 | This article needs additional citations for verification .(October 2022) |
 Bicidyahan Sultans | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
|---|---|
| Languages | |
| Somali | |
| Religion | |
| Islam (Sunni) | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Osman Mahamuud, Dhulbahante, Marehan, Warsangali, other clans of Majerteen, Dishiishe, Leelkase, Awrtable, Ogaden, other Darod groups, and other, Somali clans |
The Bicidyahan (Somali : Reer Biciidyahaan) [1] is the nickname of Ali Ibrahim Jibra'il, a Majeerteen sub-clan.
The Bicidyahan is a sub-clan of the Majeerteen clan family, within the larger Harti clan and thereafter the Darod clan. Its members inhabit the eastern Ogaden region of Ethiopia and are primarily found in and around the Wardher Region zone. They also have a large presence in Mudug and Jubbada Hoose, specifically in the cities of Galkayo and Kismayo. Reer Bicidyahan [2] is a nickname for people descended from Ali bin Ibrahim ibn Jibril
The Bicidyahan sub-clan trace their origins back to a late 16th century ancestor, Cali Ibrahim, who is buried in the present day Qandala District of Bari, Puntland. In the mid 17th century, the Bicidyahan sub-clans began to migrate away from their homeland and started an expansion campaign from the Bari region, spearheaded by their then Sultan, Adan Yoonis.
By the late 17th century, the Bicidyahan had crossed Nugaal into Mudug, joining the southern Majeerteen sub-clans of Idigfacle, Gumasoor, Amaanle and Abdalla Nolays. The southern Majeerteen at the time were locked into a bitter never ending war with a group of pagans whom they called the "Galla Madow" meaning the "black infidels". When the Bicidyahan arrived, the Galla Madow had the upper hand over the Majeerteen and controlled most of the water wells in the region. The pagans main well and source of their pride was called "Baraxley" in what is now Gaalkacyo. [3]
With the arrival of the Bicidyahan, the southern Majeerteen's ranks swelled and they elected the grandson of Sultan Adan Yonis, Sultan Farax Cismaan Adan, to lead them against their pagan adversaries. In the early 18th century, Sultan Farax led many campaigns into the pagan heartland, the most famous being the "raid of the Galla-eri" (pagan expeller) that brought an end to the war. [4]
After a long stalemate the pagans still remained strong in their remaining settlement of Baraxley. Enrico Cerulli narrates in his book 'Somalia: Storia della Somalia. L'Islām in Somalia. Il Libro degli Zengi' that the Galla would boast about their land and abundance of livestock, singing in Somali:
"If from Baraxley I go up to the White hill,
If my flock disperses, I do not know [otherwise] of hunger and do not fear it" [5]
Cerulli would then go on to further state:
"The Majeerteen having tried in vain to drive the Galla off that land in various expeditions, they finally resorted to a stratagem: they cut a large number of cowhides into long strips; each knight had a certain number of these stripes which were tied to the tail of the war horses; then the group on horseback launched by surprise, during the night, a great gallop against the Galla. These, frightened by the strange noise that the strips of skin dragged by the running horses made echo in the great plain, believed they were attacked and ran away, abandoning their base" [6]
After this final battle, the fleeing Galla were hacked down and Sultan Farax Cisman was henceforth given the nickname of Gallaeri(expeller of pagans), a name that survives within the Bicidyahan sub-clan that descend from him.
In the ensuing century, the Bicidyahan would expand into the Geladi and Wardheer pasturelands, putting them into direct conflict with a number of tribes. This culminated into open war when their then allies, the Marehan were attacked in Geladi during the late 1870's. The Italian book 'Rassegna italiana politica letteraria' provides a brief synopsis of the event, stating:
"About seventy years ago, a group of Ogadèn pushed back as far as Gorof, in the territory of Galàdi, with the intention of raiding the Marrehan cattle and gathered there for the abundance of pastures; but they were driven back, although the Marrehans suffered severe loses and their leader Gogge Mahmud Nur himself fell.
In revenge for the Merrehans, Rer Bicidyahan and Omàr Mahmud, chased the Ogadén and inflicted on them such a defeat at the wells of Wardheer that the Ugas or head of the Ogadèn Fara Addò also fell - the survivors sheltered in Gorrahèi to not be exterminated.
The following year, the Marrehan and the Majeerteen at the Gherlogubi wells surprised a group of Rer Abdulle who had come to water their cattle; They attacked, killing many, and plundered the whole herd. Other clashes took place in Ghebdè. Dillimbash and Dahadid. There the Ogadèn, still armed only with sidearms, suffered bloody losses by the Majeerteen and Marrehan who for the first time used firearms, obtained by the Sultan Yusuf Ali.
