Amharic is an Ethiopian Semitic language, which is a subgrouping within the Semitic branch of the Afroasiatic languages. It is spoken as a first language by the Amharas, and also serves as a lingua franca for all other populations residing in major cities and towns in Ethiopia.
Amharas are a Semitic-speaking ethnic group indigenous to Ethiopia in the Horn of Africa, as well as the ancient Middle East, traditionally inhabiting parts of the northwest Highlands of Ethiopia, particularly inhabiting the Amhara Region. According to the 2007 national census, Amharas numbered 19,867,817 individuals, comprising 26.9% of Ethiopia's population, and they are mostly Oriental Orthodox Christian.
Amba Mariam is a village in central Ethiopia. Formerly known as Magdala or Magdalena during the reign of Emperor Tewodros II (1855–1868). Located in the Debub Wollo Zone of the Amhara Region, Amba Mariam has a longitude and latitude of 11°12′N39°17′E.
Debre Birhan is a city in central Ethiopia. Located in the Semien Shewa Zone of Amhara Region, about 120 kilometers north east of Addis Ababa on Ethiopian highway 2, the town has an elevation of 2,840 meters, which makes it the highest town in Africa. It was an early capital of Ethiopia and afterwards, with Ankober and Angolalla, was one of the capitals of the kingdom of Shewa. Today, it is the administrative center of the North Shewa Zone of the Amhara Region.
Ambassel is a woreda in Amhara Region, Ethiopia, and an amba, or mountain fortress, located in the woreda. The word Ambasel is derived from two words "Amba" from the Amharic word for plateau, and “Asel” from the Arabic language, which means honey. Together, it means “plateau of honey” or the “land of honey” the woreda is named for this feature. Located in the Debub Wollo Zone, Ambassel woreda is bordered on the west by the Bashilo which separates it from Tenta, on the north by the Semien Wollo Zone, on the southeast by the Mille River which separates it from Tehuledere, and on the south by Kutaber; the Walano, a tributary of the Bashilo, defines most of its southern border. Its largest town is Wuchale.
Wegera or Wogera, is a woreda in Amhara Region, Ethiopia. Wegera is named for the former province Wegera, which was located roughly in the same location, and was later made part of the province of Semien. Part of the Semien Gondar Zone, Wegera is bordered on the south by Mirab Belessa, on the southwest by Gondar Zuria, on the west by Lay Armachiho, on the northwest by Tach Armachiho, on the north by Dabat, on the northeast by Jan Amora, and on the southeast by Misraq Belessa. Towns in Wegera include Amba Giyorgis and Gedegbe.
Dembiya is a woreda in Amhara Region, Ethiopia. It is named for the former province of Dembiya, which was located roughly in the same location. Part of the Semien, Dembiya is bordered on the south by Lake Tana, on the southwest by Takusa, on the west by Chilga, on the north by Lay Armachiho, and on the east by Gondar Zuria. Towns in Dembiya include Aymiba, Chuahit, Gorgora and Koladiba.
Bugna is a woreda in Amhara Region, Ethiopia. It is named after the former district. Located in the northwest corner of the Semien Wollo Zone, Bugna is bordered on the south by Meket, on the west by the Debub Gondar Zone, on the north by the Wag Hemra Zone, and on the east by the Lasta woreda. The main town is Ayna. The Lasta woreda, where Lalibela is, was split off from Bugna.
Mekdela is a woreda in Amhara Region, Ethiopia. Part of the Wollo, Mekdela is bordered on the southwest by the Walo Shabatala River which separates it from Sayint, on the west by Semien Gondar Zone, on the north by the Bashilo River which separates it from the Semien Wollo Zone, and on the east by Tenta. The major town in Mekdelais Masha.
Legambo is a woreda in Amhara Region, Ethiopia. This woreda is named for one of the "Houses" or subgroups of the Bete Amhara, who were located there. Part of the Debub Wollo Zone, Legambo is bordered on the south by Legahida and Kelala, on the southwest by Wegde, on the west by Debre Sina, on the northwest by Sayint, on the north by Tenta, on the northeast by Dessie Zuria, and on the southeast by Were Ilu. Towns in Legambo include Aqesta and Embacheber.
Were Ilu, is a woreda in Amhara Region, Ethiopia. Part of the Debub Wollo Zone, Were Ilu is bordered on the southwest by Jama, on the west by Legahida, on the northwest by Legambo, on the north by Dessie Zuria, on the east by the Abuko, and on the southeast by the Wanchet which separates it from the Semien Shewa Zone. Towns in Were Ilu include Kabe, Were Ilu and Weyin Amba; a historic landmark is Mekane Selassie, the site of a medieval church destroyed. The woreda of Legahida was separated from Were Ilu.
Kemekem (also known as Libo Kemekem is one of the woredas in the Amhara Region of Ethiopia. Part of the Debub Gondar Zone, Kemekem is bordered on the south by the Reb
Fogera is a woreda in Amhara Region, Ethiopia. Fogera is part of the Debub Gondar Zone. The district is bordered on the south by Dera, on the west by Lake Tana on the north by the Reb which separates it from Kemekem, on the northeast by Ebenat, and on the east by Farta.
Gishe also spelled as Geshe is a woreda in Amhara Region, Ethiopia. Located at the eastern edge of the Ethiopian highlands in the Semien Shewa Zone, Gishe is bordered on the south by the Menz Gera Midir, on the west and north by the Debub Wollo Zone, and on the east by Antsokiyana Gemza; the Wanchet River defines its western boundary.
Ankober is a woreda in the Amhara Region of Ethiopia. Located at the eastern edge of the Ethiopian highlands in the North Shewa Zone, Ankober is bordered on the south by Asagirt, on the west by Basona Werana, on the north by Termaber, and on the east by the Afar Region. Towns in Ankober include Aliyu Amba, Ankober, Gorgo and Haramba.
Gozamn is one of the woredas in the Amhara Region of Ethiopia. Part of the East Gojjam Zone, Guzamn is bordered on the southeast by Baso Liben, on the south by the Abay River which separates it from the Oromia Region, on the west by Debre Elias, on the northwest by Machakel, on the north by Sinan, and on the east by Aneded; the Chamwaga River defines part of the border between the Guzamn and Baso Liben woredas. The town and woreda of Debre Marqos is an enclave inside Guzamn. Towns in Guzamn include Chemoga and Yebokile. Sinan woreda was separate from Guzamn.
Dangila is one of the woredas in the Amhara Region of Ethiopia. This woreda is named after the former district, Dangila, which James Bruce notes was in his day known for its breed of sheep. Part of the Agew Awi Zone, Dangila is bordered on the south by Faggeta Lekoma, on the southwest by Guangua, on the northwest by the Jawi, and on the northeast by the Mirab Gojjam Zone. Towns in Dangila include Addis Alem, Dangila and Dek. Part of the Dangila was separated to create Jawi woreda.
The Argobba are an ethnic group inhabiting Ethiopia. A Muslim community, they spread out through isolated village networks and towns in the north-eastern and eastern parts of the country. Group members have typically been astute traders and merchants, and have adjusted to the economic trends in their area. These factors have led to a decline in usage of the Argobba language. Argobba are considered endangered today due to exogamy and destitution as well as ethnic cleansing by the Abyssinian state over the centuries.
The Weyto are a caste living in the Amhara region along the shore of Lake Tana in northern Ethiopia. They worship the Nile River. They currently live in Bahir Dar, Abirgha, Dembiya and Alefa. The Weyto also made up part of the population of the Blue Nile Falls and Fogera, where currently their presence has not been ascertained.
