List of Ethiopians explained

This is a list of notable Ethiopians, sorted by the fields for which they are best known. The list includes people born in and residing in Ethiopia, as well as people strongly associated with Ethiopia, and people of significant Ethiopian ancestry.

Academics and philosophers

• • Alemayehu Fentaw Weldemariam Mohamed Hikam Sheikh Abdirahman, Islamic scholar
• Dereje Agonafer, Professor of Mechanical Engineering at University of Texas at Arlington
• Amsalu Aklilu, lexicographer of Amharic
• Hizkias Assefa, professor of conflict studies and consulting mediator
• Bahrey, 16th-century monk historian
• Gäbre-Heywät Baykädañ (1886–1919), intellectual and reformer who served as treasurer for Emperor Menelik II
• Yosef Ben-Jochannan, writer and historian
• Eleni Gebre-Medhin, economist^[1]
• Gebisa Ejeta, 2009 World Food Prize laureate and Distinguished Professor at Purdue University
• Getatchew Haile, scholar of the Ge'ez language
• Walda Heywat, philosopher
• Ephraim Isaac, scholar of ancient languages
• Taddesse Tamrat, Ethiopian historian
• Shekh Muhammad Tānī, Islamic scholar
• Merid Wolde Aregay, Ethiopian historian
• Mesfin Woldemariam, academician
• Zewde Gebre-Sellassie
• Edemariam Tsega, physician

Artists

• Mickaël Bethe-Selassié, papier mâché sculptor
• Alexander Boghossian^[2]
• Gebre Kristos Desta^[3]
• Wosene Worke Kosrof^[4]
• Tadesse Mamechae, sculptor^[5]
• Julie Mehretu^{[6] [7]}
• Aida Muluneh, photographer^[8]
• Afewerk Tekle^{[9] [10]}
• Abel Tilahun, visual artist
• Elizabeth Habte Wold, mixed-media artist
• Zerihun Yetmgeta^[11]
• Ale Felege Selam

Athletes

• Gezahegne Abera, runner
• Haimro Alame (born 1990), Ethiopian-born Israeli runner
• Gashau Ayale (born 1996), Ethiopian-born Israeli marathon runner
• Bezunesh Bekele, runner
• Kenenisa Bekele (born 1982), long-distance runner^[12]
• Almensh Belete (born 1989, Addis Ababa), Ethiopian-born Belgian female long-distance runner^[13]
• Abebe Bikila (1932–1973), long-distance runner^[14]
• Worku Bikila (born 1968), long-distance runner^[15]
  • Meseret Defar Baruch Dego (born 1982), Ethiopian-born Israeli footballer
• Ejegayehu Dibaba
• Genzebe Dibaba
• Tirunesh Dibaba
• Ageze Guadie (born 1989), Ethiopian-born Israeli Olympic marathon runner
• Haile Gebrselassie^[16]
• Letesenbet Gidey, 5000 meters world record holder
• Sifan Hassan, Ethiopian-born Dutch middle- and long-distance runner
• Youssouf Hersi, footballer
• Benjamin Kibebe, footballer
  • Werknesh Kidane Tesama Moogas, Ethiopian-born Israeli Olympic marathon runner
• Jamal Sadat, footballer
• Theodor Gebre Selassie, footballer
• Lencho Skibba
• Maru Teferi (born 1992), Ethiopian-born Israeli Olympic marathoner
• Ydnekatchew Tessema
• Derartu Tulu^[17]
  • Italo Vassalo Luciano Vassalo
• Asi Vassihon (born 1982), Ethiopian-Israeli footballer
• Mamo Wolde (1932–2002), long-distance runner^[18]
  • Million Wolde Mengistu Worku, footballer
• Andargachew Yelak, footballer
• Miruts Yifter
• Zohar Zemiro (born 1977), Israeli marathon runner

Businesspeople

• Mahlet Afework, fashion designer and entrepreneur
• Tewodros Ashenafi, CEO of SouthWest Energy
• Sophia Bekele, corporate executive and entrepreneur
• Betelhem Dessie (born 1999), tech entrepreneur
  • Mohammed Hussein Al Amoudi (born 1946), Ethiopian-Saudi billionaire Juneidi Basha, business executive
• Melesse Temesgen (born 1964), businessman and researcher
• Mazengia Demma, businessman and investor
• Eleni Gebre-Medhin, entrepreneur and business woman
• Tewolde Gebremariam, business executive, former Chief Executive Officer of Ethiopian Airlines
• Girma Wake, business executive and Chairman of Ethiopian Airlines

