Mapping Historical Traces: Methogensis, Identity and the Representation of the Harela: A Historical and Anthropological Inquiry

Abstract

Harela village is found in Dire Dawa Administration, which is located at about 15 km away from the city of Dire Dawa. It is the only site that bears the name of historic Harela. Before the formation of a strong centralized state of Ethiopia, there have been numerous tinny and fragmented but semi-autonomous sultanates/kingdoms ruled either by traditional sultans/sheiks and/or chieftains/kings. However, till this time, very little information is found about the characteristics and statehood existence of these states located outside of the Christian Highland Kingdom of Ethiopia. The general objective of the study is to examine and map the identity, representation and the methogensis of the Harela people from a historical and anthropological view point. To gather the necessary data for realizing the stated objectives, the study used both primary and secondary data sources. The secondary data has been collected from journals, books and archival documents. The primary data used in producing this study, were of qualitative in nature. Qualitative techniques were chosen for they help to see the multidimensional views of the people under study. The findings reveal that Harela is mentioned in several authoritative literatures; it was a settlement of people who lived in eastern Ethiopian plateaus, and having Islamic spiritual traditions. Their existence has been affirmed by those scholars as they have distinct type of civilization like many of sultanates and kingdoms in Medieval Ethiopia. For many of the scholars, the Harela people had very advanced form of peasant agriculture and stone built settlements in the eastern plateau region between the 13th and the 16th centuries. Besides agriculture, they were also engaged in long distance trade; the route may have been extended to Middle and Far East regions. The heritage is not in a position of generating income in the form of tourism due to lack of awareness of the contribution of heritage to economic development among concerned institution and community members. Finally, recommendations include awareness creation on how to exploit cultural heritage resources; build the capacity of tour guides; conducting archaeological excavation, and developing facilities and infrastructure for tourists.