The Ethiopian bookbinder connecting a city’s people with its forgotten past

Sat May 03 07:37:35 UTC 2025: ## Ethiopian Man Rescues Forgotten History of Harar, One Manuscript at a Time

**Harar, Ethiopia** – For decades, the rich cultural history of Harar, a city in eastern Ethiopia, was suppressed. But Abdallah Ali Sherif, a 75-year-old Harari man, has dedicated his life to unearthing and preserving its legacy, one meticulously restored manuscript at a time.

Harar, once a vibrant center of Islamic scholarship and manuscript production, suffered decades of repression under successive Ethiopian empires. Arabic signs were replaced, mosques converted, and educational centers destroyed. Fearing imprisonment, generations of Hararis hid their history from their children. Sherif himself grew up believing his city had no significant past.

However, the implementation of ethnic federalism in 1991 brought newfound freedom. Sherif embarked on a mission to recover his city’s heritage, collecting hundreds of manuscripts, old music recordings, and other artifacts. His painstaking work, initially conducted door-to-door, led to the establishment of Ethiopia’s first private museum, the Abdallah Sherif Museum, showcasing Harar’s unique Islamic manuscript tradition, influenced by Indian, Yemeni, and Egyptian styles.

The museum houses a collection of nearly 1,400 manuscripts, including Qurans dating back over 1,000 years. Sherif’s dedication extended to reviving the ancient art of Harari bookbinding, a skill nearly lost after the suppression of Islamic education. He trained with the last master bookbinder’s students and now teaches others, ensuring the preservation of this craft.

The museum is not just a repository; it’s a living testament to Harar’s resilience. It houses a manuscript conservation workshop where young Hararis learn restoration techniques. Sherif’s work has international implications, as many Harari manuscripts are held in museums across Europe and the United States. His efforts ensure that the rich intellectual and cultural heritage of Harar, once nearly erased, continues to thrive for future generations.

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