Sheikh Abdi Abukar Gaafle, Somali: (Sheekh Cabdi Gaafle), 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. [1] [2]
Sheikh Abdi Abikar Gāfle or also more famously known as Gāfle (Somali: Sheekh Cabdi Abiikar "Gaafle"). A famous Bimaal ma’allin (teacher-sheikh) and warrior born in ‘Armadobe village in 1852. He was also a prominent figure in the Bimāl Revolt against the Italians. He met his end in 1922.[1]
He grew up finishing his Quranic education and studies at home, he was afterwards sent for higher Islamic education to Ceel Jaale center close to Merca. He studied the subjects of:
1.Fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence)
2.Tafseer (Qur'anic translations and interpretations),
3.Hadith (Prophet Muhammad’s tradition, Sunnah).[2]
Sheikh Abdi Abikar Gāfle learned from well known sheikhs at that time like Sheikh Usman Sheikh Hassan and Sheikh Muhammad Abdalla, also known as 'Baarmawaaye'. Gaafle continued to become a well-known individual in the Bimal community.
In 1888, Gaafle started to travel increasingly all over the Shabelle Valley preaching his ideology, teaching and warning the public and about the Italian colonizers. [3]
Gāfle took part in the Igalle shir(clan council) in June 1896 and led an army against the Italians. Gāfle was behind the alliance with the Dervishes and their leader Sayid Mohamed. Although the Dervishes provided Gāfle with firearms, they would not fight with him. Gāfle is said to have continued his resistance until 1908. [4] [5]
The Isaaq is an ethnic group in Somaliland. It is one of the major tribes in the Horn of Africa, with a large and densely populated traditional territories.
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.
The Hawiye is the largest Somali clan family. Members of this clan traditionally inhabit central and southern Somalia, Somaliland, Ethiopia and the North Eastern Province in Kenya. They are also the majority in the capital city, Mogadishu.
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.
Sayid Mohamed Abdullahi Hassan was a Somali religious and military leader of the Dervish movement, which led a two-decade long confrontation with various colonial empires including the British, Italians, and Ethiopians.
The Somali Youth League (SYL), initially known as the Somali Youth Club (SYC), was the first political party in Somalia. It played a key role in the nation's road to independence during the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s.
Abgaal is a sub-clan of the Hawiye and the even larger Samaale clan. It is one of the major Somali clans and has produced many prominent historical Somali figures including 3 presidents, and the father of the Somali military.
Ayr, Muhammad Madarkicis Hiraab is a Somali clan, part of the larger Habar Gidir Hawiye clan.
The Hawadle or Xawaadle are a Somali clan who traces its descent from Mayle Samaale, one of the sons of Samaale clan. The Hawadle, as well as many other Somali clans like the Dir, trace themselves from Samaale.
Sheikh Bashir Sheikh Yusuf Sheikh Hassan was a Somali religious leader famed for leading the 1945 Sheikh Bashir Rebellion against the British colonial authority in Somaliland.
The Dervish Movement was a popular movement between 1899 and 1920, which was led by the Salihiyya Sufi Muslim poet and militant leader Mohammed Abdullah Hassan, also known as Sayyid Mohamed, who called for independence from the British and Italian colonies and the defeat of Ethiopian forces. The Dervish movement aimed to remove the British and Italian influence from the region and restore the "Islamic system of government with Islamic education as its foundation", according to Mohamed-Rahis Hasan and Salada Robleh.
The Gaalje'el, , Galjecel is one of the largest Somali clans, whose origins trace back to Samaale. The Galje'el clan belong to the Saransor family of clans, alongside the Issa, Masare and Degodia.
The Degoodi or Degodia is a Somali clan.
Gardhere or Gardere or Garder also more commonly known as Gardhere Samale Bin Xill is the first born of Somali Bin Xill also Known as Samaale Bin Xill the Father of all Somalis and Brother to Saab Bin Xill Who is an Uncle to Gardhere Somali Bin Xill. Gardhere descendants are now a large Somali clan that inhabits vast territories in Kenya, Southern Ethiopia, Djibouti and Southern Somalia. Notable sub-clans who belong to the Gardhere Samale are the Garjante, Degodia, Gaalje'el, Masare, Ciise, Garre, and Awrmale whom all trace descent from Gardheere Samaale.
The Bimal Resistance also known as Bimal revolt, Bimal resistance or Merca revolt was a guerrilla war against the Italian Somaliland in southern Somalia. Named after the Bimal clan since they were the major element in the resistance. It was fought from the years 1888 to 1924 and largely concentrated in the Lower Shebelle, Banadir and Middle Shebelle. It is compared to the war of the Mad Mullah in Somaliland.
The Habr Je'lo (Somali: Habar Jeclo, Arabic: هبر جعلو, Full Name: Mūsa ibn ash-Shaykh Isḥāq ibn Aḥmad, historically known as the Habr Toljaala is a major sub-clan of the wider Isaaq family. Its members form the confederation along with the Ibran, Sanbuur and Tolje’lo.
The Mohamed Abokor is a Somali clan, and a major sub-division of the Habr Je'lo clan of the Isaaq.
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 three clan eponyms, Ahmed Garad, Baharsame and Barkad. The large chief caaqil agglomerations including Ararsame, or the Ali Gheri xeer group,. And Yassin Dia Group.