Sanag ( so, Sanaag, ar, سَنَاج) is an administrative region (''
gobol'') in north eastern
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 ...
.
[Regions of Somalia](_blank)
Sanaag has a long coastline facing the
Gulf of Aden
The Gulf of Aden ( ar, خليج عدن, so, Gacanka Cadmeed 𐒅𐒖𐒐𐒕𐒌 𐒋𐒖𐒆𐒗𐒒) is a deepwater gulf of the Indian Ocean between Yemen to the north, the Arabian Sea to the east, Djibouti to the west, and the Guardafui Channe ...
to the north, and is bordered by the region of
Sahil to the west,
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 ...
to the south and
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 ...
to the east. The region is disputed by the self-declared Republic of
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 ...
and
Puntland
Puntland ( so, Puntland, ar, أرض البنط, it, Terra di Punt or ''Paese di Punt''), officially the Puntland State of Somalia ( so, Dowlad Goboleedka Puntland ee Soomaaliya, ar, ولاية أرض البنط الصومالية), is a F ...
, a Federal Member State of
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 ...
. Its capital city is
Erigavo
Erigavo ( so, Ceerigaabo, ), also spelled as Erigabo, is the capital and largest city of the Sanaag region of Somaliland.
History
The Erigavo settlement is several centuries old. The surrounding area was supposedly built by the Madigan Dir. ...
. Sanaag is the largest region of Somaliland, accounting for 35% of Somaliland's total land area.
The region is partially controlled by
Puntland
Puntland ( so, Puntland, ar, أرض البنط, it, Terra di Punt or ''Paese di Punt''), officially the Puntland State of Somalia ( so, Dowlad Goboleedka Puntland ee Soomaaliya, ar, ولاية أرض البنط الصومالية), is a F ...
and Somaliland.
Puntland disputes the
Harti
Harti ( so, Harti, ar, هرتي), meaning "strong man", is a Somali clan family that is part of the Darod clan. The major sub-clans include the Majeerteen, Dhulbahante, Warsangali, Tinle, Maganlabe and Dishiishe, while other minor sub-clans ...
inhabited parts of region as being part of Somaliland while the later claims the entire region based on the
British Somaliland
British Somaliland, officially the Somaliland Protectorate ( so, Dhulka Maxmiyada Soomaalida ee Biritishka), was a British Empire, British protectorate in present-day Somaliland. During its existence, the territory was bordered by Italian Soma ...
boundaries.
Territorial dispute
The Sanaag region is disputed between Somaliland and
Puntland
Puntland ( so, Puntland, ar, أرض البنط, it, Terra di Punt or ''Paese di Punt''), officially the Puntland State of Somalia ( so, Dowlad Goboleedka Puntland ee Soomaaliya, ar, ولاية أرض البنط الصومالية), is a F ...
. Somaliland effectively controls the western and central parts of Sanaag. Puntland has effective control over
Badhan and other areas in the east.
Somaliland has declared its claim to all of Sanaag, but some areas (that it struggles to control) do not actually participate in Somaliland's elections.
History
From 1944 to 1974, modern-day Sanaag region was one of three districts of the Burao region. The other two districts were Burao and Las Anod.
Sanaag was carved out of
Togdheer
Togdheer ( so, Togdheer, ar, تُوْجْدَيْر, Tūjdayr) is an administrative region ('' gobol'') in central Somaliland. Togdheer is bordered by Maroodi Jeex to the west, Saaxil to the north, Sanaag to the northeast, Sool to the east and ...
region and was established as a separate region on June 23, 1973, comprising the three districts of
Erigavo
Erigavo ( so, Ceerigaabo, ), also spelled as Erigabo, is the capital and largest city of the Sanaag region of Somaliland.
History
The Erigavo settlement is several centuries old. The surrounding area was supposedly built by the Madigan Dir. ...
,
Las Qorey
Las Khorey ( so, Laasqoray, ar, لاسقُرَى ) is a historic coastal town in the Sanaag region of Somaliland.
History
The Las Khorey settlement is several centuries old. Between the town and El Ayo lies Karinhegane, a site containing numer ...
and
Garadag
Garadag ( so, Gar Adag, ) is a key town in the Sanaag region of Somaliland.
Overview
Garadag was founded in 1934 and is located northwest of Xudun and east by road from War Idaad. One of the main Landmarks of the town is "Geedka Garadag", a fam ...
.
Sanaag is home to numerous
archaeological site
An archaeological site is a place (or group of physical sites) in which evidence of past activity is preserved (either prehistoric or historic or contemporary), and which has been, or may be, investigated using the discipline of archaeology an ...
s, with rock art, ancient ruins, buildings and
cairn
A cairn is a man-made pile (or stack) of stones raised for a purpose, usually as a marker or as a burial mound. The word ''cairn'' comes from the gd, càrn (plural ).
