With respect to relational analysis, I believe the ideas of “whiteness” and “land and indigeneity” are most appropriately related to my two national contexts. Before most of the Horn of Africa was incorporated into what is now Ethiopia, the region was split into the nations of Abyssinia, Oromia, and other lands. Geographically, Oromia occupied most of modern-day central and south Ethiopia. There are varying accounts of what actually transpired. One theory, according to Professor Mekuria Bulcha, revolves around the idea that the Amhara, under Emperor Menelik, violently colonized Ormia in a system called “Abyssinian Feudal Colonialism”. Under this theory, Oromo that did not submit to Amhara leadership and sovereignty were subjected to harsh tortures that included disfigurement and amputations. Because of this system, Amhara had a great deal of disdain for the people of Oromia and saw them as inhuman.. Several accounts of the integration point out that Oromos were brutally subordinated and large scale atrocities were committed resulting in the deaths of thousands, and on some accounts, millions of lives. Most of this narrative is subject to a lot of criticism because written records were hardly kept since most of Oromia history was passed down through oral traditions. Some scholars, such as Paulos Milkias and Getachew Metaferia, rebuke this colonial thesis. They argue that since many Ethiopians trace their lineage to both groups and since culturally, people of Amhara and Oromo descent share many similarities, a colonial system could not have occurred. Additionally, they point to the prevalence to Oromo ministers and generals in Ethiopian government and a significant inconsistency in the colonial thesis. However, those that support the colonial thesis say that the Oromo ministers, generals, and elites had to abandon their cultural identity and heritage in order to become accepted in society and move up the social and political ladder. This is an excellent example of the concept of whiteness in relational analysis. In post 19th century Ethiopia, there was a social hierarchy that had its roots in domestic slavery and skin tone. As previously mentioned, Oromo people were at the bottom rung of the social ladder because of their darker skin tone and more nomadic/pastoral way of life. They were the principal source of slaves in the Horn of Africa region so they were given a subhuman identity. People of Oromo descent had to essentially rid any signs of their cultural identity to assimilate in the newly formed Ethiopia. For example, they adopted Christianity and Islam instead of practicing their own religions. The culmination of all of this is the emergence of “whiteness” in Ethiopia. A pseudo-ethnic hierarchy was established to justify the colonization of Oromia and the many atrocities that were committed to ensure incorporation.
Today’s fight, much like yesterday's, revolves around indigenous people and the right to their land. The straw that broke the camel’s back was the Addis Ababa Master Plan which sought to expand the capital into Oromo farmlands. While it is unclear whether Oromia was peacefully incorporated or brutally colonized, this sort of relationship between the indigenous people of Oromia and the ruling government sounds eerily close to colonialism in all things but name. In my opinion, the power of Abyssinia/Amhara imposed their culture and lifestyle to an indigenous people and forced them into a class of inferiority. The impact of this colonization is immense and among other things, it is responsible for the abysmal ethnic relations within Ethiopia.
gummygunk
dailybridgerton
ellievsbear
theartofmadeline