Biimal | |
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![]() Notable elders belonging to the Bimaal clan | |
Regions with significant populations | |
Languages | |
Somali and Arabic | |
Religion | |
Islam (Sunni) | |
Related ethnic groups | |
Gadabuursi, Issa, Surre, Jaarso, Gurgura, Bursuuk, Akisho, Garre (Quranyow), other Dir clans |
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Somali clans |
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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. [1] [2] [3] 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. [4] [5]
The Bimal are the dominant clan in Merca district of Lower Shabelle region and make up the majority in Jammaame district of Lower Jubba region. [6] They also live in the NEP region of Kenya and especially in large numbers inhabit the Somali region of Ethiopia. The Bimal are a war-like clan that was known for their struggle and long resistance against the Italians.
The Bimal are a Dir clan that migrated to Lower Shabelle centuries ago and settled on the coast between Gelib-marka and Brava as sedentary farmers. The Bimal are divided into four subclans, the Saad, Ismin, Suleyman, and Abdirahman. [7]
As a Dir sub-clan, the Bīmāli have immediate lineal ties with the Gadabuursi, Surre (Abdalle and Qubeys), the Issa, the Bajimal, the Bursuk, the Madigan, the Gurgura, the Garre (the Quranyow sub-clan to be precise as they claim descent from Dir), Gurre, Gariire, other Dir sub-clans and they have lineal ties with the Hawiye (Irir), Hawadle, Ajuraan, Degoodi, Gaalje'el clan groups, who share the same ancestor Samaale. [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14]
Following the Ajuran state disintegration [ broken anchor ][ broken anchor ], a mysterious new group in the vicinity of Merca, known as the El Amir believe to be from the Abgaal origin made its appearance in the late 17th century. According to an account collected by Guillain in 1847, a leader known as Amir formed a following which invaded the territory of Merca and expelled the Ajuran clan. The El Amir then ruled for thirty-four years until the Biimaal expelled them and definitively occupied Merca. They quickly gained control of the city and trade of the region. [15]
Traditions of Bimal clan of Merka district reflect preoccupied agricultural production for at least the last 200 years. [16] Besides the Biimal revolt against the Ajuran. Later, they had engaged in multiple wars and revolts with the Sultanate of the Geledi.
One of the most powerful sultanates to have emerged from southern Somalia called the Geledi Sultanate centered in Afgooye in the late 17th century. It incorporated the Merca territory into its kingdom until the Bimaal rebelled in the mid-1800s for independence. The Sultanate of Geledi tried to attack and destroy the Bimaal clan many times to try and re-capture the coastal city of Merca. But the Bimal of Merca managed to defeat the Geledi Sultanate 2 times. In 1843, Yusuf Mahamud, Sultan of Geledi, vowed to destroy the Bimaal for once and for all and mobilizes the Geledi army. In 1848, the Sultan of the Geledi, Yusuf Mahamud was killed at Adaddey Suleyman, a village near Merca, in a battle between the Bimaal and Geledi Sultanate. His son Sultan Ahmed Yusuf tried to see revenge but was also killed in 1878 at Agaaran, near Marka by the Bimal. Ensuing Merca independence from Geledi's overrule. [17]
The Biimaal Sultanate maintained armies, courts, prisons, and were highly dynamic and out seeking eager to link with global trade. They invited experts from India and around the world, to train their people in skills such as weaving, textile industry, milling and agricultural production, and topographical surveys used to make irrigation canals. This massive development the Biimaal were undertaking with their sultanate was sabotaged by the Italians, which was one of the reasons why the Biimaal revolt began. [17]
The Bimaal also engage in pastoralism, settled farming and were also successful merchants and traders in the 19th century. [18] The Bimaal have proved in the past to be a bellicose clan, not only against their neighbours, but also against Italian colonial encroachment. [19]
The Italians undermined the Biimaal Sultanate, and changed the traditional structures in the South-Central by retitling the elders "capo qabiil" and incorporating them into their administrative system. The Bimaal violently resisted the imposition of colonialism fought against the Italian colonialists in a twenty-year war known as the Bimaal revolt in which many of their warriors assassinated some Italian soldiers. [18] [20] In the early 1930s, the Bimaal accepted the Italian rule in Merca and welcomed the Italian king in 1935. Some of them fought with the Italians in their conquest of Ethiopia in 1936.
The Bimal also formed their own organization during the Somali Civil War, the Southern Somali National Movement (SSNM). Colonel Abdi Warsame in 1993, broke with General Aideed and took part of the SSNM with him when he aligned himself with Ali Mahdi. [21] [22]
The Bimal revolt or Bimal resistance or Merca revolt (Somali: Dagaalkii Biimaal iyo Talyaaniga) is widely known resistance fought against the colonials in southern Somalia in and around the current Lower Shebelle, Banadir, Middle Shabelle (Somali: Shabeela Hoose) for decades (1896-1926), which can be -in a little way- compared to the war of the Mad Mullah in northern Somalia. [1] [24]
The Gaadsen or reer Aw-Gaadsan branch of the Bimaal trace themselves from holymen and sheikhs living as pastoral nomads. [25] Such religious lineages of sheikhs and holy-men are generally referred to as 'reer aw' or 'wadaaddo'. They are nominally 'men of God' possessed of blessing by definition rather than learned. Although it doesn't necessary mean that all their lineages make religion their profession. [26] The name of Geedsan or gadsen is a nickname, which means "genuine" given by his scholar called Sheikh Abdirahman Ulamadoobe. Gaadsan are mainly found in Somali Galbeed (Somali region) and live in regions such as Afdher, in Jarrati and surrounding areas, Nusdasriq town in Qoraxay and Liban region. Gaadsan are also found in Somalia in Bakool, Geddo and the two jubas as well as Kenya (NFD).
