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Amharization

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Process of making Amhara people dominance in Ethiopia

Amharization is a process of making dominance of Amhara traditions, culture and language above other ethnic groups in Ethiopia. During the Imperial rule, Amhara enjoyed greater influence, from imposing Amharic language and culture to dominate the Ethiopian politics. Amhara elites also aspired to build Ethiopian nation. Amhara dominance has been since during the Derg era until 1991.

Tigrayan-led EPRDF regime supposed to end Amharization, implements ethnic federalism under the constitution. However, the constitution failed to solve long term protracted conflicts in the country and further heightened tension among ethnic groups. TPLF also used to divide and rule mechanism and Tigrayan priority in the poltics.

Background

Amhara dominance enjoyed to extent degree during the Imperial era. For instance, under Emperor Haile Selassie regime, the process of Amharization took place by implementing Amharic language, culture, religion, and tradition. In 1967, the government imprisoned leaders of Mecha and Tulama Self-Help Association, an Oromo nationalist groups that also advocated for Ethiopian nationalism at that time. As crackdowns became tighter, Oromo nationalists grew densely, leading to the formation of Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) in 1973. The Amhara also exerted influence during the Derg era, advocating an "indivisible" Greater Ethiopian empire, despite being opposed by Eritrean nationalist and the ongoing civil war. The Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Party (EPRP), an Amhara-led organization composed about 3,000 to 5,000 fighters opposed the Tigrayan led EPRDF coalition. Amhara rule ended when EPRDF won victory against Mengistu's authority in 1991.

After the collapse of the Derg regime in May 1991, the FDRE constitution accorded the rights of assimilation of Amhara people on the basis of their language and culture (See Nations, Nationalities and Peoples). Julian Sommerschuh of the University of Hamburg in the Journal of Eastern African Studies published an article in April 2023 that claims Aari (also Ari) people in Southwest Ethiopia forcefully adapted Amhara culture and their religion, the Orthodox Christianity due to centuries-old humiliation and marginalization by Amhara.

See also

References

  1. Kefale, Asnake (2013-07-31). Federalism and Ethnic Conflict in Ethiopia: A Comparative Regional Study. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-135-01798-9.
  2. Hameso, Seyoum Y.; Hassen, Mohammed (2006). Arrested Development in Ethiopia: Essays on Underdevelopment, Democracy, and Self-determination. Red Sea Press. ISBN 978-1-56902-258-0.
  3. Fellman, Jack (1976). "Amhara Verbal Behavior". Anthropological Linguistics. 18 (1): 8–10. ISSN 0003-5483. JSTOR 30027296.
  4. Mengisteab, Kidane (2001). "Ethiopia's Ethnic-Based Federalism: 10 Years after". African Issues. 29 (1/2): 20–25. doi:10.2307/1167105. ISSN 1548-4505. JSTOR 1167105.
  5. Melesse, Kassahun (2021-06-30). "Ethnic federalism: a theory threatening to kill Ethiopia". Ethiopia Insight. Retrieved 2024-10-24.
  6. Lavers, Tom (2023-10-05). Ethiopia's 'Developmental State': Political Order and Distributive Crisis. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-1-009-42826-2.
  7. Zewde, Bahru (2014). The Quest for Socialist Utopia: The Ethiopian Student Movement, C. 1960-1974. Boydell & Brewer Ltd. ISBN 978-1-84701-085-8.
  8. "Assessment for Amhara in Ethiopia". Refworld. Retrieved 2024-10-24.
  9. Messing, Simon D. (1955). "Changing Ethiopia". Middle East Journal. 9 (4): 413–432. ISSN 0026-3141. JSTOR 4322749.
  10. "Rejoinder: "The rise of Amharization" among Ari people- Dr. Julian Sommerschuh's unfounded Claim". Addis Standard. 12 July 2023. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
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