Comparative description of asymmetrical patterns of ethnic and national attachment among Amharas and Oromos of Ethiopia

Abstract

Multi ethnic states across the board are experiencing social tension as a result of lacking the balance between ethnic group and national attachment. Ethiopia, one of ethnically heterogeneous states in the world, is facing political pressure from the growing ethno-national attachment. This article aims to measure the level of attachment, either to the state or their ethnic in-group, of the two largest ethnic groups in Ethiopia. For this purpose the researcher used mixed approach to research. It found the growing downward trend towards attachment to sub-national elements and distancing from the state among the groups. Relationship exists between an ethnic group of a respondent and attachment proxy variables at 0.01 levels of significance. However, the level of attachment to sub-national or ethnic elements and distancing from the state is not uniform among the Oromos and Amharas.