Alternate Names: “Mekeyer” (pej.), “Mikair” (pej.), “Mikeyir” (pej.), Sabu, “Shako” (pej.)
Dialects: None known. Distinct from Sheko ,. Lexical similarity: 30% with Majang ,, 12% with other West Cushitic (Omotic) languages.
Genealogy:
Demographics: 400 (2000 M. Brenzinger), decreasing. Ethnic population: 600 (2000).
Language Use: Most domains. Used by about half the children. Neutral attitudes. Also use Majang [mpe], Shekkacho [moy].
Typology: SOV; postpositions; gender in all 3 persons.
Writing System: Unwritten
Nation of Origin: Ethiopia
Other Comments: Ethnic autonym: Sabu. Shekkacho and Majang use “Shako” and “Mekeyer”, respectively, which Shabo do not like. They live in family units, not villages. Traditional religion.