Though numerically very small, the Haräri are one such people who contributed to the heterogeneity of Addis Ababa. Therefore, the present work aims at contributing to the social history of Addis Ababa through a case study of the history of the Haräri community from 1917 to 1991. An attempt is also made to assess major developments, in relation to the community, that took place throughout this period. The Haräri are one of the ethnic groups of Ethiopia whose independence was brought to an end by Menilek in the late 19th century when he incorporated their hometown (Harar) into his empire. The integration and the resulting socio-economic and political changes paved the way for some Haräri to leave their original home to other places, particularly Addis Ababa. This study helps to understand the mechanisms which enabled a minority group to keep its identity and also to see the continuity and changes which the community underwent and the strategic dilemma the Haräri faced such as between modernity and tradition and between Ethiopian nationalism and their ethno- religious identity.