Harar

Southern Circuit

Introduction to Harar

The medieval city of Harar stands on a fertile plateau, amid green hills, on the eastern wall of the Great Rift Valley. Harar is located 520 kilometres by road, east of Addis Ababa, near the Somali border. The closest airport, Dire Dawa, is 1 ½ to 2 hours‘ drive from the town. Harar’s heritage is almost entirely Muslim, and the city is considered by many to be the fourth most sacred center of the Islamic world. Its Islamic character is best expressed in the Jamia Mosque, which dominates the town.

Three of the city’s 82 mosques date back to as early as the 10th century. In addition to the mosques, there are 102 shrines. Roman Catholic and Ethiopian Orthodox churches cater to the smaller, Christian population.
Modern-day Harar surrounds the old part of the city, known as „The Walled City“ of Harar Jugol, which is a registered UNESCO World Heritage site.
The architecture within the walled city is unique and strongly influenced by Islamic and African traditions. In keeping with the 16th century Islamic style, the town’s centre is made up of religious and commercial buildings, surrounded by a maze of narrow cobbled alleys.

Although Harar became a part of Ethiopia in 1887, the city has maintained its unique culture, language and traditions. Prior to that, the city was the capital of the Harari Kingdom (1520 to 1568), before becoming an independent emirate in the 17th century. With trading routes from the Middle East, India and Africa converging here, Harar was once a flourishing commercial hub.

Modern-day Harar serves as the administrative capital of the Harari People National Regional State.

Travel Tip

Recommended length of stay: 1- 2 Nights

Getting There: Fly from Addis to Dire Dawa, then drive in 4×4 to Harar (1 ½ to 2 hrs)

Major Religion: Muslim and Oriental

UNESCO World Heritage Site

More info

When in Harar

Key Attractions

THE GRAND MOSQUE

The Grand Mosque – Jamia Mosque, or Al Jami, which dates back to the 16th century, is believed to occuply a site that has housed a mosque as far back as the 12th century. This is the largest Mosque in Harar, and both men and women of the Muslim faith may enter. It is a great landmark, too, as its white minaret can be seen from all over the city.

HARAR JUGOL

Located within the modern-day city of Harar, and encompassed by an impressive stone wall, the historic town of Harar Jugol seems to have been sheltered from the winds of change that have blown onto the African continent. The city’s urban identity, traditions and Harari Muslim culture remain intact. In 2006 Harar Jugol, in its entirety, was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site of Outstanding Universal Value. The wall that fortifies this sacred Muslim city is 5 metres high and 3.5 kilometres long, and dates back to a period between the 13th and 16th centuries. Five historic gates, no longer in use – Shoa Gate, Buda Gate, Erer Gate, Sanga Gate & Fallana Gate, once gave access to the five main roads leading to the town. The functional Harar gate was later added in 1889.

RIMBAUD MUSEUM

Located in a beautiful Indian merchant house within the walled city, the Rimbaud Museum offers an excellent exhibition of old photographs of Harar, many of which were taken by Arthur Rimbaud himself. The museum is often referred to as Rimbaud’s House, as this was believed to have been the site of the famous French poet’s Harare home during the late 17th century. The museum, dedicated to Rimbaud, also features a series of panels depicting his life.

HARAR MUSEUM

HARAR MARKETS

Harar’s is abustle with commerce. Vibrant, colourful markets are located in both the new and old cities. Within Jugol, the market is located in the heart of the old city, overflowing into some of the narrow alleyways. The markets epitomize organized chaos, with separate areas specialising in a particular range of produce or merchandise. These include an impressive spice market, a vegetable market, smuggler’s market and a recycling market – a site where second hand goods are recycled into useful househould items! The Shoa Gate Market, also known as the Christian Market, is where one would find coffee beans and the fragrant etan (incense) that is burned during the traditional coffee ceremonies; as well as iconic jewelery and hand-crafted items. The Megalo Gugo Market offers a range of beautiful basketwork, shawls, aromatic spices and organic seasonal vegetables.

HARAR COFFEE

The Harar region produces some of the most sought-after arabica coffee in the word. Harari coffee has a distinct fruity flavour, which is attributed to the way in which the beans are dried. As with other „wild coffee“, the coffee berries are harvested by hand and then left to dry in the sun. As the flesh of the fruit is not removed before drying, the beans become infused with the berry flavor. The coffee berries are then sorted and processed by hand.

Tours to a coffee plantation can be arranged, and depending on the time of year, one can view the various stages of coffee production. Harari coffee is readily available for sale in the city, be it in the form of coffee beans or ready-brewed coffee, or buna, as it is called locally.

HYENA FEEDING

Hyenas have been a part of Harari culture for centuries, and hyena feeding has become entwined with local Islamic beliefs. According to legend, there was a time when the Harari people and hyenas were adversaries. During a long and treacherous famine the hungry hyenas would try to raid the city. In an effort to stop them, the elders of the city came up with a plan. They fed the animals a thick porridge, to keep them at bay. Ever since, hyena feeding has been practiced outside the city walls every evening. “Hyena men” – as they are referred to, now feed the animals scraps of raw meat. They call the scavengers, who cackle their greedy answer before coming forward to receive their meal. Sometimes the “Hyena men” will place chunks of raw meat between their teeth, to feed the hyenas from their own mouths. If you are up for the challenge you may feed the hyenas too. Once a year, during a festival, porridge is fed to the hyenas at special shrines around the city. Some believe that the hyenas not only clean away garbage from the streets, but that they also rid the city of evil spirits.

Travel Tip

The original domesticated coffee plant is said to have been from Harar.
Rain falls between March and October. November to February is usually the dry period.
When entering the mosques, the clothes have to be “respectful”, covering enough of the body. Shoes must always be removed before entering churches and mosques.

When in Harar

Key Attractions

THE GRAND MOSQUE

HARAR JUGOL

RIMBAUD MUSEUM

HARAR MUSEUM

HARAR MARKETS

HARAR COFFEE

HYENA FEEDING

Where to say

Accommodations

Grand Gato Hotel

The Grand Gato Hotel is located near the center of Harar, within walking distance of many of the city’s fascinating historical and cultural sites. Though modest in its offering, this 23-bedroom hotel provides friendly service and the perfect base for your visit to Harar. The rooms are neat and clean, each equipped with an ensuite bathroom and private balcony. Further facilities include a restaurant, bar, laundry service; and free high-speed Wifi.