The Sidama people of southern Ethiopia are an ethnic group whose homeland is in the Sidama Zone of the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples Region (SNNPR) of Ethiopia.

Despite their large numbers they currently lack a separate ethnic regional state.

The Sidama preserve their cultural heritage, including their traditional religion and language until the late 1880s during the conquest by Emperor Menelik II.

Before this, the Sidama have their own well-established administrative systems that date at least to the ninth century, though it is made up of a loose coalition of Sidama kingdoms.

These kingdoms extend into the Gibe region.

As a result of marginalization and since the language does not have its own alphabet, very little has been written on Sidama issues.

Many are not able to attend school until after the Derg come to power in 1975.