The Darod (, ) is a

Somali clan Somali clans (; ) are patrilineal kinship groups based on agnatic descent of the Somali people. Tradition and folklore connects the origin of the Somali population by language and way of life, and societal organisations, by customs, and by a fee ...

. The forefather of this clan is Sheikh

Abdirahman bin Isma'il al-Jabarti Abdirahman bin Isma'il al-Jabarti, () also known as Daarood, Dawud or Da'ud (), is the semi-legendary common ancestor of the Somalis, Somali Darod clan and the Harla people. According to local tradition, Abdirahman descended from Aqil ibn Abi T ...

, more commonly known as Darod. The clan primarily settles the apex of the Horn of Africa and its peripheries, the Somali hinterlands adjacent to Oromia (

Ogaden Ogaden (pronounced and often spelled ''Ogadēn''; , ) is one of the historical names used for the modern Somali Region. It is also natively referred to as Soomaali Galbeed (). The region forms the eastern portion of Ethiopia and borders Somalia ...

), and both sides of the

Kenya Kenya, officially the Republic of Kenya, is a country located in East Africa. With an estimated population of more than 52.4 million as of mid-2024, Kenya is the 27th-most-populous country in the world and the 7th most populous in Africa. ...

–

Somalia Somalia, officially the Federal Republic of Somalia, is the easternmost country in continental Africa. The country is located in the Horn of Africa and is bordered by Ethiopia to the west, Djibouti to the northwest, Kenya to the southwest, th ...

border.

Perry–Castañeda Library Map Collection The Perry–Castañeda Library Map Collection is an extensive map collection owned by the Perry–Castañeda Library at The University of Texas at Austin. Many of the maps in the collection have been scanned and are available online, and most ...

– N.B. Various authorities indicate that the Darod is one of the largest Somali clan

, whereas others suggest that the

Hawiye The Hawiye (; ) are one of the principal and largest of the Somali clans, tracing their lineage back to Sheikh Ahmed Bin Abdulrahman Bin Uthman, also known as Sheikh Hawiye, the eponymous figure of the clan. They are considered the earliest do ...

is the largest Somali clan within Somalia, nevertheless, there is an available census that was conducted along the lines of clan affiliates

. The Darod clan is the largest Somali clan family in the

Horn of Africa The Horn of Africa (HoA), also known as the Somali Peninsula, is a large peninsula and geopolitical region in East Africa.Robert Stock, ''Africa South of the Sahara, Second Edition: A Geographical Interpretation'', (The Guilford Press; 2004), ...

Origins

According to early Islamic books and Somali tradition, Aqeel

Abu Talib ibn Abd al-Muttalib Abu Talib ibn Abd al-Muttalib (; ) was the leader of Banu Hashim, a clan of the Qurayshi tribe of Mecca in the Hejazi region of the Arabian Peninsula. As he was the brother of Abdullah ibn Abd al-Muttalib, Abdullah, the father of the Islamic Proph ...

Al-Qurashi descendant

(Darod), a son of the

Sufi Sufism ( or ) is a mysticism, mystic body of religious practice found within Islam which is characterized by a focus on Islamic Tazkiyah, purification, spirituality, ritualism, and Asceticism#Islam, asceticism. Practitioners of Sufism are r ...

Sheikh Isma'il al-Jabarti of the

Qadiriyyah The Qadiriyya () or the Qadiri order () is a Sunni Sufi order (''Tariqa'') founded by Abdul Qadir Gilani (1077–1166, also transliterated ''Jilani''), who was a Hanbali scholar from Gilan, Iran. The order, with its many sub-orders, is wides ...

order, fled his homeland in the

Arabian Peninsula The Arabian Peninsula (, , or , , ) or Arabia, is a peninsula in West Asia, situated north-east of Africa on the Arabian plate. At , comparable in size to India, the Arabian Peninsula is the largest peninsula in the world. Geographically, the ...

after an argument with his uncle.Rima Berns McGown, ''Muslims in the diaspora'', (University of Toronto Press: 1999), pp.27–28 During the 10th or 11th century CE,I.M. Lewis, ''A Modern History of the Somali'', fourth edition (Oxford: James Currey, 2002), p. 22 Abdirahman is believed to have then settled in modern-day Sanaag just across the

Red Sea The Red Sea is a sea inlet of the Indian Ocean, lying between Africa and Asia. Its connection to the ocean is in the south, through the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait and the Gulf of Aden. To its north lie the Sinai Peninsula, the Gulf of Aqaba, and th ...

and married

Dobira Dombiro (), was a Somali historical figure known for being the wife of the progenitor of the Darod clan, Sheikh Abdulrahman al-Jabarti. Biography During the 10th CE,I.M. Lewis, ''A Modern History of the Somali'', fourth edition (Oxford: James Cu ...

, the daughter of the Dir clan chief. This union is said to have given rise to the Darod clan family. Thus, it established

matrilateral The term ''matrilateral'' describes kin (relatives) "on the mother's side". Social anthropologists have underlined that even where a social group demonstrates a strong emphasis on one or other line of inheritance (matrilineal or patrilineal), r ...

ties with the

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

main stem.

Gidaya kingdom 12th century

Contemporary writers confirm that Gidaya kingdom is associated with Geri clan of the Somali mentioned in the Futuh al Habasha who today live around

Jigjiga Jijiga (, , ''Jijiga'') is the capital city of Somali Region, Ethiopia. It became the capital of the Somali Region in 1995 after it was moved from Gode. Located in the Fafan Zone with 75 km (37 mi) west of the border with Somali ...

