Haramaya ( Oromo : Haramayaa or Haroomaayaa ) is a town in Oromia Region , Ethiopia located in the Haro Maya district , East Hararghe Zone . The town has a latitude and longitude of 9°24′N 42°01′E / 9.400°N 42.017°E / 9.400; 42.017 with an elevation of 2047 meters above sea level.
144-527: Haramaya is 10 km (6.2 mi) west of Harar , on the road to Dire Dawa . It is located on Lake Haramaya a seasonal freshwater lake which supports a population of flamingo , as well as other birds. Haramaya is the home to Haramaya University , which was during naftenya era named as Alemaya University and reverted to original native name. The university was originally established as an agricultural technical college, with assistance from Oklahoma State University. Although classes started 5 November 1956,
288-560: A Gadaa office. Every eight years, the Oromo would choose by consensus nine leaders for the office. A leader elected by the Gadaa system remains in power only for eight years, with an election taking place at the end of those eight years. There are three Gadaa organs of governance: Gadaa Council, Gadaa General Assembly ( gumi gayo ), and the Qallu Assembly. The Gadaa Council is considered
432-636: A campaign against the Oromo. After the death of Nur ibn Mujahid , for the next following decade Harar would fall into a state of political instability, mainly due to the pressures of the Oromo. Nur was succeeded by Uthman the Abyssinian , who soon came into conflict with the ulama as he did not strictly observe sharia among the nobility and had made a humiliating peace agreement with the pagan Oromo by granting them special privileges. A local official of Aussa named Jibril denounced what he considered Uthman's transgressions against Islamic law. The conflict came to
576-741: A dialect of Afaan Oromo, the Oromo language. Barentu/Barentoo or (older) Baraytuma is the other moiety of the Oromo people. The Barentu Oromo inhabit the eastern parts of the Oromia Region in the Zones of West Hararghe , Arsi Zone , Bale Zone , Dire Dawa city, the Jijiga Zone of the Somali Region , Administrative Zone 3 of the Afar Region , Oromia Zone of the Amhara Region , and are also found in
720-453: A head when a local Muslim woman who had been taken by the pagan Oromos arrived as a refugee to Aussa. Uthman ordered Jibril to return the woman to the Oromos, Jibril refused, declaring that doing so would be contrary to God's law. Uthman dispatched an army against Jibril, who was defeated and killed. However, while Uthman was gone the clergymen of Harar elected Talha ibn Abbas as the new leader, he
864-750: A large Oromo presence leading to the town. During his visit in the Khedivate of Egypt occupation of the Emirate of Harar , researcher Paultischke describes Harar as having roughly 40,000 inhabitants with 25,000 of these being Hararis, 6,000 Oromo, 5,000 Somalis, 3,000 Abyssinians as well as a minority of Europeans and Asians. After the conquest of the Emirate of Harar by the Ethiopian Empire , an influx of Amhara settled in Harar and its surroundings. The Somali population of
1008-530: A major commercial center, linked by the trade routes with the rest of Ethiopia, the entire Horn of Africa , the Arabian Peninsula , Asia, and through its ports, the outside world. Harar Jugol, the old walled city, was listed as a World Heritage Site in 2006 by UNESCO in recognition of its cultural heritage. Because of Harar's long history of involvement during times of trade in the Arabian Peninsula,
1152-616: A major part of slaves sold in Gondar and Gallabat slave markets at Ethiopia-Sudan border, as well as the Massawa and Tajura markets on the Red Sea . There was also a large slave market at al Hudaydah on the coast of Yemen. The Oromo people are engaged in many occupations. The southern Oromo (specifically the Borana Oromo ) are largely pastoralists who raise goats and cattle. Other Oromo groups have
1296-557: A major role in the Weyane revolt, challenging Emperor Haile Selassie I 's rule in the 1940s. Simultaneously, both federalist and secessionist political forces developed inside the Oromo community. At present a number of ethnic-based political organizations have been formed to promote the interests of the Oromo. The first was the Mecha and Tulama Self-Help Association was founded in January 1963, but
1440-679: A more diverse economy which includes agriculture and work in urban centers. Some Oromo also sell many products and food items like coffee beans (coffee being a favorite beverage among the Oromo) at local markets. In December 2009, a 96-page report titled "Human Rights in Ethiopia: Through the Eyes of the Oromo Diaspora", compiled by the Advocates for Human Rights, documented human rights violations against
1584-497: A new policy: instead of simply keeping the Oromo at bay, he "made systematic efforts to convert them to Islam and extend their involvement in commercial agriculture; he thereby attempted to assimilate more of the Oromo and re-establish the balance on which the town's survival depended." Until the 1830s, only the Babile Oromo and groups of mixed Oromo-Somali ethnicity had been converted to Islam to any degree. Nonetheless, Muhammad lack
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#17330848173751728-534: A number of members of other ethnicities who are in contact with the Oromo speak it as a second language, such as the Omotic -speaking Bambassi and the Nilo-Saharan -speaking Kwama in western Ethiopia. The Oromo followed their traditional religion, Waaqeffanna , and were resistant to religious conversion before assimilation in sultanates and Christian kingdoms. The influential 30-year war from 1529 to 1559 between
1872-708: A peak in August, whilst November to February is usually dry. Based on the 2007 national census conducted by the Central Statistical Agency of Ethiopia (CSA), Harar city had a total urban population of 99,368, of whom 49,727 were men and 49,641 women. The six largest ethnic groups reported in Harar were the Amhara (40.55%), the Oromo (28.14%), the Harari (11.83%), the Gurage (2.94%),
2016-528: A period even change the official language of the empire from Amharic to Oromiffa during the rule of the half-Oromo emperor Iyoas I . They would establish dynasties such as the Yejju dynasty that would be de facto rulers of Ethiopian Empire from 1784 to 1853 during the Zemene Mesafint , they would particularly have control over the provinces of Begemder and Gojjam . Another Oromo dynasty that would rise in
2160-522: A political and military vacuum that allowed the Oromo to move relatively unhindered into both the Ethiopian Empire and the Adal Sultanate . Further, they acquired horses and their gada system helped coordinate Oromo cavalry warriors which enabled them to fight very effectively. Bahrey argues the success of the Oromos in battle was because all Oromo men were trained as warriors, while in Ethiopia only
2304-578: A significant affect as for the first time in history, Hararis began migrating out of the city in large numbers, mainly to Dire Dawa and Addis Ababa , but also eventually abroad to Europe and North America , creating a large Harari diaspora. Following the aftermath of World War II , the city saw the construction of a high school and a military academy. With the rise of the Derg in the 1970s, Harari disatsifcation remained high, Derg officials appropriating Harari property and forcibly conscripting Harari youth into
2448-453: A small section of the population were warriors, the rest uninvolved in the defense of their country. The military discipline of the Oromos was noted by the Portuguese chronicler Joao Bermudes, who observed that during the invasion of Dawaro , the Oromos "did not come on without order like barbarians, but advanced collected in bodies, like squadrons." The early 16th and 17th century witnessed
2592-639: A term for a river and a forest, as well as for the pastoral people established in the highlands of southern Ethiopia. This historical information, according to Mohammed Hassen , is consistent with the written and oral traditions of the Somalis . Others, such as the International African Institute , suggests that it is an Oromo word (adopted by neighbors), for there is a word, gala , meaning 'wandering' or 'to go home' in their language. Canadian philosophical professor, Claude Sumner , stated that
