Harar (sometimes spelled Harrar or Harer) is a city in eastern Ethiopia, and the capital of the modern Harari ethno-political division (or kilil) of Ethiopia. Located on a hilltop, in the eastern extension of the Ethiopian highlands about five hundred kilometers from Addis Ababa with an elevation of 1885 meters, this city has a latitude and longitude of . According to the census of 1994, it has a population of 76,378.

For centuries, Harar has been a major commercial center, linked by the trade routes with the rest of Ethiopia, the entire Horn of Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, and, through its ports, the outside world.

Harar Jugol has been included in the World Heritage List in 2006 by UNESCO in recognition of its cultural heritage.http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=19189&Cr=world&Cr1=heritage It is considered "the fourth holiest city of Islam" with 82 mosques, three of which date from the 10th century, and 102 shrines.http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/5176110.stm http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1189

People

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The inhabitants of Harar represent several ethnic groups, both Christian and Muslim, including Amhara, Oromo, Somali, Gurage, Tigray, and others. Nevertheless, within the walled city, the indigenous Harari are predominant. The Harari, who refer to themselves as Gey 'Usu ("People of the City") are a Semitic speaking people, possibly descended from an Aksumite military outpost (similar to the Gurages). Today, they are most commonly classed as a social and cultural, rather than as a distinct ethnic group, since most families have intermingled with the neighboring groups, and were welcoming of foreigners into their community. Their language, Harari, constitutes a Semitic pocket in a predominantly Cushitic region. Originally written in the Arabic script, it has recently converted to the Ge'ez alphabet.

History

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Called "Gey" ("the City") by its inhabitants, Harar was founded between the 7th and the 11th century (according to different sources) and emerged as the center of Islamic culture and religion in the Horn of Africa. It preserved its political and cultural independence from the rest of Ethiopia for centuries, and in 1520 it became the capital of an independent Muslim kingdom under Abu Bakr. From Harar, Ahmad ibn Ibrihim al-Ghazi, also known as "Gragn the Left-handed," launched a war of conquest in the sixteenth century that extended its territory and even threatened the existence of the Christian Ethiopian empire. His successor, Emir Nur ibn Mujahid, encircled the city with a wall, 4 meters high and with five gates. This wall, called Jugol, is still intact, and is a symbol of the town to the inhabitants.

The sixteenth century was the Golden Age of Harar. The local culture flourished, and many poets lived and wrote there. It also became known for coffee, weaving, basketry and bookbinding. The rulers of Harar also struck its own currency, the earliest possible issues bearing a date that may be read as AH 615 (= AD 1218/19); but definitely by AD 1789 the first coins were issued, and more were issued into the nineteenth century.Richard R.K. Pankhurst, An Introduction to the Economic History of Ethiopia (London: Lalibela House, 1961), p. 267.

The city managed to maintain its independence until 1875, when it was conquered by Egypt. During this period, Arthur Rimbaud lived in the city - his former house now a museum. Ten years later, it regained its independence, but this lasted only two years until 6 January 1887 when the Battle of Chelenqo led to Harar's incorporation into the Negus Menelik II of Ethiopia's growing Empire based in Shewa.

Harar lost some of its commercial importance with the creation of the Addis Ababa - Djibouti Railway, initially intended to run via the city but diverted north of the mountains between Harar and the Awash River to save money. As a result of this, Dire Dawa was founded in 1902 as New Harar.

In 1995 the city and its environs became an Ethiopian region (or kilil) in its own right. A pipeline to carry water to the city from Dire Dawa is currently under construction.

Attractions

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The old town is home to ninety-nine mosques and many more shrines, centred on Feres Magala square. Notable buildings include Medhane Alem Cathedral and the sixteenth century Jamia Mosque. There is also a market. A long standing tradition of feeding porridge to hyenas one night a year developed in the 1960s into a nightly feeding show for the benefit of tourists.

References

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See also

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• List of emirs of Harar (after 1660)

External links

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• Harari portal - Gateway to Harar and Harraris on the web
• Ethiopian Treasures - Harar City Wall
• Map of Harar (1936)
• Harar at the turn of the Century
• Ras Makonnen's Vacant Mausoleum
• Rimbaud In Harar
• Harar Under Egyptian Rule
• Harar in the Old Days
• List of Emirs of Adal and Harar (complete)

Cities in Ethiopia | World Heritage Sites in Ethiopia | Harar | Harer