Introduction / History

The Amhara people are related to the Tigray and Tigre people of Ethiopia and Eritrea who together make up the Habeshans. These people can trace their origins back to Shem, the eldest son of Noah. They left present-day Yemen and settled on the African side of the Red Sea, inhabiting the Nile Delta and all land East of the valley down to the Ethiopian Highlands. These people are known in antiquity as the Ancient Egyptians who retreated back to Ethiopia and Eritrea after countless takeovers of Egypt. here they established other great kingdoms such as Sheba/Saba and Axum. After the Middle Ages they soon split into 3 tribes: Amhara, Tigre and Tigray with their own languages that all derived from Ge 'ez, their ancient language. Today the Amhara live mainly in Central and East/North Eastern Ethiopia. A smaller number have migrated to Libya to find work. Many have returned because of the instability in that country.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Like many from poor countries, the Amharas come to Libya to find high-paying jobs. Typically, they reside there for a certain period and send money to their relatives in Ethiopia.

What Are Their Beliefs?

From early encounters with the Hebrew people, many adopted the early form of proto-Judaism. Though the high and ruling class continued to practice the Egyptian pagan religion until Queen Makda of Sheba was converted by King Solomon to Judaism. Christianity came to the Amhara through Coptic missionaries. The Amhara were among the first African converts to Islam after sheltering Mohammed's followers from their enemies in Mecca. Because of the Islamic expansion, Aksum was cut off from other Christian kingdoms, which created their own unique form of Coptic Christianity. They incorporated Jewish rituals and laws and added a focus on monasticism. Today the majority of Amhara people are Ethiopian Orthodox, and the minority are Sunni Muslim.

What Are Their Needs?

There needs to be a Holy Spirit revival in Amhara churches, drawing them closer to the Lord of lords. They need to take the opportunity to share Christ with Muslims while they are in Kuwait.

Prayer Items

Pray for the Amharas in Libya to be given the gift of healing and a willingness to glorify Christ among the Muslim majority.
Pray for the Holy Spirit to do a new work among the Amhara people, both in their churches and in their homes.
Pray that soon, Amharas will be discipling others in the ways of Jesus Christ.
Pray for them to understand the true worth of Jesus Christ and teach it to their children.

Scripture Prayers for the Amhara, Ethiopian in Libya.