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Concept
Harla people
Summary
The Harla, also known as Harala, Haralla are an ethnic group that once inhabited Somalia, Djibouti and Ethiopia. They spoke the now-extinct Harla language, which belonged to either the Cushitic or Semitic branches of the Afroasiatic family.
The Harla are credited by the present-day inhabitants of parts of Somalia, Djibouti and Ethiopia with having constructed various historical sites. Although now mostly lying in ruins, these structures include stone necropoleis, store pits, mosques and houses. Cave drawings are also attributed to the Harla.
Tradition states one of Harla's main towns was Metehara and the area between Harar and Dire Dawa is still referred to as Harla. The Harla inhabited Chercher and various other areas in the Horn of Africa, where they erected various tumuli. According to historian Richard Wilding, tales indicate Harla lived in the interior of Ogaden and by the seashores prior to Somali and Oromo movements into these regions.
The Harla Kingdom existed as early as the sixth century; it would later be influenced by Islam sometime in the eighth century. In the ninth century, the earliest known Muslim kingdom in the Horn of Africa, the Maḥzūmī dynasty's Sultanate of Shewa, sprang up in Harla country. The Maḥzūmī capital of Walale was in Northern Hararghe. Harla state leaders were commonly known as Garad and their religious elite carried the honorific title Kabir.
According to folklore, the Harla reportedly had a queen named Arawelo, who ruled much of the eastern parts of the Horn of Africa. In Zeila, a clan called Harla claims to be related to the ancient people. Locals in Zeila also attested that the old town of Amud was built by the Harla.
The influx of Arab immigrants such as Ābadir ʻUmar Āl-Rida into Harla territory would lead to the development of the town of Harar, known then as Gēy. Harar would become the leading center of Islam in the Horn of Africa. Archaeologist Timothy Insoll discovered stoneware in Harla town resembling that found in Harar.
Official source
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