Ethiopia: References & Edit History

Additional Reading

Geography

Edward Ullendorff, The Ethiopians: An Introduction to Country and People, 3rd ed. (1973, reprinted 1990), is a comprehensive study, beginning with the early explorers and their impressions of the country’s people and culture and including discussions of such topics as geography, anthropology, history, culture, and daily life; although some of the quantitative information is dated, the book makes interesting reading. Mesfin Wolde-Mariam, An Introductory Geography of Ethiopia (1972), although dated, is an excellent introduction providing information on the physical attributes, economic activities, population characteristics, and history of the country, and Rural Vulnerability to Famine in Ethiopia: 1958–1977 (1986), offers a valuable assessment, attempting to identify the human and natural causes of food insecurity and exploring various ways of detecting vulnerability to famine and the shortcomings of the state in alleviating the danger. Two travel guides that provide a general and accessible introduction to the country are Matt Phillips and Jean-Bernard Carillet, Ethiopia & Eritrea, 3rd ed. (2006), a Lonely Planet publication; and Philip Briggs, Ethiopia: The Bradt Travel Guide, 5th ed. (2009).

Close examination of the people of Ethiopia is provided by Donald N. Levine, Wax & Gold: Tradition and Innovation in Ethiopian Culture (1965, reprinted 1986), which offers a thorough and detailed study of the culture and ethos of the politically dominant Amhara, and Greater Ethiopia: The Evolution of a Multiethnic Society, 2nd ed. (2000), which explores cultural parallels and connections between the many different ethnic groups of the Ethiopian “mosaic.” Daniel Teferra, Social History and Theoretical Analyses of the Economy of Ethiopia (1990), combines discussions on the historical geography of Ethiopia’s people and on challenges in economic development. Mulatu Wubneh and Yohannis Abate, Ethiopia: Transition and Development in the Horn of Africa (1988), is an excellent survey from a variety of perspectives, with discussions of the geography and history and of the country’s social, cultural, political, and economic patterns. Current economic matters are discussed in Economist Intelligence Unit, Country Profile: Ethiopia (annual), which contains accurate, up-to-date information on the economy, resources, and industry.

Assefa Mehretu

History

Harold G. Marcus, A History of Ethiopia, updated ed. (2002), is the only general history of Ethiopia from Australopithecus afarensis to the beginning of the 21st century. David H. Shinn and Thomas P. Ofcansky, Historical Dictionary of Ethiopia (2004), provides a concise and accessible overview of the country’s people and history and contains an extensive bibliography. Particular historical periods or events are covered in greater detail in Taddesse Tamrat, Church and State in Ethiopia, 1270–1527 (1972); and Mordechai Abir, Ethiopia and the Red Sea: The Rise and Decline of the Solomonic Dynasty and Muslim-European Rivalry in the Region (1980), which provide accounts of the golden years of the Solomonic dynasty; Mohammed Hassen, The Oromo of Ethiopia: A History, 1570–1860 (1994), the first modern history of the Oromo; Mordechai Abir, Ethiopia: The Era of the Princes: The Challenge of Islam and the Re-unification of the Christian Empire, 1769–1855 (1968), a dated but still largely accurate synthesis of the Age of the Princes; Bahru Zewde, A History of Modern Ethiopia, 1855–1974 (1991), a scholarly and authentically Ethiopian view; Sven Rubenson, The Survival of Ethiopian Independence (1976), an account that details the internal reasons for Ethiopia’s continued independence during the epoch of modern European imperialism; Christopher Clapham, Haile-Selassie’s Government (1969), an analysis of Haile Selassie’s highly developed monarchical and authoritarian state; and Gebru Tareke, Ethiopia: Power and Protest: Peasant Revolts in the Twentieth Century (1991), which provides rich detail on three major revolts during Haile Selassie’s reign. The regime of Mengistu and the Derg is examined in Andargachew Tiruneh, The Ethiopian Revolution, 1974–1987: A Transformation from an Aristocratic to a Totalitarian Autocracy (1993), a meticulous summary of previous scholarship and an original reading of the principal political and legal documents of the Derg years; and John W. Harbeson, The Ethiopian Transformation: The Quest for the Post-Imperial State (1988), a detailed account of the Mengistu years (1974–91) that argues against an Ethiopian revolution but for the notion of transformation. Edmond J. Keller, Revolutionary Ethiopia: From Empire to People’s Republic (1991), deals with the political transformation of Ethiopia from its monarchist order to a people’s republic. David Turton, Ethnic Federalism: The Ethiopian Experience in Comparative Perspective (2006), examines the government’s strategy since the early 1990s of using territorial decentralization as a means of accommodating the various ethnic groups in the country.

