Amhara

Amhara refers to two related subjects in Ethiopia: the Amhara people, an ethnolinguistic group, and the Amhara Region, a regional state in the northern part of the country. The Amhara people are primarily speakers of Amharic, a Semitic language that serves as a widely used lingua franca within Ethiopia. They have historically inhabited the Ethiopian Highlands, with a strong concentration in the Amhara Region and smaller communities in other regions and in the diaspora.

Geography and society: The Amhara Region is bordered by Tigray, Oromia, Benishangul-Gumuz, Afar, and Sudan. Its major cities include Bahir Dar, Gondar, and Dessie. Lake Tana, the region’s largest lake, is the source of the Blue Nile, a crucial tributary of the Nile. The highland climate supports agriculture, with crops such as teff, barley, and maize, along with livestock and coffee production.

History and culture: The Amhara have played a central role in Ethiopian state formation, including medieval and early modern polities. The Zagwe and Solomonic dynasties drew on Amhara political and religious leadership. The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church is the predominant religious tradition, with minority Muslim and Protestant communities. Cultural heritage features include Ge’ez and Amharic literature, traditional church music, and historic sites such as the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela.