Summary of Article by Herbert S. Lewis
By Tolera Fikru Gemta
The modern empire of Ethiopia was created as a result of rapid
military expansion of Amhara rulers of Shoa, to south ward. It is 110
age only. The empire was created during the European Power British and
French established Empires in Africa. The creation of the empire was
more brutal in south, especially those who did not submit peacefully
faced massacre, expropriation, dislocation. The conquered people were
not similar with the conquerors in all aspect of culture, (language,
religion and etc). The territories conquered by Menelik military were
autonomous people. The local administrations that forcibly built with
gun (the neftegna) were so exploitative and oppressive. The
indigenous political leaders appointed by the system also serve only as
an instrument for Amhara rule; and the effect was the same.
As matter of fact, the Oromo Nationalism came through different
developments. The most evident one was the Bale rebellion of (1960).
This rebellion was so powerful that it successfully resounded at
national level and creates awareness among Oromo. Then after, the
Pan-Oromo consciousness was intensified among Oromo students, civil
servants and NGO workers and others.
The flourishing of different government controlled associations by
Derg regime resulted in more political awareness among the Oromo
everywhere meanwhile Derg’s forced re-settlement program had disastrous
effect on Oromo social economical and ecological life. As matter of
fact, Oromo nationalism resembles with that of all colonized people.
On the other hand the present day Ethiopia which deemed to be
established on the principles UDHR has not yet achieved the intended
purpose. Two views are, however, occupied Ethiopian Political space. The
view from Amhara elite (not all of them) that focus on the weakness of
ethnic nationalism, and the pessimistic observers together make the
first view; on the other side there are who claim that the present
regime could not solve ethnic national questions (or implement the
fundamental human rights principle) adequately.
As much as the similarities of Eritrea with Tigre did not keep Eritrea with Ethiopia, claiming objective similarity view of history only
will not keep Ethiopian people together. Thus, it is important and
advisable not to deny that there are groups of peoples who have own
identities as distinct peoples in Ethiopia. Obviously politics that
based on domination of one’s identify is unthinkable in the today’s
world.
Source: Herbert S. Lewis,“Ethnicity in Ethiopia: The View from
Below (and from the South, East, and West).” 158–178 in Crawford Young
(ed.), The Rising Tide of Cultural Pluralism (Madison:University of
Wisconsin Press, 1993), 160.
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