Harere and its surroundings attractions

 

The following are important points regarding the historical development of the city of Harer.
  • The fortified historical town of Harer is located in southeastern Ethiopia at about 526km far from Addis Ababa
  • According to traditions, the city had its name by Shaik Abadir, a man who is said to come from Arabia in the 10th century.
  • Harer came in to formal existence in 1520 when a local Amir Abu Baker Mohammed shifted his capital from Dakar (an old nearby settlement) to the present town.
  • Harer was also the homeland of Ahmed Gragn (Imam of the Adals) and it became the capital of the Harari Kingdom from 1520-1568.
  • From the late 16th century to the 19th century, the town was also noted as a centre of trade and Islamic learning.
  • In the 17th century, Harer became an independent emirate until Egyptians occupied it for a decade from 1875 to 1885.
  • Eventually, Menelik II incorporated it into the Great Ethiopian Empire in 1887.

The historical city of Harer and its surroundings in enriched with tremendous cultural treasures. Some of the most prominent are described in the table below.
The Jegol Wall  
The Jegol Wall

It is the wall that surrounds the old city of Harer

Meausres about 3,500 meters in length and 3,348 meters in circumference
Built by Ibn Nur al-Wazir Mujahid (the nephew and successor of Imam Ahmed Gragn) in the 16th century in order to defend the attack of the Oromo.

Has five traditional gates namely; Asadin Beri, Asum Beri, Argob Beri, Bedro Beri, and Sufat Beri.
The Indian House  
Rimbaud House’

Built by Indian merchants who came to Harer afater 1887.
Is a simple rectangular two-stories building with a vernda over looking either street or courtyard
Built in the Indian style with a wooden structure and carved elements decorated with stained glass window and doors.

Is also called the ‘Rimbaud House’ named after Arthur Rimbaud,  a French poet that lived in Harer for ten years from 1881 to 1891.

 

Has five traditional gates namely; Asadin Beri, Asum Beri, Argob Beri, Bedro Beri, and Sufat Beri.
The Traditional Houses  
The Traditional Houses ( Harar)

Comprise three rooms on the ground floor and service areas in the courtyard.
The elaborated interior design shows aesthetic and functional quality.
Are low in height and painted white.

Their inside part is decorated with colorful basketry and textiles.

 

There are also many other cultural attractions in and around Harer and sore of which are mentioned as follow;

    • There are more than 90 mosques and many tombs of Muslim saints spread throughout the town. This makes Harer as the fourth holy city of Isalm next to Mecca, Median and Jerusalem. The Jami Mosque dating back to the 17th century is the prominent one.
    • Handicrafts of the Harari people that include weaving, basket making and book binding are impressive. The colourful traditional costume of Harari women is also attractive.
    • The Hyena man that gives meat for the hyenas by their hands and mouth is attractive for tourist. In Harer, the hyenas seem to be tamed.
    • Market places, Ras Mokonnen, palace and museums are also important attraction sites. Collections of Abdullah Sheriff, a private museum is enrichced with many historical, archeological and anthropologiacal sites.
    • The Porc-Epic near Dir Dawa is a fomous archeological and paleo-anthropolgical site in which fossils of the modern Homo Sapiens and a number of artifacts from the Middle Age were discovered. Rock paintings have been also depicted on the caves walls.

      In addition to the aforementioned points, it is also important to note the following;

        • Harer is regarded as the original domestic center of the famous “Coffee Arabica” and the mild stimulant leaf called Chat (Chatha edulis).
        • The historical city of was the second important center in Ethiopia to produce coins, next to Axum.
        • Harer has awarded the UNESCO medallion as a city of peace