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HARAR [Harar] or Harrar , city (1994 pop. 76,378), capital of Harar region, E central Ethiopia, at an altitude of c.6,000 ft (1,830 m). It is the trade center for a region where coffee, cereals, and cotton are produced. Harar was probably founded in the 7th cent. After 1520 the Harari
conqueror Ahmad Gran made it the capital of a considerable Muslim state, but an Oromo invasion brought an end (1577) to its political power. The city maintained a precarious independence until its occupation (1875-85) by Egypt. In 1887 it was incorporated into Ethiopia by Menelik II. The Harari inhabitants of the city are a distinctive Ethiopian group who speak a Semitic language, but whose written literature is Arabic. A walled city, Harar was long a center of Islamic learning. Today it is the site of a military academy and of teacher-training and agricultural schools. It is also spelled Harer
Harar
Harar or harla was established by Sultan Abu Beker Mohammed in 1520. Harar, the Holy City of Ethiopia's Muslim community, is believed to be the forth-holiest city after Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem. The old City Wall of Harar is the main attraction and symbol of Islamic architecture. Harar has approximately 90 mosques, which form the largest concentration of mosques in the world. One of Harar's main attractions is the hyena man who feeds hyenas on the outskirts of the town every night.
Harar is known for its turmoil and bloodshed. Ahmed Gragn killed Abu Beker Mohammed who was the ruler of Harar. Ahmed Gragn was a militant Muslim leader and used Harar as his base to launch his jihad and raids against the Ethiopian Christian Empire in 1528. He destroyed many churches and threatened the complete distruction of Ethiopian Christendom. He was killed by Emperor Gelawdewos in a Battle near Lake Tana in 1543. The raids continued against the Christians led by Ahmed Gragn's widow Bati Del Wambara. In 1559, Emperor Gelawdewos marched on Harar with the aim to eradicate the constant religious sectarianism taking place. Gelawdewos was killed in a battle and his head was paraded around the city on a stake.
In 1647, Emir Ali ibn Daud took control the city and established an autonomous administration. Despite the continuous fighting with Oromo tribes, Harar expanded; it became well populated, an important city for trade and a centre of Muslim scholarship. It issued its own currency. After 250 years of autonomous rule, Egypt occupied Harar and killed the Emir in 1875. The Egyptian action created a strong resistance in the Muslim community of Harar. Emir Abdullah took control and led a campaign against the Egyptians, which ended in 1885.
In 1887, Harar lost its autonomy when Menelik, Prince of Shewa, who later became Emperor of Ethiopia in 1889, waged war against the army of Emir Abdullah. Menelik defeated the Emir at the Battle of Chelenko in 1887. Menelik then established a new administration, including several members of the emir's family to prevent renewed religious sectarianism, headed by Ras Mekonnen, the father of Emperor Haile Selassie.
Harar then began to disintegrate and lost its status as a trade centre in the end of nineteenth century when the railway line was built between Addis Ababa and Djibouti through Dire Dawa. From 1902, Dire Dawa became the main commercial centre of Ethiopia.
However, Harar remained as the spiritual City of Ethiopia's Muslim community, the political capital of Hararge Province until 1994 and has become a federal city-state since 1995.
Unsco description on Harar
Brief Description
The fortified historic town of Harar is located in the eastern part of the country on a plateau with deep gorges surrounded by deserts and savannah. The walls surrounding this sacred Muslim city were built between the 13th and 16th centuries. Harar Jugol, said to be the fourth holiest city of Islam, numbers 82 mosques, three of which date from the 10th century, and 102 shrines. The most common houses in Harar Jugol are traditional townhouses consisting of three rooms on the ground floor and service areas in the courtyard. Another type of house, called the Indian House, built by Indian merchants who came to Harar after 1887, is a simple rectangular two-storied building with a veranda overlooking either street or courtyard. A third type of building was born of the combination of elements from the other two. The Harari people are known for the quality of their handicrafts, including weaving, basket making and book-binding, but the houses with their exceptional interior design constitute the most spectacular part of Harar's cultural heritage This architectural form is typical, specific and original, different from the domestic layout usually known in Muslim countries. It is also unique in Ethiopia. Harar was established in its present urban form in the 16th century as an Islamic town characterized by a maze of narrow alleyways and forbidding facades. From 1520 to 1568 it was the capital of the Harari Kingdom. From the late 16th century to the 19th century, Harar was noted as a centre of trade and Islamic learning. In the 17th century it became an independent emirate. It was then occupied by Egypt for ten years and became part of Ethiopia in 1887. The impact of African and Islamic traditions on the development of the town's specific building types and urban layout make for the particular character and even uniqueness of Harar.
