Ethiopia

Ethiopia is the only country in Africa that had maintained its independence in the course of its history. There was a short period though, about five years, when the country was occupied by Italy in 1936 up to 1941. Ethiopia was a monarchy for most of its existence and its defining moment was when Emperor Haile Selassie, the last emperor of Ethiopia started to make his reforms known when he was still a prince in 1916. He was crowned as the Emperor of Ethiopia in November 1930 and ruled until 1974, when he was deposed by a coup and replaced by a socialist rule under the Derg.

Under the Derg there was mass unrest with coups and uprisings and people became refugees. They were finally overthrown in 1991 when the various rebel forces united into the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front. Ethiopia finally adopted a new constitution in 1994 and by 1995 the country was able to hold multi-party elections. However, the country had a border war with Eritrea that lasted from September 1, 1961 up to May 24, 1991. Eritrea’s de facto independence from Ethiopia was on May 24, 1993.

The official name of Ethiopia is the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and its capital is Addis Ababa. During the ancient times, Ethiopia was divided into 18 provinces. Until 1993 Eritrea was a province of Ethiopia and from 1942 up to 1995, Ethiopia was divided into 13 provinces. Today, Ethiopia is divided into 9 regions and two chartered cities and the regions are divided into 68 zones. The current regions are Afar, Amhara, Benishangul-Gumuz, Gambela, Harari, Oromia, Somali, Tigray and the Southern Nations, Nationalities and People’s Regions.

:: Background of Ethiopia ::

It is believed that Ethiopia is the place where mankind originated. Bones of what was believed to be that of the human ancestor were discovered in Ethiopia, which are believed to be about 5 million years old. Basically Ethiopia is one of the oldest countries in the world and is in fact the oldest independent country in Africa because it only came under Italian rule for about 5 years. According to historians, ancient Ethiopia was included in the writings of Herodotus, a Greek historian who lived during the fifth century B. C. Ethiopia was also recorded in the Old Testament of the Bible, which chronicled the visit of Queen Sheba, the wife of King Solomon of Israel to Jerusalem. And according to legend, their son Menelik I was the founder of the empire of Ethiopia.

Christianity was introduced to Ethiopia by missionaries from Syria and Egypt during the 4th century A.D. Islam rose in dominance during the 7th century and Ethiopia was isolated from Europe’s Christian community but the Portuguese tried to convert Ethiopia to Catholicism to strengthen their influence over the areas surrounding the Indian Ocean in 1493. This caused conflict between those that were pro-Catholic and those that were against it and the latter prevailed causing all the foreign missionaries that were already in Ethiopia to be driven out towards the middle of the 1600s and isolated Ethiopia once again.

The isolation was removed when Tewodros, Yohannes IV and Menelik II became successive governors of Ethiopia from 1855 to 1913 and Christianity prevailed, which caused the Lij Iyassu, a grandson of Menelik II and his successor to be deposed from his throne in 1916 because he favored Islam and replaced him with Zewditu, Menelik’s daughter. She was succeeded to the throne by her cousin Ras Tafari Makonnen, first as a regent and then Ethiopia’s emperor in 1930, who used his regnal name, Haile Selassie. In 1936, the Italian fascist forces were able to subdue the mighty Ethiopians and were able to rule the country for 5 years, sending Selassie to be exiled in England. He was able to come back and assume the throne when the Italians were finally driven out.

Not everyone was satisfied by the way Selassie ruled and civil unrest started on February 1974 and after 7 months of civil war, a military coup called the Derg was able to gain control and ousted Selassie to establish a socialist government following military rule. Fifty-nine members of the royal family including generals and ministers who remained loyal to the monarchy were executed by the Derg. Inconclusive reports said that on August 22 or 27, 1975 Selassie was murdered in the palace. There were official reports that surfaced that recorded Selassie’s death as complications arising from prostate operation. He was buried in an unmarked grave. In 1992 his remains were found buried under the palace toilet.

The Soviet Union, the Eastern Bloc and Cuba provided financial support and assistance to Lt. Col. Mengistu Haile Mariam who ruled totalitarian style and militarized Ethiopia. Those who opposed the Derg and were therefore considered as enemies of the state were either tortured or killed in a period that was labeled as red terror and communism reigned in Ethiopia during the late 70s up to the early 80s and the Worker’s Party of Ethiopia was created. A delegation from Ethiopia signed a military assistance agreement with Russia in December of 1976 while meant that the military missions of the United States were driven out of the country. By 1977, Somalia took advantage of the unrest in Ethiopia and attacked through the Ogaden Desert claiming that the ethnic Somali areas near the border should be under Somalia’s rule. While the Ethiopian forces were driven back by the Somalis, they were powerless against the joint forces of Russia and Cuba.

The Derg was not able to rule for long due to several insurrections and the occurrence of natural calamities such as famine and droughts. Opposition forces joined together to form the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front in 1989. In two short years they were able to march into the capital city, Addis Ababa and Mengistu fled to Zimbabwe.

The Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front, the Oromo Liberation Front and other groups joined hands to form the Transitional Government of Ethiopia in July 1991. It had 87 Council of Representatives members and a national charter for its tentative constitution. The Oromo Liberation Front left the transitional government in June 1992, followed by the Southern Ethiopia People’s Democratic Coalition.

Isaias Afwerki of the Eritrean People’s Liberation Front established a provisional government in Eritrea in May 1991 and administered the province independently until late April 1993. After 30 years of fighting for independence Eritrea finally won it when a referendum monitored by the UN was conducted. The unanimous vote was for independence and now Eritrea celebrates their independence from Ethiopia every 24th of May.

President Meles Zenawi of Ethiopia formed a multi-party democratic government and held a June 1994 election for a 547-member constituent assembly. In December 1994, the constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia was adopted and the new government was established by August 1995.

:: Geography of Ethiopia ::

Ethiopia is landlocked as it lost its entire coastline along the Red Sea was lost with the province of Eritrea won its independence on 24 May 1993. The Blue Nile, part of the Nile River originates from Lake Tana in the northwest border with Sudan. It is believed that coffee, castor bean and grain sorghum originated from Ethiopia.

Location
Ethiopia, formerly called Abyssinia, is located in the horn of Eastern Africa, lying just west of Somalia. Its geographic location is 8° 00’ north and 38° 00’ east of the equator. It is a little less than twice the size of Texas or the combined size of France and Spain.

Area
Ethiopia is quite a large land mass, with a total of 1,104,300 square kilometers. Total land area is 1 million square meters with the area covered by water totaling 104,300 square kilometers. The total length of Ethiopia east to west is 1,639 kilometers. North to south the total land area measures 1,577 kilometers.

Land Boundaries
The country is landlocked since the time that Eritrea that borders the Red Sea became independent. The total length of land boundaries is 5, 328 kilometers. Ethiopia is bounded on the north by Eritrea, on the East and the Southeast by Somalia and on the Northeast by Djibouti. The south is bounded by Kenya and the west is bounded by Sudan. As it is now landlocked, Ethiopia does not have any coastline and does not have any maritime claim.

Climate
Ethiopia lies near the equator but since most part of the country where the majority of the population live in a higher altitude with central highlands, the weather in Ethiopia is affected by the country’s different elevation. The Dega (highland) area is the highest area which is about 2,438 meters high. The weather here is cool the whole year. The next level of elevation is known as the Weina Dega (midland) where the weather is generally temperate. General height is from 1,524 meters to 2,134 meters. This is where the majority of the population of Ethiopia lives. However, the lowlands or the Kolla, sparsely populated and near the eastern border, have a hotter temperature, varying from tropical to sub-tropical climates, with the weather consistently warm all-year round. Rainfall is considered moderate, with the country receiving about 34 inches of rainfall annually. In the highlands the rainfall occurs twice a year, during February to March the rains are moderate. From June to September, the bigger or heavier rains occur. Generally, the average temperature is from 60° F up to about 85° F.

Terrain
Ethiopia sits over two plateaus, the Somali plateau is located on the east and the Amhara lies on the north. The Great Rift Valley and three mountains, the Chelalo, Aranna and the Chercher run between these two plateaus. On the east where the Somali Plateau is located the terrain is rocky and arid and the population sparse. The northern side is populous, with most of the population concentrated south of Addis Ababa, where Goma Gofa and Sidamo are located. These are the major regions where coffee plantations can be seen. Even if the area is rugged, the elevation is lower than that of the eastern side. The lowest elevation is located in the Danakil Depression, which is 125 meters below sea level. Ras Dejen on the north is the highest point in Ethiopia, rising to a height of 4, 533 meters.

Natural Resources
The country has a few natural resources, including gold, iron ore, potash, coal and gemstones. It also has copper, natural gas, marble, limestone, kaolin, tantalum and soda ash, as well as hydroelectric resources. Of these natural resources, gold, limestone, marble and small reserves of tantalum are explored and mined. Available for commercial development but still needs to be explored are reserves of potash, iron ore, natural gas, possibly geothermal energy and oil. At the moment, Ethiopia is still dependent on oil imports.

Land Use
Of the total land area, only 10.1% is arable, for which only about 20% is being cultivated. Land that is planted with permanent crops is just 0.65% and the other areas are rugged, infertile or too dry for agriculture. The rest are either covered by forest or used for pasture.

Natural Hazards
The Great Rift Valley is still geologically active and still prone to earthquakes. Ethiopia is susceptible to volcanic eruptions and droughts. There are several active volcanoes in the country, such as Erta Ale, which is the most active; Dabbahu, Dalaffilla, Alayta, Dama Ali, Dallol, Kone, Fentale, Manda-Inakir and Manda Hararo. Hot springs can be found in the extreme east near the Red Sea. The rest of the country is prone to erosion, deforestation and overgrazing. The dry season can cause water shortage in some areas.

