The Hawiye ( so, Hawiye, ar, بنو هوية, it, Hauija) is the largest

Somali clan The Somalis ( so, Soomaalida 𐒈𐒝𐒑𐒛𐒐𐒘𐒆𐒖, ar, صوماليون) are an ethnic group native to the Horn of Africa who share a common ancestry, culture and history. The Lowland East Cushitic Somali language is the shared mo ...

family. Members of this clan traditionally inhabit central and southern

Somalia Somalia, , Osmanya script: 𐒈𐒝𐒑𐒛𐒐𐒘𐒕𐒖; ar, الصومال, aṣ-Ṣūmāl officially the Federal Republic of SomaliaThe ''Federal Republic of Somalia'' is the country's name per Article 1 of thProvisional Constituti ...

Somaliland Somaliland,; ar, صوماليلاند ', ' officially the Republic of Somaliland,, ar, جمهورية صوماليلاند, link=no ''Jumhūrīyat Ṣūmālīlānd'' is a ''de facto'' sovereign state in the Horn of Africa, still conside ...

Ethiopia Ethiopia, , om, Itiyoophiyaa, so, Itoobiya, ti, ኢትዮጵያ, Ítiyop'iya, aa, Itiyoppiya officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a landlocked country in the Horn of Africa. It shares borders with Eritrea to the ...

( Somali,

Harar Harar ( amh, ሐረር; Harari: ሀረር; om, Adare Biyyo; so, Herer; ar, هرر) known historically by the indigenous as Gey (Harari: ጌይ ''Gēy'', ) is a walled city in eastern Ethiopia. It is also known in Arabic as the City of Saint ...

Oromia Oromia (Amharic: ) ( om, Oromiyaa) is a regional state in Ethiopia and the homeland of the Oromo people. The capital of Oromia is Addis Ababa. It is bordered by the Somali Region to the east; the Amhara Region, the Afar Region and the Be ...

and Afar regions) and the North Eastern Province in Kenya. They are also the majority in the capital city,

Mogadishu Mogadishu (, also ; so, Muqdisho or ; ar, مقديشو ; it, Mogadiscio ), locally known as Xamar or Hamar, is the capital and List of cities in Somalia by population, most populous city of Somalia. The city has served as an important port ...

Origins

Like the great majority of

Somali clans The demographics of Somalis encompass the demographic features of Somalia's inhabitants, including ethnicity, language, population density, education level, health, economic status, religious affiliations and other aspects of the population. Som ...

, the Hawiye trace their ancestry to

Aqil ibn Abi Talib ʿAqīl ibn Abī Ṭālib (lit. "Aqil the Son of Abu Talib ibn Abd al-Muttalib, Abu Talib"; full name , ar, أبو يزيد عقيل بن أبي طالب بن عبد المطّلب بن هاشم), , was a cousin of the Islamic prophet Muhammad ( ...

(),. a cousin of the prophet

Muhammad Muhammad ( ar, مُحَمَّد; 570 – 8 June 632 Common Era, CE) was an Arab religious, social, and political leader and the founder of Islam. According to Muhammad in Islam, Islamic doctrine, he was a prophet Divine inspiration, di ...

() and an older brother of Ali ibn Abi Talib () and

Ja'far ibn Abi Talib Jaʿfar ibn Abī Ṭālib ( ar, جعفر بن أبي طالب September 629), also known as Jaʿfar al-Ṭayyār ( ar, جعفر الطيّار, lit=Ja'far the Flyer) was a companion and cousin of the Islamic Prophet Muhammad, and an older broth ...

().. They trace their lineage to Aqil through

Samaale Samaale, also spelled Samali or Samale ( so, Samaale) is traditionally considered to be the oldest common forefather of several major Somali clans and their respective sub-clans. His name is the source of the ethnonym ''Somali''.. As the purported ...

(the source of the name 'Somali'), the purported forefather of the northern pastoralist clans such as the Hawiye, the Dir, and –

matrilineally Matrilineality is the tracing of kinship through the female line. It may also correlate with a social system in which each person is identified with their matriline – their mother's lineage – and which can involve the inheritance ...

through the Dir– the

Isaq The Isaaq (also Isaq, Ishaak, Isaac) ( so, Reer Sheekh Isxaaq, ar, بني إسحاق, Banī Isḥāq) is a Somali clan. It is one of the major Somali clans in the Horn of Africa, with a large and densely populated traditional territory. Perr ...

and the

Darod The Darod ( so, Daarood, ar, دارود) 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 ...

. Although these genealogical claims are historically untenable, they do reflect the longstanding cultural contacts between

(especially, though not exclusively, its most northern part

) and

Southern Arabia South Arabia () is a historical region that consists of the southern region of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia, mainly centered in what is now the Republic of Yemen, yet it has also historically included Najran, Jizan, Al-Bahah, and 'A ...

Distribution

With the arrival of Samaale in the areas of Somaliland, the Hawiye further crossed into Ethiopia, said to be the traditional homeland, before descending along the Shabelle Valley. In Somalia, the Hawiye clans in Somalia can today be found inhabiting areas of fertile lands in the

Shabelle River The Shebelle River ( so, Webi Shabeelle, ar, نهر شبيلي, am, እደላ) begins in the highlands of Ethiopia, and then flows southeast into Somalia towards Mogadishu. Near Mogadishu, it turns sharply southwest, where it follows the coast. ...

