29/07/2025
This article does not conform to the standards of journalism or academic content.
It lacks a solid foundation and is disconnected from the history and socio-political context of the Sidama people. We categorically reject this misleading narrative. We are aware of those responsible for it, but we urge, the owner of the media outlet, and some members of the Addis Ababa-based team to take the time to provide clarity on this matter.
: Purity and Power: politics still shackled by old ideologies
The Sidama people, known for their distinct cultural identity, gained regional statehood in 2019 after years of struggle. However, the author of this commentary argues that the region's political landscape remains deeply influenced by centuries-old systems—most notably, Wolapho, an ideology of "ritual purity" that determined an individual's access to power, resources, and social status based on their "lineage and clan." He writes, "In modern Sidama politics, Wolapho continues to manifest through favoritism, exclusion, and discrimination, despite the democratic rhetoric adopted by many political parties operating in the region."
The author explains that this ideology, rooted in the 17th century, "evolved from a traditional purification process into a rigid political hierarchy," with the Yemericho clan at the top, while others such as the Hadicho, Aleta, and Hoffa were categorized as "unpurified." He further elaborates that "over time, the political landscape shifted as the Aleta clan challenged the Yemericho," leading to an alliance, while the Hadicho and Hoffa "remained excluded" from this purity-based hierarchy system.
According to the article, several political parties in Sidama, despite their stated goals, continue to uphold this ongoing division in this modern age. The Sidama Liberation Movement ( ), for instance, includes "Wolaphote" (purification) in its name, reflecting “a lingering attachment to exclusionary tribal ideology. The Sidama People's Democratic Organization ( ), formed under the , also "institutionalized division by adopting the divisive ideology." Despite its integration-focused Medemer philosophy, the Prosperity Party has struggled to implement real change, as "local appointments and resource distribution continue to reflect ancestral hierarchies."
The author emphasizes that "the persistence of purification (Wolapho) ideology across Sidama's political spectrum represents more than historical curiosity; it constitutes a fundamental barrier to democratic governance and comprehensive development." For genuine change, he urges political parties to "explicitly reject purification ideology by publicly renouncing tribal hierarchies and establishing internal safeguards against tribal favoritism."
https://addisstandard.com/?p=51589