Gudban

Last updated
Gudban
by Muhammad Abdullah Hasan
CountryDervish
LanguageSomali

Gudban is a 1907 poem and oration by Muhammad Abdullah Hassan, the leader of the darawish, announcing his policy declaration. It was one of many orations and poems which were salvaged after Maxamed Aadan Sheekh, Somalia's Minister of Culture ordered for them to be salvaged, but only permitted poems which were memorized by former members of the Haroun (darawish government). The Gudban poem in particular, was transmitted in 1957 by the darawish veteran Garaad Soofe Durraan. [1] The darawish referred to the poem as Gaala leged, which could be translated from Somali to English as Defeating the Infidels. Non-darawish Somalis referred to the poem as Gudban, which is a Somali word that literally means "moving across". This was in reference to how during the year it was released, the darawish moved back into their old territories in the Nugaal Valley. [2]

Contents

Whereas Muhammad Abdullah Hassan is the most notable poet in Somali history, Gaala Leged or Gudban is itself arguably his most memorable poem. Said Sheikh Samatar described Gudban as a political poem and "policy declaration and proclamation of edicts", which was in nature, similar to a State of the Union address. [3]

Purpose

Mursal Farah Afdub and Lidwien Kapteijns argued that the aggressiveness of the poem derives from the limitations of the Illig agreement which confined their territories and ambitions. As such, the Sayid and his darawish were motivated to once again return to warfare as was the state of affairs between 1900 and 1904. The gudban poem was the induction which marked this shift in darawish strategy and the onset of the return to warfare.

Components

According to Mursal Farah Afdub and Lidwien Kapteijns, there are seven components to the Gudban poem. The first part (1 to 6) discusses conveyance, the second (7 – 33) is about his rage, the third (34 – 45) is one of boasting, the fourth (46 – 75) explains why the Sayid seeks to take up arms again, the fifth (76 – 96) he mentions some tribes as colonial collaborators and thus puts them in his crosshairs, the sixth (97 – 110) is the Sayid describing how he's gifted at various fields, and the seventh (111 – 153) he describes how certain Dhulbahante subclans have been annihilated at the hands of the colonialists. In the 106th verse, the Sayid claims to speak on behalf of the contemporaneous supreme garaad of the Ciid-Nugaal Diiriye Guure; suggesting that the Sayid considered the Darawiish Sultan Diiriye Guure as holding a more senior rank within the Darawiish than himself.

First

The first component is from line one to line seven. In the first component the Sayid ascribes his return to aggressive forms of poetry to sleepless nights, especially verse 1 and 3. [4] He triumphantly celebrates the death or downfall of an aristocratic foe called Guray Shirwac of the Majeerteen Sultanate and uses anthropomorphic metaphors such as describing hyenas as tendentiously feasting on the corpses of anti-darawiish forces.

Second

In the second component, the Sayid discusses his rage towards the aristocrats, notables and royalty of the eastern princely states, namely, the Majeerteen Sultanate and Hobyo Sultanate, and his disdain for their betrayal and ungratefulness despite the gifts he has given, such as the horse Xiin Faniin, such as in verse 7. For example, he mocks Ahmed Taajir, the brother of King Cismaan of the Majeerteen Sultanate. Ahmed Taajir used to rule over Bosaso. In section two he also puts forth moral stances, such as describing being treasonousness as being worthy of a death sentence. [4]

Third

The third component is line 34 until line 45. The third component discusses the Sayid boasting about himself and his eloquence, such as verses 34 to 35. In this component of the oration, he also uses imagery and agronomy-related parables in line with nature and in order to appeal to his most likely base of support: the nomadic pastoralists. [4]

Fourth

The fourth component discusses why the Sayid is seeking to declare war and renege on the Illig treaty, such as verses 47, 67 and 68. Through the various messengers who would amplify his orations and poems across the Somali peninsula, in this component he also seeks to form a personal connection between himself and his fellow Somalis by describing his own personality and state of mind to them. In this section he speaks affectionately about Dhooddi, his fastest and one of his favorite horses which was gifted to him by Xirsi Cartan Boos, the man who would later go on to kill Richard Corfield. [4]

