Hope IT working for old African (6)

I believe the answer is:

ethiop

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'old african' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

I don't understand how the remainder of the clue works.

(Another definition for ethiop that I've seen is " old African".)

I've seen this clue in The Sunday Times and The Times.

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