Environmental Issues
Due to the different weather conditions and elevation, some areas in Ethiopia suffer from water shortages, particularly those areas used for agriculture as there are prevalent water-intensive farming practices as well as poor management. Deforestation, soil erosion and overgrazing are causing problems and the lack of water is contributing to desertification.

International Agreements
Ethiopia has entered in international agreements on the issues of climate change, desertification, climate change-Kyoto protocol, biodiversity, hazardous wastes, ozone layer protection and endangered species. For those international agreements that Ethiopia has signed, the law of the sea and the environmental modification have not been ratified.

:: People of Ethiopia ::

Population
As of July 2011, the estimated population of Ethiopia is 90,873,739, with a population growth of 3.19%. It is also estimated that the current birth rate is 42.99 births per 1,000 population while the death rate is 11.04 per 1,000 population. Migration is placed at minus 0.01 per 1,000 population. Also based on 2011 estimates, the fertility rate is placed at 6.02 children born for every woman of child-bearing age.

Age Structure
On the 15 to 64 age bracket, which is currently at 51%, there are 23,682,385 females over 22,707,235 males. The younger generation aged zero to 14 years, comprise 46.3% of the population, with 21,067,961 females and 20,990,369 males. The 65 years and over age range comprise 2.7% of the total population, with an estimated break down of 1,388,301 females and 1,037,488 males.

Median Age
The median age is in the late teens. For the total population, the median age is 16.8 years. For the female it is 17.1 years old and 16.5 years for the male.

Sex Ratio
The sex ratio is almost even between males and females. For the total population, 0.97 male is born for every female. At birth, 1.03 male is born over every female and 1 male for every female in the under 15-year age bracket. In the 15 to 64 years, 0.96 male is born for every female while in the 65 years and over, there is 0.75 male born for every female.

Infant Mortality Rate
Infant mortality in Ethiopia is quite high due to deaths caused by HIV/AIDS. For the whole country there are 77.12 deaths for every 1,000 live births. The breakdown is 88.03 deaths for males and 65.88 deaths for females according to estimates for 2011.

Life Expectancy at Birth
Life expectancy is quite low. According to estimates for 2011, 56.19 years is the estimate for the total population. Females outlast the males slightly, with female life expectancy placed at 58.81 years compared to only 53.64 years for the males.

HIV/AIDS
According to the UNAIDS, an estimated 2 million Ethiopians are living with HIV, which is considered to be the third highest in the whole of Africa. According to the same report, 85% of the population is located in the rural areas and access to public health services is gravely lacking. The condition is quite serious as there are only about 1,200 public health service practitioners and health care workers with the proper training for the entire population of Ethiopia, according to estimates. According to the Ministry of Health of Ethiopia, it is estimated that the prevalence of HIV in adults is about 3.5%, however it is estimated that this figure increases to 5% among pregnant women, leading to 25% of children born to HIV-positive females. In the 2006 estimate, there are 1.32 million Ethiopians who were HIV-positive and only about 10% of them know that they are affected with the dreaded disease.

Nationality
Citizens of Ethiopia are called and described as Ethiopians. The word Ethiopian is can be used either as a noun or as an adjctive.

Ethnic Groups
There are several ethnic groups living in Ethiopia, and according to the 2007 census the major ones include Oromo which account for 34.5%, Amara make up 26.9% and Somalie is placed at 6.2%. Tigraway comprise 6.1%, Sidama is about 4%, Guragie make up 2.5% and Welaita is about 2.3%. The Hadiya and the Affar each make up 1.7%, Gamo makes up 1.5%, Gedeo comprise1.3% while the minor ones combine to make up 11.3%

Religions
Ethiopians predominantly follow the Orthodox religion at 43.5% while the Muslims comprise 33.9%. There are also Protestants in Ethiopia which make up 18.6%, while those following traditional religion is about 2.6%. Catholics comprise 0.7% and other religions are followed by 0.7% of the population according to the census done in 2007.

Languages
There are three major languages that are officially spoken in Ethiopia as well as some regional languages that are also considered as the official languages for the regions. Amarigna or Amharic is the official language that is spoken by 32.7% of eh population. Arabic is also an official language and English is another official language that is taught in schools. Oromigna is an official regional language spoken by 31.6% of the population, just like Tigrina that is spoken by 6.1%. Other languages spoken are Somaligna (6%), Guaragigna (3.5%), Sidamigna (3.5%) and Hadiyigna (1.7%). Other minor languages are spoken by 14.8% of the population. These breakdowns are based on the 1994 census.

Literacy
Literacy is quite high in Ethiopia and people aged 15 and over can read and write. Of the total population, 42.7 % are literate, broken down into 50.3% males and 35.1% females based on estimates done in 2003. Students spend an average of 8 years in school with males staying for 9 years and the females for 8 years.

:: References ::
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethiopia
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/et.html
http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/ettoc.html

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http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2859.htm
http://www.ethiopianexcursions.com/interestingfacts.htm
http://www.africanservices.org/index.php/African-Services-in-Ethiopia/Background-HIV/AIDS-in-Ethiopia
http://www.ethiopiantreasures.co.uk/pages/climate.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geography_of_Ethiopia
http://www.novelguide.com/a/discover/jwpg_02/jwpg_02_00094.html

Geography of Ethiopia: Important Geographical Information about Ethiopia

It can be considered as something of an irony that a place like Ethiopia that suffers severe droughts should be the source of the water that flows to the Nile River, a very important river that makes the Nile Valley fertile and vital to Egypt’s livelihood. The Blue Nile originating from Lake Tana connects with the White Nile located in Sudan before it flows into the Nile. The Blue Nile is so named because when its water level is at its highest volume the water turns almost black, which in the Ethiopian dialect translates to blue. It is even considered as holy as many believed that the Blue Nile is the River Gihon from the Garden of Eden.

Ethiopia is located in the Horn of Africa, the easternmost projection of the continent of Africa towards the Arabian Sea. However, Ethiopia is itself landlocked, since its previous province, Eritrea, which borders the Red Sea became independent. Its latitude is 8° 00’ north of the equator while its longitude is 38° 00’ east of the prime meridian in Greenwich.

It is landlocked by Somalia on the east and southeast, by Sudan in the west, by Djibouti in the northeast, by Eritrea in the north and by Kenya in the south. The total length of its boundary is 5,311 kilometers. In terms of the sizes of African countries, Ethiopia ranks as 10th largest and 3rd in population size. Its lowest point, the Danakil Depression is 125 meters below sea level while its highest elevation, the Ras Dashen is 4,620 meters above sea level. The Danakil Depression is also called the Afar Triangle or the Afar Depression where most of the fossil evidence of hominids and prehistoric tools are found.

It has several highland plateaus and mountains. The country is significantly divided into the highlands and lowland plains surrounding the country side, divided almost in half by the Great Rift Valley. This diversity greatly affects the variations in natural vegetation, settlement patterns of the people, the soil composition and the climate conditions in the different regions.

Climate
Ethiopia has three environmental zones – dega or the highlands, weina dega or the mid-highland and the kolla or the lowlands. These three environmental zones conform to the three temperature patterns prevalent in Ethiopia- cool, temperate and extremely hot, respectively.

The cool areas are located in the central areas of the eastern and western sections along the plateaus on the northwestern part of the country and some parts of Harer, which is close to Djiboun. Land areas in these sections are about 2.400 meters in height. High temperatures that can be felt daily are almost near-freezing, usually averaging 60.8° F. The warmest months are from March up to May but the warmth during the day dissipates quickly by the afternoon and the nights are cooler. Light snow and frost may occur at nighttime.

Those areas that are about 1,500 to less than 2,400 meters in elevation experience temperate climate where the average temperature normally ranges from 60° F to about 86° F. Comparatively, the hotter areas are those that rise no higher than 1,500 meters, which are considered the lowlands in Ethiopia. Most of these areas included the Danakil Depression, which is the lowest point in Ethiopia, the eastern part of Ogaden near Somalia, the areas closer to the Kenyan and Sudanese boundaries as well as the deep tropical valleys of the Tekeze River and the Blue Nile River. Temperatures around these regions are vastly different, with an average annual temperature of 80.6° F. In the areas nearer to the coast of the Red Sea, the condition is usually humid with the average temperature during the middle of the year going as high as 122° F. Around Ogaden arid conditions exist and the average temperature is close to 104° F.

The different elevations also affect the rainfall patterns in Ethiopia. In the highlands rainfall is regular throughout the year. In the mid-highlands, rainfall becomes seasonal while rainfall in the lowlands can be scant. The high pressure system coming from the Red Sea and Asia at the start of the year brings cool and dry air, giving the areas near the coast a climate that is basically Mediterranean. However, when the winds are coming from the Atlantic Ocean, they invariably bring rain that can prevail from the middle of June up to the middle of September of each year.

As Ethiopia’s biggest industry is agriculture, with coffee its major export, the extreme weather patterns and its landlocked position makes its economy precarious. It is hard to transport their goods for export because access to ports is difficult. Droughts can severely affect the country’s agricultural production.

Nature
Just like the weather patterns in Ethiopia, its natural beauty is also diverse. Rugged mountains, 25 of which are more than 4,000 meters high slope down to broad savannahs. There are also numerous lakes and rivers, with volcanic lakes in the Great Rift Valley where you can find breathtaking vistas, awe-inspiring escarpments and unique flora and fauna, some of which are indigenous to Ethiopia.

