History
History of the People of Amhara
General
The Amhara make up around one-fourth of Ethiopia's population, making them the second most numerous ethnic group. Amharic is Ethiopia's official tongue. The Amhara and the Tigray have always made up the political elite of Ethiopia with the exception of the Italian occupation that lasted from 1936 to 1942.
Location
The central highland plateau of Ethiopia is the Amhara people's historic homeland. They have lived here for more than two thousand years. The ancient nation of Abyssinia has been largely shielded from the effects of the outside world by tall mountains that surround it and cut it open at its most extreme points. The area is located between 9 and 14 degrees latitude north of the equator, at altitudes ranging from around 7,000 to 14,000 feet (2,100 to 4,300 meters). The Amhara have access to a solid agricultural and pastoral economy thanks to the rich volcanic soil, copious rainfall, and brisk, chilly temperature.
Language
Amharic is the language of the Amhara people. It is a Semitic language, similar to Hebrew and Arabic. Its roots can be traced back to the Sabean language, which was used by traders and businesspeople who went to Ethiopia from Yemen in South Arabia some 3,000 years ago. As farmers and traders, this South Arabian group settled in the highlands of Ethiopia and interacted with the local populace. The current Amharic language was created by borrowing from the Agaw tongue.
Folklore
The folklore of the Amhara civilization is rich and includes proverbs, myths, stories, religious parables, and anecdotes. Children frequently learn moral lessons from this folklore, and adults are frequently reminded to act properly. Additionally, it offers answers for events that would otherwise be puzzling to the typical Amhara farmer.
Cultural Heritage
Semitic-speaking individuals from South Arabia crossed the Bab-el-Mendab strait into Ethiopia's highlands some 3,000 years ago, most possibly included Jews. Farmers, traders, and merchants flocked there in large numbers after learning about the region's abundant soils. These people had mastered agricultural techniques including irrigation and terracing. They used highly developed construction methods, such as stone masonry. They were also adept in weaving and incense production. On 256 characters, their writing system was founded. They created a massive political structure that allowed them to create a centralized empire.
Clothing
The Amhara people inhabit frigid, high elevations. Even Addis Abeba's capital city is located at a height of roughly 7,500 feet (2,300 meters). Amhara apparel is therefore made to keep body heat in. In the present, the Amhara of the city frequently wear apparel of the West, but many people still favor the traditional attire, which consists of long shirts and jodhpur pants that are wrapped in a soft cotton blanket called a gabi. Both men and women can wear this, although the style of the clothing changes depending on the wearer's gender.
Food
Ethiopia's wide range of altitudes makes it possible to grow a wide range of food crops. The Amhara cultivate barley, wheat, hops, and a variety of beans on the highlands. The farmer can cultivate millet and teff, a different species of wheat, in the mid-range heights. In this intermediate habitat, coffee is grown as a key export cash crop. Ethiopian cuisine depends heavily on coffee, which is also grown for export. The Amhara cultivate cayenne pepper, which is essential to Ethiopian cuisine, in the lowlands. The traditional Ethiopian berbere sauce is made by combining cayenne pepper with any one of a dozen other spices. A significant lowland crop is sugar cane.