IHMS 700 Series
In search of identity in diaspora
Fundamental Questions from the Harari Youth
Written by Professor Abdi Khalil
This is a two-segment response to deep-seated questions raised by the Harari youth in Canada, as well as, to a video release ‘I am ignorant” requesting Harari parents (Awaach and Aayach), uncles (Zerach and Kakach), aunties (Aanach and Ekhestach), and the community at-large to teach the youth about their history and Harari heritages outside of Harar.
Sometimes it takes a good fall to really know where you stand.It appears Harari youth around the globe has dynamically begun taking initiatives in response to Harar and Harari cause, and in searching for their identity. Recently, the Harari youth in Edmonton and Toronto (Canada), came together by breaking all possible barriers – political, social or religious, as well as, dis-unifying forces and personalities that impaired the Harari Communities in the last few years. Their meetings manifested any barrier could be overcome for the common good under the banner, ‘Harar and Hararis cause only’.
At IHMS, we salute their initiatives and actions wholeheartedly!
This youth groups have raised two very crucial questions in search of their identity in building momentum to preserve the Harari values – the language, religious, cultural and tradition values. They echoed the DNA of Harari heritages must be kept in good shape, revived and practiced worldwide for the existence of Harar within Ethiopian galaxy.
During the interactions among themselves and their parents, they posed two fundamental questions, which required answers from parents, intellectuals, community leaders, as well as, Hararis from all walks of life.
The two fascinating questions are:
Question 1: Why are we minority in our homeland, Harar?
Question 2: Why do we need to preserve our identity and heritages when we live in various cultures and countries?
IHMS participants, keynote speakers and facilitators had attempted to answer the questions in a comprehensive manner encompassing social, political and economic perspectives.
These questions are fantastic! They imply how the Harari youth are determined in search of their identity and their place in Harar’s History.
Before we spell out the answers, IHMS also would like to alert its viewers and audiences to have their complementary and supplementary inputs, as well as, the parents to take this opportunity to answer these questions for their own children. This is a good start to have dialogue on Harar’s issues with their children. It is high time to implant and consolidate Harari values in the young! Weekly IHMS youth program is dedicated to the Harari youth globally and has given them a forum to learn and flourish their heritages, as well as communicate among themselves for the good of Harar.
Coming back to the two questions. They are excellent, wide and deep that require multiple answers through navigating national experiences, history, social, economic and political circumstances.
PART I
First question: Why are we minority in our homeland, Harar?
We are minority in our homeland, Harar, for several interlinked but distinctive reasons. By the same analogy and to have a wider frame of understanding, let us pose similar question to you, the Harari youth in North America.
Why do you think the ‘First Nations or Natives or the Indigenous people’ in Canada and the US have become minority in their own continent? Being exposed to the history of First Nations in Canada, you may ponder by now how the various invading forces and inhumane actions led to the verge of extinction of these natives in their own homeland, North America. Societal extinction or ethnic cleansing are really disturbing the human eco-system as we are even witnessing around the world today. Obliterating a country, committing genocide, ethnic conflicts and displacement of a huge segment of a population have become the order of the day with undeniable facts in the so-called civilized 21st century. Pursuing own sick economic interest or political domination in expense of obliterating the weak, the minority or the poor has become a friendly fire in the name of democracy worldwide!
Coming back to your questions, let’s navigate through the many reasons that Hararis have also become minority in their own home land.
- First, political turmoil including –
- Invasions and annexation of Harar State in 1887 by highlanders led to displacement, forceful emigration or resettlement of Hararis in various cities and towns outside of Harar in Ethiopia;
- Religious persecution by Emperors Menelik and Hail Selassie. Harar was Islamic Knowledge Centre in East Africa and the Mecca of the region for a long time. After the occupation of Harar, both leaders were involved intensively in dismantling Harar’s Islamic education system and replacing it with secular system; confiscation of mosque and Islamic schools, as well as converting them to churches became the reasons of disappearance of many Harari religious leaders and educators, and therefore, declining of their followers in Harar
- Changing of political systems (Feudalism to Communism and then to authoritarianism) within Ethiopia in the last 40+ years had led to mass exodus of Ethiopians including Hararis to Europe, North America, the Middle East and Australia; that is, why most Hararis are scattered around the world including your parents today;
These major political calamities impacted Harar in losing its political power and influences in east Africa. The Harari dynasty, the chain of 76 Amirs since 969 AD broke in 1887; thus the political landscape in Harar changed forever. In fact, reduced Harar from being a country that used to stretch from the city of Harar to the port of Zeila (now part of Somalia). Today Harari regional state is about 300 square kilometers, and the smallest regional state within Ethiopia. Imagine and relate the impact of these political disasters on de-populating Hararis in Harar!