, the presumed location of Gidaya state. Gidaya rose to prominence due their inland interior trade which extended as far as modern day Addis Ababa, this corresponds well with the findings of British archeologists confirming that Somali groups dominated the Ethiopian highlandIn the thirteenth century the

Arab Arabs (, , ; , , ) are an ethnic group mainly inhabiting the Arab world in West Asia and North Africa. A significant Arab diaspora is present in various parts of the world. Arabs have been in the Fertile Crescent for thousands of years ...

writer al-Mufaḍḍal mentions a Geri King of Gidaya extending his authority as far as Shewa. A later Geri ruler known as Sihab al-Din Gidaya Girri is identified as the lord and principal ruler of Gidaya. According to Dr. Lapiso Delebo the Gidaya Kingdom was one of the Islamic states that had rapidly developed in the

from the ninth to fourteenth centuries Sixteenth century Adal writer Arab Faqīh, notes that the Gidaya Kingdom were part of the army of

Ahmad ibn Ibrahim al-Ghazi Ahmad ibn Ibrahim al-Ghazi (, Harari: አሕመድ ኢብራሂም አል-ጋዚ, ; 21 July 1506 – 10 February 1543) was the Imam of the Adal Sultanate from 1527 to 1543. Commonly named Ahmed ''Gragn'' in Amharic and ''Gurey'' in Somali, ...

during the Ethiopian-Adal war According to the British anthropologist and Somali Studies veteran Ioan Lewis, the traditions of descent from noble Arab families related to the

Prophet In religion, a prophet or prophetess is an individual who is regarded as being in contact with a divinity, divine being and is said to speak on behalf of that being, serving as an intermediary with humanity by delivering messages or teachings ...

are most probably figurative expressions of the importance of

Islam Islam is an Abrahamic religions, Abrahamic monotheistic religion based on the Quran, and the teachings of Muhammad. Adherents of Islam are called Muslims, who are estimated to number Islam by country, 2 billion worldwide and are the world ...

in Somali society. However, "there is a strong historically valid component in these legends which, in the case of the Darod, is confirmed in the current practice of a Dir representative officiating at the ceremony of installation of the chief of the Darod family." There are also numerous existing hagiologies in Arabic which describe Sheikh Darod's travels, works and overall life in northern Somalia, as well as his movements in Arabia before his arrival. Besides historical sources such as

Al-Masudi al-Masʿūdī (full name , ), –956, was a historian, geographer and traveler. He is sometimes referred to as the "Herodotus of the Arabs". A polymath and prolific author of over twenty works on theology, history (Islamic and universal), geo ...

's ''Aqeeliyoon'', a modern ''manaaqib'' (a collection of glorious deeds) printed in

Cairo Cairo ( ; , ) is the Capital city, capital and largest city of Egypt and the Cairo Governorate, being home to more than 10 million people. It is also part of the List of urban agglomerations in Africa, largest urban agglomeration in Africa, L ...

in 1945 by Sheikh Ahmad bin Hussen bin Mahammad titled ''Manaaqib as-Sheikh Ismaa'iil bin Ibraahiim al-Jabarti'' also discusses Sheikh Darod and his proposed father Isma'il al-Jabarti, the latter of whom is reportedly buried in Bab Siham in the Zabid District of western

Yemen Yemen, officially the Republic of Yemen, is a country in West Asia. Located in South Arabia, southern Arabia, it borders Saudi Arabia to Saudi Arabia–Yemen border, the north, Oman to Oman–Yemen border, the northeast, the south-eastern part ...

.Lewis, ''A pastoral democracy'', p.131. Sheikh Darod's own tomb is in Haylaan, situated in the

Sanaag Sanag (, ) is an administrative region ('' gobol'') in north eastern Somaliland.Regions of Somalia
Sa ...

region of Somaliland, and is the scene of frequent

pilgrimage A pilgrimage is a travel, journey to a holy place, which can lead to a personal transformation, after which the pilgrim returns to their daily life. A pilgrim (from the Latin ''peregrinus'') is a traveler (literally one who has come from afar) w ...

s.Lewis, ''Peoples of the Horn of Africa'', p.18-19 Sheikh Isaaq is buried nearby in

Maydh Maydh (also transliterated as Maedh, Mette, 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 ...

, as is Sheikh Harti, a descendant of Sheikh Darod and the progenitor of the

Harti Harti () is a Somali clan that traces its lineage back to Saleh Abdi Harti. They are a sub-clan of the larger Darod clan. Notable sub-clans within Harti include the Majeerteen, Warsangali, Warsengeli, Dishishe, and the Dhulbahante. They predomi ...

Darod sub-clan, whose tomb lies in the ancient town of Qa’ableh. Sheikh Darod's ''

mawlid The Mawlid () is an annual festival commemorating the birthday of the Islamic prophet Muhammad on the traditional date of 12 Rabi' al-Awwal, the third month of the Islamic calendar. A day central to the traditions of some Sunnis, Mawlid is al ...

'' (birthday) is also celebrated every Friday with a public reading of his ''manaaqib''. The Harti were supporters of their cousin

Imam Imam (; , '; : , ') is an Islamic leadership position. For Sunni Islam, Sunni Muslims, Imam is most commonly used as the title of a prayer leader of a mosque. In this context, imams may lead Salah, Islamic prayers, serve as community leaders, ...

, who is reported to be from the Geri Kombe clany Somali tribes, especially the Geri koombe of the Darod clan who became his immediate in-laws, were lined up behind him supporting him every step of the way I.M Lewis states:

Somali contingents played a notable part in the Imam's victories and Shihab ad-Din, the Muslim chronicler of the period writing between 1540 and 1560, mentions them frequently. Most prominent were the Darod clans of the Harti faction who were now in possession of the ancient port of Mait in the east, and expanding westwards and southwards from this centre. This Darod support was reinforced by ties of marriage, for the Imam was related by marriage to one of the Darod leaders.

This is especially true with the Geri Koombe who were in-laws with Imam Ahmed. Garad Matan married Imam Ahmed's sister who her name was Fardawsa. Garad Matan being the chieftain of Geri Koombe supported the Jihad and served as an Adalite general, second in command to Imam Ahmed.

