Harar

The historic city of Harar is located in east Ethiopia at an Elevation of 1,885 metres (6,184 ft). It is on a hilltop in the eastern extension of the Ethiopian Highlands, approximately 500 kilometres from the national capital Addis Ababa. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Old Harar is enclosed by the jugol, a defensive wall, which is now surrounded by New Harar, a lively city. Harar is sometimes known in Arabic as “the City of Saints” According to UNESCO, it is “considered ‘the fourth holy city’ of Islam” with 82 mosques, three of which date from the 10th century, and 102 shrines.

Thursday, 11th April 2019

Tony outside the doorway to a house in the Old City. The walls are painted bright green.
Tony outside the doorway to a house in the Old City. The walls are painted bright green.
Tony outside another house. The metal door is painted grey and green.
Tony outside another house. The metal door is painted grey and green.
Brother Tony and brother Aja in a narrow cobbled street near to one of the mosques.
Brother Tony and brother Aja in a narrow cobbled street near to one of the mosques. Located within the old walled city.
Another part of the colourful street. The walls painted in shades of red and green.
Another part of the colourful street. The walls painted in shades of red and green.
A colourful narrow street inside the walls. The walls of the houses are painted once a year during Ramadan.
A colourful narrow street inside the walls. The walls of the houses are painted once a year during Ramadan.
Tony with Mikiyas, a local guy in one of Harar's narrow streets.
Tony with Mikiyas, a local guy in one of Harar’s narrow streets.
Decoration on the side of a house. An irregular pattern of lines painted in blue on a cream background.
Decoration on the side of a house. An irregular pattern of lines painted in blue on a cream background.
Tony on steps outside the Arthur Rimbaud Museum. Arthur Rimbaud was a 19th century French poet and writer who lived in Harar between 1881 and 1891.
Tony on steps outside the Arthur Rimbaud Museum. Arthur Rimbaud was a 19th century French poet and writer who lived in Harar between 1881 and 1891.
Tony making his way along a maze street. Behind a local woman dressed in an orange headscarf.
Tony making his way along a maze street. Behind a local woman dressed in an orange headscarf.
A local woman with three young boys and a girl going about their everyday business in one of Harar's narrow streets.
A local woman with three young boys and a girl going about their everyday business in one of Harar’s narrow streets.
Tony passing along Lovely Street. A small stall at the side of the street selling yellow liquid in plastic bags, perhaps cooking oil.
Tony passing along Lovely Street. A small stall at the side of the street selling yellow liquid in plastic bags, perhaps cooking oil.
Market in front of Showa Gate with Tony in the foreground. White painted Showa Gate is the west gate of the five medieval gates that lead into the walled old city of Harar. Mostly vegetables can be seen for sale at the market stalls in front.
Market in front of Showa Gate with Tony in the foreground. White painted Showa Gate is the west gate of the five medieval gates that lead into the walled old city of Harar. Mostly vegetables can be seen for sale at the market stalls in front.
Tony in front of the colourful outer doorway and walls of a small mosque in the walled city.
Tony in front of the colourful outer doorway and walls of a small mosque in the walled city.
Tony in a street leading towards Showa Gate and the market in front. Goods for sale on mats along the side of the street.
Tony in a street leading towards Showa Gate and the market in front. Goods for sale on mats along the side of the street.
Narrow street in the Old City. A woman passing by carrying a sack on her head. Also a man selling clothes at the side of the street.
Narrow street in the Old City. A woman passing by carrying a sack on her head. Also a man selling clothes at the side of the street.
Tony in Mekina Girgir, a street famous for its tailors. Tony holding a brightly coloured woven bowl.
Tony in Mekina Girgir, a street famous for its tailors. Tony holding a brightly coloured woven bowl.
Tony walking along a narrow street between high white-painted walls.
Tony walking along a narrow street between high white-painted walls.
Tony outside the Sherif Harar City Museum. The house is believed to have hosted the honeymoon of Haile Selassie and his wife Menen Asfaw, hence the house is also known as Ras Tafari's House, which is Haile Selassie's pre-coronation name. Haile Selassie was regent of Ethiopia from 1916 to 1930 and emperor from 1930 to 1974.
Tony outside the Sherif Harar City Museum. The house is believed to have hosted the honeymoon of Emperor Haile Selassie and his wife Menen Asfaw, hence the house is also known as Ras Tafari’s House, which is Haile Selassie’s pre-coronation name. Haile Selassie was regent of Ethiopia from 1916 to 1930 and emperor from 1930 to 1974.
Tony outside the green dome-shaped Tomb of Emir Nur, 41st King of Harar. Emir Nur built the city walls in 1551.
Tony outside the green dome-shaped Tomb of Emir Nur, 41st King of Harar. Emir Nur built the city walls in 1551.
Tony met a man near to the museum who saw him before on the BBC and wanted to take him to his shop full of brightly coloured silks. Tony touching a silk sheet.
Tony met a local man near to the museum who saw him before on the BBC Travel Show and wanted to take him to his shop full of brightly coloured silks. Tony touching a silk sheet.
Tony and his new friend Wehibe in the silk shop.
Tony and his new friend Wehibe in the silk shop.
Tony at a Women’s Association where they make baskets. A collection of baskets can be seen on the wall behind.
Tony at a Women’s Association where they make baskets. A collection of baskets can be seen on the wall behind.
More baskets at the Women's Association.
Again Tony in front of a display of baskets at the Women’s Association. Some of the baskets are decorated with colourful patterns. Other items including jewellery can also be seen.
Tony walking past an olive green painted building heading to the Arthur Rimbaud museum.
Tony walking past an olive green painted building heading to the Arthur Rimbaud museum.
Tony walking along a narrow street between the walls of houses. The ground paved with cobblestones.
Tony walking along a narrow street between the walls of houses. The ground paved with cobblestones.
A very narrow street in Harar known as 'Peacemaker Alley'
A very narrow street in Harar known as ‘Peacemaker Alley’.
Tony walking along narrow 'Peacemaker Alley' touching the walls at both sides.
Tony walking along narrow ‘Peacemaker Alley’ touching the walls at both sides.

Addis Ababa

Capital of Ethiopia.

Sunday, 21st April 2019

Tony and Happy, a local Ethiopian guy he stayed with in Addis Ababa. Taken inside Capital Hotel in downtown Addis Ababa.
Tony and Happy.
Tony signing a silk sheet belonging to Happy. All of his guests sign it with a message of thanks or something meaningful.
Tony signing a silk sheet belonging to Happy. All of his guests sign it with a message of thanks or something meaningful.
Close-up view of the silk sheet.
Close-up view of the silk sheet.