:: References ::
http://www.mongabay.com/reference/country_studies/ethiopia/GEOGRAPHY.html
http://www.imperialethiopia.org/history1.htm
http://www.ethiopiantreasures.co.uk/pages/climate.htm
http://library.thinkquest.org/05aug/01259/terrain_and_weather.htm
http://www.ethemb.se/ee_eth_geog.html

Information about the Ethiopian Flag: Colors and Meaning of the Flag of Ethiopia

The flag of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia is considered a young flag, as the country only adopted the flag on February 6, 1996 although the colors yellow, green and red have been in use since the 1890s when Ethiopia was fighting the Italians. It was believed that forces that remained loyal and supported the emperor flew pennants with these colors while fighting in the Battle of Adwa. And the colors were adopted in the first flag that was used in 1897 although the red stripe was placed on top and the green stripe on the bottom.

The proportion of the current flag is 1:2. It consists of three horizontal stripes of equal size. The topmost stripe is green, yellow is in the middle and the bottom portion of the flag is in red. Ethiopia’s coat of arms rests on a blue circle on the center of the flag. The blue circle overlaps a portion of the green and red stripes. The colors of the Ethiopian flag has been adopted by other African nations and began to be the standard Pan African colors.

While there are several interpretations as to the symbolism of the colors of the Ethiopian flag, the most basic meaning is that flag is a link unify the people, the Church and the nation.

One point of view states that red signifies the blood shed by those who defended Ethiopia so that it will remain independent. Yellow symbolizes harmony and peace between the religious groups and the different ethnic tribes while green is said to represent the fertile lands. The star or pentagram is colored yellow. It is said to symbolize a bright future for Ethiopia, incorporating a connection with King Solomon’s House. The five rays surrounding the pentagram that are of equal distance from each other is meant to show the equality of all Ethiopians without regard for creed, gender or race.

Another view on the meaning of the colors of the flag of Ethiopia states that the red symbolizes the blood, power and faith of the Ethiopians. Yellow is the symbol for the natural wealth and love, for peace and the Church. The green stripe symbolizes hope and the verdant land of Ethiopia. The colors are also said to represent the three major provinces of Ethiopia as well as the Holy Trinity. The star or the pentagram is for the different races and their unity. The blue circle represents peace while the five equidistant rays means prosperity.

For others the blue orb means prosperity, democracy and peace while the star represents unity of all the ethic groups, gender, races and religions.

:: References ::
http://www.world-free-printable-flags.com/meaning-of-ethiopia-flag.html
http://ethiopiaeritrea.com/the-color-and-meaning-of-ethiopian-flag/
http://www.worldflags101.com/e/ethiopia-flag.aspx
http://exodus2006.com/flag.htm

Extensive List of Languages of Ethiopia: Spoken and Extinct Languages

:: List of Languages ::

Aari
[aiw] 155,000 (1994 census). 129,350 monolinguals. Ethnic population: 155,002 (1989 census). North central Omo region, south tip of Ethiopia plateau, near the Hamer-Banna [amf]. Alternate names: Aarai, Ara, Ari, Aro, “Shankilla” , “Shankilligna” , “Shankillinya”. Dialects: Bako (Baco), Biyo (Bio), Laydo, Seyki, Shangama, Sido, Wubahamer (Ubamer), Zeddo. Most similar to Gayil [gyl]. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Omotic, South

Afar
[aar] 979,000 in Ethiopia (1994 census). 905,872 monolinguals (1994 census). Population total all countries: 1,078,200. Eastern lowlands, Afar region. May be in Somalia. Also in Djibouti, Eritrea. Alternate names: ’Afar Af, Adal, Afaraf, “Danakil” , “Denkel”. Dialects: Northern Afar, Central Afar, Aussa, Baadu (Ba’adu). Related to Saho [ssy]. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Cushitic, East, Saho-Afar

Alaba-K’abeena
[alw] 162,000 (1994 census). 111,077 monolinguals (1994 census). 126,257 Alaba, 35,783 K’abeena. Ethnic population: 125,900 (1998 census). Rift Valley southwest of Lake Shala. Separated by a river from Kambatta [ktb]. Alternate names: Alaba, Allaaba, Halaba. Dialects: Wanbasana (Alaba), K’abeena. Lexical similarity: 81% with Kambaata [ktb], 64% with Sidamo [sid], 56% with Libido [liq], 54% with Hadiyya [hdy]. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Cushitic, East, Highland

Amharic
[amh] 17,400,000 in Ethiopia (1994 census). 14,743,556 monolinguals. Population total all countries: 17,528,500. North central, Amhara region; Addis Ababa. Also in Djibouti, Egypt, Israel, Sweden, United States. Alternate names: Abyssinian, Amarigna, Amarinya, Ethiopian. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, South, Ethiopian, South, Transversal, Amharic-Argobba

Anfillo
[myo] 500 (1990 SIL). Ethnic population: 1,000 (1990 SIL). Anfillo Forest, west of Dembi Dolo. Alternate names: Southern Mao. Dialects: Lexical similarity: 53% with Shekkacho [moy]. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Omotic, North, Gonga-Gimojan, Gonga, Central

Anuak
[anu] 45,600 in Ethiopia (1994 census). 34,311 monolinguals. Ethnic population: 45,665 (1994 census). Southwest, Gambela region, along Baro, Alworo, Gilo rivers and Akobo River right bank. Gambela town is center. Alternate names: Anyuak, Anywa, Anywak, Bar, Burjin, Jambo, Miroy, Moojanga, Nuro, Yambo, Yembo. Dialects: Adoyo, Coro, Lul, Opëno. Classification: Nilo-Saharan, Eastern Sudanic, Nilotic, Western, Luo, Northern, Anuak

Arbore
[arv] 4,440 (1994 census). 3,907 monolinguals (1994 census). Ethnic population: 6,559 (1994 census). Extreme southwest, Omo region, near Lake Stefanie. Alternate names: Arbora, Erbore, Irbore. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Cushitic, East, Western Omo-Tana

Argobba
[agj] 10,900 (1994 census), decreasing. 100 monolinguals. Ethnic population: 62,831 (1994 census) USE 3,236 L2 speakers. The ethnic group near Ankober mainly speaks Amharic [amh]; the group near Harar mainly speaks Oromo [hae]. Northeast, Amhara, Oromiya and Afar regions; Rift Valley in Yimlawo, Gusa, Shonke, Berehet, Khayr Amba, Melkajillo, Metehara, Shewa Robit, villages area. Dialects: Aliyu Amba-Ankober, Shonke-T’allaha, Shagura. The ‘purest’ Argobba is spoken in Shonke and T’allaha. Lexical similarity: with Amharic [amh] is 74%–83% for the varieties of Aliyu Amba-Ankober and Shagura in the south, 53% for the variety of Shonke-T’allaha in the north. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, South, Ethiopian, South, Transversal, Amharic-Argobba

Awngi
[awn] 500,000 (2007), increasing. 279,326 monolinguals. Ethnic population: 1,000,000. Amhara region, southwest of Lake Tana, scattered in Agew Midir and Metekel. Alternate names: Agau, Agaw, Agew, Agow, Awawar, Awi, Awiya, Damot, Kwollanyoch. Dialects: Kunfal (Kumfel, Kunfäl, Kunfel). Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Cushitic, Central, Southern

Baiso
[bsw] 1,010 (1995 SIL). Ethnic population: 3,260 (1994 M. Brenzinger). Halfway between Soddo and Arba Minch, Merab Abaya area, Alge village (390); Gidicho Island, Baiso and Shigima villages (200); Welege Island on Lake Abaya (420), and west shore. Alternate names: Alkali, Bayso. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Cushitic, East, Western Omo-Tana

Bambassi
[myf] 5,000 (1982 SIL). Benishangul-Gumuz region, Bambassi area and Didessa River Valley. Alternate names: Amam, Bambeshi, Didessa, Fadiro, Northern Mao, Siggoyo. Dialects: Didessa, Bambassi. Lexical similarity: 31% with other Omotic languages, 17% with Hozo-Sezo [hoz] (Bender 1983). Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Omotic, North, Mao, East

Basketo
[bst] 57,800 (1994 census). 42,726 monolinguals. Ethnic population: 51,097 (1998 census). North Omo region, west of Bulki on a plateau. Alternate names: Baskatta, Basketto, Mesketo. Dialects: Lexical similarity: 61% with Oyda [oyd]. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Omotic, North, Gonga-Gimojan, Gimojan, Ometo-Gimira, Ometo, West

Bench
[bcq] 174,000 (1994 census). 149,293 monolinguals. 10,002 She, 1,070 Mer. Ethnic population: 173,123 (1994 census). Kafa region, Mizan Teferi area, Shewa Bench towns. Alternate names: Dizu, Ghimarra, Gimarra, Gimira. Dialects: Bench (Bencho, Benesho), Mer (Mieru), She (Sce, Kaba). Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Omotic, North, Gonga-Gimojan, Gimojan, Ometo-Gimira, Gimira

Berta
[wti] 125,000 in Ethiopia (1994 census), increasing. 99,689 monolinguals. 8,715 Fadashi. Population total all countries: 147,000. Beni Shangul region, corner formed by Blue Nile River and Sudan border north of Asosa; Dalati, Sirba Abay area east of Dabus River. Also in Sudan. Alternate names: Barta, Beni Shangul, Bertha, Burta, Jebelawi, Wetawit. Dialects: Shuru, Bake, Undu, Mayu, Fadashi, Dabuso. Probably more than one language. Classification: Nilo-Saharan, Berta

Borna
[bwo] 19,900 (1994 census), decreasing. 144 Gamila; 2,276 L2 speakers including 45 Gamila; 18,567 monolinguals including 77 Gamila. Ethnic population: 32,894 including 186 Gamila (1994 census). Benishangul-Gumuz region, near Blue Nile River. Alternate names: Boro, Bworo, Scinacia, Shinasha. Dialects: Bulen-Dibat’e, Wenbera-Dangur. Related to Kafa [kbr]. Scattered dialect groups. Lexical similarity: 46% with Shekkacho [moy]. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Omotic, North, Gonga-Gimojan, Gonga, North

