By Mehari Worku
The MELC Department’s Horn of Africa Studies program has been thriving in its second year! Many students have been excited to learn Amharic, a widely used language from the Horn, and to explore the complex history, religious development, and literature of the region in courses like “Ethiopic Bible and Literature: The First 1500 Years” and “Holy People and Holy Places of the Horn of Africa.”
This year, Horn of Africa Studies launched the new Amharic Club, open to students, faculty, and interested UW staff who wish to learn, appreciate, and promote the Amharic language. The group meets every Friday from 3:00–4:00 p.m. in Denny Hall 156. Throughout the Autumn and Winter Quarters, participants practiced the language and deepened their understanding of Ethiopia and its diverse cultures.
A new summer course has also been developed to support Amharic language learning. Intensive Elementary Amharic (AMHAR 105), a 10‑credit course fulfilling language study requirements, will be offered in Summer 2026. Students interested in learning a language with a rich history and a unique writing system are warmly encouraged to register!
Looking ahead, the Horn of Africa Initiative is organizing a series of outreach events in collaboration with the African Studies Program at the Jackson School of International Studies and the Department of History. In May, Dr. Mehari Worku will deliver a presentation at the UW Middle East Center on “Recasting the Sacred: Medieval Incorporation of Foreign Religious Figures in the Horn of Africa,” highlighting findings from his ongoing research on medieval Ethiopian saints’ lives.
We look forward to seeing how the program continues to grow and develop!