He also sent a messenger to the tribe of Girri which was the tribe whose leader and chieftain was Mattan bin 'Utman bin Kaled, the Somali, his brother-in-law who was one of the heroic and gracious knights who died as a martyr in the battle for the Amba as will be recalled at some length later on. The storyteller, may God have mercy upon him, says: On the left was the Somali tribe of Harti, from the people of Mait; a people not given to yielding. There were three-hundred of them, famous among the infantry as stolid swordsmen. In the same way there was the tribe of Yibberi, around four-hundred infantrymen, archers. So the imam attached them to the five-hundred who held the centre, saying to them, 'Hold your positions; don't budge, anyone of you.' The tribe of Girri were all horsemen, renowned as riders.

The Geri Koombe tribe played a pivotal role in leadership, Garad Matan ibn Uthman Al Somali was described by chronicler Shihāb al-Dīn as one of the most bravest and courageous military commanders in the Adal Sultanate. The Imam had gathered all the Somali tribes and entrusted them to his brother in law Garad Matan ibn Uthman Al Somali.

After that the Muslims stood their ground. The tribe of the Somali said it was the tribe of Harla that gave us away while the tribe of Harla said it was the Somali tribe that gave us away The imam split his forces into three divisions: all the Somalis were in one division whose command he entrusted to Mattan.

Shihāb al-Dīn notes that

soldiers took part in the Adal Sultanate army. Hamza al Jufi was an infantry leader during the

Battle of Shimbra Kure The Battle of Shimbra Kure was fought on 9 March 1529 between the forces of Adal led by Imam Ahmad ibn Ibrahim al-Ghazi, and the Abyssinian army, under Dawit II (Lebna Dengel). It was the first major battle of the Ethiopian–Adal War. Ar ...

. The writer

Arab Faqih Arabs (, , ; , , ) are an ethnic group mainly inhabiting the Arab world in West Asia and North Africa. A significant Arab diaspora is present in various parts of the world. Arabs have been in the Fertile Crescent for thousands of years ...

attributes to him bravery and courage. Hamza al Jufi was described as eager and could not restrain himself until the Adalites had to hold him back, telling him to "be patient". Arab Faqih goes on to describe the

just like Hamza al Jufi, recognising the bravery of the Somalis. He describes them as “famous among the infantry as solid swordsmen, and a people not given to yielding.” Screenshot 20230421 154102 Drive

The

Marehan The Marehan (, ) is a Somali clan, which is part of one of the largest Somali clan families, the Darod. The clan are the largest tribe in the Jubaland state and make the majority of the Gedo, Middle Juba and Lower Juba states, some major cities ...

clan are recorded as having played the biggest role in

's campaigns against the

Ethiopian Empire The Ethiopian Empire, historically known as Abyssinia or simply Ethiopia, was a sovereign state that encompassed the present-day territories of Ethiopia and Eritrea. It existed from the establishment of the Solomonic dynasty by Yekuno Amlak a ...

during the 16th century. Imam Ahmad himself, alongside his successor Emir Nur ibn Al-Mujahid, as well as

Garad Hirabu Goita Tedros Goita Hirabu Goita Ali, widely known as Garad Hirabu, was a Somali people, Somali military commander and general that served the Adal Sultanate. He held a distinguished position as one of the preeminent generals within the historical tapestry of t ...

all hailed from the Marehan clan. Along with the Habr Maqdi of the Jidwaaq; they helped push westward the enemies into the plains of

Shewa Shewa (; ; Somali: Shawa; , ), formerly romanized as Shua, Shoa, Showa, Shuwa, is a historical region of Ethiopia which was formerly an autonomous kingdom within the Ethiopian Empire. The modern Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa is located at it ...

and farther, helping destabilize the highland

Christian A Christian () is a person who follows or adheres to Christianity, a Monotheism, monotheistic Abrahamic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus in Christianity, Jesus Christ. Christians form the largest religious community in the wo ...

empire. Evident in these battles were the Somali

archers Archery is the sport, practice, or skill of using a Bow and arrow, bow to shooting, shoot arrows.Paterson ''Encyclopaedia of Archery'' p. 17 The word comes from the Latin ''arcus'', meaning bow. Historically, archery has been used for hunting ...

, namely the Marehan.

Lineage

Darod is the son of the famous Arabian Sheikh, Ismail bin Ibrahim Al-Jabarti, who is buried in the Zabid District of Yemen. He is believed to have been a descendant of

Aqeel ibn Abi Talib ʿAqīl ibn Abī Ṭālib (lit. "Aqil the Son of Abu Talib"; full name , ), , was a cousin of the Islamic prophet Muhammad and an elder brother of Ali and Ja'far ibn Abi Talib.. Having fought on the side of the Qurayshi rulers of Mecca against ...

who in turn hailed from the

Quraysh The Quraysh () are an Tribes of Arabia, Arab tribe who controlled Mecca before the rise of Islam. Their members were divided into ten main clans, most notably including the Banu Hashim, into which Islam's founding prophet Muhammad was born. By ...

, a historically significant Arab tribe that the final prophet of Islam Muhammed was from. In 2009, former

President of Somalia The president of Somalia () is the head of state of Somalia. The president is also commander-in-chief of the Somali Armed Forces. The president represents the Federal Republic of Somalia, and the unity of the Somali nation, as well as ensuri ...

, Abdullahi Yusuf visited the grave of Ismail bin Ibrahim Al-Jabarti in Yemen. According to many

medieval In the history of Europe, the Middle Ages or medieval period lasted approximately from the 5th to the late 15th centuries, similarly to the post-classical period of World history (field), global history. It began with the fall of the West ...

