The population comprises several ethnic groups: (1) Tigraians, occupying the major part of the woreda, (2) Oromo form an ancient population group in the Raya graben that has been partly assimilated to the surrounding Tigraians – the language is not anymore used on a daily basis; they live in dispersed villages across the wider area between Alamata, Mohoni and Chercher, (3) Afar share settlements on the mountains east of Raya, (4) Amhara, generally living south of the Gobu River. In major towns along the main road, Amharic is frequently used as trade language.