Burji
[bji] 35,700 in Ethiopia (1994 census). 29,259 monolinguals. Population total all countries: 46,100. Ethnic population: 46,565 (1994 census). South of Lake Ciamo. Also in Kenya. Alternate names: Bambala, Bembala, Daashi. Dialects: Lexical similarity: 41% with Sidamo [sid] (most similar). Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Cushitic, East, Highland

Bussa
[dox] 6,620 (1994 census). 4,955 monolinguals. Ethnic population: 9,207 (1994 census). Omo region, west of Lake Chamo. Alternate names: D’oopace, D’opaasunte, Dobase, Gobeze, Goraze, Gowase, Lohu, Mashelle, Mashile, Masholle, Mosiye, Musiye, Orase. Dialects: There is a dialect chain with Konso-Dirasha-Dobase. Lexical similarity: 78% with Gawwada [gwd], 51% with Konso [kxc], 86% with the Gollango dialect of Gawwada, 80% with the Harso dialect of Gawwada, 61% with Tsamai [tsb]. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Cushitic, East, Dullay

Chara
[cra] 6,930. 5,556 monolinguals. Ethnic population: 6,984 (1994 census). Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Regional State (SNNPR), Kafa and South Omo zones, both sides of Omo River. Alternate names: Ciara. Dialects: Buch’a. Lexical similarity: 54% with Wolaytta [wal]. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Omotic, North, Gonga-Gimojan, Gimojan, Ometo-Gimira, Chara

Daasanach
[dsh] 32,100 in Ethiopia (1994 census). 31,368 monolinguals. Population total all countries: 40,100. Ethnic population: 32,099 (1994 census). Lower Omo River, along Lake Turkana, into Kenya. Also in Kenya. Alternate names: Daasanech, Dama, Dasenech, Dathanaic, Dathanaik, Dathanik, Gallab, Galuba, Gelab, Geleb, Geleba, Gelebinya, Gelubba, Gheleba, Marille, Merile, Merille, Morille, Reshiat, Russian Federation, “Shangilla”. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Cushitic, East, Western Omo-Tana

Dime
[dim] 6,500 (1994 census). 4,785 monolinguals. Ethnic population: 6,197 (1994 census). Kafa region, north of Omo River, just before it turns south. Alternate names: Dima. Dialects: Lexical similarity: 47% with Hamer-Banna [amf]. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Omotic, South

Dirasha
[gdl] 90,000 (2005 SIL), increasing. 80,000 monolinguals. 8,097 Mosiya and 10,100 Kusumitta. Ethnic population: 90,000. Omo region, hills west of Lake Chamo, Gidole town area. Alternate names: Dhirasha, Diraasha, Dirayta, Gardulla, Ghidole, Gidole. Dialects: Mosiya, Kusumitta. Part of a dialect subgroup with Konso [kxc] and Bussa [dox]. Lexical similarity: 55% with Konso. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Cushitic, East, Konso-Gidole

Dizi
[mdx] 21,100 (1994 census), increasing. 17,583 monolinguals. Ethnic population: 21,894 (1994 census). Kafa region, near Maji town. Alternate names: Dizi-Maji, Dizinog, Dizinya, Maji, Majinya, Sizi, Twoyu. Dialects: Related to Sheko [she], Nayi [noz]. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Omotic, North, Dizoid

Dorze
[doz] 20,800 (1994 census). 9,905 monolinguals. Ethnic population: 28,990 (1994 census). North Omo region, Chencha area; Addis Ababa. Dialects: Lexical similarity: 82%–87% with the Gamo dialect of Gamo-Gofa-Dawro [gmo], 77%–81% with the Gofa dialect of Gamo-Gofa-Dawro [gmo], 80% with Wolaytta [wal], 73%–75% with the Dawro dialect of Gamo-Gofa-Dawro [gmo], 54% with Koorete [kqy], 48% with Male [mdy]. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Omotic, North, Gonga-Gimojan, Gimojan, Ometo-Gimira, Ometo, Central

English
[eng] 1,990 in Ethiopia (1994 census). Classification: Indo-European, Germanic, West, English
Ethiopian Sign Language
[eth] 1,000,000 (2005). Classification: Deaf sign language

Gafat
[gft] Extinct. South Blue Nile area. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, South, Ethiopian, South, Outer, n-Group

Gamo-Gofa-Dawro
[gmo] 1,240,000 (1994 census). 1,046,084 monolinguals including 597,130 Gamo, 259,633 Dawro, 189,321 Gofa. 690,069 Gamo, 313,228 Dawro, 233,340 Gofa. Ethnic population: 1,292,860 (1994 census) including 719,847 Gamo, 331,483 Dawro, 241,530 Gofa (1994 census). Omo region, Arba Minch area; mountains west to Lake Abaya. Dialects: Gamo (Gemu), Gofa (Goffa), Dawro (Dauro, Kullo, Cullo, Ometay). Subdialects of Dawro are Konta (Conta) and Kucha (Kusha, Koysha). Lexical similarity: 79%–91% between the Gamo and Gofa dialects, 79%–89% with Wolaytta [wal], 82%–87% with Dorze [doz], 73%–80% with the Dawro dialect, 49% with Koorete [kqy], 44% with Male [mdy]. 76% between the Dawro and Gofa dialects, 80% with Wolaytta, 73%–75% with Dorze, 48% with Koorete, 43% with Male. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Omotic, North, Gonga-Gimojan, Gimojan, Ometo-Gimira, Ometo, Central

Ganza
[gza] 5,400 (2004). Ethnic population: 6,291. South of Yabus Bridge, along Sudan border. Alternate names: Ganzo, Koma. Dialects: Related to Hozooz (Ruhlen 1987:322). Lexical similarity: 14% with Omotic languages, 6% with Mao. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Omotic, North, Mao, West

Gawwada
[gwd] 32,700 (1994 census). 27,477 monolinguals. Ethnic population: 33,971 (1994 census). Omo region, west of Lake Chamo. Alternate names: Gauwada, Gawata, Kawwad’a, Kawwada. Dialects: Dihina (Tihina, Tihinte), Gergere (K’ark’arte), Gobeze, Gollango (Kollanko), Gorose (Gorrose, Korrose), Harso (Worase). Lexical similarity: 78% with Bussa [dox], 73% with Tsamai [tsb], 77% with the Harso dialect, 92% with the Gollango dialect, 41% with Konso [kxc]. The Harso dialect has 80% with the Dobase dialect of Bussa [dox], 56% with Tsamai [tsb]. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Cushitic, East, Dullay

Gayil
[gyl] 55,700 (2007). Southwest, South Omo zone, Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Regional State (SNNPR), North Aari Wereda. Alternate names: Gayl, Gayi, Galila, Gelila, Northern Ari. Dialects: Related to Aari [aiw], Dime [dim], Hamer-Banna [amf], Karo [kxh]. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Omotic, South

Gedeo
[drs] 637,000 (1994 census). 438,958 monolinguals. Ethnic population: 639,905. Central highland area, southwest of Dilla and east of Lake Abaya. Alternate names: Darasa, Darassa, Derasa, Derasanya, Deresa, Geddeo. Dialects: Lexical similarity: 60% with Sidamo [sid] (most similar), 57% with Alaba-Kabeena [alw], 54% with Kambaata [ktb], 51% with Hadiyya [hdy]. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Cushitic, East, Highland

Geez
[gez] Extinct. Also in Eritrea. Alternate names: Ancient Ethiopic, Ethiopic, Ge’ez, Giiz. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, South, Ethiopian, North

Gumuz
[guk] 120,000 in Ethiopia (1994 census). 88,192 monolinguals. Population total all countries: 160,000. Ethnic population: 121,487 (1994 census). Metemma area on Sudan border south through Gondar and Gojjam; along Blue Nile and south into Wellaga and Didessa Valley up to Leqemt-Gimbi Road; southwest of Addis Ababa, villages around Welqite (possibly 1,000). Also in Sudan. Alternate names: Bega, Bega-Tse, Debatsa, Debuga, Dehenda, Gombo, Gumis, Gumuzinya, Mendeya, “Shankilligna” , “Shankillinya” , “Shanqilla” , Sigumza. Dialects: Guba, Wenbera, Sirba, Agalo, Yaso, Mandura, Dibate, Metemma. There are noticeable dialect differences, and not all dialects are inherently intelligible. Mandura, Dibate, and Metemma form a distinct dialect subgroup. Classification: Nilo-Saharan, Komuz, Gumuz

Hadiyya
[hdy] 924,000 (1994 census). 595,107 monolinguals. Gurage, Kambaata, Hadiyya region, between Omo and Billate rivers, Hosaina town area. Alternate names: Adea, Adiya, Adiye, Hadia, Hadiya, Hadya. Dialects: Leemo, Soro. Lexical similarity: 82% with Libido [liq], 56% with Kambaata [ktb], 54% with Alaba-Kabeena [alw], 53% with Sidamo [sid]. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Cushitic, East, Highland

Hamer-Banna
[amf] 42,800 (1994 census). 38,354 monolinguals (1994 census). Ethnic population: 42,466 (1994 census). South Omo region, near Omo River; north of Lake Turkana, southwest corner, near Kenya, Uganda, Sudan borders. Alternate names: Amar, Amarcocche, Amer, Ammar, Bana, Banna, Beshada, Cocche, Hamar, Hamar-Koke, Hamer, Hammer, Hammercoche, Kara Kerre. Dialects: Hamer and Banna are separate ethnic groups who speak virtually the same language. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Omotic, South

