Banadir resistance

Last updated
Banadir resistance
Italo-Somali-War 1896.jpg
European artists depiction of the 1896 'Lafoole Massacre' of Italian troops by Somali rebels
Date1888–1924 [1]
Location
Result Italian victory
Insurgency suppressed
Belligerents
Flag of Italy (1861-1946) crowned.svg  Kingdom of Italy Bimali rebel forces
Wa'dan rebel forces [2]
Commanders and leaders

Giacomo Trevis

Lieutenant Gustavo Pesenti

Sheikh Abdi Abikar Gaafle

Ma’alin Mursal Abdi Yusuf

The Banadir resistance, also known as the Bimaal revolt,Merca revolt, or simply the Bimaal resistance, was a guerrilla war that lasted from the 1890s to 1924, opposing Italian colonial expansion in southern Somalia.The Biyamaal resistance and their sieges of Marka, and the Italian authority's retribution, continued unabated for many years. It was heightened when, in November 1896, while on a pleasure trip, Console Antonio Cecchi, the Societá del Benadir administrator and also the de facto governor of Southern Somaliland, and his lieutenants, were ambushed at Lafoole, a small village a few kilometres from Afgooye, south of Muqdisho, by Wa'daan and Biyamaal fighters, who killed 14 of them, including Cecchi.

Contents

Originating primarily from the Bimaal clan, [3] the resistance was most active in the Lower Shebelle, Banadir and Middle Shebelle regions. Its intensity and significance have drawn comparisons to the Somali Dervish Movement. [3]

History

Giacomo Trevis, an Italian complement lieutenant killed in Merca by the Biimal Giacomo Trevis.jpg
Giacomo Trevis, an Italian complement lieutenant killed in Merca by the Biimal
Maurizio Talmone, an Italian officer killed in Merca by a Biimal soldier Maurizio-talmone-bre-1893.jpg
Maurizio Talmone, an Italian officer killed in Merca by a Biimal soldier

In the 1890s, Italian-occupied Marka, was the centre of the Bimal culture. This sparked the beginning of conflict and outrage among the Bimal clan, and soon after the Wa'dan. The clans would represent the core of the initial Somali resistance against Italy colonialism. [2] An Italian resident of the city was assassinated in 1904, his name was Giacomo Trevis. In response Italy occupied the port town of Jazira about 30 miles (48 km) south of Mogadishu. [4] In response Bimal leaders called for a grand conference mobilizing the Banadiri clans. The resistance was spearheaded by Sheikh Abdi Gafle and Ma’alin Mursal Abdi Yusuf; two prominent local Islamic teachers in Marka from the Bimal clan. The resistance, albeit initially clan-based, transformed into one with a religious fervour, mainly Bimal (but also later on some of the Wa’dan, Hintire and other clans of the Geledi confederation joined). This was to resist against the Italian advance and the decision to isolate the ports from trade with the interior. The Qur’anic school teachers, or as they are called in Somali ma'alims, and religious leaders or imams of Marka and the Bimal led the war of resistance against the colonial occupation of Banadir, but they and their followers paid dearly.

A local poet who attacked those who refused to take up arms said:

- "Reer Jannah waa jid galeen, Reer Jahanamna iska jooga"

The people of heaven have taken to the road (i.e. towards resistance), the people of hell can stay home. [5]

Biimal rebel leaders in Merca Rebel Biimal leaders.png
Biimal rebel leaders in Merca

Leaders

Italian garrisons in both Marka and Jazira were under siege and barely survived. Though Italy sent support troops, they suffered considerable losses. In February 1907, at Turunley, also known as Dhanane, north of Marka, some 2,000 Banadiri warriors, led by Sheikh Abdi Abiikar Gaafle, a religious Bimaal leader and imam fought 1,000 Italian troops, assisted by some 1,500 Arab, Eritrean, and Somali mercenaries led by Lieutenant Gustavo Pesenti. The attack started after midnight, February 9, 1907, and lasted to the noon of the 10th. The Banadiri warriors retreated, leaving behind several hundred dead and as many wounded. Although the Italians had high casualties, they considered Turunley a major military victory, one which Lieutenant Pesenti, the commander of the regiment, celebrated in an eyewitness account, Danane (Dhanane). In July 1908, at Finlow, the Bimal avenged Turunley defeating some 500 Italian troops. However, by 1908, major centers such as Afgoy capitulated to the Italians. However, the Italian conquest was not complete, and from 1910 to the 1920s, under the leadership of Sheikh Abdi Abikar Gaafle, the Banadiri coalition remained the leading opponent of Italian rule in the Riverine region. [7]

Other Banadir resistance leaders included Malaakh Cabdi Juray and Bilow Ageede. [8]

Perception

One of the Italian's greatest fears was the spread of 'Dervishism' ( had come to mean revolt) in the south and the strong Bimaal tribe of Benadir whom already were at war with the Italians, while not following the religious message or adhering to the views of Muhammad Abdullah Hassan, understood greatly his goal and political tactics. The dervishes, in this case, were engaged in supplying arms to the Bimaal. [9]

The Italians wanted to bring in an end to the Bimaal revolt and at all cost prevent a Bimal-Dervish alliance, which lead them to use the forces of Obbia as prevention.