and modern Islamic historians, Darod is descended from Aqeel ibn Abi Talib, the cousin of Muhammad and brother of Ali ibn Abi Talib. An ancient Islamic history book, called ''Aqeeliyoon'' by Al-Masudi, talks in detail about the descendants of Aqeel ibn Abi Talib, wherein Darod is also mentioned. The book gives Sheikh Darod's lineage as Abdirahmaan Bin Ismaa'iil Bin Ibraahim Bin Abdirahmaan Bin Muhammed Bin Abdi Samad Bin Hanbal Bin Mahdi Bin Ahmed Bin Abdalle Bin Muhammed Bin Aqail Bin Abu-Talib Bin Abdul-Mutalib Bin Hashim Bin Qusaya. According to ''Allaa'i Alsuniyah Fi Al-Aqab Al-Aqeeliyah'' (2006) by Ahmed bin Ali Al-Rajihi Al-Aqeeli, the lineage of Sheikh Darod/Da'ud is: "Da'ud ibn Ismail ibn Ibrahim ibn Abdulsamad ibn Ahmed ibn Abdallah ibn Ahmed Ibn Ismail ibn Ibrahim ibn Abdallah ibn Isma'il ibn Ali ibn Abdallah ibn Muhammad ibn Hamid ibn Abdallah ibn Ibrahim ibn Ali ibn Ahmed ibn Abdallah ibn Muslim ibn Abdallah ibn Muhammad ibn Aqeel ibn Abi-Talib Al-Hashimi Al-Qurashi". Al-Aqeeli adds that Sheikh Isma'il's sons include Abi-Bakar, Da'ud, Ahmad and Abdulsamad, whose other offspring inhabit the

Hadhramaut Hadhramaut ( ; ) is a geographic region in the southern part of the Arabian Peninsula which includes the Yemeni governorates of Hadhramaut, Shabwah and Mahrah, Dhofar in southwestern Oman, and Sharurah in the Najran Province of Saudi A ...

and Mahra regions in

Southern Arabia South Arabia (), or Greater Yemen, is a historical region that consists of the southern region of the Arabian Peninsula in West Asia, mainly centered in what is now the Republic of Yemen, yet it has also historically included Najran, Jazan, ...

Distribution

The Darod are believed to be a large Somali clan both in terms of population size and land inhabitation. The Darod constitute a big presence in the

Somali Region The Somali Region (, , ), also known as Soomaali Galbeed () and officially the Somali Regional State, is a Regions of Ethiopia, regional state in eastern Ethiopia. It is the largest region of Ethiopia. The state borders the Ethiopian regions ...

of Ethiopia and are also one of the largest Somali clan in North Eastern Province of Kenya. Within Somalia, the Darod are also one of the largest clans, with traditional strongholds in the north, modern day

Puntland Puntland is an autonomous state that considers itself to be part of Somalia, despite not accepting the legitimacy of Somalia's current governing administration. It was formed in 1998, and was a federal member state of Somalia from its fou ...

state which is dominated by the

subclan of Darod. In addition, the

, Jidwaaq, and

Darod members are also settled further down south in the

Gedo Gedo (, , , or ''Ghedu'') is an administrative region ('' gobol'') in Jubaland, southern Somalia. Its regional capital is Garbahaarreey. The region was formed during 1974 and is bordered by the Ogaden in Ethiopia, the North Eastern Province ...

region as well as the Middle Jubba and

Lower Jubba Lower Juba (, , , ) is an administrative region (''Administrative divisions of Somalia, gobol'') in southern Somalia. With its capital at Kismayo, it lies in the States and regions of Somalia, autonomous Jubaland region. Lower Juba is bordered ...

regions of Somalia. The Darod in Somalia, roughly corresponds to the Darod's settled within the

Jubbaland Jubaland (; ; ), or the Juba Valley (), is a Federal Member State in southern Somalia. Its eastern border lies no more than east of the Jubba River, stretching from Dolow to the Indian Ocean, while its western side flanks the North Eastern ...

and

states. In

Somaliland Somaliland, officially the Republic of Somaliland, is an List of states with limited recognition, unrecognised country in the Horn of Africa. It is located in the southern coast of the Gulf of Aden and bordered by Djibouti to the northwest, E ...

the Darod settle the eastern Sool,

Sanaag Sanag (, ) is an administrative region ('' gobol'') in north eastern Somaliland.Regions of Somalia
Sa ...

regions and the Buhoodle district of

Togdheer Togdheer (, ) is an administrative region (''Administrative divisions of Somaliland, gobol'') in central Somaliland. Togdheer is bordered by Maroodi Jeex to the west, Sahil, Somaliland, Saaxil to the north, Sanaag to the northeast, Sool, Somalia ...

Major Darod Settlements within Somalia include Galkacyo, Kismaayo,

Bosaso Bosaso (, ), historically known as Bender Qassim is a city in the northeastern Bari province ('' gobol'') of Somalia. It is the seat of the Bosaso District. Located on the southern coast of the Gulf of Aden, the municipality serves as the region ...

, and Garowe. Darod are also the largest clan in

in Ethiopia, and

Garissa Garissa ( Arabic: قارسا) is the capital of Garissa County, Kenya. It is situated in the former North Eastern Province. Geography The Tana River, which rises in Mount Kenya east of Nyeri, flows through Garissa. The Bour-Algi Giraffe ...

in Northern Kenya.

Nobility

The Darod clan has produced numerous

noble A noble is a member of the nobility. Noble may also refer to: Places Antarctica * Noble Glacier, King George Island * Noble Nunatak, Marie Byrd Land * Noble Peak, Wiencke Island * Noble Rocks, Graham Land Australia * Noble Island, Gr ...

Somali men and women over the centuries, including many

Sultan Sultan (; ', ) is a position with several historical meanings. Originally, it was an Arabic abstract noun meaning "strength", "authority", "rulership", derived from the verbal noun ', meaning "authority" or "power". Later, it came to be use ...

s. Traditionally, the Darod population was mostly concentrated in the northern and northeastern cities on the

Gulf of Aden The Gulf of Aden (; ) 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 Channel, the Socotra Archipelago, Puntland in Somalia and Somaliland to the south. ...

and upper

Indian Ocean The Indian Ocean is the third-largest of the world's five oceanic divisions, covering or approximately 20% of the water area of Earth#Surface, Earth's surface. It is bounded by Asia to the north, Africa to the west and Australia (continent), ...

coast in the

. Darod noble men ruled these settlement pockets until the European colonial powers changed the political dynamics of Somalia during the late 19th century. Before many Darods began pushing southward in the mid-1850s, the

Majeerteen Sultanate The Majeerteen Sultanate (, ), or Majerteen Kingdom also known as Majeerteenia and/or Migiurtinia, was a Somali kingdom centered in the Horn of Africa. Ruled by Boqor Osman Mahamuud during its golden age, the sultanate controlled the areas co ...

and

Sultanate of Hobyo The Sultanate of Hobyo (, ), also known as the Sultanate of Obbia,''New International Encyclopedia'', Volume 21, (Dodd, Mead: 1916), p.283. was a 19th-century Somali Sultanate in present-day northeastern and central Somalia and eastern Ethiopia ...

held steadfast in solidly established posts from

Alula The alula , or bastard wing, (plural ''alulae'') is a small projection on the anterior edge of the wing of modern birds and a few non-avian dinosaurs. The word is Latin and means "winglet"; it is the diminutive of ''ala'', meaning "wing". The a ...

to Hobyo.

