Woyto-Guji

Woyto, Guji, Konso

Ethiopian Rift Valley Family

This goat type occupies those areas of Sidamo known to be endemic with trypanosomosis, particularly the Gelo valley to the south of Lake Abaya and the western Ghenale catchments; key identifying features are the brown, black or red coat colour with a shiny, smooth coat and small head with a straight or concave facial profile; black or brown stripes are common on the back-line, on the underside or on the frontline of the legs; horns can be straight or curved with only 3% of the population being polled; the coat hair is mainly short, smooth and shiny; 96% of males are bearded; 91% have ruff (FARM-Africa, 1996).

Inhabits the regions of North and South Omo as well as parts of southern Sidamo and Wolayta; they are mainly kept by pastoralists ethnic groups (Tsemay, Malie, Hamer, Benna, Dasenatch, Bumie and Guji) and by a few agricultural societies (Konso, Gardula); less distinct types of this goat are also kept by the Wolayta, Gofa and Gamo people in North Omo; the climate is semi-arid and arid (FARM-Africa, 1996).

(Part of the Rift Valley family of goats in Ethiopia).