The Amhara of Ethiopia: Embracing and Using Imposed Identity to Resist Injustice

Ethnic identities often solidify in response to perceived or actual injustices endured by groups. Historically, Amharic-speaking people in Ethiopia have resisted ethnic identification, aligning instead with broader Ethiopian nationalism. However, the rise of extreme ethnonationalist forces in the co...

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Vydané v:Genealogy (Basel) Ročník 8; číslo 3; s. 120
Hlavný autor: Melaku, Tadesse
Médium: Journal Article
Jazyk:English
Vydavateľské údaje: Basel MDPI AG 01.09.2024
Predmet:
Activism
Addis Ababa
African nationalism
Amharic
Analysis
civic nationalism
Colonialism
Cultural identity
Dissent
Dominance
Elites
Ethiopian Orthodox Church
ethnic consciousness
Ethnic identity
ethnic marginalisation
ethnic violence
Ethnicity
Ethnonationalism
Group identity
Human rights
Justice
Marginality
Massacres
Minority & ethnic groups
Minority & ethnic violence
Murders & murder attempts
Narratives
Nationalism
Oppression
Policy making
Political aspects
Political power
Politics
Propaganda
Resistance
Self concept
Self defense
Semitic languages
Social aspects
Social exclusion
Violence
Ethiopia
Nigeria
Europe
ISSN:2313-5778, 2313-5778
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Shrnutí:Ethnic identities often solidify in response to perceived or actual injustices endured by groups. Historically, Amharic-speaking people in Ethiopia have resisted ethnic identification, aligning instead with broader Ethiopian nationalism. However, the rise of extreme ethnonationalist forces in the country has subjected the group to negative narratives, violence, and marginalisation, associating them with past state domination. In response, the Amhara have increasingly embraced ethnic identity as a form of self-defence. This study employs thematic analysis to explore the experiences of the Amhara people and the subsequent emergence of their collective identity, including the rise of resistance movements. Despite this new alignment, Amhara elites and activists paradoxically maintain a strong commitment to Ethiopian unity, reflecting a complex duality in their socio-political stance. This balancing act illustrates their struggle to survive while remaining loyal to national unity. The article argues that sustained violence and marginalisation have catalysed the rise of Amhara group consciousness, transforming Ethiopia’s political landscape. This study offers broader insights into how group mentality can emerge as a response to systematic and sustained injustice and the implications this has for redefining power politics in Ethiopia and beyond, providing insights for policymaking and future research.
Bibliografia:ObjectType-Article-1
SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1
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ISSN:2313-5778
2313-5778
DOI:10.3390/genealogy8030120