Beica

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Beica
other_name = Begi, Germus
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pushpin_label_position = right
pushpin_map_caption = Location within Ethiopia
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subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = Ethiopia
subdivision_type1 = Region
subdivision_name1 = Oromia
subdivision_type2 = Zone
subdivision_name2 = Mirab (West) Welega
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population_as_of = 2005
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population_total = 6,106
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timezone = EAT
utc_offset = +3
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latd=9 |latm=20 |latNS=N
longd=34 |longm=29 |longEW=E
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elevation_m = 1673
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footnotes = Beica (also called Begi, Germus, Bega) is a town in southwestern Ethiopia. Located in the Mirab Welega Zone of the Oromia Region, the town has a latitude and longitude of coord|9|20|N|34|29|E with an elevation of 1673 meters above sea level. Beica is the administrative center of Begi woreda.

Beica has enjoyed telephone service since the 1930s. [http://130.238.24.99/library/resources/dossiers/local_history_of_ethiopia/B/ORTBAS.pdf "Local History in Ethiopia"] (pdf) The Nordic Africa Institute website (accessed 30 December 2007)] The town also hosts an airport with regular flights by Ethiopian Airlines, and has postal service.

Based on 2005 figures from the Central Statistical Agency, Beica has an estimated total population of 6,106 of whom 3,033 were males and 3,073 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 3,415 of whom 1,645 were males and 1,770 were females.

History

The Dutch explorer Juan Maria Schuver visited Beica during his first explorations between the White and Blue Niles (August 1881). He described the settlement as "a large village" that was recovering from a recent famine, but at the time of his visit "with extensive plantations of durra, maize, "angolib" (a species of edible, sweet durra-stalk) and cabbage. Every house had its small garden of tobacco, beans, yams and "shieta", the minute red pepper." [Wendy James, Gerd Baumann and Douglas H. Johnson (ed. and trans.), "Juan Maria Schuver's Travels in North East Africa" (London: The Hakluyt Society, 1996), p. 48]

By the 1930s, Beica had become the seat of Sheik Kojali, governor of Benishangul, and the major town of that region. Gold was reported to be found in the area. During the Italian occupation, the governor was Sheik Abd al-Khair.

The Oromo Liberation Front held their first national congress in Beica February, 1988, having taken control of much of the Ethiopian territory along the Sudan border. [ [http://countrystudies.us/ethiopia/128.htm "Ethiopia: A Country Study", "Other movements and Fronts"] , U.S. Library of Congress]

On 18 October, 2006, Beica and Gidami were the setting for clashes between Muslims and Protestant Christians, resulting in 9 deaths, including the death of two Protestant preachers, and over 100 injured. In addition, 21 churches, one mosque, and dozens of houses were burned, leaving over 400 people homeless. [ [http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2007/90097.htm "Ethiopia: International Religious Freedom Report 2007"] United States State Department website (accessed 22 May 2008)]

Notes