Amhara, Ethiopian in United Arab Emirates

Introduction / History

The Amhara people are related to the Tigray and Tigre people of Ethiopia and Eritrea who together make up the Habeshans. These people can trace their origins back to Shem, eldest son of Noah. They left present day Yemen and settled on the African side of the Red Sea inhabiting the Nile Delta and all land East of the valley down to the Ethiopian Highlands. These people are known in antiquity as the Ancient Egyptians who retreated back to Ethiopia and Eritrea after countless takeovers of Egypt. here they established other great kingdoms such as Sheba/Saba and Axum. After the Middle Ages they soon split into 3 tribes: Amhara, Tigre and Tigray with their own languages that all derived from Ge 'ez, their ancient language. Though they are in 23 countries, including the United Arab Emirates, they live mainly in Central and East/North Eastern Ethiopia.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Many Ethiopian Amharas in the U.A.E. are migrant workers.

Those who stay and settle must adjust to a different culture. They blend in with others from Ethiopia. They share a common interest in their traditional music, which brings them together. They also go to the same restaurants, which serve some of the most delicious food anywhere. Like other immigrants, the children become more like the host culture, much to the dismay of their parents. Children learn to fit in. Sometimes they rebel against the old culture, especially if they have never been to Ethiopia. Often, they understand their parents' language but only speak Arabic or English.

What Are Their Beliefs?

From early encounters with the Hebrew people, many adopted the early form of proto-Judaism. Though the high and ruling class continued to practice the Egyptian pagan religion until Queen Makda of Sheba was converted by King Solomon to Judaism. Christianity came to the Amhara through Coptic missionaries. The Amhara were among the first African converts to Islam after sheltering Mohammed's followers from their enemies in Mecca. Because of the Islamic expansion, Aksum was cut from other Christian kingdoms which created their own unique form of Coptic Christianity. They incorporated Jewish rituals and laws and added a focus on monasticism. Today the majority of Amhara people are Ethiopian Orthodox.

What Are Their Needs?

Christian identity is not enough. They need a Holy Spirit revival in Amhara churches, drawing them closer to the Lord of lords.

Prayer Points

Pray for the Holy Spirit to do a new work among the Amhara people, both in their churches and in their homes.
Pray that soon Amharas will be discipling others in the ways of Jesus Christ.
Pray that they may come to understand the true worth of Jesus Christ and teach it to their children.

Text Source:   Joshua Project