Until 1995, Sidamo was a province in the southern part of Ethiopia with Awasa as capital. In 1995 the old system of provinces was replaced by a system of ethnically based regions called Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples’ Region. The three main ethnic groups are the Sidama, the Gedeo and the Oromo. But after a referendum in June 2020, Sidama became a regional state In Ethiopia. Sidama is the name of both Sidama People and the Sidama land with a population of around 3.2 million who speak the Cushitic languages Sidama. Like many other ethnic groups across Ethiopia, the Sidama people have their own traditions, culture, and even their own UNESCO-recognised New Year, called Fichee-Chambalaalla.

Sidama region is the leading coffee producing region in Ethiopia, benefiting from the best condition for growing coffee : fertile soil, altitude and good rainfall. In cup, we can define those coffees as citric with nice floral and bergamot notes. But due to the amount of cooperatives, washing stations and environmental conditions in the same region, the cup profile can vary from one place to another.

So what is correct to say ? In the coffee industry, Sidamo holds a designation of origin for coffees grown in this specific region of southern Ethiopia. Nevertheless, due to recent political changes in Ethiopia, it is now correct to use Sidama to define the region.