Harold G. Marcus Donald Edward Crummey

Researcher's Note

Beta Israel migration to Israel, 1980–92

There is disagreement among sources regarding the total number of the Beta Israel that reached Israel in the 1980s and early 1990s. According to “Immigration to Israel 1992,” a publication of the Central Bureau of Statistics of Israel, 44,766 Ethiopians entered the country between 1980 and 1992. In contrast to the period from 1952 to 1979, when only 466 Ethiopian immigrants were registered, 12,575 entered Israel in the period 1980–84, 4,390 in 1985–89, 24,151 in 1990–91, and 3,650 in 1992.

Most of the people arriving from Ethiopia were of the Beta Israel, who reached Israel through coordinated evacuation efforts. One of the larger evacuations, which later became known as “Operation Moses” (mid-November 1984–January 1985), was credited with the transport of more than 6,500 individuals. In “Operation Solomon” (May 24–25, 1991), more than 14,000 of the Beta Israel were airlifted from Addis Ababa to Tel Aviv.

Article History

Type Description Contributor Date
Country Profile: Updated Head of state. Oct 07, 2024
In the Economy section, updated with news that two more turbines have become operational at the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam in August 2024. Aug 28, 2024
Modified link of Web site: GlobalSecurity.org - Ethiopia. Jun 11, 2024
Add new Web site: BBC News - Ethiopia country profile. Dec 08, 2023
Link added. Apr 28, 2023
Add new Web site: GlobalSecurity.org - Ethiopia. Jan 03, 2023
Add new Web site: Official Tourism Site of Ethiopia. Oct 18, 2022
Add new Web site: Michigan State University - globalEDGE - Ethiopia. Aug 13, 2022
In the History section, changed “Sahle Miriam” to “Sahle Mariam.” May 20, 2022
In the Economy section, mentioned that the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) began to generate power in February 2022. Mar 03, 2022
Noted that the gelada monkey is no longer listed as endangered and changed “ceasefire” to “cease-fire.” Oct 22, 2021
Removed media. Sep 29, 2021
In the History section, added detail about the 2021 elections and the civil war. Sep 08, 2021
In the History section, updated with mention of the November 2019 referendum to create a new regional state for the Sidamo people. Dec 13, 2019
In the Government and society section, added mention of the 2019 referendum held for the creation of a new regional state. Nov 27, 2019
Deleted video. Nov 22, 2019
Country Profile: Cross-reference added. Oct 28, 2019
In the History section, updated with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed being awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace in October 2019. Oct 11, 2019
Corrected display issue. Oct 07, 2019
In the History section, corrected display issue. Jul 11, 2019
In the People section, corrected "Falasha migration" to "Beta Israel migration." Jul 11, 2019
In the History section, deleted the extra period in between the last two sentences of the last paragraph. Oct 29, 2018
In the History section, updated with the ONLF peace agreement, the new gender-balanced cabinet, and the election by parliament of Ethiopia's first female president, Sahle-Work Zewde. Oct 26, 2018
Country Profile: Updated the head of state. Oct 25, 2018
In the History section, updated with the improvement in diplomatic relations between Ethiopia and Eritrea. Jul 17, 2018
Corrected display issue. May 16, 2018
Country Profile: Updated the head of government. Apr 02, 2018
In History section, updated with the selection of a new prime minister. Apr 02, 2018
In History section, updated with political developments, including the resignation of the prime minister, release of prisoners, and the declaration of a state of emergency. Mar 08, 2018
Country Profile: Expanded country profile. Jan 31, 2018
In Economy section, added data charts. Jul 06, 2017
In Economy section, updated discussion of road and rail networks. Jul 06, 2017
In Economy section, updated discussion of trade partners. Jul 06, 2017
