ጴንጤ ፕሮቴስታንት and its political motivation in the streets of Addis
Posted: 15 May 2025, 10:15
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Protestantism, stemming from the act of protest, is described as manifesting in Ethiopia with a hostility towards Amhara, particularly prevalent in Oromia and the South. The entry of Pentecostalism into these southern and western regions is attributed to the emperor's deliberate allowance of foreign missionaries due to the Ethiopian Orthodox Church's limited reach at the time (50-80 years ago) in areas largely practicing animism or paganism. The Wellega, Kambata, and Hadiya areas were initial targets for conversion, followed by expansion to Addis Ababa and other parts of the country.
The emperor reportedly welcomed the reduction of indigenous rituals and perceived the missionaries' introduction of education and scholarships as a form of civilization, fostering a politically aware elite. This elite, however, allegedly developed a political ideology rooted in opposition to the Orthodox Church and its Amhara base. They purportedly forged alliances with Eritrea and Tigray to undermine the state. Some formed political organizations like the OLF and SLM, while others infiltrated the Derg and EPRDF as informants, contributing to the Derg's downfall through the strategic leaking of information.
Present-day manifestations of these historical dynamics are allegedly visible in Addis Ababa. An anecdote describes a Pentecostal street preacher of Oromo descent who, despite presenting as an evangelist, revealed political motivations by denouncing an Orthodox woman with terms like "Komche," "Gojjame," and "Gondere," and labeling her a "settler" who should "go back to your land," asserting that "this is Finfine, it is Oromo land." The Orthodox woman's specific regional or ethnic background within Orthodoxy was unknown, yet she was quickly labeled as Amhara Orthodox by the Pentecostal individual.
.
.
Protestantism, stemming from the act of protest, is described as manifesting in Ethiopia with a hostility towards Amhara, particularly prevalent in Oromia and the South. The entry of Pentecostalism into these southern and western regions is attributed to the emperor's deliberate allowance of foreign missionaries due to the Ethiopian Orthodox Church's limited reach at the time (50-80 years ago) in areas largely practicing animism or paganism. The Wellega, Kambata, and Hadiya areas were initial targets for conversion, followed by expansion to Addis Ababa and other parts of the country.
The emperor reportedly welcomed the reduction of indigenous rituals and perceived the missionaries' introduction of education and scholarships as a form of civilization, fostering a politically aware elite. This elite, however, allegedly developed a political ideology rooted in opposition to the Orthodox Church and its Amhara base. They purportedly forged alliances with Eritrea and Tigray to undermine the state. Some formed political organizations like the OLF and SLM, while others infiltrated the Derg and EPRDF as informants, contributing to the Derg's downfall through the strategic leaking of information.
Present-day manifestations of these historical dynamics are allegedly visible in Addis Ababa. An anecdote describes a Pentecostal street preacher of Oromo descent who, despite presenting as an evangelist, revealed political motivations by denouncing an Orthodox woman with terms like "Komche," "Gojjame," and "Gondere," and labeling her a "settler" who should "go back to your land," asserting that "this is Finfine, it is Oromo land." The Orthodox woman's specific regional or ethnic background within Orthodoxy was unknown, yet she was quickly labeled as Amhara Orthodox by the Pentecostal individual.