Beledweyne Beledweyne ( so, Beledweyne, ar, بلد وين, it, Belet Uen) is a city in central Somalia. Beledweyne District is the capital city of the Hiran region. The city is situated in the Shebelle Valley riverine near the Ethiopian border, 210 miles ...

in the Hiran region and

Jowhar Jowhar ( so, Jowhar, ar, جوهر) is the capital city of Hirshabelle state of Somalia. Jowhar is also the administrative capital of Middle Shabelle region of Somalia. Along with Baidoa, it used to form the joint administrative capital of ...

in the

Middle Shabelle Middle Shabelle ( so, Shabeellaha Dhexe, ar, شبيلي الوسطى, it, Medio Scebeli) is an administrative region ('' gobol'') in southern Somalia. Overview It is bordered by the Somali regions of Galguduud, Hiran, Lower Shabelle (Shabel ...

region and stretching from the coast immediately south of

to the north of the ancient port town of

Hobyo Hobyo (; so, Hobyo), is an ancient port city in Galmudug state in the north-central Mudug region of Somalia. Hobyo was founded as a coastal outpost by the Ajuran Empire during the 13th century.Lee V. Cassanelli, ''The shaping of Somali society: ...

in the desert central

Mudug Mudug ( so, Mudug; it, Mudugh) is an administrative region ('' gobol'') in north-central Somalia. The population of Mudug is 131,455 as of 2005. Overview Physiographically, Mudug is bordered to the west by Ethiopia,Országismertető - Szomália ...

region. Outside of their traditional territory, they can be found in the regions of

Southwest The points of the compass are a set of horizontal, radially arrayed compass directions (or azimuths) used in navigation and cartography. A compass rose is primarily composed of four cardinal directions—north, east, south, and west—each sepa ...

state and

Jubbaland Jubaland ( so, Jubbaland, ar, , it, Oltregiuba), the Juba Valley ( so, Dooxada Jubba) or Azania ( so, Asaaniya, ar, ), is a Federal Member State in southern Somalia. Its eastern border lies east of the Jubba River, stretching from Gedo t ...

. The Fiqishini subclan of the Habar Gidir inhabit the

Sool Sool ( so, Sool, ar, صول) is an administrative region ('' gobol'') in south eastern Somaliland/north western Somalia. It borders Togdheer to the west, Sanaag to the north, Ethiopia to the south and Nugal, Bari to the east. Its capital city ...

region of

. They are also found in

and

Kenya ) , national_anthem = "Ee Mungu Nguvu Yetu"() , image_map = , map_caption = , image_map2 = , capital = Nairobi , coordinates = , largest_city = Nairobi , ...

Role and Influence in Somalia

The Hawiye have historically played an important role in Somalia. The majority of Somalia's founding fathers hailed from the Hawiye. The first President, Prime Minister and the father of the Somali Military were all Hawiye. Aden Adde the first President was Udeejeen. The first Prime Minister Abdullahi Issa was Habar Gidir. The father of the Somali Military

Daud Abdulle Hirsi General Daud Abdulle Hirsi ( so, Daa'uud Cabdulle Xirsi, ar, داود عبد الله حرسي; 1925–1965) was a Somali police and military officer, who went on to become first Commander of the Somali Armed Forces.Bildhaan, p. 64. Biography ...

was Abgaal. Since then the Hawiye have produced five more Presidents and four more Prime Ministers. The Hawiye figure prominently in many important fields of Somali society, including the Business and Media sector. For example,

Abdirahman Yabarow Abdirahman Yabarow ( so, Cabdiraxmaan Yabarow, ar, عبد الرحمن يابارو) is a Somali journalist. He hails from the Abgaal Hawiye clan. In the early 2000s, Yabarow worked in the UNDP's Documentation Unit. He later served as a Washing ...

, the editor-in-chief of VOA Somali is kin.

Yusuf Garaad Omar Yusuf Garaad Omar ( so, Yuusuf Garaad Cumar, ar, يوسف جراد عمر) (born 26 June 1960 in Mogadishu) is a Somali journalist, diplomat and politician. He previously served as Somalia ambassador to the United Nations and was a senior advi ...

who was the Chairman of BBC Somali for over a decade and helped pioneer its rise during his tenure, is also a member. As are the Heads of major national Corporations -

Jubba Airways Jubba Airways is a Somali airline. It operates domestic passenger and cargo flights within Somalia, as well as to destinations in the Middle East. History The carrier was founded in 1998 by one Calgary-based Somali entrepreneur, Said Nur Qai ...

and

Hormuud Telecom Hormuud Telecom Somalia Inc. is a privately held telecommunications company based in Mogadishu, Somalia. It is the largest telecommunication company and largest private-sector employer in the country, and also Somalia's first private enterprise t ...

. Currently the Hawiye play a leading role in the regions of Galmudug, Hirshabelle and Benadir (Mogadishu), but also Somalia as a whole.