2736-470: Is a sweeping repression in the Oromo region of Ethiopia. On 12 December 2015, the German broadcaster Deutsche Welle reported violent protests in the Oromo region of Ethiopia in which more than 20 students were killed. According to the report, the students were protesting against the government's re-zoning plan named 'Addis Ababa Master Plan'. On 2 October 2016, between 55 and 300 festival-goers were massacred at
2880-471: Is also the most widely spoken Cushitic language and the fourth-most widely spoken language of Africa , after Arabic , Hausa and Swahili . Oromo is spoken as a first language by more than 40 million Oromo people in Ethiopia and by an additional half-million in parts of northern and eastern Kenya. It is also spoken by smaller numbers of emigrants in other African countries, such as South Africa , Libya , Egypt and Sudan . Besides first language speakers,
3024-422: Is an extract of the name of a plain located south of the town or a specific tree. When Harar was founded is unclear and various dates have been suggested, some state the city was founded by Hadhrami settlers in the late 7th century or a local creation in the 10th century. Islam had gained a foothold on the Harar plateau by the 10th–11th centuries CE via trade with Zeila . By the 13th century, Islam had become
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#17330848173753168-451: Is divided into 5 quarters: Assum Bari, Argobba Bari , Suqutat Bari, Badro Bari , and Asmadin Bari . These quarters are then further divided into neighborhoods called toya , which are often named after a Muslim shrine or a prominent tree serving as a local landmark. According to S.R. Waldron, there were 59 such neighborhoods around 1975. In the late 1960s, it was still possible to walk around
3312-538: Is more common in southern Oromo populations and Christianity more common in and near the urban centers, while Islam is more common near the Somali border and in the north. The Oromos ' cuisine consists of various vegetable and meat side dishes and entrées. Pork is typically not in Oromo cuisine, as it is considered taboo for Orthodox Oromos and Muslim Oromos who make up over 90% of the population combined, unlike with Catholics among others. Oromo people are believed to be one of
3456-416: Is no relationship. The new year of the Oromo people, according to this calendar, falls in the month of October. The calendar has no weeks but a name for each day of the month. It is a lunar-stellar calendar system. Some modern authors such as Gemetchu Megerssa have proposed the concept of Oromumma , or 'Oromoness' as a cultural common between Oromo people. The word is derived by combining Oromo with
3600-552: Is now a museum. The Egyptian occupation of Harar came to an end as a result of the British conquest of Egypt and the Mahdist revolt . These developments produced a crisis in 1884 when the Egyptian government's payments to the troops ceased to arrive, the garrison was forced to raid the Oromos and Somalis for food. In accordance with an agreement with another power in the region namely France,
3744-413: Is still widely in use today, with only minor changes, and Hararis who have moved to other cities try to adhere to a similar style. Hararis take great pride in their houses, and they form an important part of Harari culture. A walled compound ( abāt ) consists of several residences, which share the same walls but are not interconnected. They are arranged around a courtyard, with most of the windows facing
3888-539: Is the largest of three towns in Haro Maya District. This article about a location in the Oromia Region of Ethiopia is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Harar Harar ( Amharic : ሐረር ; Harari : ሀረር; Oromo : Adare Biyyo ; Somali : Herer ; Arabic : هرر ), known historically by the indigenous as Harar-Gey or simply Gey (Harari: ጌይ Gēy , lit. '
4032-562: Is the most beautiful in Africa; it is not originally from Abyssinia ; she came there by invasion , as we will see below in the history that I will give of the Kingdom of Choa ( Shewa ). The Gallas are, in general, well built, they have a tall figure, a broad and raised forehead, an aquiline nose , a well-cut mouth, a copper complexion rather than black; their hair is braided into small braids which float around their heads, and mix something graceful with
4176-627: The Gabbaro (some 17th- to 19th-century Ethiopian texts refer them as the dhalatta ). Below these two upper castes were the despised castes of artisans, and at the lowest level were the slaves. In the Islamic Kingdom of Jimma , the Oromo society's caste strata predominantly consisted of endogamous, inherited artisanal occupations. Each caste group has specialized in a particular occupation such as iron working, carpentry, weapon making, pottery, weaving, leather-working and hunting. Each caste in
4320-486: The Battle of Fatagar , and brought his head back to Harar in triumph. The following years were very difficult for Harar, as the Oromo were able to intrude on Hararghe and defeated Nur's army at the Battle of Hazalo . This prompted Nur to construct a large wall around Harar, which served as a successful bulwark against the Oromo who devastated only the lands around Harar and forced Nur to fight them multiple times. Because of
4464-452: The Battle of Webi River but was betrayed by his own officers, which led him to get captured and executed by the Emperor with other Harari officials. While he was gone, Harar was attacked by the Oromos, his brother, wazir Hamid ibn Nasir was not able to repulse him, and was wounded in the fight. As a result, a local official named Mansur ibn Muhammad , recruited bands of Somali warriors and repel
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4608-979: The Bible Churchmen's Missionary Society , the Seventh-Day Adventists , the United Presbyterian Mission of the US, the Church Mission to the Jews , Evangeliska Fosterlands-Stiftelsen , Bibeltrogna Vänner , and the Hermannsburg Mission . In the mid and late 19th century, the Ethiopian emperors were faced with widespread rifts and disputes in the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church and crippling ethnic and religious divisions that plagued
4752-476: The Government of Ethiopia has made it a criminal offence to demolish or interfere with any historical sites or fixtures in the city. These include stone homes, museums and items discarded from war. According to UNESCO, it is "considered 'the fourth holiest city' of Islam " with 82 mosques, three of which date from the 10th century, and 102 shrines. Yahyá Naṣrallāh's Fatḥ Madīnat Harar , an unpublished history of
4896-716: The Imamate of Aussa was Muhammad Gasa's own brother, Muhammad Gasa II, who later became the Imam in Aussa in 1584. The next year, Harar was ruled by wazir Saddadin, who participated in the war between Muhammad Gasa II and his minister Abbas ibn Muhammad. After this, mentions of Harar in the historical record is sporadic, with the exception of the names of some of its rulers, the first being Sabraddin ibn Adam (1620–5), Sadiq (1632–46) and his son Abram, who only ruled for eleven months. A certain Emir Ahmed,
5040-465: The Khedivate of Egypt period. During the Ethiopian Empire , the city decayed while maintaining a certain cultural prestige. The etymology of the name "Harar" remains ambiguous; however, archaeologist Timothy Insoll suggests that it may be derived from Harla , an ancient group that existed prior to the arrival of the Oromo people in the area. Other possible etymologies include ones put forth by British explorer Richard Francis Burton who states Harar
5184-752: The Oromia Bank (formerly Oromia National Bank) established in 2008. Radio broadcasts began in the Oromo language in Somalia in 1960 on Radio Mogadishu . Within Kenya there has been radio broadcasting in Oromo (in the Borana dialect) on the Voice of Kenya since at least the 1980s. Broadcasting in Oromo began in Ethiopia during the 1974 revolution, in which Radio Harar began broadcasting. The first private Afaan Oromoo newspaper in Ethiopia, Jimma Times , also known as Oromo : Yeroo ,