Clan tree

There is no clear agreement on the clan and sub-clan structures and many lineages are omitted. The following listing is based upon the

World Bank The World Bank is an international financial institution that provides loans and Grant (money), grants to the governments of Least developed countries, low- and Developing country, middle-income countries for the purposes of economic development ...

's ''Conflict in Somalia: Drivers and Dynamics'' from 2005 and the

United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Northwestern Europe, off the coast of European mainland, the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...

Home Office The Home Office (HO), also known (especially in official papers and when referred to in Parliament) as the Home Department, is the United Kingdom's interior ministry. It is responsible for public safety and policing, border security, immigr ...

publication, ''Somalia Assessment 2001''.Country Information and Policy Unit, Home Office, Great Britain, Somalia Assessment 2001, Annex B: Somali Clan Structure
, p. 43 *Darod (Daarood) **Cisse **Sade ***

****Reer Dini ****Reer Hassan ****Eli Dheere *** Facaye **Tanade *** Leelkase **Yusuf ***

Awrtable The Awrtable (Somali language, Somali: ''Awrtable'', Arabic: '':ar:أورتبلي, أورتبلي''; also spelled ''Ortable'', ''Aurtable'' or ''Owrtable'') is a Somalis, Prominent Somali sub-clan from the Darod clan. Background The Awrtab ...

**Kablalah *** Absame ****Bal’ad ****Weytein ****

*****Makabul *****Tolomoge *****Mohamed Zubeir *****Bahgari *****

Aulihan The Aulihan () (Arabic: عوليهان) are a Somali clan, a division of the largest Somali clan Ogaden clan, living on both sides of the Kenya - Somalia border, and the Afder Zone in Somali Region in Ethiopia.The majorities migrated in response ...

**** Jidwaaq ***** Bartire ***** Abaskuul *****Yabarre ***Koombe (Kombe) ****

Geri Koombe The Geri Koombe (, ) is a sub-clan of Darod, an archaic prominent Somali clan with the first mention of Garadship, the Geri clan have produced notable figures such as Ahmed Gurey and his brother in law Matan ibn Uthman Al Somali, Garad Matan. Dur ...

*****Abba Yonis Hassan *****Ishaaq Hassan *****Umar Hassan *****Yusuf Hassan ****Harla ***

**** Dishiishe (Dishishe) ****

Warsangali The Warsangali (, ), alternatively the Mohamoud Harti, are a major Somali sub clan, part of the larger Harti branch, which belongs to the Darod clan, one of the largest Somali tribe families. In the Somali language, the name Warsangali means "b ...

(Warsengeli) ****

Majeerteen The Majeerteen, (, ; also spelled Majerteen, Macherten, Majertain, or Mijurtin) alternately known as Mohammed Harti, are a Somali sub-clan part of the Harti branch of the Darod, Darod clan. Traditionally, they inhabit extensive territories in ...

(Mijerteen) ***** Bicidyahan *****Siwaaqroon *****Ali Saleeban *****Ugaar Saleeban *****Mohamoud Saleeban ****** Omar Mohamoud ****** Isse Mohamoud ****** Osman Mohamoud ****

Dhulbahante The Dhulbahante, (, ) are a Somali sub-clan, part of the Harti branch of the larger Darod clan. They primary reside in and around their traditional territories of Nugaal, as well as Doollo. The clan's progenitor is buried at Badweyn. The cur ...

(Dolbahante) ***** Mohamoud Garad ******Jama Siad ****** Galool Oriye ***** Farah Garad ******Baharsame ******Barkad ******Ararsame ******Bah Ali Gheri ***** Abdi Garad ******Khayr Abdi ****** Omar Abdi In the south central part of Somalia the World Bank shows the following clan tree: *Darod **Kablalah ***Kombe ***Kumade **Cisse (Isse) **Sade ***Marehan ***Facaye **Awrtable **Leelkase (Lelkase) One tradition maintains that Darod had one daughter.

Darod's tomb

Darod is buried in an old town called Haylaan near Badhan in the north-eastern

Sanaag Sanag (, ) is an administrative region ('' gobol'') in north eastern Somaliland.Regions of Somalia
Sa ...

region of

. His wife

is buried just outside the town. The surrounding buildings and the mosque near the tomb was built by the former president of Somalia Abdullahi Yusuf. Darod is believed to be the son of the famous Arabian Sheikh, Ismail bin Ibrahim Al-Jabarti, who is buried in the Zabid District of Yemen. Tradition holds that he is descended from the Banu Hashim. In 2009, former

, Abdullahi Yusuf visited the grave of Ismail bin Ibrahim Al-Jabarti in Yemen Sheikh Darod's mawlid (birthday) is celebrated every Friday with a public reading of his manaqib and passages in the

Quran The Quran, also Romanization, romanized Qur'an or Koran, is the central religious text of Islam, believed by Muslims to be a Waḥy, revelation directly from God in Islam, God (''Allah, Allāh''). It is organized in 114 chapters (, ) which ...

