 | This article needs additional citations for verification .(November 2021) |
ابگال | |
|---|---|
| Total population | |
| 8 Million | |
| Languages | |
| Somali | |
| Religion | |
| Islam | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Habar Gidir, Murursade, Mudulood and other Samaale clans |
Abgaal (Somali: Abgaal, Arabic: أبگال) is a sub-clan of the Hawiye and the even larger Samaale clan. It is one of the major Somali clans and has produced many prominent historical Somali figures including 3 presidents, and the father of the Somali military. [1] [2]
Italian scholar of Somali and Ethiopian studies Enrico Cerulli studies discusses the origin story of the name Abgaal in his book How a Hawiye tribe used to live. [3]
The mother of Hirabä was Faduma Karanlä. The mother of Abgal was Faduma Sargellä, who was an Aguran. She was espoused by 'Isman Darandollä. By him she had a son, who was called by the name 'Ali 'Isman. Later one went to Sargellä Garën. A learned old man went to him. He said: 'O noble Sargellä, I saw in the books that the children of the boy born to your daughter Faduma will chase your children from the earth. I saw it in the books.' 'Did you see these things?’ 'Yes, I saw them,’ he answered. 'So be it!’ the noble Sargellä replied; and into his heart came the thought: 'Rather than that your children, whom you have begotten, be killed, the son of your daughter might rather die!’ This came into his heart. After this he prepared two different amulets, one good and one bad. The bad one would kill the one who drank it. The good one would protect from any evil of this world. Then he went to his daughter. 'My Faduma, I am bringing you these two amulets: this one here – and it was the good one – you drink; and the other one – and it was the bad one – give to your son 'Ali 'Isman!’ The girl took the two amulets; but when it came to drinking them, she made a mistake! Faduma Sargellä drank the bad one and died immediately. 'Ali 'Ismän drank the good one and survived. Sargellä went back to the hut and saw his daughter dead. And the boy, when he heard his grandfather arrive, ran to the side of a saddle camel and hid behind it. 'Oh 'Ali, oh 'Ali! Come! I am your grandfather!’ Sargellä cried out, looking for the boy. 'You are not my grandfather ( abkäy ), my grandfather is the camels.' The camels ( gel ) in the language of one time were called gal. So afterwards he ('Ali 'Isman) had the name of Ab-gal ('Camel-grandfather').” The tradition substantially recalls the ancient fights between the Abgal, nomadic pastoralists who from places farther north tried to open a way to the river, and the Aguran, who dominated the region of the Middle Webi. This historical content, of course, has been adapted in popular dress with the theme, so widespread in the folklore of quite different peoples, of the prediction of the unborn child destined to drive the reigning prince from the throne. 'In this tradition Abgal has, besides his Somali name, which is explained, also a Mussulman name, 'Ali 'Isman. It does not seem necessary to me to suppose that the name 'Ali replaced the Somali one of Abgal in the genealogies in order to make them more Islamized, as one might say. The custom of several names for one single person, among which names, for the Mussulmans, are found an Arab one and one (or more) in the local language, is common in East Africa, even now.'
—Enrico Cerulli, How a Hawiye Tribe use to Live
The Abgaal are part of the Mudulood and the even larger Hiraab clan. [4] The Hiraab consists of the Mudulood, Habar Gidir, Sheekhaal and Duduble. [4] Besides the Abgaal, Mudulood includes Wacdaan, Moobleen, Hiilibi and Udeejeen. The Imam of both the Mudulood and Hiraab traditionally hails from the Abgaal. Currently Imam Mohamed Yusuf is the Imam of the Mudulood and also carries the dual position as Imam of the Hiraab. [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11]
The Abgaal primarily live in the capital city of Mogadishu, which they traditionally inhabit, as well as the Middle Shabelle region where they are the majority. The clan also lives in neighbouring Galmudug region, specifically the El Dher District where they make up the majority as well as the Harardhere District in Mudug. Abgaal also inhabit the Lower Shabelle [12] region as well as the Middle Juba [12] and Lower Juba [12] regions. In addition to this the Abgaal can also be found in the Somali Region of Ethiopia as well as the North Eastern Province of Kenya.
The Abgaal have historically played an important role in Somali affairs. They are the Somali sub-clan that has produced the most Somali Presidents. These three politicians are Ali Mahdi Muhammad, Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, and Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud. [1] [2] These officials constitute three of the four living former Presidents of Somalia. Additionally they are the first and only Somali sub-clan to have had consecutive presidencies in the terms of Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and Hassan Sheikh Mohamed. The father of the Somali military Daud Abdulle Hirsi was also Abgaal.
The capital Mogadishu is also considered to be their land. The current Governor/Mayor of Banadir, Yusuf Hussein Jimaale is Abgaal and the position always been held by the Abgaal clan. Most other various Banaadir positions are held by them as well.
Moreover, the clan has prominent members within the Somali business and media communities. For instance Abdirahman Yabarow, the editor-in-chief of VOA Somali hails from this clan. [13]
The Abgaal have their own form of Somali poetry. The guurow and shirib are unique poetical genres that are performed by the Abgaal and sometimes neighboring clans. Their poetry has distinctive dialect characteristics. For instance "iyo" with a long 'o' is a feature within their poetry. The most popular of Abgaal poetry is the shirib. The shirib are short songs that usually accompany dancing. They are sung during various gatherings such as family meetings, clan meetings, and celebrations. [14]
Ali Jimale Ahmed outlines the Hawiye clan genealogical tree in The Invention of Somalia: [15]
The Leelkase or Lailkase or Lelkase is a major subclan of the Tanade Darod clan. The term "Leelkase" is a nickname, which translates as "farsighted, mindful, smart or intelligent”
The Hawiye is the largest Somali clan family. Members of this clan traditionally inhabit central and southern Somalia, Somaliland, Djibouti, Ethiopia and Kenya. They are also the majority in the capital city, Mogadishu.