Cairns have been and are used for a broad variety of purposes. In prehis ...
s found at numerous sites, such as
Gudmo Biyo Cas
Gudmo Biyo Cas is a town located in the Sanaag region of Somaliland. It is the site of numerous archaeological structures and rock art.
The town is inhabited by the Bahsanbuur sub-division of the Habr Je'lo
The Habr Je'lo ( so, Habar Jeclo, ...
,
Heis,
Maydh
Maydh (also transliterated as Mait or Meit) (, ) is an ancient port city in the eastern Sanaag region of Somaliland.
History
Antiquity
According to Augustus Henry Keane, Maydh represents an early center of dispersal of the Somali people. Nationa ...
,
Haylan
Haylan ( so, Heylaan), is a town in the eastern Sanaag region of Somaliland.
Overview
An old settlement, Haylan is the site of numerous ancient ruins and buildings, many of obscure origins. Northeastern Somalia in general is home to numero ...
,
Qa'ableh,
Qombo'ul
Qombo'ul ( so, Qumbucul) is a very old and historical town in the eastern Sanaag region of Somaliland.
Overview
Qombo'ul lies approximately 40 km east of Badhan, on the road to Bosaso and west of the town of Mindigale.
An old settlement tha ...
,
Gelweita
Gelweita ( so, 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.
Overview
Gelweita is at an altitude of 7500ft and is near a plateau. The archeolog ...
and
El Ayo
El Ayo ( so, Ceelaayo, ar, عيلايو), also known as El Ayum, is a coastal town in the eastern Sanaag region of Somaliland, near the border with Somalia. There is a base of the Puntland Maritime Police Force, which is effectively controlled ...
. However, many of these old structures have yet to be properly explored, a process which would help shed further light on local history and facilitate their preservation for posterity.
[Michael Hodd, ''East African Handbook'', (Trade & Travel Publications: 1994), p.640.]
Sanaag is also home to the ruined Islamic city of
Maduna
Maduna ( so, Maduuna) is a medieval town in western Sanaag region of Somaliland, near El Afweyn.
History
The ruined Islamic city of Maduna is considered the most substantial and most accessible ruin of its type in Somaliland. The main feature o ...
near
El Afweyn
El Afweyn ( so, Ceelafweyn, ) is a town in the Sanaag region of Somaliland.
El Afweyn is a major historical town in western Sanaag region and sits at the major road connecting the cities of Burao and Erigavo. By road, the town is approximately 28 ...
, which is considered the most substantial and most accessible ruin of its type in Somaliland.
The main feature of the ruined city includes a large rectangular mosque, its 3 metre high walls still standing and which include a mihrab and possibly several smaller arched niches.
Swedish-Somali archaeologist
Sada Mire
Sada Mire (born July 1976) (Somali: ''Sacda Mire'', Arabic: سعدة ميرة) is a Swedish-Somali archaeologist, art historian and presenter who currently serves as assistant professor at the faculty of archeology, Leiden University. She is a ...
dates the ruined city to the 15th–17th centuries.
Environment
A severe
drought
A drought is defined as drier than normal conditions.Douville, H., K. Raghavan, J. Renwick, R.P. Allan, P.A. Arias, M. Barlow, R. Cerezo-Mota, A. Cherchi, T.Y. Gan, J. Gergis, D. Jiang, A. Khan, W. Pokam Mba, D. Rosenfeld, J. Tierney, an ...
in the region in the early part of the 21st century caused an 80% or greater loss of livestock, though two good
rainy seasons in 2004–2005 helped restore the area. Over a 15-year period of analysis, from 1988–2003, there was a 52% loss of
forest
A forest is an area of land dominated by trees. Hundreds of definitions of forest are used throughout the world, incorporating factors such as tree density, tree height, land use, legal standing, and ecological function. The United Nations' ...
and a 40% loss of
grassland
A grassland is an area where the vegetation is dominated by grasses (Poaceae). However, sedge (Cyperaceae) and rush (Juncaceae) can also be found along with variable proportions of legumes, like clover, and other herbs. Grasslands occur natur ...