Sons of Sheikh Darod Ismail

*Ahmad bin Abdirahman: Sade Darod *Muhammad bin Abdirahman: Kablalax Darod *Hussien bin Abdirahman: Tanade Darod *Yousuf bin Abdirahman: Awrtable Darod *Eissa bin Abdirahman: Cisse Darod

Notable Darod people

Royalty

* Ahmed Girri Bin Hussein Al Somali, Jidwaaq Absame, 16th century Adalite Leader * Garad Matan Bin Uthman Bin Khalid 16th century Adalite General * Imam Ahmed I Ibrahim Al Ghazi,

, de facto Adal ruler *

Ali Yusuf Kenadid Ali Yusuf Kenadid (, ; died 1927) was a Somali Sultan and the second ruler of the Sultanate of Hobyo. History Ali Yusuf was born into a Majeerteen Darod family. His father, Sultan Yusuf Ali Kenadid, was the founder of the Sultanate of Hob ...

, Majerteen, Last Sultan of the

Mohamoud Ali Shire Mohamoud Ali Shire MBE (, ; died 1960) was a Somali Sultan of the Warsengali Sultanate. He bore the title Sultan * (also referred to as Senior Akil) of the Warsangali. He was centered at Las Khorey. Reign Mohamoud Ali Shire served as Sultan o ...

, Warsangeli, Sultan of former "British Somaliland" (1897–1960) * Ugas Yasin Ugas Abdurahman former ruler of Bosaso *

, Majerteen, Last Sultan of the

Abdiweli Mohamed Ali - 2012-02-27 at 12-31-57

* Xasan Deyl, chief caaqil of Bah Cali Gheri during independence *

Garaad Abdulahi Garaad Soofe Garad Abdullah Garaf Soofe Durraan (Garaad Cabdillaahi G. Soofe Durran), '' Garad'', of the ''Ahmed Garad'', the second most senior chief of the Farah Garad branch of the Dhulbahante clan of the Somali people. He was one of the elders of the Dhulb ...

, first chief caaqil of Bah Cali Gheri in 21st century * Yuusuf Kooreeye, chief caaqil of Ararsame during and prior to independence * Omar Amey, the chief caaqil of Ararsame during colonialism * Garaad Kulmiye Garad Mohammed Garad Dool Garaad Wiil Waal, Bartire, the current chief of the Absame. * Garad Adan Bin Kooshin, Supreme Garad of

19th Century

Rulers

*Garad Hirsi Farah Hirsi , ''Wiil-Waal'' , Bartire, Somali ruler who liberated Jigjiga from the Oromo invaders in the early 1800s. *

Mohammed Abdullah Hassan Muhammad (8 June 632 CE) was an Arab religious and political leader and the founder of Islam. According to Islam, he was a prophet who was divinely inspired to preach and confirm the monotheistic teachings of Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, ...

, Ogaden, the

Sayyid ''Sayyid'' is an honorific title of Hasanid and Husaynid lineage, recognized as descendants of the Islamic prophet Muhammad through his daughter Fatima and Ali's sons Hasan ibn Ali, Hasan and Husayn ibn Ali, Husayn. The title may also refer ...

/ ''Mad Mullah''; religious and nationalist leader of the Dervish movement. * Nur ibn Mujahid, Marehan, second Conqueror of Ethiopia and the Patron Saint of Harar was one of rulers of parts of the Horn of Africa. *

Siad Barre Mohammed Siad Barre (, Osmanya script: , ''Muhammad Ziād Barīy''; 6 October 1919 – 2 January 1995) was a Somali military officer, politician, and revolutionary who served as the third president of Somalia from 21 October 1969 to 26 Janu ...

, Marehan, third President of Somalia, 1969–1991

Inventors and founders

Osman Yusuf Kenadid Osman Yusuf Kenadid (; ; 1889 – 14 August 1972) was a Somalis, Somali poet, writer, teacher and ruler. Born in Ceel Huur in 1889, he went on to create the Osmanya alphabet for writing Somali language, Somali. He died on 31 August 1972 in Mogad ...

, Majerteen, Inventor of the

Osmanya Osmanya (, ), known in Somali as ''Far Soomaali'' (, "Somali writing") and in Arabic as ''al-kitābah al-ʿuthmānīyah'' (; "Osman writing"), is an alphabetic script created to transcribe the Somali language. It was invented by Osman Yusuf Ke ...

Script. * Shire Jama Ahmed, Marehan, inventor of the Somali script *

Haji Bashir Ismail Yusuf Haji Bashir Ismail Yusuf (, ; 1912–1984), commonly referred to as Haji Bashir,SAMIULLAH, MUHAMMAD. DEVELOPMENT OF CREATIVE WRITING THROUGH COMMUNICATIVE APPROACH AT SECONDARY LEVEL. Diss. UNIVERSITY OF PUNJAB, 2011. was a Somali politician. He ...

, Majeerteen, first president of Somali National Assembly; former Minister of Health and Labor of Somalia (1966–67)

Lawyers and legislators

*Ahmed Sheikh Ali Ahmed, Marehan former president of Court of Appeal, Somali Democratic Republic. * Ahmed Hussen, Majeerteen, Minister of Immigration of Canada * Abdulqawi Yusuf, Majerteen, prominent Somali international lawyer and president on the International Court of Justice. * Ilhan Omar, Majerteen, member of the

Minnesota House of Representatives The Minnesota House of Representatives is the lower chamber of the U.S. state of Minnesota's Minnesota Legislature, legislature. It operates in conjunction with the Minnesota Senate, the state's upper chamber, to write and pass legislation, whic ...

* Mohamud Ali Magan, Marehan, Somali Foreign Affairs, Consul General to United States Of America and Canada * Aar Maanta

Amina Mohamed, Dhulbahante, former chairman of the International Organization for Migration and the World Trade Organisation's General Council * Yusuf Mohamed Ismail, Majeerteen, former ambassador of Somalia to the United Nations Human Rights Office in Geneva

Writers and musicians

* Aadan Carab, Dhulbahante, poet who narrated the Dhulbahante genocide at the hands of European colonialists in the Darawiish era * Abdulkadir Hersi Siyad ''Yamyam'', Marehan, was a Somali poet and playwright. * Ahmed Farah Ali ''Idaaja'', Marehan, one of the first Somali language writers and "father" of the Somali written folklore *

Nuruddin Farah Nuruddin Farah (, ) (born 24 November 1945) is a Somali novelist. His first novel, '' From a Crooked Rib'', was published in 1970 and has been described as "one of the cornerstones of modern East African literature today". Farah has also written ...