5328-634: The Oromia Region in central Ethiopia, the largest region in the country by both population and area. They speak Afaan Oromoo, the official language of Oromia. Oromos constitute the third most populous ethnic group among Africans as a whole and the most populous among Horners specifically. Oromo also have a notable presence in northern Kenya in the Marsabit County , Isiolo County and Tana River County totaling to about 656,636: 276,236 Borana , 141,200 Gabra , 158,000 Orma , 45,200 Sakuye , 20,000 Waata , and 16,000 Munyo Yaya . There are also Oromo in
5472-665: The Oromo People's Democratic Organization (OPDO), is one of the four parties that form the ruling Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) coalition. The ONC, for example, was part of the United Ethiopian Democratic Forces coalition that challenged the EPRDF in the Ethiopian general elections of 2005 . Several of these groups seek to create an independent Oromo nation, some using armed force. Meanwhile,
5616-690: The Oromo language (also called Afaan Oromoo ), which is part of the Cushitic branch of the Afroasiatic language family . They are one of the largest ethnic groups in Ethiopia . According to the last Ethiopian census of 2007, the Oromo numbered 25,488,344 people or 34.5% of the Ethiopian population. Recent estimates have the Oromo comprising 45,000,000 people, or 35.8% of the total Ethiopian population estimated at 116,000,000. The Oromo were originally nomadic, semi-pastoralist people who later would conquer large swaths of land during their expansions . After
5760-583: The Raya Azebo Aanaas in the Tigray Region . Oromo is written with Latin characters known as Qubee . The Sapalo script was invented by the Oromo scholar Sheikh Bakri Sapalo (also known by his birth name, Abubaker Usman Odaa) during the 1950s. Oromo serves as one of the official languages of Ethiopia and is also the working language of several of the states within the Ethiopian federal system including Oromia, Harari and Dire Dawa regional states and of
5904-556: The Rift Valley respectively. The Barento moved in an eastern direction, eventually settling in today's Arsi , Bale , Hararghe and Wollo regions. Whereas the Boorana trekked northwest, settling in the regions of Shewa , Illubabor and Welega . According to Richard Pankhurst , a British-born Ethiopian historian, this expansion is linked to the attempted conquest of the Ethiopian Empire by Imam Ahmad ibn Ibrahim , which created
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6048-528: The Somali (6.82%), and the Tigrayans (2.76%); all other ethnic groups together comprised less than 2% of the population. Amharic was spoken as a first language by 49.2% of city inhabitants, Oromo by 23.7%, Harari by 12.2%, and Somali by 6.6%. The plurality of urban inhabitants professed Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity , with 48.54% of the population having reported they practiced that belief, while 44.56% of
6192-511: The Sultanate of Mogadishu , while one of his descendants founded the Hadiya Sultanate . The first mention of Harar comes from the 14th-century chronicles of Amda Seyon I , according to this text, in 1332 Gēt (Harar) sent 3 makonnen (governors) to support Salih in his rebellion against the Emperor at the Battle of Das . This reference suggests that Harar had obtained some importance by
6336-692: The Tulama Oromo were among those who violently clashed with the Ethiopian expansion in the region in the 19th century and the empire's attempts at enforcing unity through the propagation of Orthodox Christianity, as the majority of these groups were not Christian but Muslims. In the 2007 Ethiopian census for Oromia region, which included Oromo and some non-Oromo residents, there was a total of 13,107,963 followers of Christianity (8,204,908 Orthodox, 4,780,917 Protestant, 122,138 Catholic), 12,835,410 followers of Islam , 887,773 followers of traditional religions , and 162,787 followers of other religions. Accordingly,
6480-594: The coffee trade, the head-quarters of slavery, the birth-place of the Chat plant" Muhammad is said to have oppressed his own people by devaluing the city's currency while extracting a special mahalaq al-Oromo or Oromo tax. This tax was needed for Emir Muhammad to meet the demands of hospitality inherent in the status of ilman gosa . Richard Pankhurst also notes that Emir Muhammad forbade his subjects from eating rice or dates , "declaring that they were suitable only for rulers." However, Caulk points that Muhammad engaged in
6624-507: The 12th century, all aspects of Oromo life was governed by the Gadaa system, a political and ritual system based on an egalitarian ethos, age grade social organization and highly structured institutions. Under Gadaa, every eight years, the Oromo would choose by consensus nine leaders known as Salgan ya’ii Borana (the nine Borana assemblies). A leader elected by the gadaa system remains in power only for 8 years, with an election taking place at
6768-420: The 1840s, the balance between Oromo and Somali influence led Harar to significantly expand economically, developing ties with Sharmarke Ali Saleh on the Somali coast. During this period slaves of Sidama and Gurage stock were important commodities exported to the coast. However, at the end of Abu Bakr II ibn ʽAbd al-Munan 's reign in 1852, the Oromo once again attacked Harar, possibly due to drought. Abu Bakr
6912-654: The 1948 state-led crackdown on their population. The Somali tribes surrounding Harar are mainly from the Gadabuursi and Issa subclans of the Dir and the Karanle subclan of the Hawiye . They represent the most native Somali clans in the region. The Darod clans of the Geri and Jidwaaq also inhabit areas near Harar. The Gadabuursi and Geri Somali strike immediately north and north eastwards of
7056-411: The 19th century. Harar began to develop into a major religious center in the region, serving as a source of Islamic proselytization to the surrounding Oromo tribes. In 1761 Ahmad I ibn Abi Bakr constructed the minaret of the grand mosque, and ʽAbd al-Shakur ibn Yusuf built a mosque in Bale . Abd al-Shakur also reintroduced the register and the chancery in the town, which strengthen the influence of
7200-524: The Arabic term ummah (community). However, according to Terje Østebø and other scholars, this term is a neologism from the late 1990s and its link Oromo ethno-nationalism and Salafi Islamic discourse has been questioned, in their disagreement with Christian Amhara and other ethnic groups. The Oromo people, depending on their geographical location and historical events, have variously converted to Islam, to Christianity, or remained with their traditional religion (Waaqeffanna) . According to Gemetchu Megerssa,
7344-428: The Chinese, the Hindus and the Mayans. It was tied to the traditional religion of the Oromos, and used to schedule the Gadaa system of elections and power transfer. The Borana Oromo calendar system was once thought to be based upon an earlier Cushitic calendar developed around 300 BC found at Namoratunga . Reconsideration of the Namoratunga site led astronomer and archaeologist Clive Ruggles to conclude that there
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#17330848173757488-442: The Christians. She invaded the highlands in 1548, but repulsed by Ras Fanu'el. In 1551, Nur ibn Mujahid married Bati del Wambara and became the new ruler of Harar. In 1559 he departed on a jihad (holy war) to Fatagar , during his absence, the Ethiopians under Ras Hamalmal breached the city and killed the last Walashma Sultan Barakat ibn Umar Din . However this victory was short-lived as Nur was able to defeat and kill Gelawdewos at
7632-402: The Egyptians were never able to pacify the Oromos, and effective Egyptian control rarely reached further then 40 miles away from the city. To strengthen their tedious control of Harar, the Khedive increased its garrison to 160 officials, 3,411 soldiers and 5,000 of their wives and children. This garrison represented a fifth of Harar's entire population, and the soldiers were usually quartered among
