Why do Ethnicities Clash? Chapter 7: Ethnicity Key Issue #3

Ethnic Competition to Dominate Nationality Ethnic Competition in the Horn of Africa o Ethiopia & Eritrea 30 year war following independence from Italy Eritrea – split between Christianity & Muslim o Two ethnic groups: Tigrinya and Tigre Ethiopia – still multiethnic state o Amharas – Christian and tried to block use of other languages o Oromo – Muslim and are the largest ethnicity in Ethiopia o Sudan – in civil war since 1980’s Arab-Muslim government in conflict with ethnicities in the rest of the country South – Christian and Animist resisted attempts to create a nation tied to Muslim culture o Gained independence 2011 West – black Muslim o Fought against Sudanese government The ethnic differences were not based as much on looks as on name and religion

Ethnic Competition to Dominate Nationality o Somalia Although more ethnically similar than the rest of the Horn countries: o Clans fighting for control o Predominantly Muslim country o Many refugees from inter-clan conflicts o Warlords control much of the food and therefore many of the people o Lebanon Divided between two religions: Christianity & Islam o Shiite & Sunni Muslims and Maronite & Greek Orthodox Christians Government reflects religious affiliations o Seats based on religion Many countries have tried to intervene with marginal success

Dividing Ethnicities Among More Than One State India & Pakistan o Under British control: Created two different states: 1 Muslim and 1 Hindu o Resulted in massive migration People on both sides were killed during immigration o Settlement of northern border in Kashmir has not been fully settled Kashmir fights for unification &/or independence Sinhalese (Buddhist) & Tamil (Hindi) in Sri Lanka o Have been fighting for 2,000 years o Sinhalese stopped rebellion Tamil fear that ethnicity will disappear Language and religion tied to who has power