, Ogaden, World-famous Somali novelist *Ahmed Rasta, Marehan, singer. nicknamed Boqorka Codka (King of Voice.) * Saadoaliw1

Aar Maanta, Ogaden, Somali-British singer-songwriter, actor, composer, instrumentalist and music producer. * Ahmed Biif, Dishiishe, former singer whom turned into a preacher * Mohamed Nuur Giriig, Warsangeli, Classical Singer. (1935–2002) * Saado Ali Warsame, Dhulbahante, singer-songwriter and former MP in the Federal Parliament of Somalia * Faarax Maxamed Jaamac Cawl, Warsangeli, writer * Careys Ciise Kaarshe, Awrtable, poet.

Military leaders and personnel

* Faarax Qarshe, Darawiish governor of Bah Udgoon *General Sulub Ahmed Firin, Abaskuul Jidwaaq Absame, Somalia Chief Police Commander * Adan Ali Gurey, Dhulbahante, commander of Golaweyne * Suleiman Aden Galaydh, Dhulbahante Darawiish commander at Cagaarweyne * Haji Yusuf Barre, Dhulbahante, commander of the biggest battle in Darawiish history, i.e. Jidbali; made the last stand at Taleh * Yusuf Agararan, Dhulbahante, led most successful Darawiish raid since Dul Madoba * Ibraahin Xoorane, Dhulbahante, Darawiish commander who killed Richard Corfield Chief of Somali Police until 1970 Mr

* Axmed Aarey, Dhulbahante, Darawiish artillery commander who abetted Richard Corfield's death * Afqarshe Ismail, Dhulbahante, former Darawiish spokesman-poet; first person to die in an airstrike in Africa * Nur Hedik, Dhulbahante, commander of the Dooxato (Darawiish cavalry) who had a Shiikhyaale regiment named after him * Abdulkadir Sheikh Dini, Marehan, former minister of defence of Somalia * Abdullahi Anod, Marehan, former head commander of Somali Military Forces * Mohammed Said Hersi Morgan, Majeerteen, Defense Minister Under The Siad Barre Government * Yusuf Osman Dhumal, Marehan, former head commander of Somali Military Forces * Abdirizak Haji Hussein, Majeerteen, former prime minister of Somalia, and former secretary general of the Somali Youth League. * Barre Adan Shire Hiiraale, Marehan, former minister of defence of Somalia, Head Jubba Valley Alliance *

Jama Ali Korshel Jama Ali Korshel (, ) was a Somali people, Somali Military of Somalia, army General officer, Major General who served as Head of the Somali Police Force. He was the Vice President of Somalia and VP of the Supreme Revolutionary Council (Somalia), ...

, Warsangeli, Somali Army general, former head of Somali Police and one of the leaders of 1969 coup d'état of Somalia * Ahmed Warsame, Marehan, head of the Somali Military Academy. * Abdullahi Ahmed Jama, Warsangeli, former Minister of Jusqqtice and 1977 Ogaden War Veteran * Mohamed Abshir Muse, Majerteen, first commander of the Somali Police Force *Bashir Abdi Mohammed "Ameeriko", Majerteen, current Somali federal government police force commander *General Mohamed Hussien Daa'ud "Xiirane", Awrtable, a High Commanding General in the

Ogaden War The Ogaden War, also known as the Ethio-Somali War (, ), was a military conflict between Somali Democratic Republic, Somalia and derg, Ethiopia fought from July 1977 to March 1978 over control of the sovereignty of the Ogaden region. Somalia ...

Politicians

Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed (, ; born March 11, 1962), also known as Farmaajo, is a Somali politician who served as president of Somalia from 2017 to 2022. He was Prime Minister of Somalia, prime minister of Somalia for six months, from Novembe ...

(Farmajo), Marehan, former president of Somalia *

Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed (, ‎; 15 December 1934 – 23 March 2012), was a Somali politician and former military official who served as the first President of Puntland from 1998 to 2004. He also played a key role in establishing the Transitional ...

, Majeerteen, former

president of Somalia The president of Somalia () is the head of state of Somalia. The president is also commander-in-chief of the Somali Armed Forces. The president represents the Federal Republic of Somalia, and the unity of the Somali nation, as well as ensuri ...

, first president and founding father of

*Abdirahman Omar Mohamed (Dr. Cunaaye), Awrtable, was the former director of Benaadir Regional Medical, Public Health, and Epidemiology Services * Abdi Farah Shirdon, Marehan, former prime minister of Somalia * Hirsi Bulhan Farah Majeerteen, former minister in the civilian government of the 1960s, political prisoner and Pan-Somalist. * Aden Ibrahim Aw Hirsi, Marehan, Author, Politician – Former minister of planning of Jubaland state of Somalia. *

Abdirashid Shermarke Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke (, ) (8 June 1919 – 15 October 1969), was the first Prime Minister of Somalia from 12 July 1960 to 14 June 1964 and the second President of Somalia from 6 July 1967, until his assassination on October 15, 1969.

