@suadcurry: Shonke (ሾንኬ), nestled about 23 km from Kemise town in Dawa Chefa (Oromia Zone of Amhara), stands at approximately 1,600 m (5,200 ft) above sea level. The village boasts stone-built homes that blend beautifully into the rugged terrain—a captivating sight that truly makes it a “castle in the sky. A Historical Gem This ancient settlement is over 900 years old (as per the Islamic calendar) and served as a notable center for Islamic education and Sufi teaching in the 19th century. The revered Sufi scholar Shaykh Jawhar bin Haydar bin ‘Ali (c. 1837–1937), popularly known as the Shaykh of Shonke, lived and taught here, drawing students from across the region Heritage and Resilience: The village traces its Argobba inhabitants back to Arab refugees who sought sanctuary in Abyssinia centuries ago. Their legacy remains vibrant—highlighted by two ancient gates that once guarded the settlement, and still stand today as symbols of its fortified past. challenges &change Shonke’s residents have seen about half of the village’s households migrate downhill to farmlands in recent generations—shrinking from roughly 500 to roughly 250 households.Despite the hardships of steep terrain and limited infrastructure, many villagers hold dearly to their homes, their faith, and their way of life. As one longtime resident reflected, they “prefer our homes built of rock” and value the tradition over “shining cities”#shonkevillage #shonke #ethiopianmuslim #ethiopiantik 📍SHONKE VILLAGE ETHIOPIA

Sa’ad Al Habshi

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Saturday 09 August 2025 14:49:07 GMT