Gelweita Geel Wayta | |
|---|---|
Archaeological site | |
  Gelweita Location in Puntland  Gelweita Gelweita (Somaliland) | |
| Coordinates: 11°06′00″N47°54′36″E / 11.100°N 47.910°E | |
| Country |  Somaliland |
| Region | Sanaag |
| District | Erigavo |
| Time zone | UTC+3 (EAT) |
Gelweita (Somali : Geel Wayta), also known as Las Galwayta or Galwayta is an archaeological site and a key rock art site in the eastern Sanaag region of Somaliland inhabited by Gadhwayn- Muuse Ismail subclan of the large Habaryoonis clan. [1]
Gelweita is at an altitude of 7500ft and is near a plateau. The archeological site is approximately 40km or 25 miles west of Las Khorey. [2] The site dates back thousands of years and is evidence of an earlier stone-age culture that inhabited the area. [3] [4]
John Hanning Speke, an English explorer who made an exploratory expedition to the area in an attempt to reach the Nugaal Valley, described the site: [5]
The harbours are, generally speaking, open and shallow road-steads, where ships find no protection; there is, however, one place (Las Galwayta), where, it is said, deep water extends to the shore. Meteorological observations show a moderate temperature, clear air, and a regular north-easterly wind. It is probable that, unlike the Berberah Plain, the monsoon rain here falls in considerable quantities. This land belongs in part to the Warsingali. Westwards of Las Galwayta, which is the frontier, the Habr Gerhajis lay claim to the coast. The two tribes, as usual in that unhappy land, are on terms of "Dam" or blood-feud; yet they intermarry. The animals observed were, the Waraba, a darkcoloured cynhyena, with a tail partly white, a grey jackal, and three different kinds of antelopes. Besides gulls, butcher birds, and a description of sparrow, no birds were found on the Maritime Plain.
— Sir Richard Francis Burton, First Footsteps in East Africa, Or, An Exploration of Harar
He also remarked the favourable position that Gelweita lies in for a potential Somali settlement, however the tense relations between the Habr Gerhajis and the Warsangali, the Habr Gerhajis being the proprietors of the area, along with the Warsangali's lack of manpower made that impossible.
On the way from Bunder Jedid to Las Kuray, Lieutenant Speke remarks that Las Galwayta would be a favourable site for a Somali settlement. The water is deep even close to the shore, and there is an easy ascent from it to the summit of the mountains. The consequence is that it is coveted by the Warsingali, who are opposed by the present proprietors, the Habr Gerhajis. The Sultan of the former family resists any settlement for fear of dividing and weakening their force; it is too far from their pastures, and they have not men enough for both purposes.
— Sir Richard Francis Burton, First Footsteps in East Africa, Or, An Exploration of Harar
The area serves as the frontier between the Habr Yunis sub-division of the Garhajis Isaaq and the Warsangeli sub-division of the Harti Darod. [6]
Sanag is an administrative region (gobol) in north eastern Somaliland. Sanaag has a long coastline facing the Gulf of Aden to the north, and is bordered by the region of Sahil to the west, Sool to the south and Somalia to the east. The region is disputed by the self-declared Republic of Somaliland and Puntland, a Federal Member State of Somalia. Its capital city is Erigavo. Sanaag is the largest region of Somaliland, accounting for 35% of Somaliland's total land area.
Las Qoray is a historic coastal town in the Sanaag region of Somalia
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The Habr Garhajis also contemporarily known as the Garhajis 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.
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The Habr Je'lo, Arabic: هبر جعلو, Full Name: Mūsa ibn ash-Shaykh Isḥāq ibn Aḥmad, historically known as the Habr Toljaala is a major Northern Somali clan of the wider Isaaq family. Its members form the confederation along with the Ibran, Sanbuur and Tolje’lo. The Habr Je'lo are divided into five further sub-tribes: the Mohamed Abokor, Musa Abokor, Samane Abokor, Reer dood and Omar. Historically, the Mohamed Abokor, Samane Abokor and Reer dood are chiefly nomadic pastoralists, whereas the Musa Abokor and Omar obtained much of their wealth via their frankincense plantations in the mountainous interior adjacent to the coastline. The Habr Je'lo played a prominent role in the livestock and frankincense trade during the pre-colonial period.
The Isamusa is a northern Somali clan. Its clan of the wider Isaaq clan family. The Isamusa are divided into four major sub-clans: Mohammed Issa, Adam Issa, Abokor Issa and Idarais Issa. The Isa Musa traditionally consists of coastal people, nomadic pastoralist and merchants. This clan are primarily settled in Somaliland, including Maroodi Jeex, Togdheer, Sahil, Awdal, Djibouti, Yemen, as well as Kenya. The Isamusa have produced many prominent Somali figures with the Undersecretary General of the United Nations Abdulrahim Abby Farah, the first Somali Prime Minister & second President of Somaliland Muhammad Haji Ibrahim Egal, and the second tallest man in the world Hussein Bisad.
Sharmarke Ali Saleh was a leading 19th century Somaliland leader, captain, and merchant. He was known as "The African Rothschild " which indicates he was one of the richest man in Africa at that time and also the 'Political Boss of the Somaliland coast', a title which is a testament to his political influence in the region. He was the governor and ruler of Zeila and Berbera between 1841 and 1861, and for a time was known as the richest man along the Somaliland coast. His descendants would go on to become the traditional leaders of the Musa Arreh sub-clan of the Habr Yunis clan.
Ruguda, also known as Rakudah is a historic coastal port town located in the Sanaag region of Somaliland, near Heis.
The Habr Yunis Sultanate was a Somali kingdom that ruled parts of the Horn of Africa during the 18th century. It spanned the territories of the Habr Yunis clan which is part of the wider Isaaq in modern day Somaliland and Ethiopia. The sultanate was governed by the Rer Ainanshe branch of the Habr Yunis clan.
The Sa'ad Musa or Saad Musa is a northern Somali clan. Its members form a part of the Habr Awal sub-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, Kenya and Tanzania.
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