7776-430: The Encyclopaedia Britannica Company. . The earliest recorded mention of the Oromos comes from the Italian ( Venetian ) cartographer Fra Mauro , who notes a Galla River south of the Awash River , in his famous Mappomondo , or map of the world, completed in 1460. This reference indicates that the Oromos inhabited this area of southern Ethiopia for at least a century and a half before their expansion north. As early as
7920-432: The French explorer and Ethiopian traveler, Antoine Thomson d'Abbadie , claimed that the term had derived from an Oromo war cry whilst the Oromos were fighting on battlefields. The word Oromo is derived from Ilm Orma meaning '[The] Children of Orma', or 'Sons of Men', . According to an alternative interpretation provided by Hugh Chisholm , 'Ilm Orma' translates to "son of a stranger." Both interpretations are noted in
8064-442: The Gurage region. In 1520, the city became the capital of the Adal Sultanate under Sultan Abu Bakr ibn Muhammad after his victory over the religious faction led by Abun Adashe . At this point, the religious faction fighting against the Walashma came under the control of Imam Ahmad ibn Ibrahim al-Ghazi also known as "Gragn" or "Gurey", both meaning "the Left-handed". The town's clergy attempted to mediate between both sides, but
8208-416: The HNL was able to seize power. Tensions persist between the Harari people and the neighboring Oromo community, as the Oromo have taken possession of certain agricultural lands belonging to the Harari in the area surrounding Harar. In 2018, Tom Gardner reported that the Qeerroo Oromo nationalists took control of the city, demanding millions of Ethiopian birr as a condition for restoring water supplies to
8352-408: The Haile Selassie regime. The Oromo have played a major role in the internal dynamics of Ethiopia. Accordingly, Oromos played major roles in all three main political movements in Ethiopia (centralist, federalist and secessionist) during the 19th and 20th century. In addition to holding high powers during the centralist government and the monarchy, the Raya Oromos in the Tigray regional state played
8496-470: The Hararis large and unpayable loans. To stem the tide of land confiscations, a group of Harari elites established a group called the firmac . The goal of the firmac was to protect Harari property and maintain ethnic unity by discouraging un-Islamic practices. They also opened the first Islamic school in Harar that taught modern subjects. On 22 March, the Regia Aeronautica bombed Harar and Jijiga even though Harar had been declared an " open city ". Harar
8640-440: The Imam was strengthened by a recent victory over an Ethiopian raid, and was able to defeat and killed the Sultan in 1525. Imam Ahmad then installed Umar Din as a puppet sultan and made Harar the center of his various campaigns which ravaged most of Christian Ethiopia. After Imam Ahmad's defeat in 1543, his men were dispersed back to the region of Harar. The dead leader’s widow, Bati del Wambara , undertook to renew jihad against
8784-412: The OLF as a political force in Ethiopia. According to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights , the Oromia Support Group (OSG) recorded 594 extrajudicial killings of Oromos by Ethiopian government security forces and 43 disappearances in custody between 2005 and August 2008. Starting in November 2015, during a wave of mass protests, mainly by Oromos, over the expansion of
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#17330848173758928-399: The Oromia Zone in the Amhara Region. It is a language of primary education in Oromia, Harari, Dire Dawa, Benishangul-Gumuz and of the Oromia Zone in the Amhara Region. It is used as an internet language for federal websites along with Tigrinya . More than 35% of Ethiopia's population are Oromo mother-tongue speakers, which makes it the most widely spoken primary language in Ethiopia. It
9072-438: The Oromia region is approximately 40% to 45% Christian (8,204,908 or 30.4% Orthodox, 4,780,917 or 17.7% Protestant, 122,138 Catholic), 55% to 60% Muslim and 3.3% followers of traditional religions. According to a 2016 estimate by James Minahan, about half of the Oromo people are Sunni Muslim, a third are Ethiopian Orthodox, and the rest are mostly Protestants or follow their traditional religious beliefs. The traditional religion
9216-425: The Oromia region, following the assassination of musician Hachalu Hundessa on 29 June 2020, leading to the deaths of at least 200 people. On 30 June 2020, a statue of former Ethiopian emperor Haile Selassie in London was destroyed by Oromo protestors in response to the killing of popular singer Hachalu Hundessa and grievances of the Oromo language being banned from education, and the use in administration under
9360-435: The Oromo attack, and then subsequently declared himself sultan. After repelling the Oromos, he then turned north against the governor of Aussa , but was attacked and killed by his own soldiers. Muhammad Gasa , a descendant of Ahmad Gragn , took advantage of the situation and moved the capital to Aussa , thus founding the Imamate of Aussa , from then on Harar was ruled by a local wazir. The first wazir to govern Harar under
9504-411: The Oromo imprisoned ʽAbd ar-Rahman in Fedis , he then fled to the Somali tribe of Bersub . In the end, ʽAbd ar-Rahman was deposed and forty villages are listed as having been destroyed by the Oromo to the north, west and south of Harar during the civil war. Harar became the home of numerous Somali scholars who came to the city to study the most notable being Sheikh Madar founder of Hargeisa . Until
9648-422: The Oromo in Ethiopia under three successive regimes: the Ethiopian Empire under Haile Selassie , Marxist Derg and the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), dominated by members of the Tigrayan People's Liberation Front (TPLF) and which was accused to have arrested approximately 20,000 suspected OLF members, to have driven most OLF leadership into exile, and to have effectively neutralized
9792-549: The Oromo people were already established in the southern highlands in or before the 15th century and that at least some Oromo people were interacting with other Ethiopian ethnic groups. According to Alessandro Triulzi, the interactions and encounters between Oromos and Nilo-Saharan groups likely began very early. Subsequent colonial era documents mention and refer to the Oromo people as Galla , which has now developed derogatory connotations, but these documents were generally written by members of other ethnic groups. The term Galla
9936-435: The Oromo society had a designated name. For example, Tumtu were smiths, Fuga were potters, Faqi were tanners and leatherworkers, Semmano were weavers, Gagurtu were beekeepers and honey-makers, and Watta were hunters and foragers. While slaves were a stratum within the society, many Oromos, regardless of caste, were sold into slavery elsewhere. By the 19th century, Oromo slaves were sought after and
10080-418: The Oromo were a pastoralist people who began to move in large numbers into the central highlands of Ethiopia from their cradleland in the plains of southern Ethiopia during the 16th century. This large scale expansion is referred to as the "Great Oromo Migrations" . Prior to this movement, the Oromos were divided into two major confederations, the Boorana and the Barento , who lived in the west and east of
10224-406: The Oromos have led some scholars such as Mario Aguilar and Abdullahi Shongolo to conclude that "a common identity acknowledged by all Oromo in general does not exist". Like other ethnic groups in the Horn of Africa and East Africa, Oromo people regionally developed social stratification consisting of four hierarchical strata. The highest strata were the nobles called the Borana ; below them were
