Local circumstances matter: the story of two peasant resistances in northwestern Ethiopia from 1974 to 1991

This paper aims to examine the strategies employed by the peasantry to defend their established rights and privileges against a dominant state. A careful analysis of archival and oral sources revealed that despite having common grievances, the peasants in northwestern Ethiopia have adopted a distinct approach to resistance that aligns with their local circumstances. Thus, this paper argues that local factors play a crucial role in determining the nature, content, and duration of resistance movements. Besides, it provides an opportunity to examine the central role played by the peasantry in shaping the course of history.