The Walled City of Harar

Harar in Eastern Ethiopia is an old walled city that sits at the cross roads between Somali and Arab caravans and the riches coming from Sub-Saharan Africa.  It grew as trade throughout the Indian Ocean grew.  Later conquered by Menelik the First and brought into the Ethiopian state, Harar still has much of its Islamic past and traditions. 

The camel market in Babille.

Falcons on top of the meat market ready to snatch food from people's hands.

Street football outside of the Mosque.

Chat, a highly addictive stimulant that grows in the area and is popular among the people.

The creeping fig tree.  Used for shade and burial markers.

One of Harar's original 6 gates for people to enter the old city.

The spotted hyena.  Africa's second largest predator.  In Harar they feed them each night so they don't eat the livestock.  Note the glowing eyes in the background.