This UNESCO World Heritage Site has a spiritual aura that will transport you back to medieval times and offers an atmosphere very different from the rest of Ethiopia.
The historic walled city of Harar lies in the east of the country, on a plateau with deep gorges, surrounded by deserts and savannahs. The walls surrounding this holy Muslim city were built between the 13th and 16th centuries. Harar Jugol is considered the fourth holiest city in Islam and boasts more than 82 mosques and 102 shrines, three of which date back to the 10th century. However, the town houses, with their exceptional interiors, represent Harar's most spectacular cultural heritage. It all began in 1216, when the Sheikh of the Arabian Peninsula traveled to Harar, married a Harari woman, and built the city's Jamia Mosque.
Harar is best known for its hyena-man. Hyena feeding is common practice in this part of the city. It all began in the 20th century when the Harari people began feeding the local hyenas to prevent them from decimating their livestock. As a result, these large, gray-haired hyenas stopped foraging for food on their own and came to the city to get their red meat from the local hyena-man.
A whole century has passed since then, but this tradition continues, as the hyenas still come out at night to be fed by the locals.
Harar is also known for its famous variety of markets.
The historic walled city of Harar lies in the east of the country, on a plateau with deep gorges, surrounded by deserts and savannahs. The walls surrounding this holy Muslim city were built between the 13th and 16th centuries. Harar Jugol is considered the fourth holiest city in Islam and boasts more than 82 mosques and 102 shrines, three of which date back to the 10th century. However, the town houses, with their exceptional interiors, represent Harar's most spectacular cultural heritage. It all began in 1216, when the Sheikh of the Arabian Peninsula traveled to Harar, married a Harari woman, and built the city's Jamia Mosque.
Harar is best known for its hyena-man. Hyena feeding is common practice in this part of the city. It all began in the 20th century when the Harari people began feeding the local hyenas to prevent them from decimating their livestock. As a result, these large, gray-haired hyenas stopped foraging for food on their own and came to the city to get their red meat from the local hyena-man.
A whole century has passed since then, but this tradition continues, as the hyenas still come out at night to be fed by the locals.
Harar is also known for its famous variety of markets.
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