Warsangali
Encyclopedia
The Warsangeli (also Moorasaante/Awrkii Cirka, Warsengeli, Warsingeli, Oor Singally) is a Somali clan
, part of the Harti confederation of Darod
sub-clans. In the Somali language
, it means "bringer of good news."
The Warsangeli clan primarily inhabits the Maakhir
region of northern Somalia
, which consists of Sanaag
, northern Sool
, and the northwestern part of the Bari region, along with some parts of southern Somalia (Bay
, Bakool
and Jubbada Hoose
). The Warsangeli also have the oldest Sultanate amongst the Somali clans who inhabit the area comprising the former British Somaliland
.
captures a glimpse of Warsangeli history. It writes, "the Warsengeli Sultanate has been in existence for the last six hundred years." The clan's territory was recognized in the Arabian Peninsula
, where it was referred to as Makhar or Makhir Coast. In 1848, C. J. Cruttenden reported that Warsangeli and Majeerteen
territories were the most commercially valuable in the Nugaal
Valley, and that Banians
had become successful exporters. The Cal Madow
chain of mouintains, which is inside the clan's territory, extends to the cities of Bosaso (the capital of the Bari region) and Ceerigaabo
(the capital of the Sanaag region) in an east-west direction.
Captain S. B. Miles's "On the Neighbourhood of Bunder Marayah" (1872) describes the Burri (eastern) clans, including the Warangeli, as being "as a rule, peaceable and orderly, and are generally loth to shed blood" and the Gulbêdh (western) clans as "much more turbulent and predatory than the Burri, and are in a chronic state of warfare and anarchy
." C. J. Cruttenden, writing of the Dubeiss, an "Oor Singally" clan, reports that "in this tribe, theft is looked upon with abhorrence.... To call a man a thief is a deadly insult, to be washed out by blood alone. Pity is that the Somali tribes of the Edoor have not the same prejudice in favour of honesty." In contrast to Miles' account, Cruttenden characterized them as "powerful and warlike".
's Home Office
publication, Somalia Assessment 2001.
In his book "First Footsteps of East Africa" (1856), Richard Francis Burton
lists 18 principal subclans of Warsangeli, as follows:
Somali clan
The demographics of Somalia describes the condition and overview of Somalia's inhabitants. Demographic topics include basic education, health and population statistics, as well as identified racial and religious affiliations.-Somalis:...
, part of the Harti confederation of Darod
Darod
The Darod is a Somali clan. The father of this clan is named Abdirahman bin Isma'il al-Jabarti, but is more commonly known as Darod. In the Somali language, the word Daarood means "an enclosed compound," a conflation of the two words daar and ood .The Darod population in Somalia lives principally...
sub-clans. In the Somali language
Somali language
The Somali language is a member of the East Cushitic branch of the Afro-Asiatic language family. Its nearest relatives are Afar and Oromo. Somali is the best documented of the Cushitic languages, with academic studies beginning before 1900....
, it means "bringer of good news."
The Warsangeli clan primarily inhabits the Maakhir
Maakhir
Maakhir , officially the Maakhir State of Somalia was an autonomous region in northern Somalia in an area disputed by the Somaliland and Puntland macro-regions. In January 2009, it was incorporated into Puntland.-Autonomy:...
region of northern Somalia
Somalia
Somalia , officially the Somali Republic and formerly known as the Somali Democratic Republic under Socialist rule, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. Since the outbreak of the Somali Civil War in 1991 there has been no central government control over most of the country's territory...
, which consists of Sanaag
Sanaag
Sanaag is an administrative region in northern Somalia. Its capital city is Erigavo.Sanaag has a long coastline facing the Gulf of Aden to the north, and is bordered by the Somali regions of Woqooyi Galbeed, Togdheer, Sool and Bari....
, northern Sool
Sool
Sool is an administrative region in northern Somalia.-Overview:With its capital at Las Anod, Sool is historically known for being the seat of the anti-colonial Dervish movement....
, and the northwestern part of the Bari region, along with some parts of southern Somalia (Bay
Bay, Somalia
Bay is an administrative region in southern Somalia.-Overview:It is bordered by the Somalian regions of Bakool, Lower Shabele, Middle Juba and Gedo....
, Bakool
Bakool
-Overiew:It is bordered by the Ogaden and the Somalian regions of Hiiraan, Bay and Gedo.Bakool, like Gedo and Bay, as well as most parts of the Jubbada Dhexe region, used to be a part of the old Upper Region, which was subdivided in the mid 1980s...
and Jubbada Hoose
Jubbada Hoose
Lower Juba is an administrative region in southern Somalia. With its capital at Kismayo, it lies in the Jubaland autonomous region.Lower Juba is bordered by Kenya, the Somalian regions of Gedo, Middle Juba, and the Indian Ocean...
). The Warsangeli also have the oldest Sultanate amongst the Somali clans who inhabit the area comprising the former British Somaliland
British Somaliland
British Somaliland was a British protectorate in the northern part of present-day Somalia. For much of its existence, British Somaliland was bordered by French Somaliland, Ethiopia, and Italian Somaliland. From 1940 to 1941, it was occupied by the Italians and was part of Italian East Africa...
