Harar and Babille

Harar is a walled city located in eastern Ethiopia. It was founded between the 7th and the 11th century, emerging as the centre of Islamic culture and religion in the Horn of Africa. During the rule of Emir Nur Ibn Mujahid (1550 – 1567), a 3.5 kilometer long, approximately five meter high wall surrounding the city was erected as a defensive response against the neighboring Christian Ethiopian Empire.The wall is still intact and permits access into the old city through the original 5 gates. Today Muslims and Christians share the city in peace. With its over 100 mosques and 120 shrines Harar is often referred to as the 4th Holy City of Islam after Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem. In recognition of its cultural heritage, the Historic City of Harar was registered by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 2006.

Harar is also famous for its hyena feeding ceremony which takes place every evening in two different sites just outside the city wall.The origin of feeding the hyenas dates back to the great famine of the late19th Century. According to legend, the hyenas were fed by the inhabitants of Harar to pacify the animals in good times, so that in times of drought they would not attack people or livestock.

Just 29 km east of Harar, in the village of Babille, every Monday and Thursday, one of Ethiopia’s biggest livestock market takes place. It concentrates buyers of camels, cows, donkeys and goats from as far as Djibouti and Somaliland. The market runs from about 10 am to 2 pm, but because sales go fast it is best to visit early.