World Heritage Committee documents
Advisory Body Evaluation
Links
The UNESCO Courrier
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Abdulwasi Abdibor - Harari Intifada
August 22, 2006
By Id Afendi - The man who came from a prominent Harari family, Abdibor, has passed away untimely August 16, 2006 in Addis Ababa. Abdulwasi Abdulrahman (Adus) Abdibor the first son of Adus Abdibor and Zeinaba Siti has been active in Harari national arena since his adulthood. He was arrested, tortured and paid dearly for five long years during Teferi's regime. When Teferi was dethroned by the military officers, he left Ethiopia for Saudi Arabia where he lived in exile. After the demise of the military regime he came back to see the realization of his life long dream – an autonomous Harari state. He was a patriot who loved Harar and its beautiful people. His patriotism is not unique for his family. As his two uncles, Ibrahim Abdibor who fought against illiteracy and ignorance and Sheikh Idriss Abdibor a known traditional healer who fought against disease (also left school behind him that bears his name in Dire Dawa). Abdulwasi Adus fought to see his home city Harar free under the yoke of neftegna tyranny. Since his return from Arabia, his contribution to Harar is difficult to tell in detail as there are many. He was a man of courage and determination. Abdulwasi is survived by his wife, three daughters and of course by his extended family. He will be missed by many good people of Harar. May Allah accept all his good deeds and grant him Janatul Furdows. Adieu Aba Abdulwasi, I mean, Kak Abdulwasi.
The Unsung Heroes
June 25, 2006
Inali'Allah waina Ilayhi Rajoon. Ustad Ahmed Khalil Faqih, one of the unsung heroes of the Kulub Movement passed away on Thursday June 22nd. I don't think many of us comprehend the sacrifices those people have paid for the sake of Harar and her people. I know I sure didn't ... until I sat down with him and managed to interview him about their ordeal. The interviews with him lead me to interview Col. Abdusalam Mohammed Faqih, and that in return led me to interview another one of the Kulub survivors ... Hajj Yusuf Mohammed Idris. I also interviewed my grandmother Uma Kood (Hajjiya Fatuma Mohammed Yusuf Berkhedlay) to get a glimpse of how the women and families were affected by mass imprisonment of our people for crime of seeking to breath a free air. Going back to Ustad Ahmed Khalil Faqih... he is one of the most caring and dedicated people I have come across. It always amazed me how he managed to keep in touch with friends and family. He would call me and my siblings individually and enquire about our well being, and advised us without being overbearing. He will surely be missed. May Allah grant him jennat al firdows. I met Kaka Ahmed Khalil in Addis during my trip to Ethiopia. We went home together and I showed him the unfinished version of the documentary, which only included him and col. Abdusalam. He was happy with the production, and laughed when he saw the part with him raising his fist. For me ... seeing him that happy was worth all the effort and expense in producing this documentary. The prisoners of Kulub had a lot of stories about their ordeal in their chest that they wanted to share with us, but unfortunately many were buried with it without being able to share it. This documentary will give us a glimpse into that world of struggle and sacrifice. To see a brief portion of the documentary click here. Thank you Kaka Ahmed Khalil, we will not forget.
The First Kulub Shaheed
January 28, 2006
Aw Mohamed (Mume) Abdullahi Omer Faqi was the first martyr (Shaheed) of the Kulub Movement. He was martyred due to torture, malnutrition, and other abuses he endured in prison. He passed away while in jail, and his body was never retured to his family in Dire Dawa. For more information about the Kulub movement, please click here
Kulub Movement DVD to Be Released Soon
June 8, 2006
Malasay Productions will release a documentary DVD about the Kulub Movement this July 2006 in Toronto.
1552 - 1567 Imam Nur ul-Mujtahid, Sultan of Harrar. Succeeded on the death of his uncle. m. Del Wambara, widow of his uncle and predecessor, Imam Muhammad III Ahmad Gran ibn Ibrahim al-Ghazi, Sultan of Harrar. He d. on his return from an expedition into Shoa, September 1567.
1567 - 1569 Sultan Usman ul-Habashi, Sultan of Harrar.
1569 - 1571 Sultan Talha, Sultan of Harrar.
1571 - 1573 Sultan Nasir II ibn Usman, Sultan of Harrar.
1573 - 1576 Sultan Muhammad IV ibn Nasir ibn Usman, Sultan of Harrar. Defeated and killed by Emperor Malik Sagad.
- 1583 Sultan Mansur III ibn Muhammad, Sultan of Harrar.
Sultan Muhammad V ibn Ibrahim Jaisk, Sultan of Harrar.
Amir 'Abdu'l Karim ibn Abu Bakar, Amir of Harrar. He d. 16th June 1825, having had issue, a daughter:
1) Guisti Fatima. Regent for her son Ahmad III. m. Amir 'Abu Bakar II ibn 'Abdu'l Munan, Amir of Harrar, by whom she had issue - see below.
1829 - 1834 Amir 'Abu Bakar II ibn 'Abdu'l Munan, Amir of Harrar. Succeeded on the death of his father-in-law, 1829. m. Guisti Fatima, regent for her son Ahmad III, daughter of Amir 'Abdu'l Karim ibn Abu Bakar, Amir of Harrar. He d. 8th July 1834, having had issue:
1) Amir Ahmad III, Amir of Harrar - see below.
1834 - 1852 Amir Ahmad III ibn 'Abu Bakar, Amir of Harrar. Succeeded his father. He d. 22nd March 1852.
1852 - 1856 Amir Muhammad 'Ali, Amir of Harrar (usurper?).
1856 - 1875 Amir Muhammad ibn 'Ali 'Abdu's Shakur, Amir of Harrar. Proclaimed 30th August 1856.
