Ethiopia Tribe

Ethiopia Tribe header image 2

Derivation of the name Amhara

12 Comments · Amhara

The origin of the name “Amhara” is arguable:

• some say it’s derived from the word amari, (meaning pleasing, agreeable, beautiful and gracious) (also mehare, gracious, containing the same m-h-r root as the verb to learn);

• Ethiopian historians such as Getachew Mekonnen Hasen say it is an ethnic name associated with Himyarites;

• Others say that it derives from Ge’ez, meaning “free people” (that is. from “?am” meaning “people,” and “h.ara”, meaning “free” or “soldier”)

In the end, nevertheless, the name for the language and ethnic group come from the medieval province of Amhara, situated in central Ethiopia in modern Amhara Region and the pre-1995 province of Wollo.
Have your say on this debate.

Keywords: Amhara, amari, mehare, Himyarites,

Report This Post

Tags:

12 Comments so far ↓

  • Dempsey Haupt

    Hi friends,

    Thanks for the information. Is this where the word “Amharic” comes from? Are the Amhara the largest ethnic group in Ethiopia?

    Thanks,
    Dempsey

    Report This Comment

  • let the galla

    No galla0 the amhara (so proud to be) the second lagest ethnic group in ethiopia. Galla people are numerically high but less quality refering less dominant politicaly
    Don

    Report This Comment

  • Ellili

    I believe it is not appropiate to use the term “Galla” I think it’s very ignorant of you…
    Would you accept people calling you ” Nafxanya”? Let’s be open minded and grow up from using the term of hatred… The majority people in Ethiopia is Oromo people. It’s 21st century, no one use those kind of term to describe others….

    Thank you
    -Ellili

    Report This Comment

  • Debisa

    Oromo is the largest and more politically dominant, initially had Gada system(8-year transfering democracy structure) tribe.emperior Hailesilasse was Oromo, even his wife was wollo Oromo.Gonder had once under Oromo’s Control(During Susinyos). Oromo once could defeat Semen tribes and easily extend to Wollo and Raya(South Tigray).Minilik’s wife was Oromo.Kenenissa Bekele, Trunesh Dibaba eve H/Gebresilasse are Oromos.Tilahun Gessese(Well Known artist), the first inventor of Amharic type writer and General Taddesse Birru(Friend and Trainer of Nilson Mandela) were Oromos. Decendants of first civilized Kushitc communities along Nile(Nubia-Egypt) are these Oromos.Still highly interfering tribe in the politics of Ethiopia are these Oromos,etc .So,shame on you for those hating Oromo.History is winner not your ugly backward perception.

    Report This Comment

  • bekri

    please guys! don’t argue with each other by calling those nasty nick names ! these sayings are old fashioned. we are all Ethiopians and proud to be an Ethiopian.

    Report This Comment

  • melese

    I fell sorry, all of us must unite together to struggle such types of difference, unless what will be happen tommorow is with the hands of lord so every one of say noting about racial differance,because We are ethiopian .I would like to give the meaning and defination of the amhara peopole.The word Amhara not indicate tribes or ethinic groups but the people of amhara is the subset of all ethiopian tribes which have common chrstian religon,values and cultures.In geeze in amharic which means , in amharic this indicate Amhara people is one of the indicator of integration and soverinety of our country.

    Report This Comment

  • saly

    I’m shocked by the hight of their ignorance.
    I don’t even know what call these people (amahra).They have no original identity but, warms come out of the mountain and become shameful black ass claim to be semantic(what or arb). I was watching CNN and commentator said”ethiopian can not be or are not white The hight of their ignorant limitless lies munubering stories, claim to make oromo mind as theirs. All great writter, educators, innovators, heroes, well known figures. Tigre’s are the most backward people, axum is not their civilaztion the axum as built by kush and left their mark. Tigre’s the Starved tribe let alone building Axum. All their story is fabrication and lies can’t see what comes out of meles zenawi the so call prime minister of thiefs. Good luck with your so call seminticism.

    Report This Comment

  • canarian

    u slice of pussy hadush?u leprous ‘let the’ do u really know who u’re?listen: u are bitch of the bitches,slur of slurs,beggar of beggars,evil of the evils,narrowest of the narrowests minded.go and see what ur forefathers doin’ in giorgis-pizza then ucome to know u are the descendants of beggars and slurs-and then u shut ur hell up.the time u harvest what ur sowing now will never be so far.long live my great oromo nation.

    Report This Comment

  • Elias

    Best all,

    I know where the Amhara’s come from, I know where the oromo’s come from, they all come from Adam, and Adam comes from God!
    The same applies to all people.

    We should see the beauty of our neightbour, and thank God that he made your neightbour so beautifull for you to enjoy.

    Boosting over oneself destroys, and that is what we see in Ethiopia.

    All that boost in themselves will be destroyed cause soon Christ will come and can’t use hate in His kingdom.

    Hatefull people will be made righteous also but by chastise, so be wise and redeem yourself now, otherwise–>chastise by humiliation!
    All honour belongs to God, he who wants to boost, boost in God!

    Everything you have, did you not receive, why boost over what you received?! It’s not from yourself but from God!

    PS: history is interesting, our identity lies in history, in the end we all come from Adam and our future (of all, wicked and righteous, cause the wicked will be made righteous by chastize(for a great time, till you are pure gold)) lies in Christ Jezus, the logos/expression of God, to whom we we will all be identical in the end, cause for that purpose we – people – are born!

    According to the apostel (having mandate) of Christ Jesus Paul, the teacher of the nations.

    Grace and peace of Christ Jezus, Medhane Alem, Saviour of all!
    Elias Getachew

    Report This Comment

  • Selamu

    Hi all,
    why spend your time by saying idiot
    words.P/s stand to progress your homeland.
    Thank you
    Allah bless our mother land!!!

    Report This Comment

Leave a Comment