Fifth

In the fifth component is where the Sayid suggests that the Hagar Aadan (Ararsame subclan), East (Majeerteen), Isaaq and Ogaden tribes were colonial collaborators, and as such has them in his crosshairs, in verses 81, 85 and 88. He at times uses intensifiers and vulgar language as an indication of the critical importance of his anti-imperialist cause. [4]

Sixth

The 6th component, the Sayid says he's accomplished and skilled, such as in verse 99. As such, it also shows his self-awareness of the charm that permitted him to rule over such as vast area. He also describes himself as generous and therefore enticing others to join him financially, militarily or in spirit. In this section, he insists that his quest of anti-imperialism and self-determination are more dignified than the docile, submissive and subservient stance towards colonialists by his foes. He alludes to his age-derived wisdom by alluding to his seniority and via his recollection of the Gaaddaweyn drought of the 19th century. [4]

Seventh

In the seventh component, in the first part, the Sayid mentions several darawiish leaders called gaanaha (meaning commanders) and garaaddada (meaning chieftains) whom experienced casualties in the darawiish-colonial wars of the preceding six years, namely: (a) Xasan Gaagguf Axmed Mulac (b) Xayd Aaden Gallaydh (c) Xirsiwaal Maxamuud Cashuur (d) Maxamuud Dheri (e) Beynax Aaden-Gallaydh (f) Muuse Taagane (g) Guuleed Caligeri Axmed and (h) Aadan Seed. [4] In the second part, the Sayid laments being oppressed by the Abyssinian, British and Italian colonialists, and their Somali collaborators and mentions several Dhulbahante subclans who had been annihilated by colonial forces. [4] In the end of the oration, the Sayid makes a supplication to God, seeking to overcome his enemies, as with verse 143: [4]

Related Research Articles

The Majeerteen is a sub-clan of the Harti 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 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, Bari, Lower Juba, Gedo, Bay and Bakool regions.

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

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Taleh</span> Town in Sool, Somaliland

Taleh is a historical town in the eastern Sool region of Somaliland. As of September 2015, both Puntland and Somaliland had nominal influence or control in Taleh and it's vicinity. The town served as the capital of the pre-independence Dervish movement.

Ali Duh Gorayo was a popular poet from Somalia, who hailed from the city of Buuhoodle, in the Togdheer, Soomaaliya but grew up in the Nugaal region now Sool and Dollo region in Ethiopia. He mostly wrote about camel husbandry and the issues affiliated with the profession of camel riders.

Haroun, also called Fadhiweyn, and natively transliterated as Xarunta in Somali, was a government and headquarters of the Dervishes, headed by Faarax Mahmud Sugulle. According to Claude Edward Marjoribanks Dansey, the political officer in the British Somali Coast Protectorate consisted of 400 individuals. The capture of the haroun was regarded as conceivably resulting in the Sayyid's surrender. In the third expedition, major Paul Kenna was tasked "by every means" to find where the haroun is.

Haji Yusuf Barre was the commander at the battle of Jidbali, the largest and deadliest engagement between the dervishes and the British empire in the Horn of Africa. Haji Yusuf Barre is also noted for being the person whom held the last stand at the Dhulbahante garesa at Taleh, in the aftermath of the bombings at Taleh wherein Taleh became the first place to be targeted in Africa through aerial attacks.

Suleiman Aden Galaydh was the Darawiish military commander in the year 1903, when the Gumburu and Daratoleh battles occurred. According to British sources, the number of military personnel he commanded stood at 2200, the highest battalion total for a solo commander in Darawiish history. Suleiman Aden Galaydh is also the only Darawiish commander to command three different types of military forces simultaneously, namely a cavalry, spearmen division and riflemen division. He hails from the Aden Gallaydh family, the most prominent family within the Darawiish.

