HARAR, a province and city of Abyssinia. The province is one of the largest and most fertile in the country, situated at an elevation of some 4,000 to 5,000 feet above sea-level, enjoy ing a pleasant climate, and rich in varied cultivation. It is under the personal governorship of Ras Tafari the regent and heir to the throne, proclaimed Negus in 1928, and is administered by Dajazmach Imeru his uncle, as sub-governor. It is famous for its excellent coffee, which is grown extensively and largely exported.
Along its northern extremity runs the Franco-Ethiopian railway from Jibuti to Addis Ababa, on which 311 kilo. from Jibuti is the town of Diredawa the most progressive town in Abyssinia with a population of over 30,00o rejoicing in roads, a water supply and electric light ; it was for many years the terminus of the railway. 35 miles S.W. of Diredawa lies the town of Harar, the capital of the province and for long its most important centre until the advent of the railway transferred its commercial pre dominance to Diredawa.
It is still, however, the centre of the caravan trade of the province and in addition to coffee there is a good deal of trade in durra, the Kat plant (used by Mohammedans as a drug), ghee, cattle, mules and camels, skins and hides, ivory and gums. Cotton goods form the bulk of the import trade. Harar is built on the slopes of a hill at an elevation of over 5,000 feet. A lofty stone wall, pierced by five gates and flanked by twenty-four towers, encloses the city, which has a population of about 40,000. The streets are steep, narrow, dirty and unpaved, the roadways con sisting of rough boulders. The houses in general are made of un dressed stone and mud and are flat-topped, the general aspect of the city being "Oriental and un-Abyssinian. A few houses, in cluding the palace of the governor and the foreign consulates, are of more elaborate and solid construction than the majority of the buildings.
Harar is believed to owe its foundation to Arab immigrants from Yemen in the 7th century of the Christian era. In the region of Somaliland, now the western part of the British pro tectorate of that name, the Arabs established the Moslem state of Adel or Zaila, with their capital at Zaila on the Gulf of Aden, Harar becoming the seat of government in 1521. A subsequent Emir of Harar Mohammed surnamed Gran (left-handed) probably a Somali, is famous for his invasion of Abyssinia, of which coun try he was virtual master for several years until his defeat and death in 1541. It was first visited by a European in 1854 when (Sir) Richard Burton spent ten days there in the guise of an Arab. In 1875 Harar was occupied by an Egyptian force and remained in the possession of Egypt until 1885, when the garrison was withdrawn in consequence of the rising of the Mandi in the Sudan. A son of the ruler who had been deposed by Egypt was installed as Emir, the arrangement being carried out under the superintendence of British officers. The new Emir held power until January 1887, in which month Harar was conquered by Menelek II., king of Shoa (afterwards emperor of Abyssinia). The governorship of Harar was by Menelek entrusted to Ras Makonnen, who held the post until the time of his death in 1906.
The Harari proper are of • a stock distinct from the neigh bouring peoples, and speak a special language. Hararese is "a Semitic graft inserted into an indigenous stock" (Sir R. Burton, First Footsteps in East Africa). The Harari are Mohammedans of the Shafa'i or Persian sect, and they employ the solar year and the Persian calendar. In addition to the native population there are in Harar colonies of Abyssinians, Somalis and Gal las. By the Somalis the place is called Adari, by the Gallas Adaray.
See ABYSSINIA; SOMALILAND. Also P. Paulitschke, Harar: For schungsreise each den Somdl- and Galla-Ldndern Ost-A f rikas (Leip zig, 1888). (C. F. R.)