Harari
[har] 21,300 (1994 census). 2,351 monolinguals. 20,000 in Addis Ababa, outside Harar City (Hetzron 1997:486). Ethnic population: 21,757 (1994 census). East, walled city of Harar; Addis Ababa and Dire Dawa. Alternate names: Adare, Adarinnya, Adere, Aderinya, Gey Sinan, Hararri. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, South, Ethiopian, South, Transversal, Harari-East Gurage

Hozo
[hoz] 3,000 (1995 SIL). West Oromo region, Begi area. 50 or more villages. Alternate names: Begi-Mao. Dialects: Related to Bambassi [myf] (Bender 1975). Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Omotic, North, Mao, West

Inor
[ior] 280,000. 50,000 Endegeny. West Gurage region, Innemor and Endegeny woredas. Alternate names: Ennemor. Dialects: Enegegny (Enner). Part of a Gurage subgroup of languages. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, South, Ethiopian, South, Outer, tt-Group

Kachama-Ganjule
[kcx] 4,070 (1994 census). 1,002 monolinguals including 816 Kachama, 186 Ganjule. 2,682 Kachama, 1,390 Ganjule; 419 L2 speakers including 223 Kachama, 196 Ganjule. Ethnic population: 3,886 (1994 census) including 2,740 Kachama, 1,146 Ganjule. Kachama is on Gidicho Island in Lake Abaya; Ganjule on west shore of Lake Chamo, Shela-Mela village. Alternate names: Gatame, Gats’ame, Get’eme. Dialects: Ganjule (Ganjawle), Ganta, Kachama. Lexical similarity: 46% with Wolaytta [wal]. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Omotic, North, Gonga-Gimojan, Gimojan, Ometo-Gimira, Ometo, East

Kacipo-Balesi
[koe] 4,120 in Ethiopia (2000). South border with Sudan. Alternate names: Silmamo, Tsilmano, Zelmamu, Zilmamu, Zulmamu. Dialects: Balesi (Baale, Bale), Zilmamu (Silmamo, Zelmamu, Zulmamu, Tsilmano), Kacipo (Kachepo, Suri, Western Suri). Classification: Nilo-Saharan, Eastern Sudanic, Eastern, Surmic, South, Southwest, Kacipo-Balesi

Kafa
[kbr] 570,000 (1994 census). 445,018 monolinguals (1994 census). Kafa region, Bonga town area. May be some in Sudan. Alternate names: Caffino, Kaffa, Kaficho, Kefa, Keffa, Manjo. Dialects: Kafa, Bosha (Garo). Related to Shekkacho [mpy]. Bosha may be a separate language. Manjo is an argot based on Kafa [kbr] (Bender 1983). Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Omotic, North, Gonga-Gimojan, Gonga, South

Kambaata
[ktb] 570,000 (1994 census). 330,108 monolinguals including 278,567 Kambaata, 51,541 Timbaro. 487,655 Kambaata, 82,803 Timbaro. Ethnic population: 621,407. Southwest Gurage, Kambaata, Hadiyya region. Durame is main town. Alternate names: Donga, Kambara, Kambata, Kambatta, Kemata, Kembata. Dialects: Tambaro, Timbaro (Timbara, Timbaaro). Lexical similarity: 95% with the Timbaro dialect, 81% with Alaba-Kabeena [alw], 62% with Sidamo [sid], 57% with Libido [liq], 56% with Hadiyya [hdy]. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Cushitic, East, Highland

Karo
[kxh] 1,000 (2007 S. Malmvam). South Omo region, upstream from Daasanach, riverside settlements near the Hamer-Banna. Alternate names: Cherre, Kere, Kerre. Dialects: Dialect or closely related language to Hamer-Banna [amf]. More similar to the Hamer variety than to the Banna. Lexical similarity: 81% with Hamer-Banna. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Omotic, South

Kistane
[gru] 255,000 (1994 census). Ethnic population: 363,867 (1994 census) including 4,000 Gogot. Gurage, Kambaata, Hadiyya regions, southwest of Addis Ababa. Alternate names: North Gurage, Soddo, Soddo Gurage. Dialects: Soddo (Aymallal, Aymellel, Kestane, Kistane), Dobi (Dobbi, Gogot, Goggot). Not intelligible with Silt’e [stv] or Sebat Bet Gurage [sgw]. The Dobi dialect comprehendsion of Soddo is 76%, and Soddo speakers’ of Dobi is 90%. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, South, Ethiopian, South, Outer, n-Group

Komo
[xom] 1,500 in Ethiopia (Bender 1975). Mao-Komo Special Wereda south of Asosa, south and west of the Kwama [kmq]; Gambela region, Bonga area, near Baro River. Alternate names: Central Koma, Koma, Madiin, South Koma. Dialects: Koma of Begi, Koma of Daga. Classification: Nilo-Saharan, Komuz, Koman

Konso
[kxc] 195,000 (2005), increasing. 138,696 monolinguals. Ethnic population: 229,134. South of Lake Chamo, Sagan River bend. A few migrants in Kenya. Alternate names: Af Kareti, Afa Karatti, Conso, Gato, Karate, Kareti, Komso. Dialects: Kholme, Duuro, Fasha, Karatti. Lexical similarity: 55% with Dirasha [gdl], 51% with Bussa [dox], 41% with Gawwada [gwd], 31% with Tsamai [tsb]. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Cushitic, East, Konso-Gidole

Koorete
[kqy] 104,000, increasing. 84,388 monolinguals (1994 census). About 60 Harro families in Harro village on Gidicho (Gidicció) Island. Ethnic population: 136,005 (2006). Sidama region, Amaro mountains east of Lake Abaya. Alternate names: Amaarro, Amarro, Badittu, Koore, Koyra, Kwera, Nuna. Dialects: Lexical similarity: 54% with Dorze [doz], 53% with Wolaytta [wal], 52% with the Gofa dialect of Gamo-Gofa-Dawro [gmo], 49% with the Gamo dialect of Gamo-Gofa-Dawro [gmo], 48% with the Dawro dialect of Gamo-Gofa-Dawro [gmo], 45% with Male [mdy]. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Omotic, North, Gonga-Gimojan, Gimojan, Ometo-Gimira, Ometo, East

Kwama
[kmq] 15,000 (1982 SIL). South Benishangul-Gumuz region, along Sudan border, south of Asosa to Gidami; Gambela region near Bonga. 19 villages, including one (Yabus) in Sudan. Alternate names: Afan Mao, Amam, Gogwama, Goma, Gwama, Koma of Asosa, Nokanoka, North Koma, T’wa Kwama, Takwama. Classification: Nilo-Saharan, Komuz, Koman

Kwegu
[xwg] Ethnic population: 450 (2007). Southwest, Omo River west bank, Kuchur village. Alternate names: Bacha, Koegu, Kwegi, Menja, Nidi. Dialects: Yidinich (Yidinit, Yidi), Muguji. Listed dialects may not be inherently intelligible with Kwegu; it may be a name for several hunter groups. Lexical similarity: 36% with Mursi [muz]. Classification: Nilo-Saharan, Eastern Sudanic, Eastern, Surmic, South, Southeast, Kwegu

Libido
[liq] 36,600 (1998 census). 14,623 monolinguals. Ethnic population: 38,096 (1998 census). Hadiyya, Kambaata, Gurage region, northeast of Hosaina. Alternate names: Marako, Maraqo. Dialects: Syntactic, morphological, and lexical differences from Hadiyya [hdy]. Lexical similarity: 82% with Hadiyya, 57% with Kambaata [ktb], 56% with Alaba-Kabeena [alw], 53% with Sidamo [sid]. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Cushitic, East, Highland

Majang
[mpe] 15,300 (1998 census). 10,752 monolinguals. Ethnic population: 15,341 (1998 census). Southwest, parts of Gambela, Oromo, and Kafa administrative regions, a long, narrow belt between Bure (east of Gambela) and Guraferda south. Alternate names: Ajo, Ato Majang, Ato Majanger-Onk, Majanjiro, Masango, Masongo, Mesengo, Ojanjur, Tama. Dialects: Minor dialect variation. Classification: Nilo-Saharan, Eastern Sudanic, Eastern, Surmic, North, Majang

Male
[mdy] 53,800 (1998 census). 40,660 monolinguals. Ethnic population: 46,458 (1998 census). Omo region, southeast of Jinka. Dialects: Lexical similarity: 48% with Dorze [doz], 46% with the Gofa dialect of Gamo-Gofa-Dawro [gmo], 45% with Koorete [kqy], 44% with the Gamo dialect of Gamo-Gofa-Dawro [gmo], 43% with Wolaytta [wal] and the Dawro dialect of Gamo-Gofa-Dawro [gmo]. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Omotic, North, Gonga-Gimojan, Gimojan, Ometo-Gimira, Ometo

Me’en
[mym] 80,000 (2005 SIL). 51,446 monolinguals including 4,553 Bodi. 3,500 Bodi. Ethnic population: 57,501 (1998 census) including 4,686 Bodi. Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Regional State, Bench-Maji zone. Highlanders (Banio) in Bachuma area; lowlanders (Koruwo) south; Bodi near Omo River. Alternate names: Mekan, Men, Meqan, Mie’en, Mieken. Dialects: Banio and Koruwo, Bodi (Podi, Mela). Linguistically similar to Suri [suq] and Mursi [mur]. Lexical differences between highland and lowland dialects. Lexical similarity: 65% with the Chai and Tirma dialects of Suri, 30% with Murle [mur]. Classification: Nilo-Saharan, Eastern Sudanic, Eastern, Surmic, South, Southeast, Pastoral, Me’en