- Second, Social havoc, not exhaustive but including –
- After the occupation of Harar, the resettlement of non-Hararis from other parts of Ethiopia, especially retired military personnel and households were dutifully immigrated, and systematically contributed to masking Hararis in Harar.
- Several archived documents and historical facts evidently expose that feudalistic regimes had forcefully grabbed several Harari farmlands and properties that gave way to the new occupying authorities and their relations an edge. The immigrants and these resettled households multiplied overtime (almost 140 years), and hence clearly demographic changes, which currently stands at – 52% Oromos, 24% Amharas, 9% Hararis and 1% others.
- Various Harari social institutions such as Afocha, Mugad, Moya gar and others were systematically dismantled overtime; The functions of these community institutions were diminished, and their activities were limited; in turn brought about the deterioration of Harari core values and contributing to the decline of Hararis in their own homeland and elsewhere.
Besides the political turmoil cited previous, these social crises also immensely contributed to the forceful marginalization and assimilation; thereby de-population of the Hararis in Harar.
- Third, Economic disruptions –
- As reported by various media, Harar has recently experienced also confiscation of Harari farmlands and properties that led to displacement of many Hararis; thus blocking their income generating activities and their livelihood in general. This is not a new phenomenon for Harar; it happened several times since its occupation in 1887. Therefore, it is obvious that the loss of one’s land and property disrupt all means of existence and hence hopelessly leaving the homeland for survival elsewhere.
- Since the occupation of Harar, the imperial regimes systematically avoided developing Harar; and instead, they embarked in developing the nearby town, Dire Dawa as a business hub. The development strategies, intentionally included major road infrastructure and railways from Addis Ababa to Dire Dawa and to Djibouti, avoiding Harar. These major road infrastructure developments shifted almost all economic activities from Harar (once known as the emporium of East Africa) to Dire Dawa; thus, several Hararis households moved to Dire Dawa, Addis Ababa and other cities and towns within Ethiopia for their livelihoods; this also contributed largely to the de-population of Hararis in Harar.
In a nutshell, Harar has been in trials and tribulations for many years. These political, social and economic facts speak for themselves that Harar’s influences and contributions are diminished and destroyed to some extent. The forceful marginalization, assimilation, resettlement, immigration and emigration, as well as, inhumane governing systems that were imposed on Harar for the last 140 years (since the fall Harar in 1887) are the main causes that made us minority in own homeland today. Today, it is also unfortunate that the so-called majority of population in Ethiopia has posed significant threats and continued abusing the peaceful minorities in all aspects of life in Ethiopia!
Let’s pose and ponder! There are a lot of lessons to learn and soar like an Eagle. The Eagle is always focused objectively and resolute when it comes to overcoming any obstacle. Let all Hararis around the globe unite, look forward, focused and continue to demonstrate the essence of Harar, as it is nationally witnessed and internationally recognized as UNESCO’s Laurate City of tolerance, solidarity, unity and peace.
Concurrently, Harar hopes that most of its non-Harari residents will understand and abide by their moral responsibilities to have harmony and continuity of co-existence. Harar rightfully believes humanity, security and peace are the pre-conditions and functioning of any humanely formulated governing systems, be it democratic or otherwise. Attempting to implement a would-be democratic system in Ethiopia that falls short of humanity, justice, security and peace as its pre-conditions is always chaotic and full of anarchism. Let’s not their unfounded anger become our anger since there is knowledge without humanity and politics without principles in Ethiopia today. Peace for all.
