Wolayita

Wolayita, also spelled Wolaytta or Wolaitta, is an ethnolinguistic group in southern Ethiopia. They form one of the larger ethnic communities in the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples' Region (SNNPR), and are principally concentrated in the Wolayita Zone, with Sodo as its capital. The Wolayita language (Wolaytta) belongs to the South Omotic branch of the Afroasiatic language family and is the primary language of daily life for many Wolayita people, though Amharic and other regional languages are also spoken.

The Wolayita are predominantly rural and engaged in agriculture. Traditional staples include enset (false banana), alongside crops such as teff, maize, and sorghum, with livestock kept for dairy, meat, and labor. In some areas, coffee and other crops are grown as well. Social life centers on extended family networks, community gatherings, music, dance, and distinctive crafts and dress that reflect long-standing cultural practices.

Religious and cultural life among the Wolayita is diverse, with adherents of Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity, Protestant denominations, Islam, and traditional beliefs. In modern Ethiopia, the Wolayita are recognized within the federal system as a nationality in the SNNPR and participate in regional governance, education, and development initiatives. The community maintains a distinct linguistic and cultural identity while engaging with broader Ethiopian society.