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Concept
Jijiga
Summary
Jijiga (Jigjiga, ጅጅጋ, Jijiga) is the capital city of Somali Region, Ethiopia. It became the capital of the Somali Region in 1995 after it was moved from Gode. Located in the Fafan Zone with 70 km (37 mi) west of the border with Somalia, the city has an elevation of 1,634 metres above sea level. Jigjiga is traditionally the seat of the Bartire Garad Wiil-Waal of the Jidwaaq Absame. The International airport is named after him.
The region around Jijiga is believed to be associated with ancient Gidaya state which existed as early as thirteenth century. Jijiga was mentioned by W.C. Barker in 1842 as one of the mahalla or halting-places of the caravan route between Zeila and Harar. One of the earliest detailed references to Jijiga comes from British hunter Colonel Swayne, who passed through Jijiga in February 1893, which he described as a stockaded fort with a garrison of 25 men next to a group of wells.
In 1896 following the Abyssinian invasion of the region, Abdullah Tahir was appointed governor of Jigjiga, this would be the emergence of Jigjiga's urban development. Governor Tahir set up round the clock security forces to protect the town which consisted mainly of Somalis and Harari people as the Dervish militia had begun its activities in the region. According to I. M. Lewis, the Dervish invaded Jijiga in March 1900. Although the Dervishes suffered heavy losses, which allowed the Ethiopian authorities to declare a victory, Sayyid Mohammed's men recovered livestock that the Ethiopians had taken from the Somalis and proved that his was a force to be reckoned with.
Succeeding governors such as Fitawrari Tekle Hawariat Tekle Mariyam, had the town methodically organized in a square grid of streets, built a fort, dug several wells, encouraged agriculture, and set a fixed land tax. Actions which won the hearts of the Ogaden Somalis.
During the Second Italo-Ethiopian War, Jijiga served for some time as Dejazmach Nasibu Emmanual's headquarters and a supply center for the Ethiopian army.
Official source
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