10368-461: The UK was forced to withdraw its Egyptian forces from Harar. The Egyptian troops duly moved out of the city, taking some valuables with them, but leaving most of their local families behind. The Emirate was thus restored under Emir Abdullahi in 1885, however Emir Abdullahi's rule was short lived for in 1887 Menelik II would defeat him at the Battle of Chelenqo and thus conquer the walled city. In 1887,
10512-538: The army of Menelik II would conquer Harar after defeating Emir Abdullahi's troops at Chelenqo , then appointed his nephew Ras Makonnen as governor of the region. According to Jules Borelli, after Menelik's departure many of the Shewan troops quartered in the city were said to have looted the silos in which the inhabitants had stored their grain. Some of those robbed appealed to Makonnen, who promised restitution, but Borelli believes they never received any. Makonnen had ordered
10656-545: The army saw further migration abroad, specifically to Canada and the United States . After the rise of the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) in the early 1990s, Hararis were encouraged to use their language in official capacities. Considerable effort was taken to develop Harari as an official educational and administrative language. This saw a general cultural revival in Harar, with also stressed
10800-629: The city ' ), is a walled city in eastern Ethiopia . It is also known in Arabic as the City of Saints ( Arabic : مدينة الأولياء , romanized : Madīna al-ʾAwliyāʾ ). Harar is the capital city of the Harari Region . The ancient city is located on a hilltop in the eastern part of the country and is about 500 kilometres (310 mi) from the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa at an elevation of 1,885 metres (6,184 ft). For centuries, Harar has been
10944-458: The city in the 13th century, records that the legendary saint Abadir Umar ar-Rida and several other religious leaders settled in the Harar plateau c. 1216 (612 AH ). Harar was later made the new capital of the Adal Sultanate in 1520 by the Sultan Abu Bakr ibn Muhammad . The city saw a political decline during the ensuing Emirate of Harar , only regaining some significance in
11088-471: The clergy. The religious importance of Harar can be further seen in the migration of various sharifs from Mecca to the town around the same time. After the death of Emir Ahmad II ibn Muhammad in 1821, a new conflict arose between the brothers ʽAbd ar-Rahman ibn Muhammad and ʽAbd al-Karim ibn Muhammad , which gave the surrounding Oromo and Somali tribes an opportunity to interfere in Harari politics. In 1825,
11232-495: The collective achievement of the members of the Gadaa class. It is responsible for coordinating irreecha . The Gadaa General Assembly is the legislative body of the Gadaa government, while the Qallu Assembly is the religious institution. The Oromo people developed a lunisolar calendar ; different geographically and religiously distinct Oromo communities use the same calendar. This calendar is sophisticated and similar to ones found among
11376-508: The compounds are joined so that they are basically continuous. The outer gate facing the street is usually wooden but sometimes iron, and they are either painted or whitewashed. The walls form an architrave around them. Oromo people The Oromo people ( pron. / ˈ ɒr əm oʊ / ORR -əm-oh Oromo : Oromoo ) are a Cushitic ethnic group native to the Oromia region of Ethiopia and parts of Northern Kenya. They speak
11520-429: The courtyard instead of the street. Doors to individual residences almost always point east or west; north- or south-facing doors are rare. According to Kabir Abdulmuheimen Abdulnassir, farmers and merchants often have east-facing doors so that they can rise early for work. The several families who live in the same compound share one or two kitchens , which are disconnected from the residences. The walls that surround
11664-498: The eastern part of the country, especially in Arsi , Bale and Hararghe , the Oromo had remained predominantly pastoralists until the late 19th century. Only the Oromo who lived within the immediate periphery of the city of Harar adopted agriculture as their primary occupation, mostly to engage in trade with the inhabitants of the walled city. According to oral and literary evidence, certain Somali and Oromo clans fought each other throughout
11808-581: The empire and exposed it to the intervention and meddling of neighboring Muslims (especially Egypt and the Ottoman Empire) and European powers. The emperors that ruled in that period, Tewodros II , Yohannes IV , and Menelik II , thus strove to suppress disunion and schism both within and without the Ethiopian Church and were often intolerant towards other religions. The Wollo Oromo , the Arsi Oromo , and
11952-564: The end of those 8 years. Whenever an Abbaa Gadaa dies while exercising his functions, the bokkuu (the symbol of power) passes to his wife and she keeps the bokkuu and proclaims the laws. The first detailed history of the Oromo people comes from the Ethiopian monk Bahrey who wrote Zenahu la Galla , or "History of the Galla" in 1593. They are also mentioned in the records left by Abba Paulos, Joao Bermudes, Jerónimo Lobo , Galawdewos , Sarsa Dengel and others. These records suggest that
12096-437: The expressive and noble character of their physiognomy : accustomed, from their most tender youth, to ride horses, to carry the butcher and the spear, they are excellent horsemen and insensitive to the harshest fatigue; full of courage and valor in combat, they showed themselves, in their fields, skillful and laborious farmers: this great nation, because we can call it that could led by an enterprising leader, make itself master of
12240-424: The fertile and adequately watered land of the region. This increased the importance of agriculture and led to the subsequent rise of a land owning class. The rich natural environment produced commodities that were in high demand and lead to the rise of a strong merchant class. These changes allowed the gadaa officials to acquire more authority and convert their elective offices into permeant monarchical institutions. In
12384-505: The first half of the 14th century. The region became the base for the Walashma after their return from Yemen in 1415 with the foundation of the Adal Sultanate . The Walashma rulers established their residence in nearby Dakkar , which was likely in very close proximity to Harar. Tradition states the Siltʼe , Wolane , Halaba and Harari people lived in Harar, while the former three moved to
12528-512: The first to have cultivated coffee in Ethiopia and recognise its energizing effect. Oromo people have governed themselves in accordance with the Gadaa system long before the 16th century. The system regulates the political, economic, social and religious activities of the community. Oromo were traditionally a culturally homogeneous society with genealogical ties. A male born in the Oromo clan went through five stages of eight years, where his life established his role and status for consideration to
12672-465: The form of administrations that was subsequently set up in the newly conquered areas. In areas where the Shewans encountered resistance, such as Arsi, the conquering generals were installed as governors and the Amhara soldiers or neftenya settled the region in military garrisons known as katamas which later become the administrative centers for Shewan rule. These officials and soldier-settlers lived off
12816-568: The former Wollo and Tigray provinces of Ethiopia. The Oromo consist of two major branches that break down into an assortment of clan families. From west to east: the Borana Oromo , also called the Booranaa , are a semi- pastoralist group living in southern Oromia and northern Kenya . The Borana inhabit the Borena Zone of the Oromia Region of Ethiopia and the former Northern Frontier District (now northern Kenya) of Northern Kenya. They speak
12960-775: The government's indirect role in the death of hundreds of Oromos in western Ethiopia. According to Amnesty International , "between 2011 and 2014, at least 5000 Oromos have been arrested based on their actual or suspected peaceful opposition to the government. These include thousands of peaceful protestors and hundreds of opposition political party members. The government anticipates a high level of opposition in Oromia, and signs of dissent are sought out and regularly, sometimes pre-emptively, suppressed. In numerous cases, actual or suspected dissenters have been detained without charge or trial, killed by security services during protests, arrests and in detention." According to Amnesty International, there
