AN HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF WOLKITE TOWN FROM ITS FOUNDATION TO PRESENT

Abstract This thesis paper focused on the historical account of Wolkite town from its foundation to present, capital city of Gurage zone of South Nation Nationality people Regional state of Ethiopia. In this study, the researcher utilized primary and secondary sources as well as oral information through interview in order to collect the data. Urban studies of Ethiopia give more emphasis to the major urban centers and give very much little attention to small town. The town of Wolkite has got little or no attention by these studies. Therefore, this thesis attempts to fill the gap by focusing physical growth, administration system, economic, social, religion and social service of Wolkite town from its foundation to present. The thesis has explores the different socio-economic factors that were responsible for the foundation and development of Wolkite town. The research has also discusses the process of urbanization in the town from earlier to the present. The thesis also justifies the role of Italian during their occupation period and its effects on the growth of Wolkite town. Moreover, it attempts to show the major development, challenges and their progress during the period of Imperial regime, the Derg and the EPRDF. The age of the foundation of Wolkite town was a long time, but the development is very limited due to lack of good governance and the administrators were gives little emphasis. However, since the recent time, some progress and development were existed. In general, this thesis was contributing to the reader or people by improving the knowledge of the historical account of Wolkite town from its foundation to present.