Diplomats and ambassadors

• Aida Girma-Melaku UNICEF Representative in Pakistan
• Tekeda Alemu (born 1951), representative to the United Nations
• Teketel Forsido, ambassador and former Minister of Agriculture
• Abdul Majid Hussein (1944–2004), representative to the United Nations
• Makonnen Kebret, diplomat and agricultural education specialist
• Atsede Kidanu, career diplomat
• Mateus, 16th-century ambassador to Portugal and Rome
• Andargachew Messai (1902–1981), diplomat and husband of Princess Tenagnework Haile Selassie
• Saga za Ab, 16th-century ambassador to Europe
• Lorenzo Taezaz, (1900–1947), diplomat and later Minister of Foreign Affairs
• Tayé-Brook Zerihoun (born 1942), Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs in the United Nations Department of Political Affairs

Entertainers

• Senait Ashenafi, actor^[19]
• Mahder Assefa, actress
• Dege Feder, dancer
• Amleset Muchie, actress and filmmaker
• Tesfaye Sahlu (1920–2017), comedian and children's television host
• Alebachew Teka, actor and comedian

Fashion models

• Gelila Bekele^[20]
• Liya Kebede^{[21] [22] [23]}
• Sara Nuru^[24]
• Berta Vázquez

Filmmakers

• Adanech Admassu
• Haile Gerima^{[25] [26]}
• Nnegest Likke
• Theodros Teshome

Humanitarians

• Yohannes Gebregeorgis^[27]
• Abebech Gobena^[28]
• Lale Labuko^[29]
• Yetnebersh Nigussie
• Alemayehu Fentaw Weldemariam
• Mesfin Woldemariam^[30]

Military personnel

• Haile Tilahun Gebremariam, former Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) general, present Head of Mission of the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA)
• Lieutenant General Birhanu Jula Gelalcha, Force Commander of UNISFA from 2014 to 2016
• Major General Tesfay Gidey Hailemichael, Force Commander of UNISFA from 2017 to 2018
• Major General Halefom Ejigu Moges, acting Head of Mission of UNISFA from 2014 to 2015
• Major General Hassen Ebrahim Mussa, Force Commander of UNISFA from 2016 to 2017
• Lieutenant General Tadesse Werede Tesfay, commander of UNISFA from 2011 to 2013
• Major General Yohannes Gebremeskel Tesfamariam, commander of UNISFA from 2013 to 2014
• Major General Gebre Adhana Woldezgu, Force Commander of UNISFA since 2018

Musicians

• Aminé, American rapper of Ethiopian descent
• Mulugeta Abate, songwriter and composer
• Madingo Afework (1978–2022), singer
• Teddy Afro, singer^[31]
• Alemu Aga
• Mahmoud Ahmed, singer^[32]
• Tadesse Alemu
• Mulatu Astatke, musician and father of "ethio-jazz"^{[33] [34]}
• Aster Aweke, singer^[11]
• Abatte Barihun, jazz saxophonist and composer
• Aragaw Bedaso, traditional singer
• Eyasu Berhe, singer
• Girma Bèyènè
• Ali Birra, singer and composer
• Tamrat Desta, singer-songwriter
• Alemayehu Eshete, Ethio-jazz singer
• Rophnan, electronic musician and songwriter
• Tilahun Gessesse, singer
• Gigi, singer^[35]
• Thomas Gobena, bassist of the Gypsy punk band Gogol Bordello
• Hachalu Hundessa, Oromo singer-songwriter
• Kenna^[36]
• Getatchew Mekurya, jazz, saxophonist
• Munit Mesfin, singer-songwriter
• LoLa Monroe, rapper, model, actress
• Emilia Rydberg, partial Ethiopian descent, performs in English and Swedish
• Kuku Sebsebe
• Kiros Alemayehu, Tigrayan singer
• Tigist Shibabaw, singer, sister of Gigi
• Shantam Shubissa, composer, singer, and poet
• Walias Band
• Wayna^{[36] [37]}
• The Weeknd, Canadian performer of Ethiopian ancestry
• Asnaketch Worku, singer and krar player
• Dawit Yifru, keyboardist and music arranger
• Gildo Kassa, music composer and singer