13104-726: The gradual integration of the Oromo into the Ethiopian Empire . Emperor Susenyos I , who came to power with Oromo support, did much to integrate them into the political establishment of the Christian state. Having grown up among the Oromo, he was fluent in their language and admired their way of life. He employed Oromo warriors, military tactics and combat formations against his rivals for the throne. Once in power, he filled high level offices with his Oromo supporters and settled various Oromo groups throughout much of Gojjam and Begemder . Under Susenyos's successors, many Oromos would continue to rise to positions of prominence in imperial service, and for
13248-546: The importance of Islam. The complex social interactions of Sufi rituals at Harar's numerous shrines both refied local Islamic identity and attracted large numbers of Muslim Ethiopian tourists. By 1994, two political parties were vying over power in Harar, one being the Harari National League (HNL) and the Harari Democratic Unity Party. After a tense competition which occasionally descended into violence,
13392-439: The influx of refugees into the town and the devastation of the region by the Oromo, Harar experienced two severe famines. The prices of food and livestock rose significantly: one sa'a (a unit equal to four handfuls ) of sorghum cost 12 ashrafi s, and an equal amount of salt cost 15. A cow cost over 300 ashrafis. The second famine was followed by a plague which eventually killed Nur in 1568, three months after he conducted
13536-447: The inhabitants of Harar, allowing them to buy imported goods at the markets of the town. With this, the economic influence of Harar extended from Shewa to the west and Zeila to the east, with some overseas connections. The Emirate of Harar also began to mint its own currency, the earliest possible issues bearing a date that may be read as 615 AH (1218/19 CE); but the first coins were definitely issued by 1789 CE, and more were issued into
13680-485: The land of the locals, who soon became serfs to the Shewan aristocrats. In the areas were the Oromos submitted peacefully, such as the Kingdom of Jimma , the indigenous rulers were made tributaries to the crown but were allowed to self-govern themselves with minimal interference from the central government. During Haile Selassie 's rule, many Oromos lost their autonomous status granted to them by Menelik, Haile Selassie abolished
13824-481: The local populace and declining to follow the governor's directives. The Egyptian period witnessed the reconstruction and enlargement of the city's infrastructure. Under the governor Nadi Pasha, the height of the walls were increased. The old palace of the Emirs was demolished and erected in its place was a two-story governor's house which looked over the marketplace and dominated the entire settlement. The town's main mosque
13968-425: The local populace. The imposition of substantial taxes in Harar incited protests from the Harari people against the Egyptian occupation, prompting British administrator Charles George Gordon to intervene in 1878 to remove Governor Rauf Pasha from his position. Researcher Alice Moore-Harell indicates that before Gordon's arrival, the atmosphere had grown strained, with certain Egyptian soldiers aligning themselves with
14112-753: The minority protest that took place in Oromia near Addis Ababa, 23 people were killed following the deaths of 43 Oromos in the Addis Ababa neighborhood of Saris Abo. Some have blamed the rise in ethnic violence in the Oromia Special Zone Surrounding Finfinne on the Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed for giving space to groups formerly banned by previous Tigrayan -led governments, such as the Oromo Liberation Front and Ginbot 7 . Protests broke out across Ethiopia, chiefly in
14256-423: The modernization projects during the reign of Haile Selassie . This discontent emanating from the political marginalization, economic exploitation and the cultural domination of the Oromo led to the rise of the Mecha and Tulama Self-Help Association in 1963, ostensibly for organizing Oromo self-help, but in fact to promote Oromo identity and fight the marginalization of the Oromo. The Mecha and Tulama Association
14400-599: The most sacred and largest event among the Oromo, the Irreechaa cultural thanksgiving festival. In one day, dozens were killed and many injured. Every year, millions of Oromos gather in Bishoftu for this annual celebration. That year Ethiopian security forces responded to peaceful protests by firing tear gas and live bullets at over two million people surrounded by a lake and cliffs. In the week that followed, angry youth attacked government buildings and private businesses. On 8 October,
14544-479: The municipal boundary of the city of Addis Ababa into Oromia, over 500 people have been killed and many more have been injured, according to human-rights advocates and independent monitors. The protests have since spread to other ethnic groups and encompass wider social grievances. Ethiopia declared a state of emergency in response to Oromo and Amhara protests in October 2016. With the rising political unrest, there
14688-424: The name of the Oromo clans who settled on it while the indigenous people were assimilated. According to Herbert S. Lewis , both the Oromo and the Somali people originated in southern Ethiopia but the Somali expanded to the east and north much earlier than the Oromo, and the Oromo lived only in southern Ethiopia and northern Kenya until the Oromo expansion began about 1530. Historical evidence suggests that
14832-401: The native ancient Cushitic monotheistic religion of Oromos. Historical linguistics and comparative ethnology studies suggest that the Oromo people probably originated around the lakes Lake Chew Bahir and Lake Chamo . They are a Cushitic people and prior to their expansions, they inhabited only the region of what is now modern-day north Kenya and southern Ethiopia. The aftermath of
14976-429: The neighboring Oromos, as on 1 September 1662 Emir Ali ibn Da'ud had to face a violent Illamo Oromo raid which, had reached as near as Asmadin gate and killed his son Sabr ad-Din ibn al-Amir 'Ali b. Da'ud. Ali's successor, Abdullah, significantly improved relations with the Oromos through an extensive marriage policy by marrying 5 of his sons to Oromo women. The Oromos by now had adopted agriculture and conducted trade with
15120-579: The northern Ethiopian highlands was the Islamic Warra Himano (1580–1916), which transformed Wollo into a veritable Islamic state in the heartland of Christian Ethiopia. The Warra Himano would convert many Amhara Christians to Islam during its rule, and at the zenith of its power, the Warra Himano had their hegemony accepted in the various parts of Wollo: Ambasel, Qallu, Borena, Wore-Illu and Amhara Sayint. Notable rulers such as Ras Mikael of Wollo and
15264-415: The outside of the city walls on foot; doing so took about an hour. By the early 1980s, though, this was no longer possible because the city had begun to expand out from the walled city, with some buildings being built directly attached to the outside of the wall. The Old City of Harar with an approximate area of 60 hectares (150 acres) is surrounded by ramparts on the northern and eastern sides and part of
15408-478: The population said they were Muslim , and 6.14% were Protestant . Barker Haines reported in 1840 that the majority of the population of Harar were Hararis however a few Oromo , Afar , Somali and Arabian traders of Yemen were also present. In 1855 Richard Francis Burton described Harar as having an approximately 8,000 inhabitants; 3,000 Bedouins (referring to seasonal nomads who "come and go", 2,500 Hararis, and 2,500 Somalis . Burton further reported
