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Harer is an
ancient walled city which stands on the Eastern wall of the
Great Rift Valley. Possessing as many as 99 Mosques, Harar
is considered to be the fourth holy city of Islam with
Mecca, medina and Jerusalem. In Ethiopia as Axum was the
window for Christianity, Harar is the same for Islam.
The wall of
Harar is locally known as Jegol, The old city cramped within
its ancient walls, the new extending freely. The walls are
believed to have commenced by Ibn al Wazir Mujahid Nur, a
nephew of Ahmed Gragn, who is said to have dug a defensive
trench around the town in 16th century.
Beside the
wall, the dominant features of the town are the traditional
Harari house; the childhood home of late Emperor Haile
Selassie; the exciting open market that presents medley of
people and culture; the Rimbaud House named after the French
poet who lived there in 1880 and the hyena-feeding ritual -
where, after dark, the legendary Hyena Man feeds meat by
hand - and mouth - to the wild hyenas that haunt the city's
fringes. A half day excursion from Harar can be made to
Babile Valley of Marvels, situated about 30km from Harar,
which is noted for amazing rock formations.
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