Ethiopia Insight published on 23 April 2025 a commentary titled "Blood and Honor Culture Holds Us Back" by Negassa Dube, a lawyer in Seattle, Washington and advocate for Oromo rights.
Ethiopia has been entangled in a recurring cycle of war and conflict. The author argues that Ethiopia's deeply rooted warrior culture perpetuates this cycle. Ethiopian children are immersed in narratives that glorify warriors as national heroes. Ethiopian media reinforce this narrative.
Acknowledging the problem is the first step toward meaningful change. While the warrior ethos has preserved sovereignty against colonial powers and oppression, it is now perpetuating a cycle of conflict.