, and a 370% increase in bare land. Soil
erosion
Erosion is the action of surface processes (such as water flow or wind) that removes soil, rock, or dissolved material from one location on the Earth's crust, and then transports it to another location where it is deposited. Erosion is distin ...
due to
weather
Weather is the state of the atmosphere, describing for example the degree to which it is hot or cold, wet or dry, calm or stormy, clear or cloudy. On Earth, most weather phenomena occur in the lowest layer of the planet's atmosphere, the ...
and human activities and clearing of wood and brush for such uses as
charcoal
Charcoal is a lightweight black carbon residue produced by strongly heating wood (or other animal and plant materials) in minimal oxygen to remove all water and volatile constituents. In the traditional version of this pyrolysis process, cal ...
and fuel are issues leading to a degradation of the environment.
Economy
In recent history, the Sanaag region normally maintained a diverse economy, producing and then exporting to other regions, it produced
livestock
Livestock are the domesticated animals raised in an agricultural setting to provide labor and produce diversified products for consumption such as meat, eggs, milk, fur, leather, and wool. The term is sometimes used to refer solely to animals ...
,
frankincense
Frankincense (also known as olibanum) is an aromatic resin used in incense and perfumes, obtained from trees of the genus ''Boswellia'' in the family Burseraceae. The word is from Old French ('high-quality incense').
There are several species o ...
, and leather for export, this was happening while the region lacked basic
infrastructure
Infrastructure is the set of facilities and systems that serve a country, city, or other area, and encompasses the services and facilities necessary for its economy, households and firms to function. Infrastructure is composed of public and priv ...
, but sadly, after the outbreak of civil war the region's economy collapsed from loss of markets and dilapidated
infrastructure
Infrastructure is the set of facilities and systems that serve a country, city, or other area, and encompasses the services and facilities necessary for its economy, households and firms to function. Infrastructure is composed of public and priv ...
has never helped, and lack of investment. Now the region only supports one main economy,
livestock
Livestock are the domesticated animals raised in an agricultural setting to provide labor and produce diversified products for consumption such as meat, eggs, milk, fur, leather, and wool. The term is sometimes used to refer solely to animals ...
rearing. The Somali livestock ban imposed by Gulf countries in which was Sanaag's largest market has virtually destroyed the economy in the region, reducing purchasing power and forcing pastoralists in the region to survive on subsistence activities.
Demographics
The region is mainly inhabited by people from the
Somali ethnic group, principally the
Habr Yunis
The Habar Yoonis ( ar, هبر يونس , Full Name: '' Said ibn Al-Qādhī Ismā'īl ibn ash-Shaykh Isḥāq ibn Aḥmad bin Muḥammad bin al-Ḥusayn al-Hāshimīy'' ) alternatively spelled as Habr Yunis is a major clan part of the sub-clan ...
and
Habar Jeclo
The Habr Je'lo ( so, Habar Jeclo, ar, هبر جعلو , Full Name: ''Mūsa ibn Ishaaq bin Ahmed, ash-Shaykh Isḥāq ibn Aḥmad,'' historically known as the Habr Toljaala ( so, Habar Toljeclo) is a major sub-tribe of the wider Isaaq family. I ...
sub-clans of the
Isaaq
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. Per ...
and the
Dhulbahante
The Dhulbahante ( so, Dhulbahante, ar, دلبةنتئ) is a Somali clan family, part of the Harti clan which itself belongs to the largest Somali clan-family — the Darod. They are the traditional inhabitants of the physiographic Nugaal in its ...
and
Warsangali
The Warsangali ( so, Warsangeli, ar, قبيلة ورسنجلي) 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 " ...
sub-divisions of the
Harti
Harti ( so, Harti, ar, هرتي), meaning "strong man", is a Somali clan family that is part of the Darod clan. The major sub-clans include the Majeerteen, Dhulbahante, Warsangali, Tinle, Maganlabe and Dishiishe, while other minor sub-clans ...
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 peripherie ...
.
Districts
The region of Sanag is divided into 5 districts as follows:
*
El Afweyn District
*
Erigavo District
Erigavo District ( so, Degmada Ceerigaabo) is a district in the central Sanaag region of Somaliland. It is the largest and most populous district in Sanaag. Its capital lies at Erigavo.
Demographics
The total population of Erigavo District is 2 ...
*
Garadag District
Garadag District ( so, Degmada Garadag) is a district in the Sanaag region of Somaliland. Its capital lies at Garadag.
Demographics
The district is wholly dominated by the Reer Iidle subdivision of the Habr Je'lo
The Habr Je'lo ( so, Habar ...
*
Badhan District
Badhan District ( so, Degmada Badhan) is a district located in the Sanaag region of Somaliland. Its capital is Badhan.
Demographics
The district is mainly populated by the Warsangeli sub-division of the Harti Darod
The Darod ( so, Daarood, ...
*
Dhahar District
Dhahar District ( so, Degmada Dhahar) is an administrative district in the Sanaag region.
