One narrative that continues to be amplified is the myth of ‘Tigrayan exceptionalism’. Zola starts by suggesting that the cultural history and identity of Tigrayans are the sources of Tigrayan exceptionalism. This historical reality predates the modern Ethiopian state and the Tigrayan people have been proud participants in subsequent processes of Ethiopian state-building. In much the same way, Zola’s piece utilizes the myth of Tigrayan exceptionalism to extricate the Tigrayan story from the broader narrative of the Ethiopian people’s fight against oppressive structures and it imbues everything associated with Tigray with rebellious traits and malevolent motives. In this context, the myth of Tigrayan exceptionalism serves to blame the victim and to cleanse the perpetrators of responsibility for these terrible atrocities.

Source: Ethiopian News May 24, 2022 15:19 UTC