The Dir is one of the largest and most prominent Somali clans in the Horn of Africa. They are also considered to be the oldest Somali stock to have inhabited the region. Its members inhabit Djibouti, Somalia, Ethiopia, and northeastern Kenya.
Ayr, Muhammad Madarkicis Hiraab is a Somali clan, part of the larger Habar Gidir Hawiye clan. The Ayr clan is the eldest Habargidir sub-clan and is the largest Habargidir sub-clan numerically. The Ayr clan have a rich history in Somali society and has played a fore role in shaping Somali history and national politics. They reside in 6 out of the total 18 regions of Somalia but are primarily found in the central region of Somalia, Galgaduud which they hold a monopoly over and is considered their heartlands. They are the most powerful sub-clan in central and southern Somalia controlling important sections of the country and have a great influence over the nation's capital Mogadishu.
The Habar Gidir also known as Madarkicis Hiraab is a major subclan of the Hawiye. The clan has produced few prominent Somali figures, including the first Prime Minister of Somalia Abdullahi Issa Mohamud, and Somalia's fifth President Abdiqasim Salad Hassan who was also a figure in President Siyaad Barres government.
The Mursade are a Somali subclan, part of the Karanle clan, which is itself a part of the larger Hawiye Tribe. They primarily reside in the central regions of Somalia, with a particular focus on the Galgaduud, Middle Shabelle, Lower Shabelle and Banadir regions, among others. The Murusade clan can trace their roots back to the earliest inhabitants of Mogadishu, the capital city of Somalia. It holds a position of great significance and influence within the urban landscape. Their presence can be felt in various spheres of life in the metropolis, attesting to their prominence and contribution to the socio-cultural fabric of the city.
Harardhere is a historic town in the Mudug province of Somalia. It is situated in the autonomous Galmudug state and serves as the capital of the Harardhere District.
Warsheikh is an administration center and coastal town of Warsheikh district. Warsheikh is located in the southeastern Middle Shabelle region of Hirshabelle State of Somalia. On the south, Warsheikh is bordered by the Banadir region, and on the north Adale District.
The Duduble, also known as the Maxamuud Hiraab, is a Somali sub clan of the larger Hawiye. The Duduble like most Somali clans can trace their lineage back to Samaale the oldest common father of major Somali clans.
The Bimaal or Bimal, is a sub-clan of the major Dir clan family. This clan is widely known for leading a resistance against the colonials in southern Somalia for decades which can be compared to the war of the Sayyid in Somaliland. The Biimaal mainly lives in southern Somalia, the Somali region of Ethiopia, which their Gaadsen sub-clan mainly inhabits and in the NEP region of Kenya.
The Hiraab is a Somali clan of the larger Hawiye. It has produced many major clans in Somalia and has produced many prominent figures including 6 presidents, the first president as well as the first PM. They were also the first military leaders, making Hiraab the forefounder of Somalia. Members live in central and southern Somalia, from Galkayo to Kismaayo. They are also present in Ethiopia and Kenya. Most of them live in Mogadishu.
The Karanle is a major Somali, sub clan of Hawiye. The Karanle inhabit Galgaduud, Banadir, Mogadishu, Hiiraan, Shabeellaha Hoose, Lower Juba and Mudug regions in Somalia; the Somali Region of Ethiopia; the region of Oromia surrounding the city of Harar and North Eastern Province in Kenya.
Gerad Hamar Gale or Xamar Gale, known in full as Gerad Hassan Gerad Abdullahi Dhidhin (b.1311–1328), was a Somali ruler. He was the second Sultan of the Warsangali Sultanate.
Indirect presidential elections were held in Somalia on 10 September 2012. The newly appointed Federal Parliament elected Hassan Sheikh Mohamud as the first president of Somalia since the dissolution of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG). The election had previously been scheduled for 20 August, the same day that the mandate of the TFG expired, but was rescheduled for a later date.
Faduma Sarjelle was a princess of the House of Gareen, the ruling dynasty of the Ajuran Sultanate. The Sultanate ruled over large parts of the Horn of Africa during the Middle Ages. Sarjelle was also the mother of Abgal Ismaan, the clan forefather of the Abgaal clan.
The Hiraab Imamate, also known as the Yacquubi Dynasty, was a Somali kingdom that ruled parts of the Horn of Africa during the 16th century till the 19th century until it was incorporated into Italian Somaliland. The Imamate was governed by the Hiraab Yacquub Dynasty. It was founded by Imam Omar who successfully rebelled and defeated the Ajuran and established an independent kingdom.
The Farah Garad or the Garad Farah is a Somali clan which is part of the Dhulbahante clan-family, a sub-division of the larger Harti/Darod clan. The Farah Garad are divided into two sub-clans — Yassin Garad and Abdalla Garad. Abdalla has four clan eponyms, Ahmed Garad, Mohamed Garad (Baharsame), Guled Garad (Barkad) and Ali Garad. They are largely significant in Sool and Togdheer regions of Somalia, and Dollo Somali region of Ethopia.
Division "12 April" is a division/area command of the Somali National Army. It was established in 2014, supervising Somali troops in the areas of AMISOM Sectors 1 and 5 around Mogadishu.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)At the end of the book "Tribal Distribution of Somali Afar and Saho"