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The Yem people
The Yem people are an ethnic group indigenous to south-western Ethiopia, primarily located in the regions of Oromia and the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and People’s Region (SNNPR). They are part of the Omotic language family, with Yemsa being their native tongue. However, many Yem people also speak Amharic, reflecting the diverse linguistic influences in Ethiopia. Historically, the Yem were first mentioned in the 15th century in the victory song of King Yeshaq I of Ethiopia, who acknowledged their tribute of horses. The first European account of the Yem comes from Father Fernandez, a European traveler who documented his visit to their homeland in 1614. This early interaction highlights the Yem’s…