Abstract
This paper tries to shed a light on the history of Wolaytta that evolved from huge kingdom to the recent small province called Zone. Here the researcher presents insights on the previous glories of Wolaytta kingdoms and the retreat of the kingdom’s political and economic hegemonies. The paper also tries to look at the contemporary quest of independent regional state of Wolaytaa. Issues that have been raised above are qualitatively analysed after extensive data collection through interview, group discussion and formal and informal discussions with elderly people who are aware of the history of Wolaytta. The finding of this research shows that the people of Wolaytta had very strong centralized political system since 13th century. Basically two dynasties under the name called Wolaita-Mala and Wolaytta Tigre had ruled the vast territory of Wolaytta up until late 20th century. The kingdom was also known in expanding to the reset of the country up until the then notorious northern Ethiopia up until Gojjam, Amhara. The state was also defended its territory from the expansionist Minilik II and finally incorporated to the Ethiopian kingdom after a bloody war. Since their incorporation, Wolaytta had faced a century of retreat both economically and politically. With the change of leader in the ruling part EPRDF, a new wave of change has been observed that finally led the resurgence of Wolaita’s greatness and the quest for independent regional statehood under the Ethiopia federation.
Highlights
Following the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples’ (SNNP) State Council’s decision to approve a request for a referendum on Sidama statehood, tensions have started to pour throughout the entire region of southern Ethiopia
In June 2018, Wolaytta people were killed in Hawassa, the capital of southern nation and nationalities region, and violence flared between the Gurage and Kebena groups around Welkite
With the imminent disintegration of the so called SNNPR, a superficial region designed for imminent extinction, Wolaytta demand of self-administration become the contemporary dialogue of the people
Summary
Following the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples’ (SNNP) State Council’s decision to approve a request for a referendum on Sidama statehood, tensions have started to pour throughout the entire region of southern Ethiopia. As a result of the approval for a referendum on sidama statehood, historically independent and demographically strong nations have started to forward their demand of statehood. In this regard, On Nov. 26, 2018, the Gurage people’s Zone Council voted to demand Gurage state for the SNNP state council. In June 2018, Wolaytta people were killed in Hawassa, the capital of southern nation and nationalities region, and violence flared between the Gurage and Kebena groups around Welkite. The killing of Wolaytta people in Hawassa even intensified their demand for independent statehood in Ethiopia’s federation. Who are Wolaytta people? How did their history can be narrated? How their demand for such an independent statehood did evolve? What are the historical and constitutional grounds that validate Wolaytta’s demand for independent statehood in Ethiopia? This article will have the answer for all these questions
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