Since then the Majerteen never abandoned the wells of Wardheer and the neighboring ones, and the Ogadèn never tried to return there." [7]
The Majeerteen is a sub-clan of the Harti clan, itself a sub-clan of the Darod. It is one of the major Somali groups, with a vast traditional territory spanning 3 major regions of Somalia: Bari, Nugaal and Mudug. From Bosaso down to Garacad, the Majerteen settle in what is literally considered to be the 'Horn of Africa'. They can also be found in Kismayo in southern Somalia. They primarily inhabit the Puntland state of northern Somalia.
The Habar Yoonis alternatively spelled as Habr Yunis is a major clan part of the sub-clan Garhajis of the wider Isaaq. As descendants of Ismail bin Sheikh Isaaq, its members form a part of the wider Habar Magaadle confederation which constitutes the largest sub-clan of the Isaaq.
The Warsangali is a major Somali sub clan, part of the Harti clan which itself belongs to one of the largest Somali clan-families - the Darod. In the Somali language, the name Warsangali means "bringer of good news." The Warsangeli primarily inhabit the Sanaag,
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 Darod is a Somali clan. The forefather of this clan was Sheikh Abdirahman bin Isma'il al-Jabarti, more commonly known as Darood. The clan primarily settles the apex of the Horn of Africa and its peripheries, the Somali hinterlands up to Oromia, and both sides of the Kenya–Somalia border.
The Garhajis historically known as the Habar Gerhajis is a major clan of the wider Isaaq clan family. They are the traditional holders of the Isaaq Sultanate and Habr Yunis Sultanate since the 18th century. As descendants of Ismail bin Sheikh Isaaq, its members form a part of the Habar Magaadle confederation, and they constitute the largest sub-clan of the Isaaq. The Garhajis are divided into two major sub-clans: the Habr Yunis and Eidagale. They are traditionally nomadic pastoralists, merchants and skilled poets.
The Marehan is a Somali clan, which is part of one of the largest Somali clans families, the Darod. The clan is one of the largest constituent sub-clans of the Darod. The majority of the Marehan live in the Jubaland in southern Somalia, as well as the Galguduud and Mudug regions in central Somalia, the Somali region of Ethiopia and the North Eastern Province of Kenya.
Harti, meaning "strong man", is a Somali clan family that is the part of the Darod clan. The major sub-clans include the Majeerteen, Dhulbahante, Warsangali, Tinle, Maganlabe, Kaptallah and Dishiishe, while other minor sub-clans consist of Kaskiqabe, Geesaguule and Liibaangashe.
The Habr Awal, also contemporarily known as the Subeer Awal, and alternately romanized as the Zubeyr Awal is a major clan of the wider Isaaq clan family, and is further divided into eight sub-clans of whom the two largest and most prominent are the Sa'ad Musa and Issa Musa sub-clans. Its members form a part of the Habr Magaadle confederation. The Habr Awal traditionally consists of nomadic pastoralists, coastal people, merchants and farmers. They are historically viewed as an affluent clan relative to other Somali clans. The Habr Awal are politically and economically influential in present-day Somaliland, and reside in strategic coastal and fertile lands.
Osman Mahmoud is a Somali sub-clan. Is one of the larger sub-clans within the major Majeerteen Harti confederation of Darod clans. The sub-clan is most notorious for its rich history within Somalia, That of which include sultanates such as the Majeerteen Sultanate.
The Reer Nuur also known as Nuur Yoonis, is a noble northern Somali clan, a sub-division of the Makahiil sub-clan of the Gadabursi clan family.
Enrico Cerulli was an Italian scholar of Somali and Ethiopian studies, a governor and a diplomat.
Garad is a term used to refer to a clan leader or regional administrator. It was used primarily by Muslims in the Horn of Africa that were associated with Islamic states, most notably the Adal Sultanate.
The Makayl-Dheere also known as Makaahiil-Dheere (Makayldheere), is a northern Somali clan, a sub-division of the Makahiil sub-clan of the Gadabuursi Dir clan family.
The Hiraab Imamate also known as the Yacquubi Dynasty was a Somali kingdom that ruled parts of the Horn of Africa during the late 17th century and 19th century until it was incorporated into Italian Somaliland. The Imamate was governed by the Yacquub Dynasty. It was founded by Imam Omar who successfully rebelled and defeated the Ajuran and established an independent kingdom.
The Mohamed Abokor is a Somali clan, and a major sub-division of the Habr Je'lo clan of the Isaaq.
The Musa Abokor is a Somali clan, and a 2 major sub-division of the Habr Je'lo clan of the Isaaq clan-family.
The Sa'ad Musa or Saad Musa is a northern Somali clan. Its members form a part of the Habr Awal clan of the Isaaq clan family. The Sa'ad Musa traditionally consists of nomadic pastoralists, coastal people, merchants and farmers. The clan inhabits Somaliland, including Maroodi Jeex, and Sahil as well as Djibouti, the Somali Region of Ethiopia and Kenya.
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 Somaliland.