History

According to the 12th-century author Al-Idrisi, the Hawiye clan occupied the coastal areas between

Ras Hafun Ras Hafun ( so, Ras Xaafuun, ar, رأس حـافـون, it, Capo Hafun), also known as Cape Hafun, is a promontory in the northeastern Bari region of Somalia. Jutting out into the Guardafui Channel, it constitutes the easternmost point in Afri ...

and

Merca Merca ( so, Marka, Maay: ''Marky'', ar, مركة) is a historic port city in the southern Lower Shebelle province of Somalia. It is located approximately to the southwest of the nation's capital Mogadishu. Merca is the traditional home territory ...

, as well as the lower basin of the lower

Shabelle The Shebelle River ( so, Webi Shabeelle, ar, نهر شبيلي, am, እደላ) begins in the highlands of Ethiopia, and then flows southeast into Somalia towards Mogadishu. Near Mogadishu, it turns sharply southwest, where it follows the coast. ...

river. Al-Idrisi's mention of the Hawiye is the first documentary reference to a specific Somali group in the Horn of Africa. Later Arab writers also make references to the Hawiye clan in connection with both

and the lower Shabelle valley. Ibn Sa'id (1214–74), for instance, considered Merca to be the capital of the Hawiye, who lived in fifty villages on the bank of a river which he called "the nile of Mogadishu, a clear reference to the

river. Along with

Rahanweyn The Rahanweyn ( Maay: ''Reewin or Roowing'', Northern Somali: ''Raxanweyn'', ar, رحنوين), also known as the Digil and Mirifle () are a Somali clan. It is one of the major Somali clans in the Horn of Africa, with a large territory and dense ...

, the Hawiye clan also came under the

Ajuran Empire The Ajuran Sultanate ( so, Saldanadda Ajuuraan, ar, سلطنة الأجورانية), also natively referred-to as Ajuuraan, and often simply Ajuran, was a Somali Empire in the Middle Ages in the Horn of Africa that dominated the trade in th ...

control in the 13th century that governed much of southern

and eastern

, with its domain extending from

in the north, to Qelafo in the west, to

Kismayo Kismayo ( so, Kismaayo, Maay: ''Kismanyy'', ar, كيسمايو, ; it, Chisimaio) is a port city in the southern Lower Juba (Jubbada Hoose) province of Somalia. It is the commercial capital of the autonomous Jubaland region. The city is situa ...

in the south.Lee V. Cassanelli, ''The shaping of Somali society: reconstructing the history of a pastoral people, 1600-1900'', (University of Pennsylvania Press: 1982), p.102. In this period, Harold Marcus credits the Hawiye as instrumental in Islamizing the communities of what is now southeast Ethiopia and southern Somalia during the 15th and 16th centuries.

Since sections of the Hawiyya were migrating southward before and during Gragn's jihad, it is not inconceivable that they brought certain theocratic notions with them. Indeed, the Ajuran maintained a wakil (governor) in the region around Qallafo. This area was not only the traditional Hawiyya homeland, but also stood midway geographically between the emirates of Harar and the Benaadir, an ideal link for the transmission of political and religious ideas.

Enrico Cerulli, an Author on key Somali social development and early history, mentions the following passage on the growth and succession of the Ajuran Sultanate.Enrico Cerulli, ''Come viveva una tribù Hawiyya'', ( A Cura dell'Amministrazione Fiduciaria Italiana della Somalia ; Instituto poligrafico dello Stato P.V 1959)

The oral sources also provide us with recurrent themes that point to certain structural features of Ajuran rule. The descendants of the Ajuraan (among which are the Gareen imams) can therefore be understood to have inherited the spiritual (Islamic) and the secular (numerical) power provided by the alliance of the first three Hawiyya “brothers”. Ajuran power reposed on the twin pillars of spiritual preeminence and Hawiyya kinship solidarity, a potent combination in the Somali cultural context. In historical terms, a theocratic ideology superimposed on an extensive network of Hawiyya-affiliated clans helped uphold Ajuran dominance over a wide region. The Darandoolle, it should be noted, were part of the Gurqaate, a clan section collateral to the Jambelle Hawiyya from whom Ajuran (and Gareen) is said to have been descended. Intermarriage among the descedants of these uterine brothers on the one hand helped reinforce the solidarity of the Hawiyya. On the other hand, competition between collateral lines was very common in Somalia, particularly where the titular leadership of a larger clan-confederation was at stake. Such a struggle for the dominant place within the Hawiyya-dominated Ajuran confederation may also be reflected in the rise of the Silcis and El Amir in the later years of Ajuran rule. Both are said to have been descedants of Gurqaate Hawiyya, as were the Abgaal Darandoolle. Thus it can be argued that the dominant groups which appeared toward the end of the Ajuran era—the Darandoolle near Muqdisho, the Silcis near Afgooye, and the El Amir in Marka—represent the partition of the Ajuran imamate among collateral Hawiyya sections. Or perhaps one branch of the Hawiyya—namely the Gurqaate—forcibly replaced another (the Jambelle) as leaders of the clan.

The

Hiraab Imamate The Hiraab Imamate ( so, Saldanadda Hiraab) also known as the Yacquubi Dynasty was a Somali kingdom that ruled parts of the Horn of Africa during the late 17th century and 19th century until it was incorporated into Italian Somaliland. The Imamate ...

was the main successor state of

Ajuran Sultanate The Ajuran Sultanate ( so, Saldanadda Ajuuraan, ar, سلطنة الأجورانية), also natively referred-to as Ajuuraan, and often simply Ajuran, was a Somali Empire in the Middle Ages in the Horn of Africa that dominated the trade in th ...

