Ethiopian Movement - Ethiopianism

Ethiopianism

Ethiopianism is the movement of the people of Ethiopian/African descent at Home and Diaspora. It is non-classiest, non-confessional, non-irredentist & non-colonial. It is contingent, historic. As a new paradigm of a messianic/millenarian movement, it is a project of a kingdom in the land of internal or external exile. Prof. Muse Tegegne

Ethiopianism is rather difficult to define. It was not really an ideology, a theological school, or a political programme. It was rather a cluster of ideas and traditions and assumptions about being Christian in Africa that were shared by a group of Christian leaders in the period from 1890-1920. There was no sharp boundary to the movement, but it shaded off into other groups.

Most of the features of the Ethiopian movement have already been mentioned:

1. the use of the name Ethiopia, Ethiopian, Cush or Cushite in the names of churches
2. the aim of a united African Christianity, based on the idea that "Ethiopia shall stretch out its hands to God"
3. Anglican-Methodist ecclesiastical polity and theology
4. In spite of many schisms, the Ethiopianist leaders formed a network, and interacted with each other more than they did with leaders of other traditions.