The Jugal wall and its Five Gates

Amir Nur bin Mujahid constructed the remarkable defensive wall of Harar in 1551/52. Because Amir Unrealized that Harar which became very weak militarily due to the fourteen years defensive wars of Imam Ahmed bin Ibrahim al Ghazi, needs further strategic defense to sustain as state and the strategy was a real success. This wall covers a total area of 48 hectares; it has a total circumference of 6666 cubic and height of four meter and 50-75 meter thickness. The material used to construct the wall is a porous lime stone known as “hashiune” which has strong capacity of sticking with mud. The wall has five gates in deferent directions. Furthermore; these gates are situated in the vicinity of water streams so that the residents would have an easy access to water. The fact that it circumference is 6666 cubic and the number of its gates is five is related with the number of verses in the holy Quran and the five pillars of Islam as well as the daily five prayers respectively.

In addition to the original Harari names, each of the five gets named differently in different language.

1. The Harari name for the first gate ‘Suqutat Bari‘ is derived from the name of farm land starting just in front of the gate. It is located in south eastern part of the wall. The corresponding Amharic name is Sangaber means ‘Gate of Ox’; the Arabic’s Babu-Salam means ‘Gate of Peace’ and the Oromo is Kara Sofi means the Way to Sofi.

2. The Harari name for the second gate is Argo-Bari means ‘Gate of the Argobba’ which the Argobas enter the city. Arabic name is babul- Rahman means ‘Gate of compassion.

3. The Harari name for the third gate is Assucniy Bari means, ‘red pepper stream’ to denote the red color of the river just outside the gate. It is located in northern part of the wall. Te Arabic name is Babul Fath means ‘Gate of Conquests’. The Oromo name is Kara-Falana to show the way to FaIona village, where as that of Amharic as the same name Falana ber.

4. The Harari name for the fourth gate is Asmadin-Bari which means a place wherethe Islamic religion taught. It is located in western part of the wall. The Oromo name is Kara Hamaresa indicating the way to Hamaressa. The Amharic name is Shawa ber meaning ‘Gate to Shawa’, while the Arab name is Babu Nasr meaning, ‘Gate of victory’.

5. The Harari name for the fifth gate Badri Bari Located in south part of the wall takes its name from annually patriotic army training was there in commemorating the first Islamic victory during the prophet (Bedri battle). The Amharic name is Budaber which has wrong connotation that Artesian from wrong interpretation, the Arab name is Babul Hakim name is derived from a mountain in the immediate out skirts of west Harar. The Oromo name is Kara Budawa given with the same implication with that of Amharic.

SOURCE: -Harar regional state cultural and tourism office