. The reason for their rebellion was the Ajuran rulers, in the end, became extremely prideful, neglected the sharia law, and imposed a heavy tax on their subjects which was the main reason for the rebellion. Other groups would follow in the rebellion which would eventually bring down Ajuran rule in the inter-riverine region and Benadir coast. Lee Cassanelli in his book, ''The Shaping of Somali society'', provides a historical picture of the Hiraab Imamate. He writes:

"According to local oral tradition, the Hiraab imamate was a powerful alliance of closely related groups who shared a common lineage under the Gorgaarte clan divisions. It successfully revolted against the
Ajuran Empire The Ajuran Sultanate ( so, Saldanadda Ajuuraan, ar, سلطنة الأجورانية), also natively referred-to as Ajuuraan, and often simply Ajuran, was a Somali Empire in the Middle Ages in the Horn of Africa that dominated the trade in th ...
and established an independent rule for at least two centuries from the seventeen hundreds and onwards. The alliance involved the army leaders and advisors of the
Habar Gidir The Habar Gidir (Somali: Habar Gidir, Arabic: هبر جدير) is a major subclan of the Hawiye. The clan has produced many prominent Somali figures, including the first Prime Minister of Somalia Abdullahi Issa Mohamud and Somalia's fifth Presid ...
and
Duduble The Hiraab is a Somali clan of the larger Hawiye. The are decendents of gorgaarte hawiye. Gorgaarte hawiye is part of six major hawiye clans. Members live in central and southern Somalia, from Galkayo to kismaayo. They are also present in Ethiopi ...
, a Fiqhi/Qadi of
Sheekhaal The Sheekhaal (var. Sheikhaal ( ar, شيخال), also known as Fiqi Omar, is a Somali clan. They inhabit Somalia, Ethiopia, Djibouti and with considerable numbers also found in the Northern Frontier District (NFD) in Kenya. Overview Sheekh ...
, and the Imam was reserved for the
Mudulood The Hawiye ( so, Hawiye, ar, بنو هوية, it, Hauija) is the largest Somali clan family. Members of this clan traditionally inhabit central and southern Somalia, Somaliland, Ethiopia ( Somali, Harar, Oromia and Afar regions) and the No ...
branch who is believed to have been the first born. Once established, the Imamate ruled the territories from the Shabeelle valley, the Benaadir provinces, the Mareeg areas all the way to the arid lands of
Mudug Mudug ( so, Mudug; it, Mudugh) is an administrative region ('' gobol'') in north-central Somalia. The population of Mudug is 131,455 as of 2005. Overview Physiographically, Mudug is bordered to the west by Ethiopia,Országismertető - Szomália ...
, whilst the ancient port of
Hobyo Hobyo (; so, Hobyo), is an ancient port city in Galmudug state in the north-central Mudug region of Somalia. Hobyo was founded as a coastal outpost by the Ajuran Empire during the 13th century.Lee V. Cassanelli, ''The shaping of Somali society: ...
emerged as the commercial center and
Mogadishu Mogadishu (, also ; so, Muqdisho or ; ar, مقديشو ; it, Mogadiscio ), locally known as Xamar or Hamar, is the capital and List of cities in Somalia by population, most populous city of Somalia. The city has served as an important port ...
being its capital for the newly established Hiraab Imamate in the late 17th century. Hobyo served as a prosperous commercial centre for the Imamate. The agricultural centres of El Dher and
Harardhere Harardhere (, so, Xarardheere) is a historic town in the Mudug province of Somalia. It is situated in the autonomous Galmudug state and serves as the capital of the Harardhere District. History For most of its history, Harardhere was a histor ...
included the production of sorghum and beans, supplementing with herds of camels, cattle, goats and sheep. Livestock, hides and skin, whilst the aromatic woods and raisins were the primary exports as rice, other foodstuffs and clothes were imported. Merchants looking for exotic goods came to Hobyo to buy textiles, precious metals and pearls. The commercial goods harvested along the
Shabelle The Shebelle River ( so, Webi Shabeelle, ar, نهر شبيلي, am, እደላ) begins in the highlands of Ethiopia, and then flows southeast into Somalia towards Mogadishu. Near Mogadishu, it turns sharply southwest, where it follows the coast. ...
river were brought to Hobyo for trade. Also, the increasing importance and rapid settlement of more southerly cities such as
Mogadishu Mogadishu (, also ; so, Muqdisho or ; ar, مقديشو ; it, Mogadiscio ), locally known as Xamar or Hamar, is the capital and List of cities in Somalia by population, most populous city of Somalia. The city has served as an important port ...
further boosted the prosperity of
Hobyo Hobyo (; so, Hobyo), is an ancient port city in Galmudug state in the north-central Mudug region of Somalia. Hobyo was founded as a coastal outpost by the Ajuran Empire during the 13th century.Lee V. Cassanelli, ''The shaping of Somali society: ...
, as more and more ships made their way down the Somali coast and stopped in Hobyo to trade and replenish their supplies. The economy of the Hawiye in the interior includes the predominant nomadic pastoralism, and to some extent, cultivation within agricultural settlements in the riverine area, as well as mercantile commerce along the urban coast. At various points throughout history, trade of modern and ancient commodities by the Hawiye through maritime routes included cattle skin,
slave Slavery and enslavement are both the state and the condition of being a slave—someone forbidden to quit one's service for an enslaver, and who is treated by the enslaver as property. Slavery typically involves slaves being made to perf ...
s,
ivory Ivory is a hard, white material from the tusks (traditionally from elephants) and teeth of animals, that consists mainly of dentine, one of the physical structures of teeth and tusks. The chemical structure of the teeth and tusks of mammals is ...
and
ambergris Ambergris ( or , la, ambra grisea, fro, ambre gris), ''ambergrease'', or grey amber is a solid, waxy, flammable substance of a dull grey or blackish colour produced in the digestive system of sperm whales. Freshly produced ambergris has a mari ...
. Soon afterwards, the entire region was snapped up by the fascists Italians and it led to the birth of a Modern Somalia. However, the Hiraab hereditary leadership has remained intact up to this day and enjoys a dominant influence in national Somali affairs."

