Qualities to treasure from Harari Iconic ladies
Written by Professor Abdi Khalil
There are several influential Harari ladies with intensive convictions and determinations for Harar and its causes. To name a few, Queen Wenbera, Kabir Aay Amatullah and Aay Shamitu in recent memories. It is also very impressive to watch on IHMS the meetings and responses of United Toronto Harari Women Association and Australian delegates to Harar. Their actions speak louder and clear. They are friends in need and indeed to Harar; also showing their endurance to tackle some tragedies in their surroundings. These Harari ladies are noble!
Their intentions and determinations prompted me to ask, ‘What lessons can we learn from these historic and iconic Harari mothers and sisters?”
There is no single answer to this question, but multiple answers from multiple angles and dimensions. Harari ladies are dynamic, humanitarian, productive and resolute; and most of all they are Harari institutions by themselves. Harari mothers and sisters define Harari cultural and traditional values, and almost all aspects of Harari institutions. They are collectively the sun of the society, where the men and the children orbiting around them.
Look around you! Name it: Ayach Afocha (Mothers association), Aada Gar (Harari living room), Belechu (Wedding), Moya Gar (Skills development house), Baha Gar (Finance House), Mottach (Basketries), Gey eraz (Cultural attires), Gey genafi (Harari ladies’ trousers), Gey kofia (men’s head gear) and Gey senan (the Harari language). Most Harari heritages are defined, activated, functional and preserved because of them. Absolutely, most of these legacies are the production and products of Harari ladies. Without them, the overwhelming Harari values would have not survived, nurtured and preserved within the trials and tribulations Harar is constantly experiencing for decades, if not centuries! They are well rounded ladies, who are the core and soul of Harari society nationally and internationally.
Thinking of my own experiences and referring to historical facts, here are some exemplifying women whom I am impressed with. First and foremost, when I think of my mother, my eyes are always full of tears. Tears of sadness (I miss her immensely! May Allah grant her Janatul Ferdows!) and tears of joy because she taught us what it means to be courageous and practical humanitarians. She was full of humor, friendly, generous and diligent at her core. She spent constantly most of her earnings and time on the poor; she fed, dressed and even sheltered the destitute regardless of their tribal identity as if they were her children. When she did such activities, we used to complain; as naïve young kids, not realizing that she was photosynthesizing her family and the society at large with humanity. She implanted in the young the core values of being human, caring and sharing.
I do see s similar positive attitudes and actions with most Harari ladies worldwide. Personally, this was what I also observed in the United Toronto Harari Women Association and Australian young ladies’ delegate. They are ready, compassionate, concerned, determined, and resolute to face and seek solutions to any problem the Harari community faces in Harar, Toronto and elsewhere!
History also teaches us that there were Harari Queens, leaders, fearless fighters, effective administrators, passionate volunteers, adoring mothers, care giving sisters, successful business women, family leaders and scholars. If I may add, ‘If the men are mostly dubbed as the head of the household, the women are the neck of the household. Without the neck, there is no foundation, and no head can move around to comprehend its surroundings!’ United Toronto Harari Women Association had initiated and revealed its mission, vision and core values; and admittingly, it is the women who pro-actively triggered and woke up the Harari men in Toronto to do something about the tragedies in Harar. They stood by their men, worked with them and called for the entire community to come together for ‘Harar and Hararis causes’. To me, they are political, economic and social icons! They are the focal point for solutions and history in the making!
Talking about Harari women, in particular; the United Toronto Harari Women chapter is a continuation of Harari Women legacies; there are several lessons to be learnt from history, as well. Did you know about ‘Queen (Amirit) Wanbara’, Kabir Aay Amatullah and Aay Shamitu in Harar’s history?
Among many Harari courageous, outstanding and influential ladies, let me jot down a bit about these extraordinary Harari ladies!
Amirit Bati Dil Wanbara – She was a fascinating and charismatic First Lady in the 14th Century, when Harar was free and at its pick historically! In the chain of 76 Amirs, who were the heads of Harar State until 1887, Queen Wanbara was the wife of Imam Ahmed with unparallel courage and diplomatic skills. Amirit Wanbara ruled jointly with Amir Ali Garad the territory after her husband, Imam Ahmad’s death. She had accompanied Imam Ahmed on his expeditions of uniting Ethiopia and protecting Harar for 25 years from its arch adversaries. At times, she had to be carried on shoulders up and down the steep Rocky Mountains, twice in a state of pregnancy. She gave birth to Muhammad in 1531 and Ahmad two years later. Imam’s wife, Queen Wanbara, in addition to her courageous determination in wars, she demonstrated the skills of diplomacy particularly negotiations in very critical times, which are crucial to mention and learn lessons about resolutions.
First, the First lady’s qualities attributed in negotiating for Muhammmed, her captured son, to be swapped with Menas, son of king Libnedengle who failed to conquer Harar.
Second, as a woman negotiator, her personal life was clearly written by many historians, who described and characterized, and more importantly admired her competence, skills and tolerance in diplomacy. As a widow, when Amir Nur Mujahid proposed to marry her, she too offered and accepted him on condition that he should capture and execute the invader and destroyer of Harar’s entities. In 1559 Amir Nur fulfilled her demands, and in observance of her pledge, she became his wife.It was also understood that she was behind the Imam as an advisor and devoted her personal ornaments in attaining the ultimatum of protecting Harar. She was decision maker and the ‘Iron lady’ of her time!
