A History of Hirna Town from Its Foundation Up to 1991
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Date
2015-09
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The thesis tries to reconstruct the social, economic, administrative, religious, institutional, and
population history of Hirna town focusing on the period between 1924 and 1991.
Hirna grew from a caravan route resting place into a market site and then into a small town
following the appointment of Fitawrari Takla Hawariyat over C;arrar in 1924. Therefore, Hirna also
grew from one ethnic group into a settlement of multi-ethnic and linguistic groups. From 1941-1974
there was a significant social change in Hirna mainly following the construction of a hard surface
trunk road that crossed Hirna into Harar and Dire Dawa. From 1974-1991 Hirna grew with more
social changes due to its strategic locatioll at a crossroad. This created a good opportunity for the
jlow of the multi-ethnic groups into Hirna.
The caravan merchants rested to Hirna when they traded between Harar and Sawa. When Takla
Hawariyat planted a market in Hirna the area continued to serve as a point of exchange mostly
originating out of Hirna around Burqa, Doba, Masala and Galeli. Hirna then developed into the
center of cash crops (khat and cojJee). Economic change in the town started to jlourish following the
establishment of private and government organizations in Hirna. This economic change and growth
of production in and outside Hirna hastened the process of urbanism in the town.
After the conquest of Dajazmac Walda Gabrel a new administrative ;ystem was arranged in which
the nafiana replaced the local Itu traditional administrative system called Gada system. In 1923,
Fitawrari Takla Hawariyat adopted new administrative regulation called Ya C;art;:iir Danb (The .
Administrative Regulation of C;iirrar) and implemented in Hirna. Hirna continued to serve as the
administrative center of Tullo until recently.
Religious life of the people in Hirna included waqeejJanna, Islam, Ethiopian Orthodoxy and
Protestant believers. WaqeejJanna was the earliest religion of Hirna followed by Islam and
Ethiopian Orthodoxy. Protestant religion was introduced to Hirna much more recently. The
formation and introduction of service sectors in Hirna had also a long history mainly after the
restoration of the imperial power and consolidated with the coming of Darg to power. Institutionally,
the formation of idirs, iqubs and maradaja mahbars dated back in the early formation of Hirna as a
town. The population of Hirna formed relationships and networking through the above institutions
that played an important role to consolidate the harmonious life in the town. The relationships
among the people of Hi rna is said to be strongfor the period of discussion of this thesis.
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Keywords
History of Hirna