Sidama is a zone in the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples' Region (SNNPR) of Ethiopia. It is named for the Sidama people, whose homeland is in the zone. Sidama is bordered on the south by the Oromia Region (except for a short stretch in the middle where it shares a border with Gedeo zone), on the west by the Bilate River, which separates it from Wolayita zone, and on the north and east by the Oromia Region. Towns in Sidama include Irgalem and Wendo. Sidama surrounds the city of Awasa, capital of the SNNPR. Sidama has a population of around 3.5 million, who speak the Cushitic language Sidamo (also known as Sidamigna).