Illubabor was a province in the south-western part of
Ethiopia, along the border with
Sudan. The name Illubabor is said to come from two
Oromo words, "Illu" and "Abba Bor(a)". "Illu" is a name of a clan, and "Abba Bor" was the
horse name of Chali Shone, who founded the ruling family of the area when it was conquered by
Shewa; hence IlluAbabor means the Illu belonging to Ababor(a). There is also a place called Illu-Abasambi named in the similar fashion.