Clan tree

There is no clear agreement on the clan and sub-clan structures and many lineages are omitted. Ali Jimale Ahmed outlines his genealogical clan tree of the Hawiye in ''The Invention of Somalia''. *

**Irir ***Hawiye ****

Karanle The Karanle is a major Somali, sub clan of Hawiye. The Karanle inhabit Galgaduud, Banadir, Mogadishu, Hiiraan, Shabeellaha Hoose, Lower Juba and Mudug regions in Somalia; the Somali Region of Ethiopia; the region of Oromia surrounding the city of ...

*****Kaariye Karanle *****Gidir Karanle *****Seexawle Karanle *****Murursade Karanle ******Sabti ******Foorculus ****Gugundhabe *****Baadicadde *****Jidle alias

Murule The Hawiye ( so, Hawiye, ar, بنو هوية, it, Hauija) is the largest Somali clan family. Members of this clan traditionally inhabit central and southern Somalia, Somaliland, Ethiopia ( Somali, Harar, Oromia and Afar regions) and the N ...

br>
*****Jajeele ****Gorgaarte *****Hiraab ******Mudulood *******Wacdaan *******Moobleen *******Udeejeen ******* Abgaal ********Harti *********Agoonyar *********Warsangeli *********Awbakar ********Wacbuudhan *********Daa'uud *********Reer Mataan *********Maxamed Muuse ********Waceysle *********Cabdiraxmaan *********Macalin Dhiblaawe ******Duduble ******

Habar Gidir The Habar Gidir (Somali: Habar Gidir, Arabic: هبر جدير) is a major subclan of the Hawiye. The clan has produced many prominent Somali figures, including the first Prime Minister of Somalia Abdullahi Issa Mohamud and Somalia's fifth Presid ...

******* Sacad ********Reer Ayaanle ********Reer Hilowle ********Reer Jalaf *******Saleebaan *******Cayr *******Saruur *****Wadalaan *****

Silcis The Silcis (sometimes spelled "Sil'is" or "Seles" in historical texts) are a Somali subclan. They are part of the Gorgarte subclan of the Hawiye clan, which is one of the major clans of Somali people. The Silcis inhabit the traditional coastal regi ...

****Jambeelle *****Hintire ****Xaskul ****Raarane NOTE The Xawaadle, Saransoor (Gaaljecel, Dagoodi, Ciise, Masarre, Tuuf Garre) and Ajuuraan are historically counted as Hawiye lineages under Gorgaarte, Gugundhabe and Jambeelle, respectively. The Sheekhaal are similarly said to be descendants of Hiraab.

Notable Hawiye figures

Rulers

Ahmad ibn Ibrahim al-Ghazi Ahmad ibn Ibrahim al-Ghazi ( so, Axmed Ibraahim al-Qaasi or Axmed Gurey, Harari: አሕመድ ኢብራሂም አል-ጋዚ, ar, أحمد بن إبراهيم الغازي ; 1506 – 21 February 1543) was an imam and general of the Adal Sultan ...

, Somali

Imam Imam (; ar, إمام '; plural: ') is an Islamic leadership position. For Sunni Muslims, Imam is most commonly used as the title of a worship leader of a mosque. In this context, imams may lead Islamic worship services, lead prayers, ser ...

and General of the

Adal Sultanate The Adal Sultanate, or the Adal Empire or the ʿAdal or the Bar Saʿad dīn (alt. spelling ''Adel Sultanate, ''Adal ''Sultanate'') () was a medieval Sunni Muslim Empire which was located in the Horn of Africa. It was founded by Sabr ad-Din ...

, Ruler of

and Conqueror of Ethiopia *

Sheikh Hassan Barsane Sheikh Hassan Barsame ( so, Sheekh Xasan Barsane; ar, الشيخ حسن البرصمي) was a Somali cleric and religious scholar. He was best known for having led a revolt against Italian colonial forces after World War I. Early life Barsame ...

, Religious and National Anti Colonial leader * Olol Dinle, Last Sultan of the Ajuran Sultanate

Politicians

* Abdullahi Issa, Prime Minister of Somalia, 1956–1960 *

Aden Abdullah Osman Daar Aden Abdulle Osman Daar ( so, Aadan Cabdulle Cismaan Dacar, ar, آدم عبد الله عثمان دعر) (December 9, 1908 – June 8, 2007), popularly known as Aden Adde, was a Somali politician who served as the first president of the So ...

