Saho - The language
of Irob people
Hagos Gebrai - May 4, 2014
The native langue of Irob people is Saho. It is part of the Cushitic family of the Afro-Asiatic language.
Saho is spoken both in Ethiopia and Eritrea, and its dialect is similar to that of Afar language. Ethnic Irobs
are the only Ethiopians who speak Saho.
The Saho language in itself is not in danger of extinction since about 250k Eritreans continue to speak and preserve
it in a well-coordinated manner. However, it will require a robust conservation plan to preserve Saho among the Irob people in Ethiopia.
Here are the main factors for the likelihood of Saho's extinction from Ethiopia.
- Irobs are predominantly Christians and practice socio-economic cultures similar to the neighboring
Tigrigna speaking Christians. These cultural and religious similarities make the assimilation process smoother
and quicker both through intermarriage and by socioeconomic association.
- Due to the lack of opportunities in the area, young and educated Irobs continue to permanently
immigrate to the surrounding, bigger and more vibrant, cities in the Tigray region, to Addis Ababa, and to the other
parts of Ethiopia in search of better livelihood. Young Irobs born and raised outside of the Irob district tend
to integrate with the local residents and naturally adapt the native language of their new communities.
- As the traditional life style of Irob farmers such as agriculture, animal husbandry, and
beekeeping becomes extinct, and urbanization process continues to expedite, Irobs are required to become fluent
in other Ethiopian languages, mainly Tigrigna and Amharic, to gain access to professional employment.
Consequently the practice of speaking Saho continues to diminish.
- Irob land is strategically located on the border of Ethiopia and Eritrea; therefore the
1998-2000 Ethio-Eritrean war had inflicted incalculable damage against the Irob people both psychologically
and economically. Although Eritrea lost the war and its forces were repulsed from Ethiopian territories,
the lasting peace is yet to be signed between the two countries. The status quo of "no-peace, no war"
has accelerated the relocation of Irob families to the urban areas where Saho is rarely spoken.
The regional government and Irob district administrations have recently started encouraging measures in an effort
to preserve Irob language. These measures include but not limited to introducing Saho in primary education system in
Irob district and launching a weekly Saho radiobroadcasting program. However, the long-term success of preserving
Saho among Irob people will depend mainly on the sustainability of improved socio-economic conditions in Irob district.
One of IDA's goals is to collaborate with Irob people, Irob district administration, and Tigray regional government
to help preserve Saho for centuries to come; and continue to pass the tradition & the culture of our forefathers
to the current and future generations of Irobs around the world.