I’ve written about my hotel in Hawassa and the great coffee in town, but here I want to share some more photos of my time in Hawassa.

Hawassa, Ethiopia: A Photo Essay

Hawassa, once a quiet lakeside settlement on Lake Hawassa, began to transform under Haile Selassie’s development plans in the late 1950s. The emperor ordered construction of a seasonal palace by the lake in 1958, which drew newcomers and gradually turned the area into an important urban center. Over time, Hawassa became a regional hub with growing industries, markets, and a diverse community that reflects its role as a gateway to southern Ethiopia. Today, it serves as the capital of the Sidama Region and remains a city defined by its lake, its culture, and its rapid growth.

You will often see the city’s name spelled as both Hawassa and Awassa. The difference stems from transliteration. “Awassa” reflects the original Amharic pronunciation (አዋሳ), while “Hawassa” represents a more standardized and recently adopted spelling. Both remain common, and you will still encounter the older spelling in older texts and on local signage (plus on Ethiopian Airlines).

Religion plays a central role in Ethiopian identity. In the north, ancient Orthodox Christian traditions dominate, rooted in a history that stretches back to the fourth century and expressed in rock-hewn churches, fasting cycles, and a liturgical life that shapes everyday routines. In other parts of the country, Islam has long been established through trade routes from the Arabian Peninsula, while Protestant movements have grown rapidly in the last century and now represent a strong force in culture and politics. Faith is not a private matter in Ethiopia. It is visible in public, audible in worship, and woven into family, food, and community.

Hawassa reflects this national mosaic in its own way. As a newer, rapidly growing city, the religious breakdown here is more mixed than in older northern cities. Orthodox Christianity remains significant, but Protestant denominations have become the plurality in Sidama, with vibrant churches that fill each Sunday and spill onto the streets during large gatherings (as you’ll hear about in the next segment). Islam is also practiced by a notable minority. The result is a city where multiple traditions live side by side, and where religion remains a defining thread in the social fabric.

Here are some pictures from the city:

two men sitting in a vehicle — Tuk-Tuks are used to get around town.

a person in a vehicle

a street with a blue van and a blue car

a blue car on a street

a blue and white vehicle with a white roof

people walking on a street with banners

a woman waving at a street corner

a group of men sitting in the back of a truck

a man sitting on a bench under a tree

a man walking down a street with a van

a small building with a tree and a bench

a large billboard with a sign on it

a group of people in a park — The Sidama Monument is a cylindrical-shaped monument located on a large roundabout in the heart of Hawassa

a group of people standing around a fountain

a fountain with a tower in the background

a group of people walking in front of a building

a park with benches and trees

a group of trees in a park

a building with a cross on top

a building with a dome on top

a building with a cross on top

a group of people walking in a gated area

a group of people walking through a stone gate

a group of people walking on a street

a man on a motorcycle

a building with cars parked on the side

a group of people walking on a sidewalk

a group of men sitting on tables outside a building

a group of motorcycles parked on a street with umbrellas

a group of people playing football

a gated entrance to a building

a group of people sitting on a motorcycle outside a building

a group of people in a field

a white car parked on a street next to a group of people

Do be careful when it rains…the streets flood quickly.

a tall tower with cars parked on the side of it

cars parked cars in a parking lot

a group of people standing on a street

a flooded area with trees and bushes

a flooded street with a building and a tree

a woman and boy standing next to a flooded street

a man standing on a flooded road

a car driving through a flooded area

two boys riding a bike through a flooded street

But the sun came out again…

a view of a body of water from a balcony

Finally, you must try the spicy lamb tibs…it was the best meal of the trip.

a man sitting on a bench outside of a building

a sign on a wall

a plate of food on a table

Hawassa was a fascinating place that I hope to return to for both ministry and tourism. Next, I’ll say more about the ministry I did here, then we will begin the trip home with a stop in Addis Ababa.