Hirna

History

The town of Hirna is located on the main highway between Chiro and Haramaya in the Chercher Mountains. This follows an old caravan route between Abyssinia and Emirate of Harar, which was in use during Arthur Rimbaud's residence at Harar city. In response to king Menelik's orders to occupy the Cherchers, in November 1886 Dejazmach Wolde Gabriel invaded the Emirate of Harar with Abyssinian militias, and set up camp at Hirna. According to Harold G. Marcus, his army "was in poor shape, reduced to a relatively small number by sickness and desertions." A night attack by Emir 'Abd Allah's army at the Battle of Hirna routed the Dejazmach's force, sending them fleeing westward towards the Awash River. Telephone service came to this town between 1954 and 1968. Notable local inhabitants include the artist Alemayehu Bizuneh (born 1934). He studied in France (1966–70), and Germany (1975–76) and later had a residency at the National Museum of Ethiopia in 1980. Hirna is also home city of former Deputy Prime minister of Ethiopia Addisu Legesse.

Most-observed species

• Speckled Pigeon

  Columba guinea Linnaeus, 1758 · Aves
  1

Most recent

• M 4.7 — 2025-02-27
  28 km NNE of Āwash, Ethiopia
• M 4.5 — 2025-02-24
  59 km SE of Abomsa, Ethiopia
• M 5.3 — 2025-02-23
  58 km NW of Āsbe Teferī, Ethiopia
• M 4.5 — 2025-01-31
  24 km N of Āwash, Ethiopia
• M 4.7 — 2025-01-27
  36 km NNE of Āwash, Ethiopia
• M 4.4 — 2025-01-11
  31 km N of Āwash, Ethiopia