Senafe

Senafe is a market town in southern Eritrea, on the edge of the Ethiopian highlands. The surrounding area is inhabited by the Soho people.

Senafe is mentioned in a grant (dated 1794-95) from the Ethiopian Emperor Tekle Giyorgis to Ras Walde Selassie.1 The modern town suffered extensive destruction during the Eritrean War of Independence, although people are gradually returning from its surrounding refugee camps.

Senafe is known for the ruins of Metera, the monolithic church of Enda-Tradqan, the monastery of Debre Libanos (built in the sixth century and known for its mummies) and for the local stone outcrops.