15552-483: The power to make much headway in this endeavor, and it was only after the Egyptian conquest that this policy made major strides. Due to the oppressive emir in Harar the Harari opposition requested Egypt intervene to liberate the people in the region. In October 1878, Muhammad Rauf Pasha led a well armed Egyptian force of 1,200 men into the interior of eastern Ethiopia and without encountering any opposition, seized Harar on 11 October 1875. A few days later, Emir Muhammad
15696-677: The predominant religion in the region. It is likely the original inhabitants of the region were the Harla people . Harar was part of the Harla Kingdom 's domain in the sixth century. In the Islamic period, the city was under an alliance called the confederated states of Zeila . According to the 12th-century Jewish traveler Benjamin of Tudela , the Zeila was the land of the Havilah , confined by al-Habash in
15840-609: The primary mosque of Harar torn down and replaced it with an Orthodox Church designed by an Italian architect. The French traveler Charles Michel notes that "the first years of the Abyssinian occupation were far from prosperous" as "the Abyssinian chiefs took for themselves what could have any value", while "the soldiers, several thousand in number, chased the Hararis from their dwellings to install themselves in their place, and devastated everything around them." Traders were driven away and markets becoming impossible in towns were held instead in
15984-561: The remote countryside. Harar lost some of its commercial importance with the creation of the French-built 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 . The British planned to revitalise the historic Harar-Berbera trade route by connecting
16128-513: The residents of Harar. According to Sir Richard Burton Harar is the birthplace of the khat plant. The original domesticated coffee plant is also said to have been from Harar. The climate of Harar is classified as subtropical highland climate ( Cwb ) in Köppen-Geiger climate classification system . Throughout the year, afternoon temperatures are warm to very warm, whilst mornings are cool to mild. Rain falls between March and October with
16272-515: The ruling OPDO and several opposition political parties in the Ethiopian parliament believe in ethnic federalism . However, most Oromo opposition parties in Ethiopia condemn the economic and political inequalities in the country. Progress toward independence started in the 1960s and 70s, but progress has been slow aside from the creation of Oromo-focused banks, notably the Oromo-owned Awash International Bank in 1994 and
16416-425: The semi-independent status of many Oromo states and began to undergo a period of centralization. Pastoralists were evicted to make way for mechanized farming and the few members of the educated Oromo class were prevented from holding powerful positions, instead being held by assimilated or Amharized Oromo notables. Despite the great contribution of the Oromo regions to the Ethiopian economy, Oromos areas were left out of
16560-524: The settlement, they would establish kingdoms in the Gibe regions and dynasties in Abyssinia . The Oromo people traditionally used the gadaa system as the primary form of governance. A leader is elected by the gadaa system and their term lasts eight years, with an election taking place at the end of those eight years. Although most modern Oromos are Muslims and Christians, about 3% practice Waaqeffanna ,
16704-407: The sixteenth century Ethiopian–Adal war led Oromos to move to the north. While Oromo people have lived in the region for a long time, the ethnic mixture of peoples who have lived here is unclear. The Oromos increased their numbers through assimilation ( Meedhicca , Mogasa and Gudifacha ), as well as the inclusion of mixed peoples ( Gabbaro ). The native names of the territories were replaced by
16848-408: The sixteenth, seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, particularly near their eastern borders. The French traveler, Charles-Xavier Rochet d'Héricourt , visited Ethiopia in 1863, and was greeted by Sahle Selassie , the ruler of Shewa . During his time there, he observed the different ethnicities within Ethiopia, one of which were the Oromo people. He described them as such: "[The] Galla breed
16992-408: The son of Wazir Abram, had reigned for 10 days when `Ali ibn Da`ud assumed the throne of Harar, thus founding the Emirate of Harar . `Ali ibn Da`ud had risen through the ranks with previous occupations such as being a head of a district and the minister, had declared independence and founded a dynasty that would rule the city for the next two centuries. The reign of Ali saw significant problems with
17136-441: The southern side. There are five ancient city gates, These are, clockwise from the north of the citadel: Other gates such as the unofficial modern sixth "Harar gate" was built after the Abyssinian invasion in the 19th century. Known as gey gar ("city house", plural: gey garach ), Harari houses form a distinct archetype that differs from other Muslim regions and from other parts of Ethiopia. The traditional Harari house design
17280-538: The subjective reality is that "neither traditional Oromo rituals nor traditional Oromo beliefs function any longer as a cohesive and integral symbol system" for the Oromo people, not just regionally but even locally. The cultural and ideological divergence within the Oromo people, in part from their religious differences, is apparent from the constant impetus for negotiations between broader Oromo spokespersons and those Oromo who are Ahl al-Sunna followers, states Terje Østebø. The internally evolving cultural differences within
17424-585: The three parties – the Oromo who followed Waaqeffanna , the Christians and the Muslims – dissipated the political strengths of all three. The religious beliefs of the Oromo people evolved in this socio-political environment. In the 19th century and first half of the 20th century, Protestant or Catholic missionaries' efforts spread Christianity among the Oromo. Organizations included the Sudan Interior Mission ,
17568-539: The town was decimated following the overthrow of Lij Iyasu by Abyssinian militias. The indigenous Harari natives who once were majority within the walled city are under 15%, due to ethnic cleansing by the Haile Selassie regime. As a result of the repression by the Ethiopian regime, in the late 1970s Hararis residing in Addis Ababa outnumbered those in Harar. According to Feener, the Harari have not recovered from
17712-504: The town. Richard Francis Burton (1856) describes the Gadabuursi and Geri Somali clans as extending to within sight of Harar. The Issa and Karanle Hawiye strike north and north westwards whilst the Jidwaaq strike eastwards. I.M. Lewis (1998) states: "Including the land round Harar and Dire Dawa inhabited by the Somalis of the 'Iise and Gadabuursi clans." The old walled city of Harar
17856-589: The two cities via rail as a means to bolster trade. However, the initiative was vetoed by parliament on the grounds that it would harm the Entente Cordiale between France and Britain. Unlike with most other subjugated lands in the south, Harar's pre-conquest government employed literacy as a tool of governance. Therefore Ras Makonnen did not attempt to destroy them, but choose to inherit the long established administrative structures and official archives. The retention of historically developed administrative structure
18000-489: The uncrowned emperor of Ethiopia, Lij Iyasu (1913–1916), descend from this ruling family. In the late 16th century the Oromos had settled in the territories south of the Abay river in western Ethiopia. Within 60 years of their arrival, five Oromo states would emerge in the Gibe region , such as Gera , Gomma , Gumma , Jimma and Limmu-Ennarea . These states arose through the transformation of pastoralism to agriculture due to
18144-414: The university was formally inaugurated by Emperor Haile Selassie 16 January 1958. By 1967 Haramaya had telephone service. Based on figures from the Central Statistical Agency in 2005, Haramaya has an estimated total population of 15,317 of whom 7,796 are men and 7,521 are women. The 1994 national census reported this town had a total population of 8,560 of whom 4,228 were males and 4,332 were females. It
