Hadiya

Hadiya (also Hadiyya) refers to an Ethiopian ethnic group and their language, and it is also the name of the Hadiya Zone in the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples' Region. The Hadiya are primarily concentrated in the Hadiya Zone, with smaller communities in neighboring areas of southern Ethiopia. They are one of the officially recognized ethnic groups of Ethiopia and form a distinct component of the region’s diverse mosaic.

The Hadiyyisa language belongs to the Cushitic branch of the Afroasiatic language family and has several dialects. It is commonly spoken at home and in community life, with many Hadiya people also using Amharic or Oromo in education, media, and wider communication.

Economy and culture: The Hadiya are traditionally agricultural, cultivating crops such as enset (false banana), sorghum, maize, and teff. Livestock keeping is also important. Social life centers on extended families and clan networks, with markets, music, and dances playing central roles in celebrations and daily exchange.

Religion: Islam is the majority faith among the Hadiya, while significant Christian minorities include Ethiopian Orthodox and Protestant communities. Interfaith relations are generally peaceful, although the region has experienced periods of intercommunal tension and displacement in certain years.

History: The Hadiya have longstanding ties with neighboring groups and kingdoms in southern Ethiopia. They have participated in broader Ethiopian political and social changes during the late 20th and early 21st centuries, including regional administration shifts and development programs that have affected demographics and livelihoods.