.
Citizens of Warsangeli
An article titled "Seychellois rekindle ties with Sultan of Somaliland" which was featured in one of the newspapers of the Republic of SeychellesSeychelles
Seychelles , officially the Republic of Seychelles , is an island country spanning an archipelago of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean, some east of mainland Africa, northeast of the island of Madagascar....
captures a glimpse of Warsangeli history. It writes, "the Warsengeli Sultanate has been in existence for the last six hundred years." The clan's territory was recognized in the Arabian Peninsula
Arabian Peninsula
The Arabian Peninsula is a land mass situated north-east of Africa. Also known as Arabia or the Arabian subcontinent, it is the world's largest peninsula and covers 3,237,500 km2...
, where it was referred to as Makhar or Makhir Coast. In 1848, C. J. Cruttenden reported that Warsangeli and Majeerteen
Majeerteen
The Majeerteen is a Somali clan. Its members form a part of the Harti confederation of Darod sub-clans, and primarily inhabit the Puntland region in northeastern Somalia....
territories were the most commercially valuable in the Nugaal
Nugaal
Nugal is an administrative region in northeastern Somalia.-Overview:It is bordered by Ethiopia and the Somalian regions of Sool to the west, Bari to the north, and Mudug to the south, with the Indian Ocean to the east....
Valley, and that Banians
Bania (caste)
Bania is an occupational caste of bankers, money-lenders, dealers in grains, spices and in modern times numerous commercial enterprises. Baniya is a distinct caste mostly coming from Western India and Central India but spread now all over India...
had become successful exporters. The Cal Madow
Cal Madow
Cal Madow is a mountain range in northeastern Somalia, extending from several kilometers west of Bosaso to northwest of Erigavo. Its peak sits at almost 2500 m in Shimbiris, northwest of Erigavo...
chain of mouintains, which is inside the clan's territory, extends to the cities of Bosaso (the capital of the Bari region) and Ceerigaabo
Ceerigaabo
Erigavo or Erigabo is the administrative capital of the Sanaag region in northern Somalia.Local control is disputed between Somaliland, a self-declared independent republic that is internationally recognized as an autonomous region of Somalia, the autonomous Puntland region in northeastern...
(the capital of the Sanaag region) in an east-west direction.
Western explorers and Warsangeli
Anarchy
Anarchy , has more than one colloquial definition. In the United States, the term "anarchy" typically is meant to refer to a society which lacks publicly recognized government or violently enforced political authority...
." C. J. Cruttenden, writing of the Dubeiss, an "Oor Singally" clan, reports that "in this tribe, theft is looked upon with abhorrence.... To call a man a thief is a deadly insult, to be washed out by blood alone. Pity is that the Somali tribes of the Edoor have not the same prejudice in favour of honesty." In contrast to Miles' account, Cruttenden characterized them as "powerful and warlike".
Clan tree
The United KingdomUnited Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
's Home Office
Home Office
The Home Office is the United Kingdom government department responsible for immigration control, security, and order. As such it is responsible for the police, UK Border Agency, and the Security Service . It is also in charge of government policy on security-related issues such as drugs,...
publication, Somalia Assessment 2001.
- DarodDarodThe Darod is a Somali clan. The father of this clan is named Abdirahman bin Isma'il al-Jabarti, but is more commonly known as Darod. In the Somali language, the word Daarood means "an enclosed compound," a conflation of the two words daar and ood .The Darod population in Somalia lives principally...
(Daarood)- MarehanMarehanThe Marehan are a Somali clan. They are one of the major Darod sub-clans, forming a part of the Sade confederation of clans. The majority of the Marehan live in the Jubbada Hoose, Gedo and Jubbada Dhexe regions in southwestern Somalia, as well as the Galguduud and Mudug regions in central...
- Red Dini
- Rer Hassan
- Eli Dheere
- Kabalah
- Absame
- OgadenOgaden (clan)The Ogaden is a Somali clan, and one of the largest Darod subclans.-Overview:Members of the Ogaden clan primarily live in the central Ogaden plateau of Ethiopia , the North Eastern Province of Kenya, and the Jubaland region of Southern Somalia...
- Makabul
- Mohamed Zubeir
- AulihanAulihanThe Aulihan are a Somali clan, a division of the larger Ogaden clan, living on both sides of the Kenya - Somalia border.The Aulihan migrated from the Ogaden region of Western Ethiopia in response to pressure from the expanding Ethiopian empire and had taken control of the hinterland of the lower...
- Jidwaq
- Ogaden
- Harti
- DhulbahanteDhulbahanteThe Dhulbahante is a Somali clan, and a part of the larger Harti Darod clan. Members of the clan primarily inhabit the Sool, Nugaal, Sanaag and Ayn regions, the Haud, the port city of Kismayo, as well as other areas in the Jubbada Hoose region of southern Somalia.-Tradition:Currently, there are...
(Dolbahante) - Warsangali (Warsengeli)
- MajeerteenMajeerteenThe Majeerteen is a Somali clan. Its members form a part of the Harti confederation of Darod sub-clans, and primarily inhabit the Puntland region in northeastern Somalia....