18288-542: The use of Arabic was encouraged, Hararis and other Muslim collaborators were hired by the Italian administration and previously confiscated land was returned to their original owners and descendants. Harar would serve as the capital of Harar Governorate , one of the Italian governors of Harar was Enrico Cerulli (1939–1940). During the East African Campaign , Italian rule would almost immediately disintegrate and Harar
18432-533: The west. In the ninth century, Harar was under the Maḥzūmī dynasty's Sultanate of Shewa . According to the semi-legendary text Fatḥ Madīnat Harar , the founder of the city was saint Abadir Umar ar-Rida , who along with 405 other saints such as Aw Barkhadle , Isma'il al-Jabarti and Umardin bin Qutbaddan came from the Arabian Peninsula to settle in the Harar plateau and founded the city circa 612H (1216 CE). Abadir
18576-425: The whole of Africa ." In the last quarter of the 19th century, the Oromo tribes and kingdoms fell under the rule of Menelik II of Shewa . Beginning in the 1870s, the Kingdom of Shewa annexed one Oromo territory after the other with unpreceded speed owing to the modern weapons acquired from the international arms trade and the disunity among various Oromo groups. The manner this conquest was carried out determined
18720-631: Was ethnic violence involving the Oromo such as the Oromo–Somali clashes between the Oromo and the ethnic Somalis , leading to up to 400,000 displaced in 2017. Gedeo–Oromo clashes between the Oromo and the Gedeo people in the south of the country and continued violence in the Oromia-Somali border region led to Ethiopia having the largest number of people in the world fleeing their homes in 2018, with 1.4 million newly displaced people . In September 2018, in
18864-523: Was also torn down and replaced with a somewhat larger structure. The Egyptians also built a much needed hospital near the south western gate under Ridwan Pasha. During the period of Egyptian rule, Arthur Rimbaud lived in the city as the local functionary of several different commercial companies based in Aden ; he returned in 1888 to resume trading in coffee, musk , and skins until a fatal disease forced him to return to France. A house said to have been his residence
19008-419: Was an attempt to govern the province as inexpensively as possible. Nevertheless, with the arrival of settlers from Shewa into the region social tensions ensured, especially when Harar became to be regarded as the support base for Lij Iyasu . By the 1920s, the previously dominate position held by Hararis was beginning to be replaced by Christian immigrants, who extended their land holdings in the city by granting
19152-629: Was captured by the 29th Infantry Division "Piemonte" on 8 May 1936 under Marshall Rodolfo Graziani during the Second Italo-Ethiopian War . The Italian invasion of Ethiopia was generally welcomed by Harar, who had grown to resent the Christian Amhara rule, the Italian policy of pitting different ethnic and religious groups had resonated with the Hararis. Under the Italians, mosques were built,
19296-820: Was captured by the 1st battalion of the Nigeria Regiment , advancing from Jijiga by way of the Marda Pass on 29 March 1941. The freedom granted to Harar by the Italians was not quickly forgotten, especially after Emperor Haile Selassie attempted to restore the political and economic power of the Shewan elites. When the Somali Youth League (SYL) began agitating Harari members, they started their own branch known as Kulubi . The Ethiopian government immediately cracked down on this movement, arresting suspected members, confiscating property and imposing travel restrictions. This had
19440-790: Was disbanded by the government after several increasingly tense confrontations in November 1966. Later groups include the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF), Oromo Federalist Democratic Movement (OFDM), the United Liberation Forces of Oromia (ULFO), the Islamic Front for the Liberation of Oromia (IFLO), the Oromia Liberation Council (OLC), the Oromo National Congress (ONC, recently changed to OPC ) and others. Another group,
19584-450: Was especially popular among German historians who once believed that the Oromo were related to the ancient Gallic tribe in France. Another outdated theory of its origin comes from the belief that the Oromos rejected the offer to convert to Islam by Muhammad as their official religion, thus the prophet giving them the name Qal la or هو قال لا meaning "he said no". Some sources claim it was
19728-447: Was forced to pay tribute to the Oromo, which led to an economic crisis and a devaluation in the Harari currency. During the reign of Ahmad III ibn Abu Bakr , Harar was once more besieged by the Oromo for 18 months until Ahmad III agreed to let the Oromo merchants enter the town with their weapons. When Ahmad III died without an heir to his throne, the Oromo helped place Muhammad ibn 'Ali 'Abd ash-Shakur in power. Around this time, Harar
19872-513: Was in use for Oromo people by the Abyssinians , Arabs , and Nilotic people . The original meaning of the term is heavily disputed. An outdated but popular theory among European historians during the 19th century regarding the origin of the term was the belief that it derives from the Hebrew (חלב) and Greek (Gála), milk , due to the outdated belief that the Oromos were lost white men. This name theory
20016-456: Was murdered by an Egyptian bashi-bazouk while leading evening prayers, his relatives then fled to the countryside to seek refuge among the neighboring Oromos. The Egyptians spent much of their time establishing their authority over the surrounding Oromo to secure the caravan routes and attempt the agricultural exploitation of Harar's hinterlands. Rauf Pasha conducted brutal expeditions in the countryside from February to March 1876. Despite this,
20160-457: Was recently established, but it has faced a lot of harassment and persecution from the Ethiopian government since its beginning. Abuse of Oromo media is widespread in Ethiopia and reflective of the general oppression Oromos face in the country. Various human rights organizations have publicized the government persecution of Oromos in Ethiopia for decades. In 2008, the OFDM opposition party condemned
20304-407: Was soon disbanded by the government, but its impact was significant. The movement raised the consciousness of the Oromo regarding the significance of their own cultural and historical contributions and their status as a people within the Ethiopian state. The Oromos are the largest ethnic group in Ethiopia (35.8% of the population), numbering about 40 million. They are predominantly concentrated in
20448-544: Was supposedly met by the Argobba , the Gaturi and the Harla people who accepted his leadership. In 1234, Abadir returned back to Mecca where he stayed until 1279. In the meantime Harar was ruled by several other saints, most of whom were killed fighting the Christians. Coming back from Mecca, Abadir continued to fight the Christians until his final victory over them in 1301. According to tradition, Abadir's brother Fakr ad-Din founded
20592-409: Was then able to ambush and defeat Uthman, which led to much rejoicing in the city. However Tahla Abbas was again overthrown by some of his very fanatical subjects who still longed for a jihad against Ethiopia. He was replaced by Nasir ibn Uthman , who was almost immediately succeeded by his son, Muhammad ibn Nasir . He led an unsuccessful fight against the Christians, he met Emperor Sarsa Dengel at
20736-456: Was visited by the famous British traveler Richard Francis Burton , he describes Harar during his visit in 1855: "The ancient metropolis of a once mighty race, the only permanent settlement in Eastern Africa, the reported seat of Moslem learning, a walled city of stone houses, possessing its independent chief, its peculiar population, its unknown language, and its own coinage, the emporium of
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