Caught Between Lines

The Recognition and Lived Realities of Mixed-Ethnic Heritage Individuals in Ethiopia

Abstract

In Ethiopian ethnic federalism, people with mixed ethnic identities experience complicated realities influenced by several factors, including laws and social customs. The objective of this research is to examine the legal recognition and self identifications of people with mixed ethnic identities in Ethiopia. It also identifies the perceived benefits and challenges of having such identities. The doctrinal legal research method has been used to examine the legal recognition of such complex identities. The 1995 FDRE Constitution failed to recognize them, which exacerbated social fragmentation and limited access to rights tied to ethnic identity. Additionally, a qualitative research approach with an interpretive phenomenological design was employed, involving ten in-depth interviews with students at the University of Gondar. The findings revealed three ethnic heritage identification strategies used by people with mixed ethnic identities: singular affiliation, blended identity, and categorical rejection. This research contributes to the discourse on identity politics by demonstrating how institutional frameworks intersect with personal narratives in multicultural societies. It advocates reimagining Ethiopia's approach to ethnicity to promote national unity while honouring its rich cultural diversity.