Mekan people

Mekan
Total population
56,585 (1998)
Regions with significant populations
Ethiopia
Languages
Me'en language
Related ethnic groups
Surmic peoples

The Mekan or Me'en are a Surmic ethnic minority group inhabiting southwestern Ethiopia. The 1998 census lists them as consisting of 56,585 individuals.[1] In Ethiopia, ethnic communities speaking Nilo-Saharan languages are referred to as "Nilotic", but this is not exactly the same meaning as the Nilotic language family. The Mekan traditionally participate in a unique festival known as Ka'el, during which the Mekan women sexualize the process of Mekan men gaining weight, and assist and encourage them in becoming as fat as possible. Mekan women will often select partners during this festival, typically from among the men they assisted in becoming larger.[2]

The Mekan or Me'en speak the Me'en language, which is a member of the Surmic language family. The population is subdivided into two groups: the highland Tishena, who are agriculturalists, and the lowland Bodi, who are pastoralists.

  1. ^ "Ethnologue 15 report for Ethiopia". Archived from the original on 2015-10-17. Retrieved 2015-10-20.
  2. ^ Ngugi, Fredrick (31 May 2017). "Bizarre Annual 'Fat Man' Contest Remains Source of Pride for the Bodi Tribe". face2faceafrica.com.