Shambu

Shambu is a town in western Ethiopia. Located in the Misraq Welega Zone of the Oromia Region east of Lake Finicha'a, this town has a longitude and latitude of coord|9|34|N|37|06|E with an elevation of 2503 meters above sea level. It is the administrative center of Jimma Horo woreda.

Local landmarks include the Shambu Medhane `Alem and Timhurt churches.

Based on figures from the Central Statistical Agency in 2005, Shambu has an estimated total population of 20,253, of whom 10,073 were males and 10,180 were females. [ [http://www.csa.gov.et/text_files/2005_national_statistics.htm CSA 2005 National Statistics] , Table B.4] The 1994 census reported this town had a total population of 11,327 of whom 5,463 were males and 5,864 were females.

A Swedish reporter published in 1969, an account of conditions in Shambu Prison, which consists of a fenced-in area the size of a football field, and associated buildings. A deep trench 3x5 meters in size is the common latrine for about 130 men and women. Most of the prisoners are chained, and are fed once a day. The eight female prisoners were locked in a single room 8x3 meters and never allowed outside. The men are only confined at night into two rooms 8x12 meters, 60 men in each, and sleep directly upon the wooden floor. [ [http://130.238.24.99/library/resources/dossiers/local_history_of_ethiopia/s/ORTSHA.pdf "Local History in Ethiopia"] (pdf) The Nordic Africa Institute website (accessed 28 November 2007)]

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