Saesi Tsaedaemba

Saesi Tsaedaemba is one of the 36 woredas in the Tigray Region of Ethiopia. Located in the Misraqawi Zone at the eastern edge of the Ethiopian highlands, Saesi Tsaedaemba is bordered on the south by Wukro, on the southwest by Hawzen, on the west by Ganta Afeshum, on the northwest by Gulomahda, on the north by Irob, on the east by the Afar Region, and on the southeast by Atsbi Wenberta. Towns in Saesi Tsaedaemba include Edaga Hamus and Freweyni.

There are several local monolithic churches in this woreda. These include Adi Chewa Arbuta (near the village of Sinkata), and the cluster of Petros and Paulos Melehayzenghi, Mikael Melehayzenghi and Medhane Alem Adi Kasho (near the village of Teka Tesfai). [Described in Philip Briggs, "Ethiopia: The Bradt Travel Guide", 3rd edition (Chalfont St Peters: Bradt, 2002), p. 248-250.] Near Edaga Hamus not only can one find the monolithic church of Gebriel Tsilalmao, but also nearby is a stelae similar to those found in Axum only smaller, in the cemetery of the church of Maryam Tehot (a modern structure built on the foundations of an older building); the monument's date is unknown, but presumed pre-Christian. [Paul B. Henze, "Layers of Time" (New York: Palgrave, 2000), p. 34]

Based on figures published by the Central Statistical Agency in 2005, this woreda has an estimated total population of 138,291, of whom 72,849 were males and 65,442 were females; 18,296 or 13.23% of its population are urban dwellers, which is less than the Zone average of 19.6%. With an estimated area of 933.12 square kilometers, Saesi Tsaedaemba has an estimated population density of 148.2 people per square kilometer, which is greater than the Zone average of 141.59. [ [http://www.csa.gov.et/text_files/2005_national_statistics.htm CSA 2005 National Statistics] , Tables B.3 and B.4]

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