Abstract:
The main objective of this thesis is to reconstract a history of Haro Sabbu town, Kellem
Wollega Zone from 1953 to 2010s. The thesis attempted to explore a history of Haro Sabbu
town. It investigates about social, economical and adminiustrative condition of the town
starting from the time of its foundation, Imperial period, Derg period and post Derg up to
2010s. The 1953 is a turning point in the history of the town because of the building new
District and its center shifted from Kabba to Haro Sabbu. While the year 2010s is a land
mark due to the name of the town Alam Tafar replaced by Haro Sabbu. During the Derg rule
with the establishment of new institutions and steady population increase, the town saw
unprecedented spatial expansion. Nevertheless, this spatial expansion of the town was not
compatible with infrastructure and facilities. After 1991, the municipality was granted
autonomus self-administration status and the town’s development has been speeded up. The
study attempts to fulfill the existing historical gaps in the Town during the period understudy.
The establishment, expansion, and development of big towns were highlighted in historical
studies on Ethiopian urbanization that have been done thus far. Due to these, the
urbanization process of small towns such as Haro Sabbu Town and the like got little or no
attention from these studies. Thus, by supporting the urban historiography of Ethiopia in
general and Wollega in particular which many researchers overlooked this historical study
fills the gap Also provided a source for other scholars who are interested in studying
urbanization at the same time this researches serve as a springboard for other historians but
also contribute to enriching, reconstructing, and expansion of national history. Primary and
secondary sources on the study area are however scanty and therefore, fulfilled by oral
information. All data gathered have been organized and grouped, carefully arranged and
crosschecked. Then the data have been analyzed, described, interpreted, and narrated
chronologically and thematically.
