Field and river

20th International Conference of Ethiopian Studies (ICES20)
Mekelle University, Ethiopia

"Regional and Global Ethiopia - Interconnections and Identities"
1-5 October, 2018

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PRESERVING THE HISTORICAL AND RELIGIOUS HERITAGE OF THE AFAR: THE CASE OF KONABA SAHABAH TOMB [Abstract ID: 0102-07]

ABDU Ahmed Aliyu, Tourism Service Competence Expert, Culture and Tourism Bureau Semera, Afar Region
Till Jakob Frederik TROJER, PhD Research Candidate Anthropology and Sociology at School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University London

During the Sahabah migration to Abyssinia in the year 615, followers of the Prophet Muhammad, including his daughter Rukiya, crossed the Lelegedi River and reached the area of present day Konaba District of the Afar Region. Some of the followers died on the journey and their graves were erected around the place of Easi. Today the site, also known as the Sahabah Tomb, is facing various threats by natural hazards (erosions, seasonal floods, etc.) as well as tramping of animals and human population living in the area. Based on intensive qualitative (recording of oral histories and interviews) and quantitative (analysis of written sources including diaries) research started in 2016, the presentation shows that the Sahabah Tomb is not only an important religious and historical heritage site for the Afar people, but for followers of the Islamic faith in general. Further archaeological surveys and excavations are, however, necessary to contribute to additional knowledge of the Islamic history in Ethiopia. The conservation of the Sahabah Tomb as a historical and religious heritage site can only be done with the involvement of local communities, who have shown explicit interest to preserve the heritage of the Sahabah Tombs and to transfer the religious and historical knowledge to next generations.The presentation projects huge potential of the Sahabah Tombs as an important pilgrimage site as well as tourist attraction that can empower and strengthen the local communities in the Konaba District of the Afar Region.