Nobility

• Faisal bin Turki, Sultan of Muscat and Oman
• Menen Asfaw
• Taytu Betul
• Abram Petrovich Gannibal
• Girma Yohannis Iyasu
• Iyasu II
• Iyasu V
• Prince Makonnen
• Menelik II
• Amha Selassie
• Haile Selassie I
• Zera Yacob Amha Selassie
• Princess Tenagnework
• Tewodros II
• Yohannes IV of Ethiopia
• Zewditu I
• Imru Haile Selassie
• Seifu Mikael
• Kassa Hailu

Physicians

• Gebrehiwot Baykedagn
• Workneh Eshete (1864–1952), first Ethiopian to be educated as a medical doctor

Political figures

• Fisseha Adugna
• Abiy Ahmed
  • Aman Mikael Andom Andualem Aragie (born 1972), Vice President and Press Secretary for the Unity for Democracy and Justice (UDJP) party
• Fitsum Assefa
• Lidetu Ayalew
• Tafari Benti
• Abdirahman Eid Daahir (born 1985), Ethiopian politician and son of Eid Daahir Farah who is the former president of the Somali Region of Ethiopia
• Hailemariam Desalegn
• Tsehafi Taezaz Aklilu Habte-Wold
• Tesfaye Gebre Kidan
• Bulcha Demeksa
• Merera Gudina
• Harka Haroyu
• Adem Ibrahim, former Minister of Health
• Tamirat Layne
• Negeri Lencho, Minister of Communications
• Endelkachew Makonnen
• Mengistu Haile Mariam
• Seyoum Mesfin
• Birtukan Mideksa
• Beyene Petros
• Mazi Melesa Pilip, Ethiopian-born American politician
• Haile Fida
• Berhanu Nega^{[38] [39]}
• Mulu Nega
• Arkebe Oqubay
• Haile Selassie
• Hailu Shawel
• Lia Tadesse
• Zinash Tayachew
• Tekle Hawariat Tekle Mariyam (1884–1977), contributing author to the 1931 Constitution of Ethiopia
• Roman Tesfaye
• Mulatu Teshome
• Samuel Urkato
• Fikre Selassie Wogderess
• Asrat Woldeyes^[38]
• Girma Wolde-Giorgis
• Hailu Yimenu
• Meles Zenawi

Religious people

• Abu Rumi, first to translate Bible into Amharic
• Aster Ganno, Oromo Bible translator, collector of folklore, and teacher
• Dawit Amanuel, Bible translator into Tigre
• Jamāl al-Dīn b. Muḥammad al-Annī, Islamic scholar who introduced the Qādirī order to Ethiopia
• Onesimos Nesib, Oromo Bible translator
• Tekle Haymanot, saint of Ethiopian Orthodox Church
• Tewolde-Medhin Gebre-Medhin, Bible translator into Tigre and Tigrinya
• Yonatan Aklilu, founder of the Addis Kidan Kahinat Church

Saints

• Abuna Aregawi
• Ewostatewos
• Tekle Haymanot^[40]
• Iyasus Mo'a
• Gabra Manfas Qeddus
• Kristos Samra
• Abuna Theophilos
• Samuel of Dabra Wagag
• Walatta Petros
• Yared

Scientists

See main article: List of Ethiopian scientists.

• Zeresenay Alemseged, anthropologist^[41]
• Berhane Asfaw, anthropologist^[42]
• Kitaw Ejigu
• Gebisa Ejeta^[43]
• Sossina M. Haile^[44]
• Tewolde Berhan Gebre Egziabher^[45]
• Aklilu Lemma^[46]
• Legesse Wolde-Yohannes^[46]
• Melaku Worede
• Yohannes Haile-Selassie
• Segenet Kelemu

