The Reer Manyo is a confederacy of clans based on the southern coast of Somalia, primarily in the cities of Mogadishu and Merca and the towns and villages between them. [1]
Reer (Somali: Family) and Manyo (Somali: Sea), the etymological meaning of this clan confederacy immediately shows they are a group of people dedicated to the sea. [2]
The Reer Gacanka Bari(Iskaashato) are made up of six clan groups, with four clans found in Mogadishu (primarily in Abdiaziz District, Shangani District, Hamar Weyne District, Karan District, and Hamar Jajab District) and four in Merca and its surrounding villages (two clans are found in both Mogadishu and Merca). [3]
The clans that make up Reer Manyo are:
Merca is a historic port city in the southern Lower Shebelle province of Somalia. 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 Major Bimal clan and was the center of the Bimal revolt.
Over the course of the Somali Civil War, there have been many revolutionary movements and militia groups run by competing rebel leaders which have held de facto control over vast areas within Somalia.
The Banaadiri people are a nationality in Somalia. Banaadiris largely inhabit Somalia's southern coastline.
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 -in a little way- 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.
Gendershe, also known as Gandershe or El Torre, is an ancient landmark on the Somali Sea, as well as a town, in the Lower Shabelle region of present day Somalia. It is noted for its various historical structures.
Benadiri Somali also referred to as “Coastal Somali” is a dialect of the Somali language. It is primarily spoken by the Benadiri people, who inhabit the southern Banaadir coast of Somalia.
Hamar Weyne District is a district in the southeastern Banaadir region of Somalia. It includes a part of central Mogadishu. Hamar Weyne is the oldest district with in Mogadishu and up until 1938 the city of Mogadishu was made up of Shingani and Hamar Weyne.Somali word "xamar" means tamarind tree.
The Surre, is a Somali clan, a sub clan of the major Somali Dir clans, The Surre inhabit in central and southern Somalia. And also can be found in Somaliland, Ethiopia and Kenya.
The Sheikh Ahmed Sharif Mosque is small mosque in the historical Shingani district in Mogadishu.
Bida or Bido are a clan confederacy based in Baraawe, South West State of Somalia and make up one of the groups part of the "todobo Tol" also known as Bravanese people. Member clans of this clan umbrella can also be found in other confederacies further up the coast in Marka and Mogadishu.
Haatim are a Somali clan from southern coastal cities of Baraawe, Marka, Kismayo and Mogadishu, they can also be found in the hinterland towns in the inter-riverine are of Somalia and further down the Swahili coast. The Haatim clan are synonymous with the town they first settled in, Baraawe and make up one of the groups part of the "todobo Tol" also known as Bravanese people.
Reer Faqay, also known as Banu Qahtan, is a Somali clan and a Benadiri sub clan. It is primarily found in the southern coastal cities of Mogadishu, Marka, Baraawe and Kismayo. They established communities in the hinterlands in towns such as Afgooye, Baidoa, Diinsoor and Bardheere.
'Shanshiyo or Shaanshi is a Somali clan, mainly from the southern coastal cities of Mogadishu, Marka, Baraawe and Kismayo which established communities in the hinterlands in towns such as Baidoa and Diinsoor due to trading. Shanshiyo women are often described as the "beautiful women of Somalia" because of their skin, hair and other features.
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.
Sharif Aydarus Sharif Ali Al-Nadheeri or short Sharif Aydarus was a famous scholar of Islamic and Somali history and pan-Islamic leader.
Duruqbo are a Benadiri/12 Koofi clan mainly from the southern coastal cities of; Marka and Mogadishu and have established communities in the hinterlands in towns such as Qoryooley due to trading.
Gaameedle are a Somali clan mainly from the southern coastal cities of; Marka and Mogadishu.
Sheekhaal Gendershe also known as Reer Aw Garweyne are a Benadiri clan, mainly from the southern coastal towns of Gendershe, Marka and Mogadishu. The Gendershe have also established communities in the hinterlands in towns such as Afgooye and the villages surrounding it due to trading and farming.
Sheekhaal Jasiira also known as Aala Ba Hassan are a Banaadiriclan mainly from the southern coastal cities of; Jasiira ,Jilib Marka, Marka and Mogadishu and have established communities in the hinterlands in towns such as Afgooye and the villages around it such as Mareerey due to trading and farming.
Ba Fadal are a Benadiri clan predominantly based in historic Shingani district of Mogadishu. However, there are established settlements on the road to Merca in the village of 'Number 50'