Melo
[mfx] 20,200 (1994 census). 13,264 monolinguals. Ethnic population: 20,189 (1994 census). North Omo region, Malo-Koza area, northeast of Basketo [bst]. Alternate names: Malo. Dialects: Related to Gamo-Gofa-Dawro [gmo]. The Language Academy said it should be considered a separate speech variety. Lexical similarity: 70% with the majority of Ometo language varieties. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Omotic, North, Gonga-Gimojan, Gimojan, Ometo-Gimira, Ometo, Central

Mesmes
[mys] Extinct. Gurage, Hadiyya, Kambatta regions. Dialects: Related to Sebat Bet Gurage [sgw]. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, South, Ethiopian, South, Outer, tt-Group

Mesqan
[mvz] 25,000 (2002). West Gurage region, Mareqo woreda, principal villages: Mikayelo, Mesqan, and Hudat. Alternate names: Masqan, Meskan. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, South, Ethiopian, South, Outer, tt-Group

Murle
[mur] 200 in Ethiopia (1975 Tournay). South of Akobo River. Olam is southwest and on Sudan border. Alternate names: Ajibba, Beir, Merule, Mourle, Murele, Murule. Dialects: Olam (Ngalam, Bangalam). Classification: Nilo-Saharan, Eastern Sudanic, Eastern, Surmic, South, Southwest, Didinga-Murle, Murle

Mursi
[muz] 3,280 (1994 census). 3,155 monolinguals. Ethnic population: 3,258 (1994 census). Central Omo region, lowlands southwest of Jinka. Alternate names: Dama, Merdu, Meritu, Murzi, Murzu. Dialects: Similar to Tirmi dialect of Suri [suq] in Sudan. Classification: Nilo-Saharan, Eastern Sudanic, Eastern, Surmic, South, Southeast, Pastoral, Suri

Nayi
[noz] 3,660 (1994 census). 1,137 monolinguals. Ethnic population: 4,005 (1994 census). Decha Awraja, Kafa region, and scattered in Kafa area; Shoa Bench Wereda, Dulkuma village; Sheko Wereda: Aybera, Kosa, and Jomdos villages. Alternate names: Na’o, Nao. Dialects: Related to Dizi [mdx], Sheko [she]. Lexical similarity: 58% with Dizi. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Omotic, North, Dizoid

Nuer
[nus] 64,900 in Ethiopia (1994 census). 61,640 monolinguals. Ethnic population: 64,534 (1994 census). Gambela region, along Baro River. Alternate names: Naath. Dialects: Eastern Nuer (Ji, Kany, Jikany, Door, Abigar). Classification: Nilo-Saharan, Eastern Sudanic, Nilotic, Western, Dinka-Nuer, Nuer

Nyangatom
[nnj] 14,200 (1994 census). 13,797 monolinguals. Ethnic population: 14,201 (1994 census). Extreme southwest corner, Omo region, Omo River and Kibish River settlement centers. Follow cattle into Sudan, Moru Angipi region. Alternate names: Dongiro, Donyiro, Idongiro, Inyangatom. Dialects: Inherently intelligible with Toposa [toq] and Turkana [tuv]. Classification: Nilo-Saharan, Eastern Sudanic, Nilotic, Eastern, Lotuxo-Teso, Teso-Turkana, Turkana

Ongota
[bxe] 8. Ethnic population: 89 (2000 M. Brenzinger). Southeast Omo region, west bank of Weyt’o River. 1 village. Alternate names: “Birale” , “Birelle” , Ifa, “Shanqilla”. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Unclassified Nearly extinct.

Opuuo
[lgn] 1,000 in Ethiopia (2007 A. Tsadik). Gambella region, along Sudan border north of Anuak [anu] and Nuer [nus]. 5 villages. Also in Sudan. Alternate names: Ansita, Ciita, Cita, Kina, Kwina, “Langa” , Opo, Opo-Shita, Opuo, Shiita, Shita. Dialects: Lexical similarity: 24% with Komo [xom]. Classification: Nilo-Saharan, Komuz, Koman

Oromo
[orm] A macrolanguage. Population total all countries: 17,344,816.

Oromo, Borana-Arsi-Guji
[gax] 3,630,000 in Ethiopia. Population total all countries: 3,823,600. South Oromo region. Also in Kenya, Somalia. Alternate names: Afan Oromo, “Galla” , “Galligna” , “Gallinya” , Southern Oromo. Dialects: Borana (Boran, Borena), Arsi (Arussi, Arusi), Guji (Gujji, Jemjem), Kereyu, Salale (Selale), Gabra (Gabbra, Gebra). Harari [har] is closely related. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Cushitic, East, Oromo

Oromo, Eastern
[hae] 4,530,000 (1994 census). North Bale zone, east and west Hararghe zone. Alternate names: Harar, Harer, Ittu, “Kwottu” , “Qottu” , “Qotu Oromo” , “Quottu” , “Qwottu”. Dialects: Similar to Borana-Arsi-Guji Oromo [gax]. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Cushitic, East, Oromo

Oromo, West Central
[gaz] 8,920,000 in Ethiopia (1994 census). Population total all countries: 8,922,200. Ethnic population: All ethnic Oromo are 30,000,000 in Ethiopia. West and central, Oromo region; Rift Valley escarpment east of Dessie and Woldiya. Also in Egypt. Alternate names: Afan Oromo, “Galla” , Oromiffa, Oromoo. Dialects: Western Oromo, Central Oromo. Subdialects are Mecha (Maccha, Wellaga, Wallaga, Wollega), Raya, Wello (Wollo), Tulema (Tulama, Shoa, Shewa). Harar and Boran are most divergent. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Cushitic, East, Oromo

Oyda
[oyd] 16,600 (1994 census). 6,244 monolinguals. Ethnic population: 14,075 (1994 census). Northwest Omo region, southwest of Sawla. Dialects: Lexical similarity: 69% with Wolaytta [wal], 61% with Basketo [bst]. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Omotic, North, Gonga-Gimojan, Gimojan, Ometo-Gimira, Ometo, Central

Qimant
[ahg] 1,650 in Ethiopia (1994 census). Ethnic population: 172,327 (1994 census). Northwest Amhara region, north of Lake Tana. Qwara or Kayla are near Addis Ababa. Also in Eritrea. Alternate names: Kimanteney, Western Agaw. Dialects: Qimant (Kemant, Kimant, Kemanat, Kamant, Chemant, Qemant), Dembiya (Dembya, Dambya), Hwarasa (Qwara, Qwarina, “Kara” ), Kayla, Semyen, Achpar, Kwolasa (Kwolacha). Distinct from Awngi [awn], Bilen [byn], Xamtanga [xan]. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Cushitic, Central, Western

Rer Bare
[rer] Extinct. East Ogaden, Gode area, Wabi Shebelle River near Somali border; along Ganale and Dawa rivers. Alternate names: Adona, Rerebere. Classification: Unclassified

Saho
[ssy] 22,800 in Ethiopia (1994 census). Tigray Province. Alternate names: Sao, Shaho, Shiho, Shoho. Dialects: Irob. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Cushitic, East, Saho-Afar

Sebat Bet Gurage
[sgw] 2,320,000 (2006). Chaha 130,000, Gura 20,000, Muher 90,000, Gyeto 80,000, Ezha 120,000. West Gurage region. Chaha in Emdibir area; Gura in Gura Megenase and Wirir areas; Muher in Ch’eza area, mountains north of Chaha and Ezha; Gyeto south of Ark’it’ in K’abul and K’want’e; Ezha in Agenna. Alternate names: Central West Gurage, Gouraghie, Guragie, Gurague, West Gurage. Dialects: Chaha (Cheha), Ezha (Eza, Izha), Gumer (Gwemarra), Gura, Gyeto, Muher. A member of the Gurage subgroup of languages. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, South, Ethiopian, South, Outer, tt-Group

Seze
[sze] 3,000 (1995 SIL). West Oromo region, near Begi, north of Hozo [hoz]. Alternate names: Sezo. Dialects: Related to Bambassi [myf] (Bender 1975). Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Omotic, North, Mao, West

Shabo
[sbf] 450 (2000 M. Brenzinger), decreasing. Ethnic population: 600 or more (2000). Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Region, Sheka zone; Gambella region, Majangir zone between Godere and Mashi, among Majang [mpe] and Shekkacho [moy]. Alternate names: “Mekeyer” , “Mikair” , “Mikeyir” , Sabu, “Shako”. Dialects: Distinct from Sheko [she]. Lexical similarity: 30% with Majang, 12% with other West Cushitic (Omotic) languages. Classification: Nilo-Saharan, Unclassified

Shekkacho
[moy] 54,900 (1994 census). 36,449 monolinguals. Ethnic population: 53,897 (1994 census). North Kafa region, Maasha area. Alternate names: Mocha, Shakacho, Shekka. Dialects: Similar to Kafa [kbr]. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Omotic, North, Gonga-Gimojan, Gonga, South

Sheko
[she] 40,000 (2007). 13,611 monolinguals (1994 census). Ethnic population: 23,785 (1994 census). Kafa region, Shako District. Alternate names: Shak, Shako, Shekka, Shekko, Tschako. Dialects: Distinct from Shabo [sbf]. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Omotic, North, Dizoid

Sidamo
[sid] 2,900,000 (2005 SIL). 2,525,000 monolinguals. South central, Sidamo zone, northeast of Lake Abaya and southeast of Lake Awasa. Alternate names: Sidaamu Afoo, Sidaminya, Sidámo ’Afó. Dialects: Lexical similarity: 64% with Alaba-Kabeena [alw], 62% with Kambaata [ktb], 53% with Hadiyya [hdy]. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Cushitic, East, Highland