, President of Somalia, 1960–1967 *

Haji Farah Ali Omar Haji Farah Ali Omar ( so, Xaaji Faarax Cali Cumar, ar, الحاج فرح علي عمر) (1907unknown) was born in the town of jamaame, situated in the lower jubba region of Somalia, and was a Somali politician. He was a senior official in the go ...

, Deputy Prime Minister of Somalia, 1967–1969 *

Hussein Kulmiye Afrah Hussein Kulmiye Afrah ( so, Xuseen Kulmiye Afrax, ar, أفراح حسين) (1920 – 1993) was Vice President of Somalia in the era of Siad Barre between 1972 and 1990. He was also a member of the Supreme Revolutionary Council. Post Civil W ...

, Vice President of Somalia, 1969–1991 *

Mohamed Ibrahim Liqliiqato Mohamed Ibrahim Liqliqato (1921, Kismayo, Italian Somaliland – 1998) was a Somali military and political leader, worked as an ambassador, minister, speaker of the Parliament and was prominent figure of Siyad Barre's rule in Somalia. In 1964 L ...

, President of the National Assembly, 1969–1991 *

Ali Mahdi Muhammad Ali Mahdi Muhammad ( so, Cali Mahdi Maxamed, ar, علي مهدي محمد) (1 January 1939 – 10 March 2021) was a Somali entrepreneur and politician. He served as President of Somalia from 26 January 1991 to 3 January 1997. The Cairo Agreeme ...

, President of Somalia, 1991–2000 * Abdiqasim Salad Hassan, President of Somalia, 2000–2004 *

Ali Mohammed Ghedi Ali Mohammed Gedi ( so, Cali Maxamed Geeddi, ar, علي محمد جيدي) (born 2 October 1952), popularly known as Ali Gedi, was the Prime Minister of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) of Somalia from 2004 to 2007. He was relatively un ...

, Prime Minister of Somalia, 2004–2007 *

Nur Hassan Hussein Nur Hassan Hussein ( so, Nuur Xasan Xuseen Cadde, ar, نور حسن حسين‎; 2 February 1938 – 1 April 2020), popularly known as Nur Adde, was a Somali politician, who served as Prime Minister of Somalia from November 2007 to February 2 ...

, Prime Minister of Somalia, 2007–2009 *

Sharif Ahmed Sharif Sheikh Ahmed ( so, Shariif Sheekh Axmed, ar, شريف شيخ أحمد; born 25 July 1964) is a Somali politician who served as President of Somalia from 2009 to 2012. He is the founder and leader of Himilo Qaran political party and ...

, President of Somalia, 2009–2012 *

Hassan Sheikh Mohamud Hassan Sheikh Mohamud ( so, Xasan Sheekh Maxamuud, ar, حسن شيخ محمود; born 29 November 1955) is a Somali politician who has served as the president of Somalia since May 2022. He is the founder and current chairman of the Union for ...

, President of Somalia, 2012–2017, 2022–Current *

Hassan Ali Khaire Hassan Ali Khaire (or alternatively transliterated as Hassan Ali Khayre, so, Xasan Cali Khayre, ar, حسن علي خيري; born 1967), popularly known as Hassan Khaire, is a Somali activist and politician and is the former Prime Minister of S ...

, Prime Minister of Somalia, 2017–2020 *

Mohamed Hussein Roble Mohamed Hussein Roble ( so, Maxamed Xuseen Rooble; born February 1968) is a Somali politician who was the prime minister of Somalia from 23 September 2020. to 25 June 2022. Background He was born in Hobyo in February 1968. He received a BSc i ...

, Prime Minister of Somalia, 2020–2021 * Abdullahi Ahmed Addow, Somali Ambassador to the United States 1970–1980 * Abdi Mude Ibrahim, Current Lafey Constituency Kenyan Member of National Assembly/Parliament, 2017–2022 *

Abdirahman Janaqow Abdirahman Mahmud Farah Janaqow ( so, Cabdiraxmaan Maxamuud Faarax Janaqoow) is a Somali leader, and he was deputy chairman, and a member of the Islamic Courts Union of Somalia (ICU). He and other leaders signed a capitulation of Mogadishu on 2 ...

, Executive Chairman of the Islamic Courts Union of Somalia (ICU), Minister of Justice * Abukar Umar Adani, Islamist, Tycoon, Owner of the El-Ma`an Port which served as Mogadishu's temporary Port since its closure in 1995 * Bashir Raghe Shiiraar, Leader of the US-backed Alliance for Peace and the Fight Against International Terrorism * Shaaban Ali Issack , Former Kenyan Member of National Assembly/Parliament, Assistant Minister for Urban Development, 1995–2007 * Hassan Mohamed Hussein Mungab, Mayor of Mogadishu, Chief of the Somali Supreme Court, 2012–2016 * Mohamed Abdi Hassan, Entrepreneur, Chief Architect who captured the

MV Sirius Star MV Manifa (formerly MV ''Sirius Star'') is an oil tanker formally owned and operated by Vela International Marine. With a length overall of and a capacity of of crude oil, she is classified as a very large crude carrier or VLCC. Vela is bas ...

