weaving, or commerce and that it excludes Muslim Oromo and Afar herders, or the Christian Amhara who are cultivators.
Where are they Located?
On the basis of the new administrative division, the people are found spread in the Amhara, Afar, Oromiya, and Harari Regions. Amhara National Region the Argobba lives in the following villages of the sub-district of Argobba, Aallu woreda, Debub Wollo zone: Feteqoma, Areranechro, Chomiye, Medina and Afeso. In the Oromiya zone of the same region, they live in the villages of Shonke, Toleha, Jile & Timuga, Artuma, Farsi, Isye Gola, Chefa Gola and Dewe. In the Semen Shoa zone, they live in the villages of the environs of Shoa Robit, Goze Berasageze, Mafad and Aliyu Amba. Afar National Region The Argobba live in zone 3 in the special district of Gachene in the villages of Suf Ager, Abale, Belai Meteqleia, Betach Meteqleia, Bilo, Chesa, Debreko, Koka Begweze, Work Amba, Maqo Amba, and Cheno. In Fentale they live in the towns of Awash and Metahara, while in Amibara woreda, they live in Melka Werer. Oromiya National Region in four woreda in two zones. In the Eastern Hararge Zone, they live in Fedis woreda in the villages of Gureqere, Afeyzero, Issaqoi, Ishiye, Genda Adem, Atero, Urde, Adasha, Qaleya, Adadi, Shanqo, Umere, Hajigoda, Berofife, Areda, Gendagara, Gutush, Nure Kliche, Arer Hamero, Fekati, Sadiqo Berbère, Roriso, Qelad, Qululut, Towiko, Ademrare, Umerkelle, Bereda, Adamhakola, and Qumash. In Mieso woreda of Western Hararge zone, they live in the environs of the towns of Bordede, Asebot, and Mieso, in Lega Arba kebele of Chiro woreda, and in the villages of Cheleqleqa, Fera, Besse, Adaele, Gedamba, Boradiya, Chorora and Bedey of Anchar & Gurba Qorcha woreda. Harari National Region The Argobans live in Hundane woreda in the villages of Koreme, Umerdin, Halilo, Eledi, Werarawa, Alela, Afer Deba, and Qaqi. On account of their geographical spread in the various regions, the Argobba are thus found to be living as neighbours of the Amhara, Afar, Oromo, and Harari peoples. The climate and vegetation is that of qolla, woina dega, and dega.
Over night at camping or in Argobans shonke village
Day 5, Shonke – Kemise – Turusina – Kemise
Tirusina Mosque was built in imperial regime of Haile Sellase around 1960 E.c, takes probably around 11 km from Kamise town towards Kombolcha and then, 5 km to the east of the main asphalty road. It is a place surrounded by natural beauty. In the mosque, Muslims (male and female) who deprive themselves from the actual world and decide to spend their whole life in fasting, praying and preparing different religious (Islamic) books. Amazingly, female and male Muslims who serve both sexes in separate rooms during holiday are always available in the mosque. The mosque was built on a culturally designed model. It has different rooms arranged for different purposes. For example, it has coffee room, meat room, honey room, store and etc. Moreover, all serving equipment found in the mosque is by nature very big and wide. For instance, big coffee pot, big coffee grinder and big coffee plate (rekebot) which can able to hold around 190 coffee cups are some among many others. Therefore, these and other amazing natural and manmade things make the Tirusina mosque a place to be visited by tourists.
Over night at Hotel in Kemise
Day 6, Kemise – Dessie – Hayik Estifanos – Woldiya
After breakfast, Drive from Kemise to Woldiya enjoying the breathtaking scenery of Wollo Mountains and visit Ayeteyef Hall (converted in to Museum) built by Ras Mikael and the 13th Century Monastery of Hayek Estiphanos (Lake Stefano’s) founded by Aba Tekle Haymanot.
Over night at Hotel in Woldiya
Day 7, Woldiya – Lalibela
After breakfast, drive from woldiya to Lalibela (home of the incredible hand carved 12th century rock churches of King Lalibela) through the scenic Wollo Mountains visiting the Amhara people and local markets. Over night at Hotel in Lalibela
Day 8, Lalibela
In the morning, you will Visit the rock-hewn churches of King Lalibela built in 12th Century, which are unofficially regarded as ‘the eighth wonder of the world’. In the morning, visit six churches that are grouped as first group of churches and in the afternoon visit the second and the third group of churches of Lalibela. These churches are Ethiopia’s top tourist attractions and are registered as UNESCO World Heritage Site 1978.
Day 9, Lalibela – Gonder
After breakfast, drive to Gonder the 17th Century capital of Ethiopia –Gondar was the capital of Ethiopia from the rise of Emperor Fasil Ladas to the fall of Emperor Tewodros II (1632 -1868) and you will enjoy the beautiful natural scenery of Lasta and Gonder.
Over night at hotel in Gonder
Day 10, Gonder
Full day visit of Gondar which includes visiting the Imperial Castle Compound of Gondar (UNESCO World Heritage Site), the ‘Bath of Emperor Fasiladas’, the church of Quskuam Mariam (18th century AD), the residence of Empress Mintewab, and the church of Debre Birhan Sillassie which is famous for its wall and ceiling paintings.
Over night at the same hotel
Day 11, Gonder – Bahirdar
In the morning, drive from Gonder to Bahir Dar and in the afternoon drive 32 km south of Bahir Dar to the remarkable Blue Nile Falls, and visit the cultural market of Bahir Dar and Bezawit Hill to have a panoramic view of the town.
Over night at Hotel in Bahir dar
Day 12, Bairdar – Lake Tana
In the morning make a boat trip on Ethiopia’s largest water body – Lake Tana (3,600 Km Sq) to visit the island monasteries of Ura Kidane Mihret (14th Century AD) and Azwa Mariam (14th Century AD). These monasteries are famous for their colorful murals and collection of manuscripts.
Over night at the same hotel
Day 13, Bahirdar – Addis Ababa
Drive from Bahir dar to Addis Ababa visiting the remarkable Blue Nile Gorge that is comparable in scale with the American ‘Grand Canyon’, and the largest monastery in Ethiopia – Debre Libanos Monastery (13th Century AD) where you can visit the mosaics by the most famous Ethiopian Artist Afework Tekle and the Portuguese Bridge which was built in 16th C. In the evening before departure, you will be invited a farewell dinner party at one of the best traditional restaurants in Addis where you taste variety of Ethiopian meals while you are watching Ethiopian folkloric dances.
Departure, transfer to Bole International Air port
