Yemeni families in the early history of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia ca. 1900-1950: A revisionist approach in diasporic historiography

Abstract

This article aims to bring into attention the hitherto undocumented history of Yemeni migration to Addis Ababa, the capital city of Ethiopia. Taking in to account a period which amount to half a century the article describes how the status of the Yemeni migrants have changed within the Ethiopian state structure. More specifically, the article traces how the framework for migration and settlement of Yemenis in Addis Ababa has changed over a period of time. It also tries to show how the Yemenis have progressively integrated themselves within the economic and social life of the Ethiopian state. In its explication the study rely on family history as well as documents which are held by members of the Yemeni diaspora community. It also argues for the necessity of employing the methodological strategy the paper has followed in order to explain not only the history of Yemeni migrants but also other diasporic families.