Criminalization of traditional practices as a facet of cultural genocide: the case of enbedade amongst the Amhara community in Ethiopia

Abstract

ABSTRACT The Amhara people of Ethiopia have faced a series of systemic assaults on their cultural, social, and political structures over the past decades, reflecting a broader pattern of ethnic and political discrimination. During the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) regime (1991–2018), the Amhara community experienced severe marginalization and systematic suppression of their cultural practices. The criminalization of ènbedãdé epitomized the deliberate effort to undermine Amhara’s identity and influence. Since 2018, the situation has further deteriorated under the Oromumma regime, with accusations of ethnic cleansing, forced displacement, and targeted violence against the Amhara population. This regime has also employed deceitful mediation tactics, manipulating respected elders and religious leaders to capture and imprison opposition figures, thereby eroding traditional conflict resolution mechanisms. Concurrently, the Ethiopian government’s foreign policy has isolated the Amhara, exacerbating their vulnerability through hostile regional relations and historical distortions. The systematic attacks on Amhara culture and social cohesion, emphasize the concerted efforts to dismantle their historical and cultural identity. The ongoing marginalization, both internally and externally, has led to profound disintegration within the Amhara community, highlighting the need for international recognition and intervention to address these injustices.