The native language of the Siltë ethnic group is Siltigna, which is classified as a Semitic language. The language is similar to Arabic, Gurage, and Harari. In addition to their native language, members of the ethnic group speak Amharic in urban areas, as well as Hadiyya, Libido (also known as Libixxiso, Mareqo, Mareko), Gurage, Oromo (Afaan Oromo, Oromiffa, Oromoo), and Alaba-Kʼabeena (Alaaba, Alaba, Allaaba, Halaba) languages as second languages, depending on their proximity and proximity. Other neighboring ethnic groups also use Siltigna for communication, depending on their proximity.
Although Siltigna was written using the Arabic script 60 years ago, since 1967 , various proclamations and elementary education textbooks have been translated into the language using the Saba script. Since 1987, primary school textbooks have been prepared in the language. It is currently serving as the language of education. In addition, textbooks using the Saba script, Siltigna dictionaries, the history of the Siltigna people, and other books are being written and used in the language, which is a fact that the language is developing.
There are several social groups / clans / within the Silte ethnic group, including Silte, Melga, Chero, Dilaba / Pa /, Nugso / Ogso /, Alito, Abaro, Urago, Gumbi, Gidawahusen and Alekiro. Each of them is divided into sub-clans. They have a traditional administrative system called "Gogot" that unites and governs the above-mentioned and other clans, and the implementation of the system is known as "Sera" or "Dambus". This type of system is led by clan leaders, each of whom has its own hierarchy of power and legal rules.
The traditional administration of the tribe consists of various bodies with different responsibilities and roles. According to this hierarchy, the "Gerad" is the chief judge, and below him are the assistants known as the Mulu Gerad, the Wolabgrad, and the Sare Gerad. In addition to these traditional administration bodies, there are the subordinate administrations known as the "Moro" (tribe representative), the "Mura" (local representative and messenger), and the family council at the family level. Each tribe has a council called the "Melcho". In addition, there is a four-tier traditional justice system among the tribe, which are called "Mage", "Raga" (law interpreter), Ferzagen (appeals department), and "Wtegagenge" (court of appeal) according to their order and function. This system has a method of resolving conflicts and crimes within the tribe by giving appropriate punishments according to their severity and degree of guilt.
If a member of the community commits a crime of murder, he is tried and convicted in a traditional manner, whether he committed the crime knowingly and intentionally or accidentally. This is punished according to the type of crime, such as Agarsa, Tegga, Sebeba, Telka, and Telma. In the system, hidden crimes are revealed through the art of oath and criminal investigation called "Muli". The male and female grandparents of the suspected criminal are sworn in together. If they refuse to do this, the suspect is considered a criminal. Especially if it is proven that the crime of murder was committed, the criminal's family pays compensation.
Women do not have the right to gather in the traditional system. However, when there is disagreement or disagreement with the family and the local people, women complain to the council. Their complaints are heard and they receive a quick response. In the tribe, the wife of the tribal leader is given the title of “Itiko”. When he takes over, her family brings 50-60 cattle and prepares a feast for her and prepares a ceremony befitting her title. Women play a significant role in the economy and other activities. Most of the work in the tribe is done by women.
There are many types of marriage systems among the ethnic group. The first of these is the widely used marriage on agreement. This type of marriage is performed by sending an elder from the groom's family to the girl's family and agreeing with the family of the bridegroom. The second type of marriage is called "Kul". In this marriage system, the groom rides a horse to the girl's house without the knowledge of the girl or her family, ties the horse to a pillar, and forces the girl's family to give him the girl.
The third type of marriage that existed in the past but no longer exists is “Telefa”: This is another option that the parents choose if the girl or her family does not want a child or the groom is afraid of the cost and hardship. This is a system in which the girl is taken away and finally the marriage is performed by sending an elder. The fourth type of marriage is called “Aga” and in this marriage system the woman enters the father’s house dressed as a boy and asks him to marry her. The fifth type of marriage is called inheritance marriage. In this marriage system, when the husband dies, the elder or younger brother or close relative of the deceased marries or inherits the deceased’s wife.
Among the ethnic group, weddings and dowries are carried out according to the family’s economic capacity. Money is mixed with grass and given to the mother, father, and close relatives. In the Silte ethnic group, the girl’s family is the one who has the most expenses for the wedding. Her family provides the materials and money for her livelihood and settlement. The girl’s father and sisters give cattle or money to the bride as a reward for the wedding and the wedding ring. Before the groom goes to the bride’s house, they eat a traditional meal called “Atakano.” At the girl’s house, the groom is invited to drink butter. On the wedding day, distant and close relatives gather; drums are beaten and songs are sung. It is forbidden by tradition to take the bride out in broad daylight. Female and male circumcision is common before marriage, and women are given special care during childbirth.
They are celebrated with cultural and spiritual fervor by the nation. The people celebrate the holidays in a vibrant manner during the months of Arafat and Ramadan, the breaking of the fast, and the month of Shawwal.
When we look at the traditional house structure of the Silte ethnic group, in the highlands, the smallest house is called a "gar" (house), while the largest is called a "guye" (large house), and the smallest is called a "zager". It is made of pine, eucalyptus, and bamboo. The smallest house is called a "gar" (small house), and in the lowlands, they build grass houses that do not require much wood and grass. In these areas, all houses have walls made of mud.
The traditional tools of the Silte people are made of clay, metal (plow), cloth, wood, bamboo and sandalwood, various utensils, bowls and ornaments, floor mats and bedding materials, and are produced individually and collectively by the people. Musical instruments are made of reeds, bamboo, and metal wind instruments, and drums are made of leather and used for weddings, annual traditional festivals and dances. Weapons such as shields, spears, spears and spears are used to hunt and fight wild animals that destroy their crops.
The traditional foods prepared by the ethnic group during holidays are Sulso (Ktfo), Atekano, Cheese and Gomen, Gomen Ktfo (Chebero), and Kolo (Hana Kala) with butter. They also drink Shameta. Kocho, Torosho, and in the lowland areas, bread is eaten on the days of Azebot.
The tribe has different mourning rituals. When an elder or elder dies, a messenger is sent in different directions. A horseman comes from a neighbor. Women express their grief by falling to the ground according to their proximity. The deceased's clothes are taken and mourned. If the deceased is a tribal leader, the leadership is given to a son after the burial. If the heir is a child, a guardian is assigned to him. A bitter grief is observed for a person who dies without being married.
There are many wonderful natural and man-made monuments and attractions in the zone. Among them, the Asano plant stone, which is known as the Ethiopian Research and Heritage Conservation, is the most important, and other stone carvings are found in the Qawakoto Tanja in Alcho Woreda. The caves of Ainage and Urba are also historical. The waterfalls of Le Moro Faffro, Weyra and Ashute Hot Water, the natural lakes of Burako, Haro Shaitan and Mesih Abaya are found in the zone, while the rivers of Garora, Weyra, Dijo, and the mountains of Gafat, Mugo, and Balcheku are also found in different areas of the zone. The ancient mosques of Haji Aliye Umnan, Alki, Gestey Tahirat, and Genselte are also among the most important historical monuments of the nation. For more information, read the following article---
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