In the administrative divisions of Somaliland, it is a C-class district according to the 2019 Local Government Law.
In the administrative division of Punt ...
Towns and Cities
*
Erigavo
Erigavo ( so, Ceerigaabo, ), also spelled as Erigabo, is the capital and largest city of the Sanaag region of Somaliland.
History
The Erigavo settlement is several centuries old. The surrounding area was supposedly built by the Madigan Dir. ...
*
El Afweyne
*
Maydh
Maydh (also transliterated as Mait or Meit) (, ) is an ancient port city in the eastern Sanaag region of Somaliland.
History
Antiquity
According to Augustus Henry Keane, Maydh represents an early center of dispersal of the Somali people. Nationa ...
*
Badhan
*
Dararweyne
*
Las Khorey
Las Khorey ( so, Laasqoray, ar, لاسقُرَى ) is a historic coastal town in the Sanaag region of Somaliland.
History
The Las Khorey settlement is several centuries old. Between the town and El Ayo lies Karinhegane, a site containing numero ...
*
Garadag
Garadag ( so, Gar Adag, ) is a key town in the Sanaag region of Somaliland.
Overview
Garadag was founded in 1934 and is located northwest of Xudun and east by road from War Idaad. One of the main Landmarks of the town is "Geedka Garadag", a fam ...
*
Heis
*
Midhisho
*
Yubbe
Yubbe (also known as Yobe, Yube, Yubeh and Yubbe Tug) is a town in the Sanaag of Somaliland .http://www.maplandia.com/somalia/sanaag/Badhan-Badhan/yube/ There is a Somaliland military base.
History Archaeology
A desert town mostly inhabited b ...
*
Hadaaftimo
Hadaftimo ( so, Hadaaftimo) is an historic town in the eastern Sanaag region. It is home to several archaeological sites and ancient buildings. There is a Puntland military base.
History
Hadaftimo is an old town. During the British Somaliland, ...
*
Hingalol
Hingalol or Hingalool ( so, Xingalool) is a district located in the Sanaag region of Somalia.
Overview
Hingalol is situated on the Hadeed Plateau of the Sanaag region. Hingalol was established in 1958. A small hamlet, it increased in size and po ...
*
Dhahar
Dhahar is a town in the eastern Sanaag region, and the capital of the Dhahar District. Puntland is in effective control, but Somaliland also has territorial claims.
Overview
The town is disputed between Somaliland and Puntland, who has significa ...
*
Buraan
Buraan, also known as Hiil Buraan or Hiil Borraan, is a town in the eastern Sanaag region of Somaliland/ Somalia. It is effectively controlled by Puntland, but it is a disputed area with Somaliland.
Overview
Buraan is situated in eastern Sana ...
*
El Buh
*
Gudmo Biyo Cas
Gudmo Biyo Cas is a town located in the Sanaag region of Somaliland. It is the site of numerous archaeological structures and rock art.
The town is inhabited by the Bahsanbuur sub-division of the Habr Je'lo
The Habr Je'lo ( so, Habar Jeclo, ...
*
Ruguda
Ruguda, also known as Rakudah ( so, Ruguuda) is a historic coastal port town located in the Sanaag region of Somaliland, near Heis.
Overview
Ruguda is a coastal town approximately 38km away from the larger Heis town nearby. Other nearby cities ...
*
Yufle Yufle is a town in the Sanaag region of Somaliland. The town is 28 km southwest of Erigavo the provincial capital of the region.
In November 2016, the Deputy Minister of Defense of the Republic of Somaliland visited Yufle.
Demographics
...
*
Dayaha Dayaha ( so, Dayaxa) is a town in the Sanaag region of Somaliland.
Overview
Dayaha is 20km west of Erigavo, the administrative seat of the Sanaag region the town lies in. Other nearby cities and towns include Burao (363km), El Afweyn (85km) and ...
*
Guud Caanood
See also
*
Ogo Mountains
The Ogo Mountains, also known as the Galgodon Highlands, (, ) are a mountain range in Somaliland. They cross the Sanaag and Togdheer regions. With a mean peak height of , the ecology of this landform is semi-desert.
Ecology
Due to the Ogo ...
References
External links
*Gwillim Law
"Districts of Somalia" ''Statoids'', December 31, 1990
*SOMALIA NATIONAL PEACE CONFERENCE
''PEACE PLAN'' DJIBOUTI, 20 APRIL - 5 MAY 2000
Warsangeli Sultanate
{{Authority control
Sanaag
Regions of Somaliland
Disputed territory between Somaliland and Puntland
Archaeology of Eastern Africa