International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications, Volume 7, Issue 3, March 2017 235 ISSN 2250-3153 www.ijsrp.org Historical-Sociology of Interaction in the city of Dawa Dawa: The case of Oromo-Somali ethnic groups Belew Worku MA in History and Heritage Management), Dire Dawa University, College of Social Science and Humanities, Department of History and Heritage Management, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia. Abstract- Dire Dawa is a disputed city over claims of ownership between Oromia and Somalia regional states.Hence, among the Oromo and Somali ethnic groups. However, there was no conflict so far experienced between these ethnic groups in the city of Dire Dawa. The article attempted to study the basic reasons for such peaceful state of affairs in the city. To accomplish this objective, the researcher utilized qualitative research method. Sources of data- primary and secondary sources were used. Primary data as the main source was collected from informants and documents through interviews, observation, focus group discussion, and document analysis. The collected data was analyzed to find common indicators. The study finding revealed that these ethnic groups have developed a sense of belonging to the city of Dire Dawa. They developed a single vocabulary-ye- Dire-lij-. This single vocabulary was the result of cultural dialogue and understanding they developed over century through their interactions. Their interaction was their common cultural heritage which they mobilized to solve their competition over city ownership that avoided outright conflict. This was shown when the two ethnic groups agreed to share the terms of the city Council. This is a lesson that needs to be promoted and shared by others to avoid violent ethnic conflict over claim. It concluded that cultural diversity and intercultural dialogue is one of the surest guarantees of development and peace. The lesson from Dire Dawa provide values needed for economic development: values that are tolerant, trusting, and participatory. Index Terms- Dire Dawa, Ethnic group, Oromo, Somali, Socio- cultural Interaction I. INTRODUCTION s history lessons taught us cities were centers where human cultures have reached maturity which laid the foundation for the present urban culture. This is because “…the City is the place where the greatest intensity of human experience, the biggest stores of change, and the significant events of history have been anchored.” 1 The above quoted statement reveals the important place cities have had and continue to have among human societies. Cities were attracting peoples for better life, employment, education, and in general for prosperity, and still are centers of 1 William G. Flangan, Urban Sociology:Images and Structures,5 th ed(Boulder,Lanham,New York,Toronto,Plymouth:Rowman and Littlefield Publishers,INC.,2010),p,5 hope for prospect particularly in poor continent and nations like Ethiopia. Therefore, cities use to attract people of different back ground from different corners of a country. An urban settlement is formed by a permanently settled group of people who are not mainly concerned with primary food production. As the city is also a permanent settlement there is a relationship between the people and the surrounding people and settlement. The study of the interaction of people in cities means the study of culture for “cities are the sites of culture industries…”. 2 This article presents one of such cities, Dire Dawa which is located in eastern Ethiopia with particular emphasis on ethnic group interaction. Dire Dawa is one of the two chartered cities (the other being Addis Ababa) in Ethiopia under the 1995 F.D.R.E constitution. This article is limited only to the city proper Dire Dawa with specific emphasis on the Oromo-Somali ethnic group interactions in the city. Therefore, the Oromo and Somali ethnic group interaction is discussed in the whole context of Dire Dawa because city life is often characterized by interdependence, so separating the part from its whole might not give the full picture of the part under discussion. II. DIRE DAWA: BRIEF HISTORICAL OVERVIEW Everything that exists in the present has come out of the past, and no matter how new and unique it seems to be, it carries some of the past with it. 3 The urban phenomenon is the most characteristic feature of 20 th centuries. Although urbanization is not new in the history of Ethiopia, the first half of the 20 th century witnessed the rapid growth of towns. Urbanization in Ethiopia was conditioned by historical factors, that is, the combination of political and military factors. In the 19 th century, a number of middle sized towns have flourished following the occupation by the armies of Kings. In other word, most of cities/towns have developed from a military garrison. Hence most of Ethiopian towns followed such trend and owed the political, military and administrative activities of the state. 4 But the case of Dire Dawa denotes a little bit different trend. 2 Sharon Zukin,”The Cultures of Cities. Cambridge:MA Blackwell,1995,p.264,” in William G.Flangan.p.,10. 3 Jules R. Benjamin, A Student’s Guide to History(Boston,Bedford Books: St. Martin’s Press,Inc,1998).p.2 4 John Markakis, Ethiopia: Anatomy of A Traditional Polity (Addis Ababa,Nairobi and New York: Oxford University Press,1974).p.161. A