Ship, 2008 *

Mohamed Afrah Qanyare Mohamed Qanyare Afrah ( so, Maxamed Qanyare Afrax, ar, محمد افراح قنياري}(1941) was a Somali faction leader and politician who was based south of Mogadishu in the Daynile District. He came in third position in Somalia's first el ...

, Politician, Businessman, Former Presidential Candidate in the 2004 elections *

Mohamed Nur Mohamoud Ahmed Nur ( so, Maxamed Nuur, ar, محمد نور) is a Somali politician. He served as the Mayor of Mogadishu from 2010 to 27 February 2014. Background Personal life Nur was born to a family from the Udejeen sub-clan of the Hawiye. ...

, Popular Mayor of Mogadishu, 2009–2012, famously nicknamed ''Tarzan'' * Mohamed Moallim Hassan, Politician who served as Minister of Fishery and Marine Resources of Somalia, 2010-2011 *

Mohamed Hussein Ali Mohamed Hussein Ali is a Kenyan politician. He belongs to the Orange Democratic Movement and was elected to represent the Mandera East Constituency in the National Assembly of Kenya since the 2007 Kenyan parliamentary election General ele ...

, Former Kenyan Member of National Assembly/Parliament, 2007-2013 * Omar Maalim, Current Mandera Town Constituency Kenyan Member of National Assembly/Parliament, 2017-2022

Military personnel

*Haji Firhad, Dervish Commander, Diplomat to Abyssinia, mentioned in the Geoffrey Archer's 1916 important members of Darawiish haroun list *

, First Commander-In-Chief of the Somali National Forces in 1960, Commanding Officer of the 1964 Ethiopian–Somali Border War *Mohamud Barre Faytaan, First Chief of the Somali Air Defence Corps and later

Somali Airlines Somali Airlines was the flag carrier of Somalia. Established in 1964, it offered flights to both domestic and international destinations. It operated Boeing 720Bs, Boeing 707-300s and Airbus A310-300s on a network to the Middle East and Europe ...

*Mohamed Abdulle Halane, Martyr of the 1964 Ethiopian–Somali Border War and commemorated in the landmarks Daljirka Dahsoon and Halane Training Camp (formely Forte Bottego) *Mohamed Ali "Dhagaxtuur", SYL Horseed Militia leader, Martyr of the 1948 riots in Mogadishu following the visit of the Four-Power Commission dubbed Dagaalkii Hanoolaato, commemorated in Dhagaxtuur Monument *Osman Sheikh Mao, First Commander of the

Somali Navy The Somali Navy ( so, Ciidamada Badda Soomaaliyeed, ar, القوات البحرية الصومالية ''Al-Quwwat al-Bahriyah as-Sumaliyah'') is the naval warfare service branch of the Somali Armed Forces. During the post-independence period, t ...

Salaad Gabeyre Kediye Salaad Gabeyre Kediye ( so, Salaad Gabeyre Kediye, 1933 – 3 July 1972), also known as Salah Gaveire Kedie, was a Somali senior military official and a revolutionary who was executed by the Siad Barre regime. Biography Kediye was born in Harard ...

, Brigadier General, Father of the 1969 ''Kacaan'' Revolution *

Mohamed Farrah Aidid Mohamed Farrah Hassan Aidid ( so, Maxamed Faarax Xasan Caydiid; ar, محمد فرح حسن عيديد; 15 December 1934 – 1 August 1996) was a Somali general and diplomat. Educated in both Rome and Moscow, he served as a chief in the Italian ...

, Chairman of the

United Somali Congress The United Somali Congress (USC) was one of the major rebel organizations in Somalia. Formed in 1987, it played a leading role in the ouster of the government of Siad Barre in 1991, and became a target of the Unified Task Force campaign in 199 ...

that toppled Dictator Siad Barre, battled US Delta forces and UNOSOM during Operation Restore Hope and a self declared President of Somalia before his Death, 1987–1996 *

Ahmed Maxamed Xasan Ahmed Mohamed Hassan ( so, Axmed Maxamed Xasan, ar, أحمد محمد حسن) (born April 1, 1953) is a Somali former Air Force pilot known for refusing to follow his orders to bomb the city of Hargeisa, Somalia's second capital during the dic ...

, Lieutenant Colonel who famously refused government orders to bomb

Hargeisa Hargeisa (; so, Hargeysa, ar, هرجيسا) is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Somaliland. It is located in the Maroodi Jeex region of the Horn of Africa. It succeeded Burco as the capital of the British Somaliland Protector ...

in the lead up to the Civil War, 1988–1991 *

Abdi Hasan Awale Qeybdiid Abdi Hasan Awale or Abdi Qeybdiid ( so, Cabdi Xasan Cawaale (Qeybdiid), ar, عبدي حسن عوالي قيبديد; born 1948) is a Somali politician. Personal life Abdi Hasan Awale was born in 1948 in Galkacyo, Somalia. He is a member of the ...

, Longest reigning Police Commissioner, dubbed ''Tiger Abdi'' in the infamous Black Hawk Down *

Hassan Dahir Aweys Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys (English: ( so, Xasan Daahir Aweys, ( ar, حسن طاهر أويس; born 1935) is a Somali political figure from the Habargidir/Ayr subclan within the Hawiye clan. During the regime of Siad Barre, Aweys was a colonel i ...

