Habesha and Ethiopiawi

Good morning evryone.

I have a sincere and honest question.

Not long ago, i was with some friends talking to a foreigner in Addis and he asked me "Are you habesha?" I told him "No im not, Im Ethiopiawi".

My friends got offended and told me that i am looking for troubles.

However this was not my intent, as for me when someone says habesha it emcompasses the Habesha Eritrean, and the culture of the highlands.

Let me.say that it is a culture worth being proud of, but it is not everyone culture in the country. Habesha culture while being the most seen, ancient and might be the cement of the history of Ethiopia is not the culture of all ethiopian.

My friend told me.that im creating division by using ethiopiawi instead of habesha. I dont undersrand how saying Ethiopiawi is creating division, it is not like i mentioned my ethnicity or anything else, i litterally said im Ethiopian.

Can someone explain where the issue is?

I truly believe that this little symptom is significant and means a lot on the perception of Ethiopian identity. Could we have a civilised discussion on this topic.

I feel like Ethiopia is stuck in the past and we cant move forward as i believe there is a need to overcome the old teibal rivalries and find a new way of defining Ethiopiawiness while being attentive to everyone in the country.

Thank you for your attention.