Sidamo

Sidamo is a Cushitic language spoken in Ethiopia. It is one of the most widely spoken languages in Ethiopia, with over four million speakers. Sidamo is written in the Ge'ez script. Sidamo is a member of the East Cushitic branch of the Afro-Asiatic family. It is closely related to Afar and Oromo, and has been classified as a dialect of Oromo by some linguists. However, others consider Sidamo to be a distinct language. The Sidamo people are pastoralists who live in the southeastern highlands of Ethiopia. They are one of the largest ethnic groups in Ethiopia, accounting for about four percent of the country's population. The Sidamo language has a number of dialects, the most widely spoken of which is Borena. Other dialects include Gabra, Gedeo, Hadiyya, and Kaffa. Sidamo is an oral language, with no standard written form. It is typically written in the Ge'ez script, although some speakers use the Latin alphabet. Sidamo has a rich oral tradition, and is used in many different contexts, including storytelling, music, and poetry. It is also the language of instruction in some primary schools in Ethiopia. Sidamo is a vital part of Ethiopia's cultural heritage, and is an important language for understanding the country's history and people.