Everyday Narratives on the Ethiopian Civil War (2020-2022)

Insights from North Wollo

Abstract

This study examines the everyday narratives and experiences of local communities in North Wollo during the Ethiopian civil war (2020-2022), utilizing insights from theories of ethnicity. Using qualitative data, the study findings indicate that the narratives surrounding the war were influenced by a variety of factors, including ethnicity, contested land rights, identity issues, the impact of the conflict, and elite mobilization. These dynamic elements led local communities in North Wollo to perceive the war not merely as a confrontation with the federal government and Tigrayan forces, but rather as a direct attack on their ethnic identity, thus framing their resistance as a collective defensive act against the Tigrayan forces. The findings suggest that ethnicity serves as a crucial lens through which local communities construct narratives of victimization. This perspective is significantly shaped by an ethnic-based framework and elite mobilization, which influence their collective identity and responses. The paper concludes by emphasizing that addressing ethnic grievances and perceptions of existential threats through inclusive dialogue and reconciliation is essential for fostering lasting peace.