, Decorated Colonel of the Ogaden War, Founder of the

Islamic Courts Union The Islamic Courts Union ( so, Midowga Maxkamadaha Islaamiga) was a legal and political organization formed to address the lawlessness that had been gripping Somalia since the fall of the Siad Barre regime in 1991 during the Somali Civil War. Th ...

Leading intellectuals

Hussein Sheikh Ahmed Kaddare Hussein Sheikh Ahmed Kaddare ( so, Xuseen Sheekh Axmed Kaddare, ar, حسين الشيخ أحمد كاداري; March 2 1934 – February 2015) was a Somali inventor, linguist, and researcher in Somali traditions and folklore. Kaddare contribute ...

, Linguist, Author of the Kaddariya script, 1952 *

Ismail Jim'ale Osoble Dr. Ismail Jim'ale Osoble ( so, Ismaaciil Jimcaale Cosoble, ar, اسماعيل جمعال عسبلي) was a Somali lawyer and the Minister of Information in the government of Aden Abdullah Osman Daar shortly before the military coup d'état of 19 ...

, Lawyer, Minister of Information 1967–1969, Author of the Somali Manifesto of 1990 * Abdi Mohamed Ulusso, Writer, 2004 Presidential Candidate *

, Editor-in-Chief of the VOA Somali Service *

Abdulkadir Yahya Ali Abdikadir Yahya Ali ( so, Cabdiqaadir Yaxye Cali) (1957 – July 12, 2005), was a Somali peace activist best known for his work through his own Centre for Research and Dialogue. Yahya also worked from time to time as an independent consultant giv ...

, Peace Activist, Founder of the Center for Research and Dialogue *

Ali Jimale Ali Jimale Ahmed ( so, Cali Jimcaale Axmed ) is a Somali poet, essayist, scholar, and short story writer. He hails from the Abgaal sub clan of Hawiye Biography Ahmed holds a Ph.D. from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Current ...

, Educator at the City University of New York * Ali Sheikh Ahmed, Dual President of Mogadishu University and Al-Islaah * Elman Ali Ahmed, Entrepreneur and Social Activist * Hilowle Imam Omar, Chairman of the Somali Civil War Reconciliation Program * Hussein Ali Shido, Founding member of the United Somali Congress * Ibrahim Hassan Addou, Former Professor of Washington University, Foreign Minister of the

in 2006 *

Sheikh Omar Iman Abubakar Sheikh (pronounced or ; ar, شيخ ' , mostly pronounced , plural ' )—also transliterated sheekh, sheyikh, shaykh, shayk, shekh, shaik and Shaikh, shak—is an honorific title in the Arabic language. It commonly designates a chief of a ...

, Professor and Researcher in Hadith Studies, Chairman of

Hizbul Islam Hizbul Islam ("Islamic Party"), also known as Hizbul Islaami, Hisbi Islam, or Hezb-ul Islam, was a Somali Islamist group formed after four Islamist groups merged to oppose the new Somali government of President Sheikh Sharif Ahmed. The four gr ...

Music and literature

* Abdi Bashiir Indhobuur, Poet and Composer * Abdulle Geedannaar, Poet *

Hasan Adan Samatar Hasan Adan Samatar ( so, Xasan Aadan Samatar, ar, حسن اذن ساماتار) (b. May 23, 1953 in Diinsoor, Somalia) is a prominent Somali singer, guitarist and theatrical performer. Biography Samatar was born to an artistic family in Dins ...

, Famous Musician in the 1970s and 1980s *

K'naan Keinan Abdi Warsame (born 1 February 1978) ( so, Keynaan Cabdi Warsame, ar, كَينَان عَبدِ وَرسَمَ ''Kaynān ʿAbdi Warsama''), better known by his stage name K'naan (), is a Somali Canadians, Somali-Canadian musician. He ...

, Somali-Canadian Poet, Rapper and Musician *

Magool Magool ( so, Xaliimo Khaliif Cumar, (May 2, 1948 – March 19, 2004), born Halima Khaliif Omar, was a Somali singer. Early years Magool was born in the city of Dhuusamareeb the capital of the Galgaduud region in central Somalia to Cayr, Hawiy ...

(Halima Khalif Omar), Musician

Political factions and organizations

* Alliance for the Restoration of Peace and Counter-Terrorism (ARPCT) a Somali alliance created by various faction leaders and entrepreneurs * Hizbul Shabaab, the Youth Movement wing of the ICU before ceding the organisation to Aden Hashi Farah "Eyrow" *

(ICU), a rival administration to the Transitional Federal Government. *

Juba Valley Alliance The Juba Valley Alliance (JVA; Somali: ''Isbahaysiga Dooxada Jubba'') is a political faction of the Somali Civil War. It was the primary opponent of the Somali Patriotic Movement (SPM) and the Somali Reconciliation and Restoration Council (SRRC ...

(JVA), primary opponent of the Somali Patriotic Movement *

Somali National Alliance The Somali National Alliance (abbreviated SNA) was a political alliance formed on 16 June 1992 by four different rebel groups that had been in opposition to the regime of Somali President Siad Barre. They would represent one of the major faction ...

(SNA), formed by Mohamed Farrah Aidid * Somali Salvation Army (SSA), the

branch of the United Somali Congress *

(USC), formed in 1987, played a leading role in the ouster of the dictatorship

References

Sources

* * * {{Somali clans Somali clans in Ethiopia