Ethnography of Ethiopian Ethno-linguistic Matters in a Narrowing Political Space
Ethnography of Ethiopian Ethno-linguistic Matters in a Narrowing Political Space

Summary/Abstract: This article deals with the development of ethnic and linguistic policies in Ethiopia since the Derg regime to the present. Ethiopia is a multiethnic country which has never been systematically colonized. This means that there is no colonial language or foreign element which serves as a unifying factor. Amharic language, the most spread language of the highlands, has been traditionally regarded as the official language of the state. This was only strengthened after 1930 when Haile Sellassie followed the policy of strong assimilation where only Amharic languages, cultural values and Ethiopian Orthodox Church could become symbols of the state. No other ethnic groups could develop their languages. Even though this situation was changed in the 1980s, Amharic still served as the primary language. After 1995, when “ethnic federalism” was officially established, some other languages have become important in terms of the use as administrative languages in their regions of origin but still, it has been Amharic language that has retained its rule of the most important and widespread language of the country.

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