Chencha

Chencha Dincha
Chencha Location within Ethiopia
Coordinates: 6°15′N 37°34′E / 6.25°N 37.567°E / 6.25; 37.567Coordinates: 6°15′N 37°34′E / 6.25°N 37.567°E / 6.25; 37.567
Country	Ethiopia
Region	Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples
Zone	Gamo Gofa Omo
Woreda	Chencha
Elevation	2,732 m (8,963 ft)
Population (2005)
- Total	10,488
Time zone	EAT (UTC+3)

Chencha (also known as Dincha) is a town in southern Ethiopia. Located in the Gamo Gofa Zone of the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples Region, 37 kilometers north of Arba Minch, Chencha has a longitude and latitude of 6°15′N 37°34′E / 6.25°N 37.567°E / 6.25; 37.567 and an elevation of 2732 meters above sea level.

Based on figures from the Central Statistical Agency of Ethiopia published in 2005, Chencha has an estimated total population of 10,488 consisting of 4,750 men and 5,738 women.^[1] The 1994 national census reported this town had a total population of 5,787 of whom 2,630 were males and 3,157 were females. It is one of three towns in Chencha woreda.

History

Chencha had been the capital of Gamu-Gofa province until those offices were transferred to the more accessible city of Arba Minch in 1962. It has been the administrative center of Chencha woreda since at least 1964.

Dejazmach Beyene Merid had established his seat as governor of Gamu-Gofa at Chencha by 1935, when he was visited by missionaries and a German expedition.^[2]

Market day in Chencha

Freshly cultivated field outside Chencha

Notes

1. ^ CSA 2005 National Statistics, Table B.4.
2. ^ "Local History in Ethiopia" (pdf) The Nordic Africa Institute website (accessed 26 November 2007)