Silt’e
[stv] 1,000,000 (2007). South of Addis Ababa 150km, Werabey Town. Alternate names: East Gurage, Selti, Silte, Silti. Dialects: Enneqor (Inneqor), Ulbarag (Urbareg). Similar to Wolane [wle]. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, South, Ethiopian, South, Transversal, Harari-East Gurage

Somali
[som] 3,960,000 in Ethiopia (2006). 2,878,371 monolinguals. Southeast, Somali region. Alternate names: Common Somali, Standard Somali. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Cushitic, East, Somali

Suri
[suq] 19,600 in Ethiopia (1994 census). 18,640 monolinguals. Population total all countries: 20,600. Ethnic population: 19,632 (1994 census). Southwest Kafa region toward Sudan border; west of Mizan Teferi. Also in Sudan. Alternate names: Churi, Dhuri, Eastern Suri, Shuri, Shuro, Surma. Dialects: Tirmaga (Tirima, Terema, Terna, Dirma, Cirma, Tirma, Tirmagi, Tid), Chai (Cai, Caci). Lexical similarity: 81% with Mursi [muz]. Classification: Nilo-Saharan, Eastern Sudanic, Eastern, Surmic, South, Southeast, Pastoral, Suri

Tigrigna
[tir] 3,220,000 in Ethiopia (1994 census). 2,819,755 monolinguals. Population total all countries: 5,791,710. Ethnic population: 3,284,568. Tigray Province. Also in Canada, Djibouti, Eritrea, Germany, Israel. Alternate names: Tigray, Tigrinya. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, South, Ethiopian, North

Tsamai
[tsb] 8,620 (1994 census). 5,298 monolinguals. Ethnic population: 9,702 (1998 census). Omo region, lowlands west of Lake Chamo. Alternate names: Bago S’aamakk-Ulo, Cule, Kuile, Kule, S’amai, Tamaha, Ts’amay, Tsamakko, Tsamako. Dialects: The Tsamai say Gawwada [gwd] is difficult to understand. Possibly related to Birale [bxe]. The most aberrant variety in the Dullay classification. Lexical similarity: 56%–73% with Gawwada dialects, 61% with Bussa [dox], 31% with Konso [kxc]. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Cushitic, East, Dullay

Turkana
[tuv] 25,200 in Ethiopia (2000). Southwest region west of Omo River. Classification: Nilo-Saharan, Eastern Sudanic, Nilotic, Eastern, Lotuxo-Teso, Teso-Turkana, Turkana

Uduk
[udu] 20,000 in Ethiopia (1995 W. James). Gambela region, near Gambela town, Bonga, large refugee camp. Also in Sudan. Alternate names: Burun, Kebeirka, Korara, Kumus, Kwanim Pa, Othan, Twampa. Classification: Nilo-Saharan, Komuz, Koman

Weyto
[woy] No known speakers. Ethnic population: 1,631 of whom 1,519 (93%) speak Amharic as L1, others speak other L1s. Lake Tana region. Alternate names: Wayto, Weyt’o. Dialects: Possibly Eastern Sudanic or an Awngi variety (Bender 1983), or Cushitic (Bender, Bowen, Cooper, and Ferguson 1976:14). Classification: Unclassified

Wolane
[wle] Gurage zone. Alternate names: Walane, Welene, Olane. Dialects: Similar to Silte [stv]. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, South, Ethiopian, South, Transversal, Harari-East Gurage

Wolaytta
[wal] 1,230,000 (1994 census). 999,694 monolinguals. Wolaytta region, Lake Abaya area. Alternate names: Borodda, Ometo, Ualamo, Uba, Uollamo, Walamo, Wallamo, Welamo, Wellamo, Wolaita, Wolaitta, Wolataita, Wolayta, Wollamo. Dialects: Zala. Dorze [doz], Melo [mfx], Oyda [oyd] may be dialects of Wolaytta [wal] or of Gamo-Gofa-Dawro [gmo]. Lexical similarity: 79%–93% with Gamo-Gofa-Dawro, 84% with the Gofa dialect of Gamo-Gofa-Dawro, 80% with the Dawro dialect of Gamo-Gofa-Dawro and Dorze, 48% with Koorete [kqy], 43% with Male [mdy]. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Omotic, North, Gonga-Gimojan, Gimojan, Ometo-Gimira, Ometo, Central

Xamtanga
[xan] 143,000 (1994 census). 93,889 monolinguals. Ethnic population: 158,231 (1994 census). North Amhara region, Avergele District, Lasta and Waag zones, 100 km north of Weldiya. Alternate names: Agawinya, Khamtanga, Simt’anga, Xamir, Xamta. Dialects: Low inherent intelligibility wtih Qimant [ahg]. Lexical similarity: 45% with Qimant. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Cushitic, Central, Eastern

Yemsa
[jnj] 81,600 (1994 census). Ethnic population: 165,184 (1994 census). Southwest, Oromo region, northeast of Jimma, Fofa (main village); mixed in Oromo villages; Sokoru, Saja, Deedoo, Sak’a, Jimma. Alternate names: “Janjerinya” , “Janjero” , “Janjor” , “Yangaro” , Yem, Yemma, “Zinjero”. Dialects: Fuga of Jimma, Toba. The Fuga of Jimma dialect may be a separate language. Lexical similarity: 24% with Shekkacho [moy]. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Omotic, North, Gonga-Gimojan, Gimojan, Janjero

Zay
[zwa] 4,880 (1994 SIL), decreasing. Ethnic population: 4,880. Oromiya region, Lake Zway shores and east islands. Alternate names: Gelilla, Lak’i, Laqi, Zway. Dialects: No identified dialect variations. Lexical similarity: 61% with Harari [har], 70% with Silt’e [stv] (M. L. Bender 1971). Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, South, Ethiopian, South, Transversal, Harari-East Gurage

Zaysete
[zay] 17,800 (1994 census). 3,000 monolinguals. 10,172 Zayse, 7,625 Zergulla. Ethnic population: 11,232 (1994 census) including 10,842 Zayse, 390 Zergulla. Omo region, west of Lake Chamo. Alternate names: Zaisse, Zayse-Zergulla, Zaysitè, Zaysse, Zergula. Dialects: Zergulla (Zergullinya), Zayse. Similar to the Gidicho dialect of Koorete [kqy]. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Omotic, North, Gonga-Gimojan, Gimojan, Ometo-Gimira, Ometo, East

:: Reference ::
Gordon, Raymond G., Jr. (ed.), 2005. Ethnologue: Languages of the World, Fifteenth edition. Dallas, Tex.: SIL International. Online version: http://www.ethnologue.com/

Famous Ethiopian People: Ethiopian Artists, Scientists, Leaders, Musicians, Politicians and Athletes

The following people made their mark on both the local and international scenes. They are just some of many famous Ethiopians who have lifted Ethiopia’s name worldwide and made a difference in our world. Their purpose and stories inspired awe if not greatness.

:: List of Famous People from Ethiopia ::

Jembere Hailu
Jembere Hailu is an Ethiopian traditional painter who started painting while still quite young. According to Hailu himself, he was born about 80 years ago in Debre Tabor where he received a church-based education and where he studied religious procedures and texts, including Qene, Aqwaqwam, Zemare, Dawit and Tsome Degwa, which are from the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. Jembere Hailu mentioned in his autobiography that he used to serve as a priest in Qangeta.

He learned to paint when his uncle was commissioned by Empress Zawditu to paint the Tedbaba Mariam church in 1927. After finishing their commission, the governor of Begemder, Ras Gugsa Wale gave an order for them to paint the Enatitu Mariam church located in Debre Tabor. Jembere Hailu was later asked to paint the palace of Governor Wondwossen Kassa.

He got married in 1933 and was drafted into the army to fight against the Italians in Maychew together with his father, a professional soldier. He fought the war for 5 years and only started painting again by 1943. In 1948 he and his family moved to Addis Ababa where the emperor gave him a house and a parcel of land. He began painting in earnest and sold many of his works, and at the same time got some additional commissions to paint churches. He taught his son Markos how to paint.

Gezahegn Gebre Yohannes
Gezahegn Gebre Yohannes is a famous jewelry artist in Ethiopia who works with gold and silver. He is from Addis Ababa and he learned his craft from Haile Abraham, with whom he worked as an apprentice when he was 11 years old and stayed at Abraham’s shop until he was 20.

Gezahegn was born in Aksum in 1953. Aksum, an ancient city was famous for gold and silver works. His teacher, Haile Abraham was also from Aksum but relocated to Addis Ababa. He only finished 6th grade when he moved to Addis Ababa and wanted to finish his education by taking night classes. However, he was not able to do so because his work at the shop of Abraham had him working until 8 in the evening and classes began at 6. So he decided to leave the shop after 9 years, pursued his education and started his own business in 1972. According to his own biography, his designs are combinations of traditional Ethiopian and modern European designs as well as products of his own creativity. His shop carries necklaces, earrings, finger rings, pins, hair combs, bracelets and traditional neck crosses patterned after designs from Gondar, Aksum and Lalibela. He said that most of his designs have been copied by other goldsmiths. His regular customers are Ethiopians as well as different embassy workers and officials.

Tolera Tafa
Tolera Tafa is a 24-year old model maker from Addis Ababa. He still lives with his parents in a small farm where they grow chick peas, maize and sorghum. He wanted to stay in school because he values education highly but had to leave school for the meantime to help his family. He’s a brilliant boy and has always been about the third or fourth student in their class of 60. Tolera discovered the art of making models out of sorghum stalks. The art had been started 35 years ago, and the place, Ambo Road has become famous for it. Some of the beautiful models of churches and transportation are displayed in the lobby of the Hilton Hotel in Addis Ababa.

