Dire Sheikh Hussein

The Shrine of Sheikh Hussein is one of Oromia’s major sites of culture tourism. It is situated on the border of West Hararge and Bale Zones. It is about 180 kilometers from Robe along a good all weather road that passes through the small towns of Jarra, and Dallo Sabro. Travel to Dirre Sheika Hussein can be done directly from Sof Umar caves or from Robe town. The Shrine is named after an ancient Muslim holy man (religious leader) called Sheikh Nur Hussein bin Malka or bin Ibrahim. He was known for his religious teachings and extreme devotion. The birth of Sheikh Nur Hussein, is dated back to the 12th century. According to legend Sheikh Husein lived for 250 years, 50 of which he spent at a place called Sakina, 130 of which he spent travelling and 70 years at the shrine site itself.

The shrine has impressive white coloured and cone shaped ‘Gamo’s’ (domes of tombs and mosques) scattered throughout the site and were supposedly built 360 years ago. The biggest of these belonged to the Sheik and has a walled compound.

There are two pilgrimages every year where tens of thousands of pilgrims take part.