In People section, added data charts. Jun 22, 2017
In People section, updated the urban-rural distribution figures. Jun 22, 2017
Added locator map to the Introduction. Jun 20, 2017
Country Profile: Updated form of government. Apr 12, 2017
Add new Web site: Our Africa - Ethiopia. Mar 27, 2017
Date on which Emperor Tewodros II was crowned changed from "February 9" to "February 11." Mar 15, 2017
Add new Web site: Easy Science for Kids - Ethiopia. Dec 06, 2016
Media added. Jun 30, 2016
Media added. Jun 29, 2016
Updated with Hailemariam Desalegn being reelected prime minister on October 5, 2015, after the ruling party swept the May 2015 general elections. Oct 06, 2015
Replaced photograph. Aug 20, 2015
Deleted photograph. Aug 20, 2015
In History section, updated with events leading up to the 2015 elections. May 21, 2015
Changed "the Sudan" to "Sudan." Mar 13, 2015
Added video. Mar 13, 2015
Added video. Mar 13, 2015
In History section, "Agew" changed to "Agau (Agaw, or Agew)." Feb 12, 2015
Added video. Feb 12, 2015
Add new Web site: National Geographic - Travel and Cultures - Ethiopia, Africa. Feb 13, 2014
Add new Web site: South African History Online - Ethiopia. Feb 13, 2014
Country Profile: Updated head of state. Oct 08, 2013
In History section, updated with Parliament's appointment of a new president. Oct 08, 2013
Add new Web site: JewishEncyclopedia.com - Ethiopia. Feb 06, 2013
Add new Web site: Sacred Destinations - Ethiopia. Feb 06, 2013
Add new Web site: Maps of World - Ethiopia. Dec 14, 2012
Country Profile: Updated the status of the prime minister in the Head of government field. Sep 21, 2012
Country Profile: Updated with name of new acting prime minister. Aug 21, 2012
In History section, updated with the death of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi. Aug 21, 2012
Revised to reflect the July 2011 secession of South Sudan and changed "The Sudan" to "Sudan." Mar 15, 2012
In History section, changed "Girma Wolde-Giyorgis" to "Girma Wolde-Giorgis." Feb 27, 2012
Country Profile: Added name of head of state and head of government, along with urban-rural, life expectancy, literacy, and GNI per capita statistics. Feb 27, 2012
Add new Web site: Enchanted Learning - Ethiopia. Jul 26, 2011
In Land section, revised discussion to reflect the independent status of South Sudan. Jul 12, 2011
Country Profile: Changed Form of government. Feb 08, 2011
National anthem added. Dec 21, 2010
Add new Web site: Country Studies - Ethiopia. Nov 10, 2010
In History section, updated with provisional results of May 23, 2010, election. May 26, 2010
Country Profile: Updated area and population figures. Mar 12, 2010
In Economy section, updated discussion of hydroelectric power. Mar 12, 2010
Country Profile: Updated Form of government. Oct 20, 2009
Geologic time data updated. Oct 06, 2009
Cultural life section thoroughly revised. May 01, 2009
Bibliography revised. May 01, 2009
Economy section thoroughly revised. May 01, 2009
Government and society section thoroughly revised. May 01, 2009
History section thoroughly revised and updated. May 01, 2009
Introduction revised. May 01, 2009
Land section thoroughly revised. May 01, 2009
People section thoroughly revised. May 01, 2009
Added new Web site: National Geographic - Travel and Cultures - Ethiopia. Apr 20, 2009
Added new Web site: The Catholic Encyclopedia - Ethiopia. Nov 18, 2008
Added new Web site: Mekele, Ethopia. Nov 16, 2006
Added new Web site: Embassy of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, U.K. Sep 05, 2006
Added new Web site: Library of Congress - Ethiopia - Selected Internet Resources. Aug 08, 2006
Added new Web site: Central Intelligence Agency - The World Factbook - Ethiopia. Jul 26, 2006
Added new Web site: Official Site of the Embassy of Ethiopia in Washington, D.C. Jul 24, 2006
Added new Web site: Lonely Planet - Ethiopia. Jul 12, 2006
Article revised. Jan 13, 2000
Article added to new online database. Jul 26, 1999
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