- Aay Amatullah – she was the highest order Harari scholar of her time. She was from highly educated family; her father was Quadi Abdulrahman and her mother was Umma Halima. She lived between 1851 to 1893, which was unfortunately during Harar’s occupation. Despite such depressing time in Harar’s history, Aay Amatullah was competent and determined student who excelled and went all the way studying the highest education level available at the time. She mastered Fiqh (Islamic Law), Tawhid (Islamic Theology), Nahwi (Arabic Grammar) and Tafsir (Quranic commentary).
She became a Professor (Kabir) teaching both men and women emulating Aesha, the wife of the Prophet (peace be upon him) who taught both men and women after the death of the Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him). Kabir Amatullah was married to a prominent Harari scholar, Kabir Abdullahi Ahmed Tebalali. They had four children and one of her sons were killed by the then occupiers. She had shown her complete devotion to her creator in such shocking, devastating and trying time. She solemnly accepted the reality of her son’s death, and serenely said, ‘To Allah we belong and to Him we return’, made ablution and read Quran. What a devout Muslim scholar and enduring mother!
Aay Amatullah not only gave away her land and properties to the needy and the helpless, but also spread Islamic knowledge through her writings. She had either copied or written several volumes, where there was no printing and press at the time. She managed to compile at least four manuscripts on – Selewat (praising of the Prophet (PBUH)), Hikma (wisdom), Tuhfa (translation) and Reference materials for lecturing.
Here scholarly activities had enabled women to be aware of diwan (understanding property rights) and participation in spiritual activities that led many Harari women to become spiritual leaders (Innayach). This in turn enabled many Innayach in building shrines and mosques in Harar. Evidently, out of 82+ mosques in Harar, 10+ were built by these noble Harari ladies. Aay Amatullah was remarkable scholar and mother that have left permanent footprints in Harar’s history and Ethiopia at large. According to August 2019 Minber Tube report, she educated over 400 Islamic students (Derasa) and was posthumously recognized and awarded as the great Muslim lady scholar in East Africa.
Taking this opportunity, we at IHMS would like to thank Minber Tube and Dr. Muna Abubaker, who brought out Aay Amatullah’s story to light; not only to Hararis and Ethiopians but also to the world. We also appreciate Bilal Habashi Museum for keeping the award and the story alive.
- Aay Shamitu – The late Aay Shamitu was Harari singer and song writer until 18 years ago. She was dynamic with mesmerizing voices that could ignite passionate flame in anyone’s heart. Her secular and spiritual songs are heavenly, and they have class of their own. Unlike many Harari singers, Aay Shamitu was exceptional with her melodic voice when unleashing Jaliyee (my love), Dawo Nabee (Oh the Prophet) and Ko’otan ko’ot (dual) songs. These songs are loaded with par excellence secular and spiritual messages that elate anyone to blissful heights and keep Harari values alive to this day. It worth also mentioning and appreciating the role Abay Guine, who along with Aay Shamitu, equally contributed in treasuring Harari traditional songs, development and passing on soul touching messages through her unmatched performances to this day.
Specially the messages from these iconic singer ‘not to abandon Harar but squarely to return and live in Harar permanently. If Hararis completely abandon Harar, the unthinkable would happen where the beasts would eventually take over, and that would be the end of Harar.’ The message is meant for all Hararis outside of Harar and in the diaspora nowadays. This iconic singers and song writers had left indelible messages that resonate in every Harari households around the globe. Wouldn’t these messages haunt all of us day and night to do something for Harar before it is too late? Only through unity and timely actions!
These iconic ladies, Amirit Wanbara, Kabir Aay Amatullah and Aay Shamitu positively impacted Harar and Ethiopia at large making them ‘Extraordinary Women of the Century’ in Ethiopian history, and particularly in Harar. We collectively salute and learn from them – Determination, Courage, Perseverance, Resilience, Leadership, Unity and Spirituality.
Coming back to United Toronto Harari Women and Australian young lady delegates, as well as, what I have observed around the globe recently also demonstrate the existence, continuity, determination, endurance and diplomatic Harari legends. The seeds of these historic and iconic ladies are sprouting in Ethiopia, Canada, Australia and the US. The various meetings in these countries also have revealed their intentions and actions as listed next.
- Yes. They are here doing the right thing at the right time!
- Yes. They are here showing courage to stand up, as well as, sit down and listen.
- Yes. They are here showing commitment, sharing and caring.
- Yes. They are here unifying all through giving and being.
- Yes. They are here training conflict resolutions with dignity and humility.
- Yes. They are here in solidarity with men, children and other concerned ladies nationally and internationally.
- Yes. They are here standing up against aggression, social injustice, community disturbances and disunifying personalities.
- Yes. They are here together to prevent their children from substance abuses, petty crimes and run-aways.
- Yes. They are here implanting Harari heritages in the young and the blissfully unaware segment of the society. Most of all,
- Yes. They are here protecting Harar Harda Nurzeaw (Harari values) – Senanzeaw (the language), Adazeaw (the culture), Deenzeaw (the religion) and Dashizeaw (the land).
Very impressive, constructive and inspirational activities! Whether we like it or not, let’s face the realities of our times. Do we have social and economic problems, as well as, political crisis? Yes. Very Good. Acknowledging is the first step to seeking solutions. It means we have stood up for something, and this time in our life time! We must try our best to save Harar, as we lean on Allah (Subhanahu watala) and He will be our strength to dismantle the unprecedented changes in Harar. We will overcome them with measurable actions together, InshaAllah.
Aselma Aleykum wa Rahmatulahi wa Barakatu