An economic history of the harari people ca, 1875-1975

Abstract

In the south of the Abyssinian kingdom, some Muslim states were, formed during the medieval period. These states have expanded their territory from the Gulf of Aden as far as the valley of Awash river and even beyond it. The most important of such states was Ifat on the edge of Shawan highland. Later on, the kingdom of Adal with its capital at Dakar was emerged. Then the kings of the Solomonic Dynasty, who took the throne in 1270A.D, worried about the challenges of the Muslim States. Thus, they have started a series of wars in which the war of Ahmed Gragn was the best example. Although the 16th century Oromo expansion separated the two rival states, i.e. the Christian highland and the Muslim State of Adal, the war was continued. According to many documents, the conflicts of these groups were not political and religious case. Nevertheless, it caused because of the interest for trade and trade routes of the area. As a result, from the very beginning of its establishment to very recent time Harar has suffered from the invasions of different people who came from both domestic as well as foreign countries. Since it is strategically located at very important position, Harar and its people have experienced good relationship with different people. The relation is specially based on trade activity that carried out at the two major trade routes i.e. Zaila and Berbara. Many of foreign merchants came to the above-mentioned trade routes and have traded with Harari people for centuries. Trade and other economic activities of Harari people have been affected by the invasions of Egypt, Italy and British. The invasions of these countries coupled with the attack of Menelik II have highly affected the commercial activities of the Harari people. Prior to the 16th century many Harari people engaged on different kinds of economic activities as agriculture, handcraft, basketry and others. The economic income of the Harari people generates from multi types of activities. The cultivation of different crops like Coffee, Chat, Sorghum, and Banana are the major ones. The commercial activity that conducted in the town as well as at coastal areas is also another most important means of economic income for the Harari people. Generally, the long lasting relations of the Harari people with many other peoples were based on not only trade, but also it was because of religion affairs. Thus, the people of the study area have experienced to live with many people for many years.