(Mijerteen)- Omar Mahmud
- Issa Mahmud
- Osman Mahmoud (Osman Mahmud)
- Dhulbahante
- Absame
- Marehan
In his book "First Footsteps of East Africa" (1856), Richard Francis Burton
Richard Francis Burton
Captain Sir Richard Francis Burton KCMG FRGS was a British geographer, explorer, translator, writer, soldier, orientalist, cartographer, ethnologist, spy, linguist, poet, fencer and diplomat. He was known for his travels and explorations within Asia, Africa and the Americas as well as his...
lists 18 principal subclans of Warsangeli, as follows:
- Rer Gerad (the royal family)
- Rer Fatih
- Rer Abdullah
- Rer Bihidur
- Bohogay Salabay
- Adan Yakub
- Gerad Umar
- Gerad Yusuf
- Gerad Liban
- Nuh Umar
- Adan Said
- Rer Haji
- Dubbays
- Warlabah
- Bayabarhay
- Rer Yasif
- Hindudub
- Rer Garwayna
Notable members
- Mohamoud Ali ShireMohamoud Ali ShireMohamoud Ali Shire was a Somali ruler. He was the 20th Sultan of the Warsangali Sultanate from 1897 to 1960.-Titles:Also known as the Gerad, the Sultan was the sole regent and governor of the sultanate. He also enjoyed many other titles, including "Sovereign of the House of North East of...
, Sultan of former British Somaliland (1897–1960) - Faarax Maxamed Jaamac CawlFaarax Maxamed Jaamac CawlFarah Mohamed Jama Awl , usually credited as Faarax M.J. Cawl, was a Somali writer. His surname Cawl means "gazelle", which was the nickname of his great-grandfather who was the Sultan of the Warsangali clan. The Awl family also includes the Warsangali Sultan Mohamoud Ali Shire.-Biography:Awl was...
, writer - Abdillahi Mohammed AhmedAbdillahi Mohammed AhmedAbdillahi Mohamed Ahmed "Qablan":Hon. Abdillahi was born in 1926 in Las Khorey. He was taken to Aden at the age of five and had Quranic and Elementary education there. At the age of thirteen he went into business and began to rise in this career step by step until he became Branch Manager for the...
, known as Qablan, former Under-Secretary of Finance - Ali Aden LordAli Aden LordAli Aden Lord was a Somali, born and raised in Nairobi in 1915 from famous Adan Lord family from Laasqoray. As his last name suggests, he came to acquire, bequethed in a sense, a huge land in the Eastleight section of Nairobi, including the Air Force base area, as a result of his father’s legacy...
, The first Somali MP in Kenya parliament and later the Interior Minister of Kenya - Asha Ahmed AbdallaAsha Ahmed AbdallaAsha Ahmed Abdalla is a Somali political figure. She is member of the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia's legislative branch, and is a veteran politician representing the northern Sanaag constituency.-Biography:...
, former Minister in Transitional National Government; parliament member of Transitional Federal Government (TFG) - Abdullahi Ahmed Jama ‘Ilkajir’ Somali Army General and Interior Minister of Puntland,2009–Present
- Jama KorshelJama KorshelJama Korshel was a Somali army Major General, former Head of the Somali Police Force, and one of the leaders of Somalia's 1969 coup d'état.-Biography:Korshel was born in the town of Ceerigaabo situated in the northern Sanaag region of Somalia....
, Somali Army General, former Head of Somali Police and one of the leaders of 1969 coup d'état of Somalia - Hasan HayleHasan HayleXasan Xayle, also known as Hasan Hayle , was a famous Somali poet from the Sanaag region of Somalia.Born in Laasqoray in 1888, Xayle wrote many poems, one of the most famous being Cabasha Laasqoray ....
(Xasan Xayle), poet from Las KhoreyLas KhoreyLas Khorey is an ancient coastal city in the Sanaag region, a territory disputed by the Puntland and Somaliland administrative regions of Somalia. In July 2007, the district became part of the Maakhir autonomous region of Somalia... - Fatima JibrellFatima JibrellFatima Jibrell is a prominent Somali-American environmental activist. She is the co-founder and Executive Director of the Horn of Africa Relief and Development Organization , co-founder of Sun Fire Cooking, and was instrumental in the creation of the Women’s Coalition for Peace.-Biography:Jibrell...
, founder of the Horn of Africa Relief and Development Organization (Horn Relief) - Mohammed Haji-Ali ShirwaMohammed Haji-Ali ShirwaMohammed Haji-Ali Shirwa , a son of former Somali seamen and the brother of Omar Haji Ali, a former Somali diplomat, was a former colonel in Somali Army and poet who collected many Somali and North Somali poets by writing and saving for generation to come, however his books are yet to published, as...
Former Colonel in Somali Army and Historian - Mohamed Nuur GiriigMohamed Nuur GiriigMohamed Nuur Giriig was a Somali singer, specializing in traditional Somali music.-Biography:Giriig was born in 1935 in Berbera, Somalia to a Warsangali Darod family, originally from Las Khorey on the Maakhir Coast....
, classical singer