A neftenya (Amharic: ነፍተኛ, lit. "rifle-bearer"), was a settler who operated in the framework of the process of territorial expansion and creation of modern Ethiopia by the late 19th century.[1] In its literal meaning, neftenya refers to military occupiers who settled in Ethiopia's peripheral regions, including parts of today's Oromia Region, the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples' Region, Gambela Region, Benishangul-Gumuz Region and Tigray Region from the late 19th century onwards by the Kingdom of Shewa.[2] The Shewan conquerors that were described as Neftenya, were originally a multi-ethnic group of aristocratic rulers of the Kingdom of Shewa mostly made up of Amhara were high ranking members of Menelik II's Royal Court and their soldiers.[3][4] More recently, the term has been applied to Amhara extremists[5][6][7]