Two kinds of approaches have emerged in migration research over the years. One approachrntakes a "macro" level view of migrants based on statistics and categorizations. The other approachrnuses "micro" level analysis relying mostly on qualitative methodologies.rnThe Ethiopian literature on migration shows that researchers usually favor "macro" levelrnapproaches. This research is an attempt to redress the imbalance by conducting a "micro" levelrnqualitative analysis of the livelihood strategies of twelve Gurage and Amhara men and womenrnmigrants in Addis Ababa. The life histories of the migrants presented in this research have beenrncomposed in such a way as to present moving and intimate views of the individuals in relation to theirrnpast and present amid the dynamics of socio-economic integration into the urban way of life.rnAmid the diverse nature of the life experiences of each of the case studies, attempt has beenrnmade to draw generalizations in the concluding section of this thesis regarding patterns ofrnemployment, social relationships, living conditions, incomes and institutional relationships. Thernlivelihood strategies show us the sequence of social positions the migrants have occupied throughoutrntheir lives and the changing definitions of themselves and their world they have held at various stages.rnIn analyzing the life histories, attempt has been made draw comparisons withrnother research findings where relevant. In Addis Ababa, close to a half of the city's population comesrnfrom the rural areas. Cities have been the engines of development in the African context, includingrnEthiopia, and a look at the livelihood strategies of rural-urban migrants in the urban context can helprnus understand some of the major undercurrents of social change in the country