Harar families preserve Ottoman-era Turkish heritage

In the historic city of Harar, Ethiopia, descendants of Turks who arrived during the Ottoman era are preserving their ancestral heritage and maintaining connections to Turkey. Known locally as ‘Ottoman descendants,’ these families pass down their history through oral traditions and stories shared by elders.

Kevser Muhammed, a 52-year-old judge, recounted learning her family history from her mother, Bedriye Muhammed Şami. Muhammed noted that her family had the opportunity to visit Turkey between 2014 and 2015, where her mother was able to meet relatives. Similarly, 50-year-old musician Abuberker Hassen Semod identified as having Turkish blood, noting that his grandfather migrated to Harar from Istanbul.

These families remain an active part of Harar's social fabric, viewing Turkey as the land of their ancestors and continuing to bridge the cultural gap between their current home and their historical roots.