Abstract:
In Ethiopia’s ever-changing political setting, one up to date phenomenon is the stimulation of
Amhara nationalism. Compared to other sub-state nationalisms, namely, Oromo, Tigrayan,
Somali and Sidama, it’s a latecomer. The basic target of this research is to investigate and
explore Amhara nationalism; its major causes, challenges and prospects. So as to come up
with reliable finding, a qualitative research approach with exploratory and descriptive
research designs were used, in which both primary and secondary sources were assessed. The
researcher used in-depth interviews, personal observation and document analysis as an
instrument for data collection. Purposive and snowball sampling techniques, a type of non probability sampling technique were used to select the participants. The data obtained from
both sources were analyzed thematically.
As far as the result of this study implies the major causes of Amhara nationalism are the
following; the very narrative of Ethiopia’s current federalism, repeated identity based attacks
and existential threat, mass eviction and human rights violation. Besides this, it has so many
challenges that enthusiastically needs great cooperation’s, commitment and unity; among
these: delusion of grandeur, existence of self denial, presence of ignorant elites, availability of
falsified documents, denial of representation and fraudulent representations, sabotaged
developmental activities, brain washing stories even with in educational curricula’s since
1991. It also has its own prospects, among these; it will assure the equality and freedom of all
Amharan’s and it also in collaboration with other ethno nationalist and unionist political
entities will assures the Ethiopian statehood or unity to the relative near future.
