Ethiopian authorities have detained a sixth prominent TikTok creator amid a widening crackdown on social media influencers accused of violating the country’s cultural norms through their attire at a public event. The latest arrest targets Adonay Berhane, a 25-year-old motivational content creator with nearly four million followers who recently received “TikToker of the Year” honors at the very ceremony now embroiled in controversy.
The arrests have sparked intense debate across Ethiopian social media platforms, creating a clear division between proponents of creative expression and defenders of traditional values. Those detained include Wongelawit Gebre Endrias (known online as Evan), a fashion influencer who attended the event braless beneath an oversized blazer, and Yohannes Mekonnen (Jahnny), a dancer who carried a man-bag while accepting his video production award.
Federal police confirm all six influencers remain under investigation for allegedly promoting behavior that undermines public morality. Authorities have expressed particular concern about the growing influence of international digital trends on Ethiopian youth, warning of further action against anyone perceived to be violating the nation’s cultural values or promoting what they term “shallow culture.
The government has maintained official silence on the matter, while family members have expressed shock at the detentions. Adonay’s mother, Abeba Gebru, described her son as an “example to Ethiopian youth” and her personal “backbone” in comments to BBC Tigrinya.
This incident highlights the escalating tension between Ethiopia’s rapidly expanding digital landscape—with over eight million social media users—and its deep-rooted cultural conservatism. The case represents a significant test case for how traditional societies navigate the globalizing influence of social media platforms and their content creators.