Mereja.Forum

[EthioRedSea]

Amharic is a language of one tribe,mainly the Amhara tribe. It is spoken by about 15% of the population as a first language. About 5% more speak it as a second tongue. However, it is a working language in Ethiopia as it was traditionally accepted by the kings that ruled Ethiopia since 15th century CE. Practically it became official language since 200 years as the kings in Gonder used it regularly. Yohannes IV used Tigrigna and Amharic as working languages.

In the old days this has been no problem. The problem arose when Menelik took power and there were real wars between Amhara and non-Amharas in South Ethiopia. Traditionally, Tigray always supported Amhara. Tigray challenged the amhara dominance of Ethiopia as the state became more oppressive towards non-Amharas, including Tigrayans. Today, every ethnic group is anti-Amhara. Unfortunately the Amhara people were abused by the Amhara elites to maintain their domination over Ethiopia.

All media in Ethiopia use Amharic except in Tigray. Tigray uses Tigrgina as means of communication. However, Tigray is still influenced by amhara culture. The Oromos used their own language. The Oromo elites are still under the shadow of the Amhara culture. The Oromo do use their own language but not regularly. Other ethnic groups are using Amharic less and less.

Ethiopian Television and Radio uses Amharic, a language non-Amhara Ethiopians do not want to use because it does not reflect their culture. Children sing in their own mother tongue and get bed-time stories told in their mother tongue. For-example, why should a child from Oromo get stories told in Amharic about events or places they do not know. Ethiopian Televison and Radio uses Amharic 24 hours a day throughout the year. They show Amhara dance and music 24 hours a day. Non-Amhara Ethiopians will find this an insult to say the least and a waste of their money. The bureacracy in Ethiopia uses Amharic as a means of communication. The bureaucracy should use Amharic as well as Tigrigna or Oromo.

By banning Amharic as a working language, Ethiopia could show the first signs of serious democratization.This leads to peace and stability. Otherwise war and instability are around the corner. And war, when serious could end Ethiopia as a country.