Jimma
Jimma is a city in Western Ethiopia. Historically, it was a lively market town that attracted all of Ethiopia's diverse ethnic groups as well as people from neighboring kingdoms, buying coffee, perfume and other products.
Understand
In 2012, Jimma was home to about 207,000 people. The three largest ethnic groups in Jimma are the Oromo (37%), the Amhara (27%) and the Dawro (10%); all other ethnic groups make up 26% of the population. Amharic and Afan Oromo are each spoken by a plurality of inhabitants. The most popular religion practiced in Jimma is Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity, followed by Islam and Protestantism.
History
What is now Jimma's northern suburb of Jiren was the capital of a large Kaffa province until the overthrow of the feudal system. Formerly named Hirmata, the city owed its importance in the 19th century to being on the caravan route between the kingdoms of Shewa and Kaffa, and being only 10 km from the palace of the king of Jimma.
Jimma was an independent kingdom from 1790 to 1932. Soon after the death of King Abba Jifar II, Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie seized the opportunity to annex Jimma and absorb the kingdom into Ethiopia.
The present town was developed on the Awetu River by the Italian colonial regime in the 1930s. At that time, with the goal of weakening the native Ethiopian Church, the Italians tried to make Jimma an important center of Islamic learning, and founded an academy that taught fiqh (jurisprudence). In the East African theater of World War II after their main force was defeated, the Italian garrison at Jimma was one of the last to surrender, holding out until July 1941.
Climate
Jimma has a tropical monsoon climate, featuring a 8-month long wet season from March to October. Temperatures at Jimma are comfortable for most travellers at any time of year, with average highs peaking in February at 29°C and average lows dropping to 17°C in December. Having said that, to avoid the wet season the best time to visit Jimma is from November to February.
Get in
- 1 Aba Segud Airport (JIM IATA). The airport serving Jimma and nearby destinations. Fly in from Addis Ababa on Ethiopian Airlines.
Get around
Within the city limits people take bajajs (similar to tuktuks) or “line taxis” that are converted mini vans.
See
A few buildings have survived from the time of the Jimma Kingdom, including the Aba Jifar Palace.
- Aba Jifar Palace (in the north end of town), ☏ +251 98 813 9955.
- Jimma Museum (Muuziyemii Jimmaa), ☏ +251 91 700 8113.
- 1 Coffee Pot Monument. A big sculpture of an Ethiopian coffee pot.
- Lake Boye (Boye Dam). Of particular interest to birdwatchers. Birdlife at the lake and on its marshy fringes include little grebes, white pelicans and a variety of ducks. Can be explored in a half-day trip from Jimma.
Do
- Jimma University Mini Stadium, at the southern end of Jimma University. With a capacity of 50,000, the stadium is the biggest sports venue in Jimma. The Mini Stadium is mainly used to host football matches, though athletics (track and field) events are held as well. Jimma Aba Jifar F.C. play their home games in the Ethiopian Premier League. Graduation ceremonies for the university students are also held here.
Buy
Thursday is market day in Jimma. Handmade baskets are an ideal souvenir to take back home.
Eat
- Biqilti Jimma Cafe.
- 1 Melat Pastry.
Drink
Sleep
- Honeyland Hotel, Along Road 5, ☏ +251 47 111 1515. Has reliable hot water.
- 1 Central Jimma Hotel, ☏ +251 47 111 8282. The restaurant at the hotel serves some of the best Ethiopian food in town though the accommodation isn't up to the same standard. The WiFi is patchy and many rooms have ventilation issues.