A HISTORY OF ARSI ROBE TOWN FROM ITS FOUNDATION TO 1991

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to fill the gap in the economic and social history of Robe town from its foundation in 1922 to 1991 The Thesis tries to reconstruct the history of Arsi Robe town from its foundation in 1922 to 1991. The year 1922 was a historical period since the foundation for the Robe town was laid in this year. Whereas the year 1991 is taken as a turning point because it was the end of the military dictatorship of the Derg in Ethiopia in general and in Robe in particular. The study focused on the historical foundation, socio-economic and political conditions of the town. The researcher chose this topic because the area was not well studied by historians and scholars because of lack of sources especially written materials. Hence, the study was based mainly on data obtained from the record office of the municipality of the town and oral information from informants. Attempts have been made to supplement these sources with available written sources in an effort to cross check reliability of oral information and archival materials obtained from municipality. Generally, historical foundation and growth, socio-economic and political conditions are among gaps the researcher attempted to address.