, Majeerteen, second president of Somalia, 1967–1969 * Asli

Mohamed Aden Sheikh, Marean premier Somali intellectual and former head of Somali Technological Development, Minister of Information, Minister of Education, Head of the Ideology Bureau SRRC * Omar Haji Massale, Marehan, former minister of defence of Somalia * Abdiweli Gaas, Majeerteen current president of Puntland * Abdi Shire Warsame, Marehan, former Somali ambassador to Kenya and China and former Foreign Affairs State minister in Transitional National Government * Ahmed Mohamed Islam(Axmed Madoobe), Ogaden, President of Jubbaland State of Somalia * Abdiwahid Gonjeh, Marehan, former prime minister of Somalia, member of upper house * Ahmed Elmi Osman (Karaash), Dhulbahante, Minister of Interior of Puntland and former president of Khatumo State * Fatimo Isaak Bihi, Marehan, first Somali female ambassador, Ambassador to Geneva, Director of the African Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs *Abdiasis Nur Hersi, Awrtable, the former Minister of Labor and Sports from 1970 to 1977 * Abdi Mohamoud Omar, Ogaden, president of Somali region of Ethiopia * Mohamed Abdi Yusuf, Awrtable, former prime minister of Somalia * Abdulahi Sheik Ismael Fara-Tag, member of sen of upper house * Abdihakim Abdullahi Haji Omar, Dhulbahante, Vice President of Puntland * Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo2

Ahmed Mohamed Hassan, Marehan, Member of the Pan-African Parliament from Djibouti * Abdirahman Farole, Majeerteen, former president of Puntland * Abdirizak Haji Hussein, Majeerteen, former prime minister of Somalia, and former secretary general of the Somali Youth League. * Abdirizak Jurile, Dishiishe, veteran politician, diplomat and professor. Former TFG minister of planning & International Cooperation, Former MP, former executive director of numerous UN and International organisations, Senator *

Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed (, ; born 1959), also known as Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed Mohammad, is a Somali economist and politician. He has held leadership positions with various international organizations, including the World Bank, USAID, African Union ...

, Marehan, former prime minister of Somalia * Omar Sharmarke, Majeerteen, Prime Minister of Somalia, and son of Abdirashid Ali Shermarke * Abdulkadir Abdi Hashi, Leelkase, State Minister of the Presidency for Planning and International Relations of Puntland * Farah Ali Jama, Majeerteen, former Minister of Finance of Puntland * Abdulahi Bille Nour, Dishiishe, Somali State Minister of Education, Cultural & Higher Education, One of Somali longest serving national MPs. * Iman 1996

Abdulrahman Jama Barre, Marehan, former foreign minister of Somalia and close relative of Siad Barre * Shukran Hussein Gure, Ogaden, MP for Garissa County *Jabir Mohamed Abdi is the current State

Minister of Education An education minister (sometimes minister of education) is a position in the governments of some countries responsible for dealing with educational matters. Where known, the government department, ministry, or agency that develops policy and deli ...

of the

Federal Government of Somalia The Federal Government of Somalia (FGS; , DFS; ) is the internationally recognised government of Somalia, and the longest running attempt to create a central government in Somalia since the collapse of the Somali Democratic Republic in 1991. It ...

* Said Mohamed Rage, Dishiishe, Founder of Puntland Counter-piracy Agency and Puntland Minister of Ports, Marine Transportation and Marine Resource *

Farah Maalim Farah Maalim Mohamed (, Arabic: فارح معلم محمد) is a Kenyan, Veteran Politician who served as the Member of Parliament for Lagdera Constituency from 29 December 1992 to 29 December 1997 and then from 27 December 2007 to 4 March 201 ...

, Ogaden, Deputy Speaker in the Parliament of Kenya * Cabbaas Xuseen, Dhulbahante, first prime minister of the Darawiish (1895–1900) * Xaashi Suni Fooyaan, Dhulbahante, peace-time prime minister of the Darawiish (1905–1906)

Engineers

* Asli Hassan Abade, Ogaden, First Ever African Female Military Pilot * Ali Matan Hashi, Marehan, first Somali pilot, commander of Somali Airforce 1959–1978, Minister of Justice, Minister of Health, Somali Nationalist. * Ali Meggar, Darawiish naval commander

Athletes

* Abdi Bile, Dhulbahante, former middle-distance runner and 1500m world champion in 1987.

Other

Iman (model) Iman Mohamed Abdulmajid (; born Zara Mohamed Abdulmajid, 25 July 1955), known mononymously as Iman, is a Somali-American model and actress. A muse of the designers Gianni Versace, Thierry Mugler, Calvin Klein, Donna Karan, and Yves Saint Lauren ...

, Majeerteen, a

supermodel A supermodel is a highly paid fashion model who has a worldwide reputation and background in ''haute couture'' and commercial modeling. The term became popular in the 1990s. Supermodels usually work for prominent fashion designers and clothin ...

, actress and entrepreneur * Fatima Jibrell, Dhulbahante, Somali-American environmentalist * Hirsi Magan Isse, Majeerteen, scholar and one of the leaders of the Somalian revolution * Nathif Jama Adam, Ogaden, Governor of Garissa County and former Head of the Sharjah Islamic Bank's Investments & International Banking Division *Abdirahman Nur Hersi, Awrtable, The former Minister of Finance in Somalia and founding member and executive Vice President of the

Islamic Development Bank The Islamic Development Bank (, abbreviated as IsDB) is a multilateral development finance institution that is focused on Islamic finance for infrastructure development and located in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. There are 57 shareholding member st ...

Notes

References

*Hunt, John A. (1951).
Chapter IX: Tribes and Their Stock
. ''A General Survey of the Somaliland Protectorate 1944–1950''.

London London is the Capital city, capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of both England and the United Kingdom, with a population of in . London metropolitan area, Its wider metropolitan area is the largest in Wester ...

: Crown Agent for the Colonies. Accessed on October 7, 2005 (from Civic Webs Virtual Library archive). *Lewis, I.M. (1955). ''Peoples of the Horn of Africa: Somali, Afar, and Saho, Part 1'', London: International African Institute. *Lewis, I. M. (1961). ''A pastoral democracy: a study of pastoralism and politics among the Northern Somali of the Horn of Africa'', reed. Münster: LIT Verlag, 1999. *

External links

The Historic Manuscripts of Abdirahman bin Ismail Al-Jabarti (Da'ud/Darod)

Origins

Gidaya kingdom 12th century

Lineage

Distribution

Nobility

Clan tree

Darod's tomb

Sons of Sheikh Darod Ismail

Notable Darod people

Royalty

Rulers

Inventors and founders

Lawyers and legislators

Writers and musicians

Military leaders and personnel

Politicians

Engineers

Athletes

Other

Notes

References

Further reading

External links