Italian garrisons in Marka barely survived the harassments and skirmishes and reinforcements from Mogadishu suffered considerable loses. This noble resistance caught the attention of Mohamed Abdulle Hassan, the charismatic Darawiish leader — who sent a lengthy message to the Bimal (Risaalat lil-Bimaal) in which he commended their efforts and proclaimed the necessity of waging Jihad against the colonial invaders. He attached a supplemental text entitled “Qam’ al-Mu’anidin” (Suppression of the Rebellious) that clarified the tenets of Saalihiya order, for which the leader ascribed to. [9]

Letter

The clash of Danane in Banadir between the Italians and their dependencies and the Bimal Ancient Biimaal.jpg
The clash of Danane in Banadir between the Italians and their dependencies and the Bimal

In his letter or risala lil-bimal Muhammad Abdulle Hassan praised the Bimal and tried to persuade the Bimal to join his Dervish movement. His letter to the Bimal was documented as the most extended exposition of his mind as a Muslim thinker and religious figure. The letter is til this day still preserved. It is said that the Bimal, thanks to their numerically powerful size, traditionally and religiously devoted fierce warriors and possession of much resources, intrigued Mahamed Abdulle Hassan. But not only that, the Bimal themselves had mounted an extensive and major resistance against the Italians, especially in the first decade of the 19th century. The Italians carried many expeditions against the powerful Bimal to try and pacify them. Because of this, the Bimal had all the reason to join the Dervish struggle. So, to win their support over, the Sayyid wrote a detailed theological statement to present to the Bimal tribe, who dominated the strategic Banaadir port of Merca and its surroundings. [10]

Related Research Articles

Somalia, officially the Federal Republic of Somalia and formerly known as the Somali Democratic Republic, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. The country was an important centre for commerce with the rest of the ancient world, and according to most scholars, it is among the most probable locations of the fabled ancient Land of Punt. During the Middle Ages, several powerful Somali states and port towns dominated the regional trade, the Mogadishu Sultanate and Ajuran Sultanate both centered around the port town Mogadishu, but also the port towns of Barawe and Merca.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Italian Somaliland</span> 1889–1936 protectorate in Africa

Italian Somaliland was a protectorate and later colony of the Kingdom of Italy in present-day Somalia. Ruled in the 19th century by the Somali Sultanates of Hobyo and Majeerteen in the north, and in the south by political entities such as the Hiraab Imamate and Geledi Sultanate.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Majeerteen</span> Somali clan

The Majeerteen is a prominent Somali sub-clan of the Harti, which falls under the Darod clan. Traditionally, they inhabit extensive territories in the Bari, Nugaal, and Mudug regions of Somalia, spanning from Bosaso to Garacad, mainly in Puntland state. Additionally, Majeerteen populations are present in southern towns such as Kismayo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Merca</span> City in Somalia

Merca is the capital city of the Lower Shebelle province of Somalia, a historic port city in the region. It is located approximately 109 km (68 mi) to the southwest of the nation's capital Mogadishu. Merca is the traditional home territory of the Bimal clan and was the center of the Bimal revolt.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hawiye</span> Somali clan family

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.

Abdi Mohamed Kusow is a Somali scholar and writer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Muḥammad ibn 'Abdallāh Hassan</span> Somali Jihadist and patriotic leader (1856–1920)

Muḥammad ibn 'Abdallāh Hassan was a Somali religious, political, and military leader who founded and headed the Dervish movement, which led a Holy war against British, Italian, and Ethiopian intrusions in the Horn of Africa. He was famously known by the British Empire as the Mad Mullah. In 1917, the Ottoman Empire referred to Hassan as the "Emir of the Somali". Due to his successful completion of the Hajj to Mecca, his complete memorization of the Quran and his purported descent from the Islamic prophet Muhammad, his name is sometimes preluded with honorifics such as Hajji, Hafiz, Emir or Sayyid. His influence led him to being regarded as the “Father of Somali nationalism”.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Murusade</span> Somali clan inhabiting southern Somalia

The Mursade are a Somali subclan, part of the Karanle Clan, which is itself a part of the larger Hawiye Clan. They primarily reside in the central regions of Somalia, with a particular focus on the Galgaduud, Mudug, Middle Shabelle, Lower Shabelle and Banadir regions, among others. The Murusade clan were one the earliest inhabitants of Mogadishu, the capital city of Somalia. They hold a position of great significance and influence within Somalia. Their presence can be felt in various spheres of life in Mogadishu, attesting to their prominence and contribution to the socio-cultural fabric of the metropolis.

