Ethnocultural Diversity in Ethiopia: A Blessing or a Curse?

Abstract

This article is aimed at assessing the existing social capitals in an ethnoculturally diverse Ethiopian state and its significance in ensuring peace and development in the country. Ethiopia is a multicultural and multinational state, where there are over 80 ethnolinguistic or ethnocultural groups. To conduct the research, a qualitative research approach and a descriptive research design were employed. Data were collected through in-depth and key informant interviews and reviews of relevant literature. The collected qualitative data were transcribed using verbatim transcription following which the process of data winnowing was employed to identify relevant data. The transcribed data were converted into text, and then thematic analysis was conducted to give meaning and explanation to the interview results as well as results from the relevant literature reviewed. The study revealed that ethnocultural diversity does not naturally create a space for conflicts in the absence of triggering socio-political and historical factors. It was also found that the presence of ethnocultural diversity has contributed to the prevalent existence of long-established pro-peace social capitals across the diverse ethnocultural groups, which are of high significance in ensuring peace and development in the country. Thus, the paper argues that ethnocultural diversity should not be considered a threat but a resource for peace and development if the socio-political environments and historical factors are properly managed so as not to misdirect the diversity.