About this user
LANGUAGE: Amharic (āmariññā) or "Lesane Nigus" (the language of Kings)... It is the second most spoken Semitic language in the world, after Arabic. As well as the 2nd largest of the Afro-Asiatic languages (again after Arabic). Amharic has 30 million speakers as a first language, between 10-25 million more as a second language. It is written, with some adaptations, with the Ge'ez alphabet— called, in Ethiopian Semitic languages, fidel ('alphabet,' 'letter,' or 'character') and abugida.
Sem'ena worq is purely an Amhara phenomenon. It is a testimony to the richness of the Amharic language as evidenced by the double meaning of almost every word, and to the poetic genius of the Amhara ppl. Qine and Sem'ena worq, a division of qene, are the highest forms of poetic expression. It is ambiguous, and at the same time plain. It suggests one thing, and at the same time myriads of things. Its power lies in its ambiguity. It is like a hearth which looks cold and dead, but has red, hot embers hidden underneath its ashes. Europeans attempted to attain this sort of poetry in the form of symbolism and surrealism as late as the 19 Century, whereas the Amhara of Ethiopia were well-versed in it for hundreds of years.
***Pertaining to the Amara language, it had already begun to evolve as far back as 3000
years ago.In fact, it had existed long before Geez. Menelik the I declared Geez as the
official language of Ethiopia about 2950 years ago. Indeed, it had developed and evolved more than 3000 years; i.e, a while before Geez was decreed by Menelik I as the official language of Ethiopia by imposition. For instance, there are kings and throne names that have Amara names such as Zerffe and Sendek-alma in the list of Ethiopian kings who reigned before Queen Sheba, mother of Menelik I; as well ancient towns in Egypt known as Amarna (konjo honin) and Delta (we are comfortable, we are doing fine), in the region in which Jesus, Joseph and Mary found refuge 2000 years ago. When Menelik I was born, the Amara wondered what King Solomon would say about his son, Menelik, and called him "Menelik" (min yilik, abateh?). If the Amara language didn't exist over 3000 yrs ago, how come they called Menelik, "Minyilik" about 3000 yrs ago? I think this word alone suffices to prove that Amaregna and the Amara had existed in Ethiopia more than 3000 yrs ago.
RELIGION: Their predominant religion for millennia has been Christianity, with the Ethiopian Orthodox Church playing a central role in the culture of the Amhara ppl. According to the 1994 census, 81.5% of the Amhara Region of Ethiopia (which is 91.2% Amhara) were Ethiopian Orthodox, with 18.1% being Muslim, and 0.1% being Protestant. The Ethiopian Orthodox Church maintains close links with the Egyptian Coptic Church. Timket, Miskal, Gena (Xmas 7th Jan), Easter and Epiphany are the most important celebrations, marked with services, feasting and dancing. There are also many "fast" days throughout the year, when only vegetables or fish may be eaten.
Most holidays are unique to Amhara ppl.
Upon childbirth, a priest will visit the family to bless the infant, and circumcise him if he is a boy. The mother and child remain in the house, for forty days after birth of a boy, eighty for a girl, before going to the church for baptism. Marriages conducted in a church are not subject to divorce. Weddings celebrations are held by both households called Mels.
THE REGION: The Amhara Region is widely considered to be the cradle of human civilization, and a place many of the earliest humans called home. The regions history is rich with mysticism and legends dating back to the rise of Christianity and Islam. The Ark of the Covenant, the vessel that housed the Ten Commandments, is said to rest in one of the regions churches.
In the Middle Ages, The Amhara Region was the high seat of Ethiopias central state. Many edifices from that medieval civilization still remain today, such as the famous Lalibela rock-hewn churches and the Fasilides Palace.
The Amhara region is home to Lake Tana, the largest lake in Ethiopia, as well as the Blue Nile and the highest peak of the Semien Mountains. Its ppl are a diverse mix of individuals who are proud of their history, their culture and their country.
ProudAmhara~Ze Bihere Wollo :-)
The Amhara people struggled to safeguard the independence of Ethiopia and to protect her territorial integrity from foreign aggressors. Whenever Ethiopia was at stake, the Amhara were ready to sacrifice themselves. Poor or rich, they gave up everything else including their families and faced their enemies bravely to shed their blood for their country together with other Ethiopians who also loved their motherland. Bare-footed, with tattered clothes and empty stomach, especially the Amhara peasants defended Ethiopia always. Yet, their lives have not been any better than the lives of other Ethiopian peasants. Inspite of this, they are being attacked unjustly lately just because they are Amhara.
Hometown
Amhara Region
Country
Ethiopia
ProudAmhara
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