Agbe is the main area of the Tanqua Millash district in the Tigray Region of Ethiopia. The center of the municipality (tabia) is located in Sele town. Before January 2020, Agbe was part of the Abergele district.

Geography

The tabia is located on the southwestern base of the Degua Tembien massif.

From higher to lower areas, the following rock layers are found:

• Antalo Limestone
• Adigrat Sandstone
• Edaga Arbi Glacials

Because there are no permanent rivers, springs are very important for the local people. The main springs in the tabia are May Hitsare and Ayni Sele. These springs are in Agbe, where work has started to build a soft drinks factory.

The tabia center Sele has a few government offices, a health post, a primary school, and some small stores. There are a few more primary schools in other parts of the tabia. The main other populated places are:

• Agbe
• Akalazba
• Miqmat Aqeytay
• Ch’ekh
• Milehay Mereu
• Meserete Birhan
• Babdre
• Enda Mikial
• Ebda Aba Tomas
• Enda Abune Hawarya
• Deleq
• Babdre
• Sheka (Shagla Muren)
• Gereb Giba
• Shewuate Hugum
• Adi Wahro
• Gdmi Aboy Gerezihar
• Majur
• Shekah Fuqur
• Adi Siera
• Adi Qeley
• Adenna
• Adi Nifas
• Hadush Adi
• Jibare
• Zuqli
• Menew
• Yeresere
• Enda Maryam Qorar
• Kerene
• Dawusra
• Aqeb Dmu
• Tselim Beati
• Kamshana
• Seyemtirba
• Adi Amday

Economy and livelihood

The people in the area mainly rely on growing crops for their livelihood, and they also work in nearby towns during times when farming is not possible. Farmers have changed how they grow crops to match the changing patterns of rainfall over time and space. In a specific way, certain fruits and peppers are watered using a method called "Shekah" irrigation, which uses water from two springs: Hitsare and Ayni Sele.

In the past, Friday was the market day in Agbe. However, since 2004, local leaders decided to change the market day to Saturday. Now, Saturday is the official market day.

History and culture

The history of the tabia is closely connected to the history of Tembien.

Agbe is the birthplace of Ligaba Guangul Riese, who served as a palace official for Yohannes IV. His children were Degezmati Gebremedhn Guangul and Degezmati Seyoum Guangul. His grandchildren were Fitawurari Girmay and Fitawurari Yohannes.

Agbe is located near several ancient monasteries, including Qeqema Maryam, Chikh Selassie, and Mennewe Libanos.

Most people living in Agbe are Orthodox Christians.

Roads and communication

The main road from Mekelle to Hagere Selam to Abiy Addi goes through the middle of the tabia. There are frequent bus services to these towns.

Tourism

The mountainous land and closeness to Mekelle make the tabia a good place for tourism.

Trekking paths have been created in this area. These paths are not marked on the ground but can be followed using downloaded .GPX files.

• Trek 8 starts at Agbe and goes to Kemishana. It continues across May Selelo and Zikuli Rivers, through gorges and Zeyi cave, to Inda Maryam Qorar.
• Trek 19 begins at Sele and travels to Debre Sema'it. It then continues to Inda Maryam Qorar.

Both treks include an elevation change of more than one kilometer and require good physical health.

Although the facilities are simple, the people living there are friendly and welcoming.