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The Darod (, ) is a Somali clan. 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), 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 – N.B. Various authorities indicate that the Darod is one of the largest Somali clan

, whereas others suggest that the Hawiye 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
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 ...
(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 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, the daughter of the Dir clan chief. This union is said to have given rise to the Darod clan family. Thus, it established matrilateral ties with the Samaale 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, 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
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), ...
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 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'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, as is Sheikh Harti, a descendant of Sheikh Darod and the progenitor of the Harti Darod sub-clan, whose tomb lies in the ancient town of Qa’ableh. Sheikh Darod's '' mawlid'' (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, ...
Ahmad ibn Ibrahim al-Ghazi, 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 Harti soldiers took part in the Adal Sultanate army. Hamza al Jufi was an infantry leader during the Battle of Shimbra Kure. The writer Arab Faqih 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 Harti 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.” The Marehan clan are recorded as having played the biggest role in
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, ...
Ahmad ibn Ibrahim al-Ghazi'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 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 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, 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 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, 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.


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 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 state which is dominated by the Harti subclan of Darod. In addition, the Marehan, Ogaden, Jidwaaq, and Harti Darod members are also settled further down south in the Gedo 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 and Puntland 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, and Garowe. Darod are also the largest clan in Jigjiga in Ethiopia, and Garissa in Northern Kenya.


Nobility

The Darod clan has produced numerous noble 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
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), ...
. 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 and Sultanate of Hobyo held steadfast in solidly established posts from Alula 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 ...
's
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 *** Marehan ****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 **** Ogaden *****Makabul *****Tolomoge *****Mohamed Zubeir *****Bahgari ***** Aulihan **** Jidwaaq ***** Bartire ***** Abaskuul *****Yabarre ***Koombe (Kombe) **** Geri Koombe *****Abba Yonis Hassan *****Ishaaq Hassan *****Umar Hassan *****Yusuf Hassan ****Harla *** Harti **** Dishiishe (Dishishe) **** Warsangali (Warsengeli) **** Majeerteen (Mijerteen) ***** Bicidyahan *****Siwaaqroon *****Ali Saleeban *****Ugaar Saleeban *****Mohamoud Saleeban ****** Omar Mohamoud ****** Isse Mohamoud ****** Osman Mohamoud **** Dhulbahante (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
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 ...
. His wife Dobira 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 President of Somalia, 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, Geri Koombe, de facto Adal ruler * Ali Yusuf Kenadid, Majerteen, Last Sultan of the Sultanate of Hobyo * Mohamoud Ali Shire, Warsangeli, Sultan of former "British Somaliland" (1897–1960) * Ugas Yasin Ugas Abdurahman former ruler of Bosaso * Ali Yusuf Kenadid, Majerteen, Last Sultan of the Sultanate of Hobyo * Xasan Deyl, chief caaqil of Bah Cali Gheri during independence * Garaad Abdulahi Garaad Soofe, 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 Geri Koombe 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, 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, Majerteen, Inventor of the Osmanya Script. * Shire Jama Ahmed, Marehan, inventor of the Somali script * Haji Bashir Ismail Yusuf, 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 * 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.) * 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 * 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, 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, first president and founding father of Puntland *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, Majeerteen, second president of Somalia, 1967–1969 * 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 * 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. * 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 of the Federal Government of Somalia * Said Mohamed Rage, Dishiishe, Founder of Puntland Counter-piracy Agency and Puntland Minister of Ports, Marine Transportation and Marine Resource * Farah Maalim, 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), Majeerteen, a supermodel, 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


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. *


Further reading

*{{cite book, last1=Turnbull, first1=Richard, title=The Darod Invasion, year=1961, publisher=Indiana University, url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xOcPAQAAMAAJ


External links


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