Ayyaantuu
Dodola is located between Shashemene and Bale National Park. Dodola is one of the destinations in Oromia best known for trekking. Unlike the Simien and Bale mountains, Dodola is mostly trekked on horse back mainly because of the steep ascent involved as well as the altitude. Dodola is rich in its wildlife reserve and the mix of the crossing river and better preserved forest promise a good trekking experience.
Dodola is one of the woredas in the Oromia Region. It is named after the administrative center of the woreda, Dodola. It was the capital city of Ganale Awraja. Ganale’s modern administration leadership was begun by Fit. Woldemecael Buie Falama. He was a single charismatic leader who attracted both his nation and the last Ethiopian king, Haile Selassie. Because of his impact and legacy, thousands of Ganale Awraja residents still remember him as their transforming leader who thought ahead of his time.
Another big family that contributed to the growth and history of Dodola is the Tayiro family, specifically, Abbaa Jabal Tayiro, Hajii Hussein Tayiro and Abbaa Nasha Tayiro. This family served Dodola in modernizing the city’s administrative structure and schools.
The road to Dodola was first built by the Italians and a telephone landline to the town was in operation in 1964.
Dodola turned into a military garrison during the Bale revolt in 1960s. Its airport was a launching base for attacking the rebels in Arena, the deepest forest of Bale. Oromo figures, like Ft. Woldemecael Buie Falama and Hajii Hussein Tayiro were killed by the Haile Selassie regime during this time, for clandestinely supporting Gen. Waqoo Gutu led movement.
Today, Dodola is part of the West Arsi Zone. It is bordered on the south by Nensebo, on the west by Kokosa, on the north by the Wabe Shebelle River which separates it from the Kofele and Gedeb Asasa, and on the east by Herero/Adaba.
Thus, Dodola serves as a hub for the roads to:
- Asala through Asasa, Maraaroo, Bokoji;
- Goba through Herero, Adaba, Dinsho (Bale National Park), Robe;
- Shashamane through Kofalee
- Kokossa, Serofta, Nansabo (very rich agricultural sites).
Today’s protest in Dodola is a big blow to the regime, because it disrupts the connection to many large agricultural sites. Moreover, it accelerates the Oromo protests’ domino effect in all over Oromia. As usual, the regime will try to quell it through its unpopular Agazi forces. The protest that started in Ginchi is well strengthened more than ever. Oromia is at its peak time to determine its future.
Looking towards Gedeb Asasa from Dodola
The road that connects Asasa, Shashemene and Goba
