LAUSR

This paper tries to shed a light on the history of Wolaytta that evolved from huge kingdom to the recent small province called Zone. Here the researcher presents insights on the previous glories of Wolaytta kingdoms and the retreat of the kingdom’s political and economic hegemonies. The paper also tries to look at the contemporary quest of independent regional state of Wolaytaa. Issues that have been raised above are qualitatively analysed after extensive data collection through interview, group discussion and formal and informal discussions with elderly people who are aware of the history of Wolaytta. The finding of this research shows that the people of Wolaytta had very strong centralized political system since 13th century. Basically two dynasties under the name called Wolaita-Mala and Wolaytta Tigre had ruled the vast territory of Wolaytta up until late 20th century. The kingdom was also known in expanding to the reset of the country up until the then notorious northern Ethiopia up until Gojjam, Amhara. The state was also defended its territory from the expansionist Minilik II and finally incorporated to the Ethiopian kingdom after a bloody war. Since their incorporation, Wolaytta had faced a century of retreat both economically and politically. With the change of leader in the ruling part EPRDF, a new wave of change has been observed that finally led the resurgence of Wolaita’s greatness and the quest for independent regional statehood under the Ethiopia federation.