“It Only Reopens Old Wounds”: Lived Experiences of Amhara Genocide Survivors From the Miakadra Massacre in Ethiopia

Abstract

Given the violent conflict and spiraling human rights violations over the last 3 years in Ethiopia, the mass killings and genocide have received little scholarly attention. This phenomenological study investigated the lived experiences of Amhara survivors of the Maikadra ROM: massacre, which occurred November 9–10, 2020, in northwestern Ethiopia. In-depth interviews were conducted with 15 survivors who were purposefully selected to understand the meaning and essence of their lived experiences of the massacre. Data were transcribed, translated, and thematically analyzed using a qualitative phenomenological approach. Thematic analysis yielded seven themes centered on premassacre oppression and discrimination, traumatic experiences, emancipation, exacerbating stressors, postmassacre injustice, survivors’ primary needs, and coping mechanisms of massacre survivors. The article underscores the role of social workers and community workers in providing professional psychosocial programs and interventions to address massacre survivors’ specific needs as individuals, families, and communities.

Genocide against the Tutsi Experiences among Priests in Rwanda

“…In Ethiopia, a phenomenological study conducted by Bihonegn and Mekonen (2022) explored the lived experiences of Amhara survivors of the Maikadra massacre in 2020, focusing on pre-massacre oppression, discrimination, traumatic experiences, emancipation, exacerbating stressors, post-massacre injustice, primary needs, and coping mechanisms. Thematic analysis yielded seven themes, emphasizing the importance of social workers and community workers in providing psychosocial programs and interventions to address the specific needs of massacre survivors as individuals, families, and communities.…”