Shifta

Shifta

Shifta (or "shufta") is an East African term used in Eritrea, Ethiopia, Somalia, and Kenya for bandits. [cite web |url=http://hrw.org/about/projects/womrep/General-73.htm#P1346_327642 |title=Somali Refugees in Kenya |access date=2007-03-29 |format= |work=Human Rights Watch ] [cite web |url=http://scotlandonsunday.scotsman.com/index.cfm?id=341602007 |title=Hunt for tourists moves to Eritrea |accessdate=2007-03-29 |format= |work=Scotland on Sunday ] The word is derived from "shúfto" (Somali: "bandit"). [ [http://au.encarta.msn.com/dictionary_1481585360/shifta.html shifta definition] , Encarta] Historically, shifta served as local militia in the lawless rural mountainous regions on the Horn of Africa. They were chiefly known for robbing or killing travelers, stealing cattle, raiding rival villages and protecting loyal villages from other shifta.

Concepts

The term shifta has positive and negative connotations, that of a common bandit and that of a revolutionary; both concepts being distinct but not necessarily mutually exclusive. Shiftas are often considered as politically minded outlaws struggling for social order or a political cause and are highly respected. In Eritrea during British administration, military units were used to police the lawless areas and stop common shifta activity [cite web |url=http://www.britains-smallwars.com/RRGP/Shifta.html |title=Battling the Shifta in Eritrea |access date=2007-04-07 ] [cite web |url=http://history.farmersboys.com/Battle_Honours/eritrea.htm |title=THE ROYAL BERKSHIRE REGIMENT THE LAST TWELVE YEARS |access date=2007-04-07 ]

Both Isaias Afewerki of Eritrea and Meles Zenawi of Ethiopia were called shifta when they served as rebel leaders of the EPLF and TPLF (respectively). Kassa Hailu is another notable person who had lived as a shifta before becoming Emperor of Ethiopia. [cite book |last= |first= |authorlink=Jon Abbink |coauthors=Mirjam de Bruijn, Klaas van Walraven |editor= |others= |title=Rethinking Resistance: revolt and violence in African history |origdate= |origyear=2003 |origmonth= |url= |format= |accessdate= |accessyear= |accessmonth= |edition= |series= |date= |year= |month= |publisher=Brill Academic Publishers |location= |language= |isbn=9-0041-2624-4 |oclc= |doi= |id= |pages=95-96 |chapter= |chapterurl= |quote= ]

See also

* Shifta War (1963-1967) in northeastern Kenya

References and notes


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