The following list is based on the People of the Horn of Africa and a paper published in March 2002 by Ambroso Guido. [19] [27]
Bimaal (Jamal) bin Mahamed
Biimal were one of the Somali clans involved in the Indian Ocean slave trade as reported by the Italians, the Biimal sultanate was one of the most powerful sultanate in southerner Somalia and brought many Bantu slaves to its land. The Bantus were forced labour on Biimal-owned plantations while some were sold as part of the Indian Ocean slave trade. In December 1923, when Cesare Maria de Vecchi (the first Governor of Somalia) arrived in Somalia, slavery was being practiced in many areas of the country. Particularly in predominantly Biimal controlled area of Lower Shabelle region. The Italian colonial administration abolished slavery in Italian Somaliland at the turn of the 20th century. However, some Somali clans notably the Biimal clan opposed this idea. The Bimaals fought Italians to keep their slaves. Although the Italians freed some Bantus from the Biimaal, some Bantu groups, remained enslaved well until the 1930s, and continued to be despised and discriminated against by large parts of Somali society. [28]
The Biimal elders and leaders established the autonomous state of Udubland on 17 February 2011 claiming both Lower Shabelle and Lower Jubba. Dr. Ibraahim C/llaahi Caddow was elected as the president of the state of Udubland.
Politicians
Religious leaders
Sheikh Abdi Abikar Gafle, famous religious leader and warrior [29]
Macalin Mursal, one of the Biimal revolt leaders
Sheikh Abdurahman Mubarak, one of the most famous sheikhs in Somalia
Sheikh Xassan Yusuf
Sheikh Macalin Shiikheey, one of the famous Somali clerics
Sheik Mohammed Kulale
Activists
Mohamed Amiin Addow local and international journalist, served Radio Shabelle, CNN and Swedish Radio & Asad Haashi, politician, highly influential person in horn of africa and served as east africa regional director of INTERSOL Denmark.
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.
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.
The Leelkase or Lailkase or Lelkase is a major subclan of the Tanade Darod clan. The term "Leelkase" is a nickname, which translates to "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 is Sheikh Abdirahman bin Isma'il al-Jabarti, more commonly known as Darod. The clan primarily settles the apex of the Horn of Africa and its peripheries, the Somali hinterlands adjacent to Oromia (Ogaden), and both sides of the Kenya–Somalia border. The Darod clan is the largest Somali clan family in the Horn of Africa.
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.
Barawa, also known as Barawe and Brava, is the capital of the South West State of Somalia. It functions as a port town in the southwestern Lower Shebelle region of Somalia. Facing the Indian Ocean, Barawa serves as the main port of the South West State.
The Marehan is a Somali clan, which is part of one of the largest Somali clan families, the Darod.
The Rahanweyn, also known as the Digil and Mirifle is a major Somali clan. It is one of the major Somali clans in the Horn of Africa, with a large territory in the densely populated fertile valleys of the Jubba and Shebelle rivers and the areas inbetween, which are mainly inhabited by settlers from the Digil and Mirifle lineages.
Harti, meaning "strong man", is a Somali clan confederation, part of the larger Darod clan. The major sub-clans within Harti include the Majeerteen, Warsangeli, Maganlabe, Tiinle, Kabtaanle, Dishiishe and Dhulbahante while the minor sub-clans consist of Kaskiqabe, Geesaguule and Liibaangashe.
The Abgaal are a Somali sub-clan of the Hawiye and the even larger Samaale clan. This prominent Somali clan, despite being one of the youngest in Somalia, is one of the most significant in the nation's history and has given rise to many notable figures, including three presidents, including the current one as well as the founding father of the Somali military. Their stronghold is the capital city of Somalia, Mogadishu, where they are known to be the earliest inhabitants and they currently constitute the majority of the population there.
The Murusade, also contemporarily known as Mursal, are a Somali subclan, part of the Karanle branch 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.
Yusuf Mahamud Ibrahim was a Somali ruler. He was the third and most powerful Sultan of the Geledi sultanate, reigning from 1798 to 1848. Under the reign of Sultan Yusuf, his kingdom entered its apex, he managed to modernize his economy and his kingdom quickly became one of the wealthiest states in East Africa. Yusuf frequently toured the sultanate and built rapport with his many clients and allies. He successfully consolidated Geledi power during conquest of Bardera and expelling extremist ideology from his region. It was under his rule he manage to establish many trading partners and allies such as the Sultanate of Witu. He also exacted tribute from Sultan Said of the Omani Empire starting from 1843.
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 as the fourth Sultan, and his rule marked a period of great prosperity in the Sultanate. The Sultan is credited as having brought over 20,000 Somali troops to free the slaves of Zanzibar.
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.
Haji Ali Abdirahman, popularly known as al-Majeerteen, was a Somali Sheikh and poet.
The Gurgura, Gorgorah or Gurgure is a northern Somali clan, a sub-division of the Dir clan family.
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.
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 Akisho is a northern Somali clan, a sub-division of the Dir clan family.
Twenty year war
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)Biimal
gadsan
At the end of the book "Tribal Distribution of Somali Afar and Saho"
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)Yasmin, Daud, Daadow and Saad
SHEIKH ABDI ABIIKAR "GAAFLE"