The walled city of Harar, later the capital of Adal and the holy city of the Horn, has conflicting traditions of its beginnings, from the late seventh to the sixteenth century.
The Fath Madinat Harar (attributed to the thirteenth century) brings the saint Abadir Umar al-Rida and other holy men to the plateau about 1216 (612 AH), accepted as leaders by the Argobba, Gaturi and Harla. The first written mention of the place (as Gey) is in the chronicle of Amda Seyon for 1332. Insoll's test excavations in four parts of the city produced two radiocarbon dates suggesting a late foundation, perhaps in the sixteenth century.
On 1 January 1200 the site is, at most, farmland or a village of the Harla plateau; the trading town of the region is Harlaa.
Who holds it
- Name
- Not applicable
- Title
- Site of the later walled city
- Since
- Not pinned
- Confidence
- low
Lord in 1200
No town to rule: see the summary.
How things stand that morning
Not a town.
Charter
None (no charters in this world).
Council
Not recorded.
Communities
Not recorded.
Fairs and markets
Not recorded.
Militia
None recorded.
Walls and castle
None recorded.
Trade and crafts
Not recorded for 1200.
Where the sources disagree
- Do not draw Harar as a city in 1200.
- After 1200: the holy man Abadir and his companions settle on the plateau about 1216 in the tradition.
Evidence: Excavated (test pits) and well discussed; the traditions conflict.
On the map: A point.
Sources and studies
- Wikipedia: Harar
- Insoll and others, First footsteps in the archaeology of Harar, Ethiopia, Journal of Islamic Archaeology (abstract)
Last revised 4 November 2026. Published 4 November 2026. Suggest a correction on the OMNIA Discord.