The Banaadiri people are a people group in Somalia. Banaadiris largely inhabit Somalia's southern coastline.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bimaal</span> Somali clan

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.

Ahmed Yusuf Mahamud was a Somali Sultan of the Geledi sultanate, reigning from 1848 to 1878 and succeeded his father Yusuf Mahamud after his demise at the battle of Adaddey Suleyman. Ahmed was crowned fourth in line and his rule marked a period of great prosperity in the Sultanate. The Sultan was credited as having brought over 20,000 Somali troops to free the slaves of Zanzibar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dervish movement (Somali)</span> An anti-colonial movement lasting from 1899 until 1920

The Dervish Movement was a popular movement between 1899 and 1920, which was led by the Salihiyya Sufi Muslim poet and militant leader Mohammed Abdullah Hassan, also known as Sayyid Mohamed, who called for independence from the British and Italian colonisers and for the defeat of Ethiopian forces. The Dervish movement aimed to remove the British and Italian influence from the region and restore the "Sufi system of governance with Sufi education as its foundation", according to Mohamed-Rahis Hasan and Salada Robleh.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Osman Ahmed</span> Sultan of the Geledi (r. 1878–1911)

Osman Ahmed was a Somali ruler. He was the fifth and final Sultan of the Geledi Sultanate. Osman Ahmed is considered less illustrious than his predecessors and Gobroon power weakened considerably under his rule. He was the son of Sultan Ahmed Yusuf and succeeded his father after his death. Although, considerably weaker than his forebears he was still the most powerful ruler in the region and was credited for defending the Rahanweyn territory by repulsing an invasion from the Ethiopian Empire and Dervish State.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Royal Corps of Somali Colonial Troops</span> Military unit

The Royal Corps of Somali Colonial Troops was the colonial body of the Royal Italian Army based in Italian Somaliland, in present-day northeastern, central and southern Somalia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sheikh Abdi Abikar Gafle</span>

Sheikh Abdi Abukar Gaafle, Somali:, was a leader of the Biimaal Revolt against Italian occupation of southern Somalia. Born in Armadow (Ceelwareegow) near Marka District, Somalia in 1852, he died in 1922 in Laantabuur, Raaxoole District, Somalia. He is described as one of the best known resistance leaders in the history of southern Somalia.

The 12 Koofi, more commonly known as Reer Marka, are a Somali confederation of clans inhabiting the city of Merca and other southern coastal towns of Somalia.

Juunji are a Benadiri/12 Koofi clan mainly from the southern coastal city of Marka.

Fasahale more commonly known as Kafaari are a Benadiri/12 Koofi clan mainly from the southern coastal city of Marka.

The Mohamoud Garad is a Somali clan. Its members form a part of the Dhulbahante, a sub-division of the Harti/Darod clan-family. The clan is divided into three main sub-clans ― namely the Jama Siad, the Ugaadhyahan and Omar Wa’eys.

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.

References

  1. Kusow, Abdi (2004). Resistance Putting the Cart Before the Horse: Contested Nationalism and the Crisis of the Nation-state in Somalia. Red Sea Press. ISBN   978-1-56902-202-3.{{cite book}}: Check |url= value (help)
  2. 1 2 Carpanelli & Scovazzi 2020, p. 88-89.
  3. 1 2 Ciisa-Salwe, Cabdisalaam M. (1996-01-01). The collapse of the Somali state: the impact of the colonial legacy. HAAN. p. 19. ISBN   9781874209270.
  4. Kusow, Abdi (2004). Putting the cart before the horse: contested nationalism and the crisis of the nation-state in Somalia. Red Sea Press. ISBN   9781569022023.
  5. Kusow, Abdi (2004-01-01). Putting the cart before the horse: contested nationalism and the crisis of the nation-state in Somalia. Red Sea Press. p. 86. ISBN   9781569022023. the Bimal clan was the major element in the resistance. See: Gherardo Pantano, Nel Benadir: La Citta di Merca e la Regione Bimal
  6. "1908, la blitzkrieg del Benadir. La campagna del Maggiore Di Giorgio". L'ITALIA COLONIALE (in Italian). 2019-11-18. Retrieved 2022-06-15.
  7. Kusow, Abdi (2004). Putting the Cart Before the Horse: Contested Nationalism and the Crisis of the Nation-state in Somalia. Red Sea Press. ISBN   978-1-56902-202-3.
  8. The Shaping of Somali Society: Reconstructing the History of a Pastoral People, 1600-1900, p 228
  9. 1 2 Hess, Robert L. (1964-01-01). "The 'Mad Mullah' and Northern Somalia". The Journal of African History. 5 (3): 415–433, page 422. doi:10.1017/s0021853700005107. JSTOR   179976.
  10. Samatar, Said S. (1992). In the Shadow of Conquest: Islam in Colonial Northeast Africa. The Red Sea Press. ISBN   978-0-932415-70-7.

Bibliography