Writers

• Haddis Alemayehu
• Bahrey
• Yemodish Bekele (born 1960), journalist and author
• Dhoodaan (1941–2013), Somali-Ethiopian poet^[47]
• Tsegaye Gebre-Medhin^[48]
• Baalu Girma, author of Oromay
• Abe Gubegna
• Sebhat Guèbrè-Egziabhér
• Getatchew Haile
• Alaqa Gebre Hanna, master of qene poetry
• Afawarq Gabra Iyasus
• Moges Kebede
• Kebede Michael
• Maaza Mengiste
• Dinaw Mengestu
• Eskinder Nega
• Heruy Welde Sellase
• Abiye Teklemariam
• Alemayehu Fentaw Weldemariam
• Mammo Wudneh
• Bewketu Seyoum

Other notable people

• Alemseged Assefa, banker^[49]
• Amsale Gualu, first female airline captain
• Marcus Samuelsson, chef
• Adeneko Svhat-Haimovitch, judge in Israel
• Eyerusalem Jiregna, photographer and photojournalist
• Ellene Mocria, first female radio and television presenter

See also

• Ethiopian historiography

Notes and References

1. Web site: The dangerous hype behind the Ethiopian commodity exchange (or commodity invasion?) . Ethiomedia.com . 3 August 2013.
2. Web site: culturebase.net . Alexander Skunder Boghossian artist portrait . culturebase.net . 3 August 2013.
3. Web site: Gebre Kristos Desta -The Painter-Poet | Addis Journal . Arefe.wordpress.com . 3 August 2013.
4. Web site: Wosene Worke Kosrof. Ethiopian Passages: Dialogues in the Diaspora. National Museum of African Art. 16 October 2010.
5. http://www.addisfortune.com/Modern%20Blends%20with%20Custom%20in%20Double%20Exhibit.htm "Modern Blends with Custom in Double Exhibit"
6. http://www.whitecube.com/artists/mehretu/
7. Web site: Julie Mehretu :: Foundation for Contemporary Arts . Contemporary-arts.org . 18 June 2005 . 3 August 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120226130558/http://contemporary-arts.org/grant_recipients/juliemehretu.html . 26 February 2012.
8. Web site: Aida Muluneh | Ethiopian Passages: Dialogues in the Diaspora . Africa.si.edu . 3 August 2013.
9. Web site: Afewerk Tekle . Maitreafewerktekle.com . 3 August 2013.
10. Web site: Afewerk Tekle Awarded Honour . Ethioembassy.org.uk . 29 July 2004 . 3 August 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120218102129/http://www.ethioembassy.org.uk/news/press%20releases/Afewerk%20Tekle%20Awarded%20Honour.htm . 18 February 2012 . dead.
11. http://www.ethiopianmillennium.com/arts.html
12. Web site: Athletes | Famous Olympic Athletes | Medals | Gold Medalists | Heroes . Olympic.org . 3 August 2013.
13. Web site: Almensh Belete. IAAF. 19 November 2013.
14. Web site: Athletes | Famous Olympic Athletes | Medals | Gold Medalists | Heroes . Olympic.org . 3 August 2013.
15. Web site: WORKU BIKILA. IAAF. 19 November 2013.
16. Web site: Athletes | Famous Olympic Athletes | Medals | Gold Medalists | Heroes . Olympic.org . 3 August 2013.
17. Web site: Athletes | Famous Olympic Athletes | Medals | Gold Medalists | Heroes . Olympic.org . 3 August 2013.
18. Web site: Mamo Wolde. https://web.archive.org/web/20200417173700/https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/wo/mamo-wolde-1.html. dead. 17 April 2020. SR/Olympic Sports. 19 November 2013.
19. Web site: Missing Page! WCHS-TV8 . Wchstv.com . 3 August 2013 . 3 December 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121203021735/http://www.wchstv.com/abc/genhosp/senaitashenafi.html . dead .
20. Web site: Gelila Bekele: A model, humanitarian, social activist « Ethiopian News . Ethiopianreview.com . 2008-09-18 . 2013-08-16.
21. Web site: Liya Kebede Photos on . . 3 August 2013.
22. Web site: HELLO! . . 3 August 2013.
23. Web site: The Liya Kebede Foundation. The Liya Kebede Foundation. 3 August 2013.
24. Web site: Interview with Sara Nuru: Germany’s Next Top Model at Tadias Magazine . Tadias.com . 22 May 2009 . 3 August 2013 .
25. Web site: Haile Gerima’s "Teza" Wins African Oscar at Tadias Magazine . Tadias.com . 9 March 2009 . 3 August 2013.
