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Young women dressed in traditional attires chant and dance during the celebration for the Shuwalid festival in Harar on April 16, 2024. Shuwalid is an annual festival celebrated by the Harari people of Ethiopia and marks the end of six days of fasting to compensate omissions during Ramadan. Founded in the 10th century, Harar – also called Jugol – is reputed to be one of the oldest cities in east Africa and the fourth holiest city in the Islamic world – after Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem – with locals boasting it has the highest concentration of mosques and shrines in the world. The old town has been enclosed by a four-metre high wall since 1551 and mostly forbidden to non-Muslims until 1887 when it was conquered by Ethiopia's Emperor Menelik II. Long years of enclosure allowed Harari culture to flourish and its dwellers became famous for a modern trade system, hand-bound books, Islamic teaching, poetry and lively religious festivals, which make up Harar's unique identity. (Photo by Michele Spatari/AFP Photo)
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