Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Around Dire Dawa
HARLA
The former capital of Harla Kingdom was a 13th-century walled city that excavations
have shown did much trade with the Middle East. A few minor remnants of its glory days
are still around but it's the future that makes Harla, perhaps, of interest to travellers. Addis
Ababa's
Zoma Contemporary Art Center
(
0911-249374;
www.zcac.net
) has built a
branch of its artist-in-residence centre here and visitors are welcome to stop by to see
what's going on. For the time being, that's likely to be nothing, but eventually it should
become more active. It's 15km out of Dire Dawa. Catch a minibus (Birr10, 20 minutes)
from in front of the NOC petrol station instead of the bus station.
KULUBI
Twice a year, tens of thousands of pilgrims converge on the little town of Kulubi and its
hilltop cathedral,
Kulubi Gabriel
, built by Ras Mekonen to thank St Gabriel for the vic-
tory over the Italians at Adwa (
Click here
)
. Many people come to express thanks for ful-
filment of a wish, and babies feature prominently: up to 1000 infants may be christened
during celebrations. If you're in the area around 26 July and 28 December, it's an amazing
experience.
Harar
POP 108,200 / ELEV 1850M
World Heritage-listed Harar is a place apart. With its 368 alleyways squeezed into just 1
sq km, it's more reminiscent of Fez in Morocco than any other city in the Horn. Its count-
less mosques and shrines, animated markets, crumbling walls and charming people will
make you feel as if you've floated right out of the 21st century. It's the east's most mem-
orable sight and shouldn't be missed. And, as if that wasn't enough, there are many
chances to get up-close and personal with wild hyenas. It's a rare traveller who doesn't en-
joy themselves here.
History
Harar is steeped in history, though its origin is unknown. Evidence suggests it was foun-
ded by Arabian immigrants, including Sheikh Abadir (see Shrines & Tombs,
Click here
)