26. Web site: Ethiopian film earns nation's first Carthage award . Magharebia . 3 August 2013.
27. News: CNN Heroes - Special Reports from CNN.com. CNN.
28. Web site: Worldaware Business Awards 2004 - The Worldaware Award . Worldaware.org.uk . 3 August 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140304162826/http://www.worldaware.org.uk/awards/awards2004/abebech.html . 4 March 2014.
29. NBC News 13 July 2014 Breaking With Brutal Tradition: Young Tribesman Fights for Babies' Lives by Hasani Gittens
30. Web site: Professor Mesfin Wolde Mariam - by Dr. Negussay Ayele - Pagume 1, 1998 (Eth Cal) . Mediaethiopia.com . 6 September 2006 . 3 August 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20141110133802/http://www.mediaethiopia.com/Views/Profile_of_Professor_Mesfin_WoldeMariam_byProfNegussay_Ayele.html . 10 November 2014 . dead .
31. News: In Ethiopia, jailed singer is a political symbol. Los Angeles Times. Edmund . Sanders . 11 August 2008 .
32. Web site: Awards for World Music 2007 - Mahmoud Ahmed . BBC . 3 August 2013.
33. Web site: Ethiopian Jazz Music . Ethio Jazz . 3 August 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130829011921/http://www.ethiojazz.com/ . 29 August 2013.
34. Web site: Shalev . Ben . A second round of glory - Israel News . . 20 June 2006 . 3 August 2013.
35. Web site: Radio 3 Awards for World Music 2004 - Abyssinia Infinite . BBC . 3 August 2013.
36. Web site: Ethiopia - Two Ethiopian-Americans nominated for 2009 Grammy Awards . Nazret.com . 3 August 2013.
37. Web site: Biography . Wayna.Net . 3 August 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120220150348/http://wayna.net/site/?page_id=18 . 20 February 2012.
38. http://www.ethiopianmillennium.com/politics.html
39. Web site: Birhanu-awarded . Addisvoice.com . 19 May 2006 . 3 August 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120226130619/http://www.addisvoice.com/Birhanu-awarded.htm . 26 February 2012 . dead .
40. Web site: Michael Samir Ghaly . The Life and Miracles of St. Takla Haymanot the Ethiopian . St-takla.org . 3 August 2013.
41. Web site: New Anthropology Chair | California Academy of Sciences . Calacademy.org . 3 August 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130704010908/http://www.calacademy.org/newsroom/releases/2008/zeray_alemseged.php . 4 July 2013.
42. Web site: John Templeton Foundation - Humble Approach Initiative . Templeton.org . 3 August 2013 . dead . https://archive.today/20120911072810/http://www.templeton.org/humble_approach_initiative/Knowledge_of_the_Human_Being/other-participants/asfaw.html . 11 September 2012.
43. http://www.voanews.com/english/archive/2009-06/2009-06-11-voa43.cfm?CFID=264952358&CFTOKEN=71611794&jsessionid=003075091cb917a438657a55403ee371e424
44. Web site: Murr, Andrew . Sossina Haile: The Power Behind Cooler, Greener Energy . . 22 December 2007 . 3 August 2013.
45. Web site: Tewolde Berhan Gebre Egziabher (Ethiopia) . Rightlivelihood.org . 3 August 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130814221522/http://www.rightlivelihood.org/egziabher.html . 14 August 2013.
46. Web site: Aklilu Lemma (Ethiopia) . Rightlivelihood.org . 3 August 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130925080343/http://www.rightlivelihood.org/lemma.html . 25 September 2013.
47. Web site: Wariyaha VOA Laanteeda afka Soomaaliga ee Kenya, Maxamad Faarax Shire, ahna tifatiraha warsidaha caanka ah ee www.afdheer.com ayaa wareysitay Abwaanka Stanza. 27 December 2014.
48. Web site: Poet Laureate Tsegaye Gabre . Ethiopians.com . 3 August 2013.
49. Web site: Samuel . Gelila . Bankers Call for Higher Denomination Bank Notes . addisfortune.news . Fortune . 26 December 2023 . May 23, 2020.