PART II
Following wide-ranging answers to question 1, we at IHMS also tried to compile and provide answers to the second question, as well as, to educational requests raised in ‘I am ignorant’ video that was released over a month ago through IHMS.
The second question is: Why do we need to preserve our identity and heritages when we live in various cultures and countries?
Another superb question! IHMS keynote speakers and facilitator collectively tried to answer this question; before we provide some answers; however, it is important to remind one another some related issues from Al-Quran at this juncture.
The Quran elaborates diversity, saying, (Bismilahi Rahamanurahim) “O mankind, we have created you male and female, and have made you nations and tribes that you may come to know one another [and not deny one another]. Lo! The noblest of you, in the sight of Allah, is the best in conduct. Lo! Allah is knower, Aware.” (Sura 49 Verse 13).
Indeed, this says that mankind is not only destined to exist as diverse peoples, but that we as humans should welcome this and actively try to understand people who are different from ourselves externally. This message clearly establishes pluralism and co-existence until the end of time.
So, don’t you think that our identity has base in our belief system? And if so, don’t you think we should live, preserve and nurture our identity. Live our life with diversity in plan and unity in action! Of course, living harmoniously with other cultures and traditions, and vice versa is the core tenet of humanity!
Also, many social scientists have researched on whether self-identity and ethnicity matter. Their findings could be summarized as Self-identity is important because it increases self-esteem, self-awareness, awareness of the world, etc. Ethnicity ties into self-identity because it’s a part of who you are.
Self-identity is the definition of who you are.
- It defines you.
- It defines you as a human being.
- It defines how you see, and interact with, other human beings.
- It defines how you see, and interact with, the world itself.
In a word or so, self-identity is you. In the real sense that can be. It is your story. It tells you and, in turn, the world who, what, when, why, and how you are.
Ethnicity also provides a story. It is a story. It’s a story of not just your life, but the lives of those who came before you. It defines how your life came to be. It tells how your loves came to be loved. For many people, their ethnicity is tied to not just their skin colour; but also, their roots. Their family. Their culture. Their religion. What hobbies they might have happened to like. The foods they might enjoy such as Hulbut maarakh, waqalim, mulawah, sambusa, faatira, mutaabaq, etc.!
Every person has a story and every community constitutes every person. Thus, every community has a story and so does the Harari Community!
Each story has more than one part, as Harar and Hararis have many parts of their story. Remember, Harari heritages (HARAR HARDA NURZEAW!): the language, the culture, the traditions and the religion.
Answering the two questions has given us enlightenments and positive outlooks. Yes. We need to preserve our identity and heritages when we live in various cultures and countries nowadays.
Dear Harari Youth at-large! Your coming together is the first step in the right direction. Courageously, preserve your identity against all odds – social mafias, anarchists, political predators and genocide criminals that want to dehumanize the Hararis and residents of Harar nowadays.
Hope the governing majority in Ethiopia comes out of its compartmentalized ideology and upholds the beauty of diversity in Ethiopia. Protects the minorities and applies Humanity in its actions for peaceful co-existence and prosperity!
We Hararis, to ease our suffering and retain the sense of humanity, we should preserve and evoke our communal identity and institutions; rather than in state of denial in the name of living outside of Harar. We should strengthen our identity as indigenous citizens of Ethiopia to have inner peace in the face of current adversity in our homeland. The unity of Hararis globally will give Hararis in the homeland a sense of comfort, confidence, togetherness, voice and continuity of sense of self. The Harari youth should be at the center stage as a unifying force and forging into the future!
How do we get these senses of preserving and nurturing Harar Harda Nurzeaw – by performing religious rites, fashioning, creating music, arts, singing and writing, as well as voicing the current affairs of Harar through various platforms and media including IHMS. These types of non-violent resistance and activities will show our human spirit in the face of oppression and inhumanity.
IHMS is all about reinventing, reinvesting, and bringing together Hararis worldwide through these activities to allow us to feel connected to each other, build during such majority threats, and remind ourselves to show our best human qualities. Our devotion to our community and the Harar cause will be our undeterred task and legacy.