The Ugo people, also referred to as Guji, are an Oromo people residing in the Oromia region of Ethiopia. The Guji zone, known for its elevated coffee-growing areas, is located in the highlands of Guji, with altitudes reaching up to 2,310 meters. Historically, the majority of the Guji residents were pastoralists who tended cattle herds, but over time, most have transitioned to agriculture. The Guji region's land is pristine and fertile, negating the need for additional fertilizers, and organic practices are the norm.
The Ugo people have cultivated coffee in their fields for centuries, alongside the broader Oromo community, and many farmers continue to use traditional methods. Coffee production in Ethiopia, particularly in regions inhabited by the Ugo, is a longstanding tradition dating back dozens of centuries. Ethiopia is the birthplace of Coffea arabica, accounting for approximately 3% of the global coffee market. Smallholder farmers in the Guji region often deliver their coffee cherries to washing stations, where they are processed in the traditional Ethiopian manner. These washing stations, like the Gogugu Washing Station, serve as central points for farmers from the surrounding areas. Many of the coffee trees in this region are disease resistant and of the 74 variety.
