Terminology
Throughout its history the community has been called a large number of names. According to tradition the name "Beta Israel" originated in the 4th century when the community refused to convert to Christianity during the rule of Abreha and Atsbeha (identified with Se'azana and Ezana), the monarchs of the Aksumite Empire who embraced Christianity. This name stands opposite to "Beta Christian" (Christianity) and wasn't originally attributed any negative meanings and the community has used it ever since as its official name. Since the 1980s it has also become the official name used in the scientific literature to describe the community. The term Esra'elawi (Israelites) which is related to the name Beta Israel that is used by the community to refer to its members.
The name Ayhud (Jews) is rarely used in the community since the Christians used it as a derogatory term. Only with the strengthening ties with other Jewish communities in the 20th century did the name begin to be commonly used by the community itself. The term 'Ivrawi (Hebrews) was used to refer to the Chawa (free man) in the community, which were opposed to Barya (slave). The term Oritawi (Torah-true) was used to refer to the community members and since the 19th Century it has become opposite to the term Falash Mura (Converts).
The major derogatory term Falasha (foreigners/exiles) was given to the community by the Emperor Yeshaq in the 15th century. Another term Agaw which refers to the Agaw people, the original inhabitants of northwest Ethiopia, is considered derogatory since it incorrectly associates the community with the pagan Agaw. Other derogatory terms by which the community has been known include Attenkun (don't touch us) named after the strict purity laws of the community, Kayla (one of the Agaw languages spoken by them) meaning in dispute, Christ killers, Tebiban (possessor of secret knowledge), Buda (evil eye), Jib (Hyenas) and Jiratam (tail), Serategna (worker), Balla Ejj (craftsmen), Gdmoch (the people of the field). There were also local terms Fogera in Wolqayt and Tsegede, Kaylasha (combination of Kayla and Falasha) in Armachiho, Mito in Gojjam, Damot and Gibe, Damenenza (his blood will be upon them) in Gojjam and Shifalasha in Lasta. In other languages Fndz'a in Oromo and Nafura (Blacksmiths) in Gurage.
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