PasserBy Posted March 31, 2011 As I mentioned yesterday, I've been exploring Ethiopia's Somali region. While my quest for Ahmed Guray's castle was a failure, I did see potential for adventure travel in the region. Adventure travelers generally are looking for three things: historical sights, interesting cultures, and natural wonders. The Somali region is a bit short of historical sights, although there are a few of interest, but it's strong on culture and nature. First, the historical sights. The main one is Alibilal Cave in the Erer District, about 10 km (6 miles) from Erer town. This cave is covered with prehistoric paintings of cows, giraffes, gazelle, and other figures. Last year I was amazed by the prehistoric cave art of Laas Geel in Somaliland, and I'm really curious to see this cave. I've seen some video footage and it looks impressive. Other historical sights include the mosque I wrote about yesterday, and some colonial buildings scattered about the region. The Somali Region is much stronger on cultural attractions. There aren't many places left in the world where you can see camel herders living much as they did centuries ago. You can drink fresh camel milk in traditional domed huts made of mats. Try shay Somali, Somali tea that's mixed with sugar and camel's milk and tastes a lot like Indian chai. The culture here preserves itself by oral traditions. Sitting with a clan elder and listening to his stories can be a one-of-a-kind experience. The Somali region is the easiest place to experience Somali culture, being cheaper than Somaliland and far safer than Somalia. Most Somalis don't speak English, of course, but I know of at least one Somali tour guide in Harar, Muhammed "Dake" (guleidhr @yahoo.com). He even spent some of his youth herding camels in this region! Harar makes the best base for seeing the Somali region. It's much cooler and more interesting than the dusty lowland regional capital of Jijiga, and only adds an hour to your trip. Because the Somalis are unused to tourism, adventure travelers will be free from a lot of the usual hassles like touts and pushy vendors. Expect plenty of attention though, and a large dose of curiosity. This isn't a bad thing. You'll get into lots of interesting conversations that will teach you about the local culture. Virtually all foreigners they see are working in NGOs, so expect a lot of questions about your development project. Ethiopia's Somali Region offers plenty of natural attractions for adventure travel. There are five regional parks with various types of wildlife. The Somali officials I spoke to recommended Dado Park, which has lion, giraffes, and elephants. I also got to see three families of baboons on the highway between Harar and Jijiga. Another attraction are the Somali Region's many hot springs. Like hot springs everywhere, they're reputed to have healing qualities and people come from all around to "take the waters". The easiest to get to from Harar or Jijiga is in the Erer district near Erer town, not far from the Alilbilal painted cave. The town is 113 km (68 miles) from Harar and the cave and hot springs together would make a good day trip from Harar. The Erer-Gota hot springs are located on the grounds of one of Haile Selassie's palaces (now gone to ruin) and it's still popular with people looking for cures of various diseases. Hot springs are popular with herders too, who wrap their lunch up in cloth and stick it in the water to cook it! Reminds me of wrapping potatoes in aluminum foil and sticking it in the coals of a campfire. Let me stress that while I've been through the Somali Region twice now, I haven't seen many of these attractions myself, only heard about them from Somalis. Hopefully next year I'll have a chance to explore this region more thoroughly. In the meantime, if you go to the Somali Region, please drop me a line and tell me your experiences. One person already has. A member of the Ethiopia-U.S. Mapping Mission wrote to tell me that he spent a year there in 1967-68 mapping the region. He had lots of fun hunting and exploring, even though he often didn't bathe for up to two weeks at a time! Veterans of the mission have a website called the Ethiopia-United States Mapping Mission with lots of information and photos. Be sure to check out the "Stories and Memories" section. Don't miss the rest of my series: Harar, Ethiopia: two months in Africa's City of Saints Coming up next: Not sure yet. Wherever my travels in the Harar region take me! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Liqaye Posted March 31, 2011 You are right it would be a great adventure, watching mass killings, political murders, genocide by bullet and by government mandated and directed starvation. I so want to go..... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Liqaye Posted March 31, 2011 Really is that all? a video clip of a fat little collaborationist? Somalis are united on many things including thinking how rediculous it is a woyane troll would try to pump propaganda bilge on SOL. for the consumption of Somalis. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PasserBy Posted March 31, 2011 If it is just propaganda then why get mad? Hmmmm... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Liqaye Posted March 31, 2011 No one is mad, and it is propoganda, and from a neutral viewpoint not very good propoganda Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PasserBy Posted March 31, 2011 It is real and it is working. Don't get mad. Be glad. :D Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Liqaye Posted March 31, 2011 No one is mad and its not working, its failing miserably... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