Huseen Dhiqle, also spelled Xuseen Dhiqle was the memorizer of the orations and poems of the Sayid, as well as his successor at the 1921 Darawiish community at Iimey. Huseen Dhiqle had an eidetic memory whereby he could memorize and recite upwards of 100 of the Sayid's poems upon hearing it once. African studies professor John William Johnson stated that Dhiqle's replacement of the Sayid after his death at Iimey was for a short period of time:

One of the Sayid ' s assistants was entrusted with the duty of memorizing Maxamed Cabdille's poetry during his lifetime

Ciid or 'Iid is an archaic native geographic name for the land between the region of Mudug and the Nugaal Valley, roughly congruous with the northern Bookh district in Ethiopia. As such, Ciid constitutes the tripoint of the former three colonial powers Abyssinia, Britain and Italy, thus situating Mudug immediately southeast of Ciid, the Nugaal Valley immediately north of Ciid, and Haud to the west of Ciid. One historian referred to it as the syrup-colored land and it is today embodied by Ciid towns such as Xamxam, Magacley, Qoriley, Biriqodey, Beerdhiga and Gumburka Cagaare.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dalyare fort (Darawiish)</span>

Dalyare fort is an open-top Dhulbahante garesa of the Darawiish era which was ordered built by the Dervish as a strategy for countering the colonization efforts of the Europeans. The building is located in the Nugaal Valley a few miles east of Las Anod. The purpose of the Dalyare fort was to serve as a refuge and escape route for Darawiish retreating from colonial forces who intend to head south towards the Shabelle River. However, retrospectively, some analysts have described the building as a setback to the previous tactic of maneuverability on the part of the Darawiish. Cali Jalax was the builder. The native Darawiish referred to the building as Sool-Daryare. On the other hand, the colonialists who launched attacks against the Darawiish referred to the building as Dariali.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Xaashi Suni Fooyaan</span>

Xaashi Suni Fooyaan was a Darawiish politician who is described as a Qusuusi (counsellor) in native Somali sources, and as peace-time Darawiish prime minister in colonial sources.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jidali fort</span> Dervish fort in Sanaag, Somaliland

Jidali fort was a cross-shaped fort of the Dervish era located in the town of Jidali in Sanaag, Somaliland and is also the first place in Africa to be bombed via aerial bombardment by a tally of four sorties of De Havilland DH-9's on 21 January 1920. An April 1920 letter between the Sayid and Italian-Somali governor Giacomo De Martino states that the Dervishes built a total of twenty-seven forts which are described as Dhulbahante garesas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dhowre Sheneeleh</span>

Dhowre Ali Sheneeleh was the castellan of the Darawiish fort / Dhulbahante garesa of Eyl, whilst the governor of Nugaaleed-Bari for the Darawiish was Ali Meggar. He was also the primary commander which spearheaded opposition to Abyssinian expansionism towards the east in the 1900s.

Afbakayle is a 1905 poem by the Sayid Mohammed Abdullah Hassan made while he was in exile. The poem is a political poem which primarily deals with the topic of treachery and two-facedness, known as jeesjeesnimo in Somali. According to scholar Abdulqadir Sheik Abdi, the poem is a direct denunciation of those described as "friendly tribes" by the British, whom he describes as the Sayid's sworn arch-enemies. A repeated mantra in the poem used to describe the Somali colonial collaborators is naga ajoon waayey, meaning won't even flinch.

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 Somaliland.

Aadan Carab was a poet born in Darawiish-controlled territory in 1917. The early forms of poetry of Aadan Carab is primarily concerned with clan duels, and or clans prevailing over others either in jest or pertaining to actual events. His latter poetry is about pastoral life and human nature. According to Aadan Carab, the Dhulbahante clan suffered a genocide at the hands of European colonialists, particularly the British who he claimed wholesale slaughtered the Dhulbahante due to them being Darawiish.

Garad Jama "Farah" was the 18th garad or sultan of the Dhulbahante Garadate, from the 1920s until 1960. His surname isn't Farah, but he acquired the title to distinguish Farah Garad from the garad/sultan of the equally sized Mahamuud Garad clan and that of the Bah Nugaal clan.

The Dhulbahante Garadship is presumed to have began in the 16th century with Garad Shishore assuming the royal title in approximately 1530. During the 19th century, the Dhulbahante garadate morphed into a dual monarchy. The current Garad, Garad Jama Garad Ali hails from this long line of succession.

References

  1. Cabdulle Xasan, Maxamad (1999). Diiwaanka gabayadii Sayid Muxammad Cabdulle Xasan: 1856–1921. p. 143. Gabaygan waxaan ka qoray G. Soofe Durraan, sannadkii 1957kii
  2. "Sudanic Africa". 1999.
  3. "Journal of the Anglo-Somali Society". 2001.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 MURSAL FARAH AFDUB AND LIDWIEN KAPTEIJNS