Tolera learned the art of making sorghum pith models easily just by watching other model makers. And he quickly became the best pith model maker at Ambo Road. He specializes in cars, ships and taxis as well as churches. He uses his teeth or a double-edged razor blade to remove the tough outer covering of the sorghum stalk to get the softer pith and makes small pins out of the tough outer layer, which he uses to attach the pieces together.

His best known work is a model of the St. George Cathedral in Addis Ababa, locally know as Qeddus Giyorgis. And his models are not just plain miniatures. He creates models with moving parts – vehicle tires, plane propellers, windows and doors. He is remarkable for being able to create models of buildings that he has never seen before, just by looking at photographs. He has been able to create a model of the Tower of Pisa measuring six feet tall and a model of the Palazzo Vecchio of Florence, Italy that is five feet high that were commissioned by the Italian Cultural Center located in Addis Ababa. For the Michigan State University Museum, Tolera created large-scale models of the White House and the Jefferson Memorial. Aware of his works being purchased by tourists, he makes sure that they are structurally sound, even if he had to sacrifice some details.

Yared
Specifically he is called Saint Yared, born in April 25, 505 and lived until May 20, 571. His feast day falls on May 19. Saint Yared was an Ethiopian musician who invented the Ethiopian Orthodox Tawahedo Church’s sacred music chants called the Zema. He was also the one who created the system of musical notation of Ethiopia. The Zema is still being performed up to this day.

Menelik I
His original name was Ebna la-Hakim and he was the first Emperor of Ethiopia of Jewish descent. It was believed that Menlik I was a son of Makeda, the Queen of Sheba, an ancient kingdom that was located either in Ethiopia or in Yemen and Israel’s King Solomon. Menelik I was said to have brought the Ark of the Covenant from Jerusalem to Ethiopia. When he succeeded his mother after her death, he was crowned the Ethiopian “King of Kings” and records said he founded the Solomonic dynasty which ruled Ethiopia for about 3,000 years.

Kitaw Ejigu
He was a scientist who held the position of Chief of Spacecraft and Satellite Systems Engineering. He was the first Ethiopian aerospace scientist and had been part of the team that worked on the space shuttle.

Kitaw Ejigu hailed from Bonga, Kaffa in Ethiopia. He was born on February 25, 1948. He was a top student in school and graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering from the Bahir Dar Polytechnic Institute in 1966. His major was agricultural technology. He worked as chief technical advisor and assistant manager for the Ethiopian Automotive Services and Sales Company.

He studied at Hiroshima University for his degree in automotive engineering under a scholarship given by the Japanese Overseas Technical Association. He also took up economics and language at Osaka University before he went to the United States for his MBA. That was in 1979. Afterwards he worked for his doctorate in space vehicle services engineering at the Northrop University.

Kitaw Ejigu died in the United States on January 13, 2006 without realizing his plans to use his knowledge for the betterment of Africa.

Kenenisa Bekele
Kenenisa Bekele is considered to be one of the greatest long distance runners. Born on June 13, 1982 at the Oromia Region, he had amassed several gold medals, a few silvers and still fewer bronze medals. He also holds world and Olympic long-distance running records. He is the current Olympic champion in the 5,000 meters distance. He is also a 2-time champion in the 10,000 meters race and has never been beaten in that course. His notable characteristic as a long distance runner is his ability to accelerate towards the end of a long distance race. The sudden death of this girlfriend while training with him briefly affected his career in 2005 but he quickly recovered. In 2006 Kenenisa was the world indoor and outdoor track champion, the world cross country champion and the Olympic champion. Kenenisa was the first athlete in history to hold this distinction.

Adebe Bikila
Adebe Bikila was a long distance runner. He came to world attention when he competed in the Summer Olympics in Rome in 1960 barefoot. Bikila, an imperial bodyguard by profession was trained by Onni Niskanen, a Swede who was hired by the government to train people with athletic potential. He was just a replacement for Wami Biratu when he was sent to Rome to compete in the Olympics. However, shoe sponsor Adidas did not have shoes that will fit Bikila, so he decided to run barefoot since he had been trained to run like that in his home country. He won the gold, besting his Moroccan rival, Rhadi Ben Abdesselam by 20 seconds. He participated in the 1964 Tokyo Summer Olympics. He wore shoes at that time and set a new world record. His time was 2:12:11:2, which was 4 minutes and 8 seconds ahead of Basil Heatley from Great Britain who took the silver medal. This feat earned him a hero’s welcome, a Volkswagen Beetle and a promotion from Emperor Haile Selassie. In 1969, he met a car accident when he avoided a group of students staging a protest. The accident rendered him a quadriplegic but he had an operation in England that improved his condition although he had to live as a paraplegic. Abebe Bikila died on October 25, 1973. The cause of his death was cerebral hemorrhage, which was a complication traced to his car accident. He was 41 when he died. Seventy-five thousand mourners attended his funeral and the Emperor proclaimed it a mourning day. There were dedications made in his honor after his death. There is an annual Abebe Bikila Award given by the New York Road Runners for deserving long-distance runners. A stadium in Addis Ababa was named after him; a gym at the American Community School, Addis Ababa was dedicated to him and the Yaya Abebe Bikila Primary School was built in his honor from the support given by Isabel and Dave Welland through the Glimmer of Hope Foundation.

Haile Selassie I
His birth name was Tafari Makonnen and he was born on July 23 1892. His family lineage can be traced from the Solomonic dynasty. He was a Regent of Ethiopia from 1916 up to 1930 and reigned as emperor from 1930 up to 1974. He was credited for being Ethiopia’s defining figure as well as that of Africa’s history. He was given the title Ras Tafari Makonnen when he was younger and the Rastafari Movement hailed him as God- incarnate and a messiah. His name was changed to Haile Selassie when he was crowned as the Emperor of Ethiopia. His regnal name translates to Power of the Trinity.

As a Regent he began to institute government reforms during his reign, and desired to be admitted to the League of Nations. He abolished slavery and had schools created so that former slaves can receive education. Ethiopia’s first newspaper was established to announce his reforms and to gain widespread support. He traveled extensively to Europe and the Holy Land to visit the different heads of nations to convince them to admit the only independent nation in Africa.

He opened the eyes of the rest of the world to Ethiopia while he patterned his reforms on the modernization of Ethiopia on models he had learned in Europe. While there were many conflicts with the conservative ruling officials, he was able to overcome them and his road to modernization flourished. His coronation as king was attended by a list of illustrious guests including royals and dignitaries from the US, Japan, Great Britain, Italy, France, Sweden, Egypt, Turkey and Belgium and most of them brought lavish gifts. Haile Selassie also introduced the first written constitution of Ethiopia.

His courage and fortitude inspired leaders like Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela and Malcolm X. His death on August 27, 1975 was rather mysterious. It was said that is was complications from prostate operation but his remains were buried in an unmarked grave. It was discovered in 1992 under a toilet in the palace. His body was finally laid to rest at the Trinity Cathedral in Addis Ababa in 2000, 25 years after his death. Selassie was the last Emperor of Ethiopia.

Sheikh Mohammed Hussein Ali Al Amoudi
Now a Saudi citizen, Al Amoudi was born in Ethiopia and spent 18 years of his life there. His father was a Hadhrami Yemeni and his mother was Ethiopian. He was 19 years old when he went to Saudi Arabia. Al Amoudi is now a billionaire and a businessman who divides his time between Ethiopia and Saudi Arabia. According to Forbes, his estimated net worth is $12.3 billion which means he is the richest Ethiopian, the second richest Saudi Arabian citizen and the 63rd richest man in the world.

His fortune started from real estate and construction business, then from buying oil refineries in Morocco and Sweden. He is totally committed to helping Ethiopia through his philanthropic work, investments for infrastructure and job creation as well as education, health, sports and arts development.

Noah Samara
Noah Samara is the founder and the CEO of WorldSpace Corporation, the first company to launch a satellite radio system in the world. He also helped in founding XM Satellite Radio, one of the two satellite radio systems servicing Canada and the United States that uses technology from WorldSpace.

He was born in Addis Ababa but went to the United States at 17 years of age because he wanted better education. He first received a bachelor’s degree in English in 1978 from the East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania. From Georgetown University he received his master’s degree in international business and his doctor of jurisprudence. International communications satellite laws is his specialization.

He participated in developing low earth orbit and geostationary satellite systems before he founded WorldSpace. Samara’s company started its initial broadcasts in Africa in 1999 and in Asia a year after. Broadcast services to the Caribbean and Latin America were started two years after launching the broadcasts in Asia.

Marcus Samuelsson
His birth name is Kassagun Tsegie and he was born in Ethiopia in 1970. His father was a priest and he has 8 half-siblings from his biological father who still lives in their village in Ethiopia. At age three his mother died of tuberculosis and he and his older sister, Fantasy were adopted by a Swedish couple. His adoptive father is a geologist. His name was changed to Marcus Samuelsson. He became interested in cooking at an early age and studied at Gothenburg’s Culinary Institute. He started his apprenticeship in Austria and Switzerland before he came to the US to works as apprentice at Restaurant Aquavit. By age 24 he was already the executive chef of the said restaurant and soon became the youngest chef to get a 3-star restaurant review from the prestigious New York Times. The James Beard Foundation named him the best Chef in New York City in 2003. He opened a second restaurant in New York called Riingo in the same year. The restaurant serves American food with a distinct Japanese influence. He is now co-owner of Restaurant Aquavit in NY and C-House Restaurant in Affinia Hotel, Chicago. Chef Marcus Samuelsson was a guest chef at the first state dinner of President Barack Obama in 2009.

:: References ::
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Ethiopians
http://www.ethiopianexcursions.com/interestingfacts.htm
http://www.h-net.org/~etoc/Pages/gezahegn_info.html
http://www.h-net.org/~etoc/Pages/jembere_bio.html
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/1007736.stm