Harti () is a Somali clan that traces its lineage back to Saleh Abdi Harti. They are a sub-clan of the larger

Darod The Darod (, ) is a Somali clan. The forefather of this clan is Sheikh Abdirahman bin Isma'il al-Jabarti, more commonly known as Darod. The clan primarily settles the apex of the Horn of Africa and its peripheries, the Somali hinterlands adjacent ...

clan. Notable sub-clans within Harti include the

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 ...

, Warsengeli, Dishishe, and the

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 ...

. They predominantly reside in the apex of the Horn of Africa and its surrounding regions. Furthermore, in the southern territories, the clan's settlements span both sides of the Kenya-Somalia border.

Distribution

The extended formal name of the Harti clan is Saleh Abdi Mohamed

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 ...

. The primary homeland of the Harti is the state of

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 ...

in northeastern

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 ...

. The clan is well represented in the regions of Sool,

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

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 ...

, (primarily Buhoodle) ,

Bari Bari ( ; ; ; ) is the capital city of the Metropolitan City of Bari and of the Apulia Regions of Italy, region, on the Adriatic Sea in southern Italy. It is the first most important economic centre of mainland Southern Italy. It is a port and ...

Nugaal The Nugaal () is an intermittent river Intermittent, temporary or seasonal rivers or streams cease to flow every year or at least twice every five years. Such rivers drain large arid and semi-arid areas, covering approximately a third of ...

and

Mudug Mudug () is an administrative region ('' gobol'') in north-central Somalia. The population of Mudug is 131,455 as of 2005. Overview Physiographically, Mudug is bordered to the west by Ethiopia, to the north and south by the Somali regions of Nu ...

. There is also a significant trading Harti community in the state of

Jubaland Jubaland (; ; ), or the Juba Valley (), is a States and regions of Somalia, 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 si ...

particularly in the port city of

Kismayo Kismayo (, , ; ) is a port city in the southern Lower Juba (Jubbada Hoose) province of Somalia. It is the commercial capital of the autonomous Jubaland region. The city is situated southwest of the capital Mogadishu, near the mouth of the Jub ...

. In

Ethiopia Ethiopia, officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a landlocked country located in the Horn of Africa region of East Africa. It shares borders with Eritrea to the north, Djibouti to the northeast, Somalia to the east, Ken ...

, they are well represented in the

Dollo Zone Dollo () is one of the nine zones in the Somali Region of Ethiopia. It was previously known as Warder/Werder, so named after its largest city, Warder. Dollo is bordered on the southwest by Korahe, on the northwest by Jarar, and on the southeas ...

, whilst they have a notable presence in the North Eastern Province of

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. ...

History

Northern Sultanates

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 ...

(Migiurtinia) was founded in the mid-18th century. It rose to prominence the following century, under the reign of the resourceful Boqor (King)

Osman Mahamuud Osman Mahamuud (, ), also known as Uthman III ibn Mahmud, was a Somali king. He led the Majeerteen Sultanate during the 19th century. Majeerteen Sultanate The Majeerteen Sultanate was established by Somalis from the Majeerteen Darod clan. Os ...

Helen Chapin Metz Helen Chapin Metz (April 12, 1928 – May 13, 2011) was an American editor and Middle East analyst. Life Helen Chapin was born on April 12, 1928, in Peking, China. She was the daughter of diplomat Selden Chapin and Mary Paul Noyes. Her brother, ...

, ed., ''Somalia: a country study'', (The Division: 1993), p. 10 . Centred in Aluula, it controlled much of northern and central Somalia in the 19th and early 20th centuries. The polity maintained a robust trading network, entered into treaties with foreign powers, and exerted strong centralized authority on the domestic front. With the gradual extension of European colonial rule into northern Somalia, all three sultanates were annexed to

Italian Somaliland Italian Somaliland (; ; ) was a protectorate and later colony of the Kingdom of Italy in present-day Somalia, which was ruled in the 19th century by the Sultanate of Hobyo and the Majeerteen Sultanate in the north, and by the Hiraab Imamate and ...

and

British Somaliland British Somaliland, officially the Somaliland Protectorate (), was a protectorate of the United Kingdom in modern Somaliland. It was bordered by Italian Somalia, French Somali Coast and Ethiopian Empire, Abyssinia (Italian Ethiopia from 1936 ...

in the early 20th century.

Darawiish sultanate-emirate-chieftainship

Nur Hedik wearing the emblematic Kuuk Darawiish prayer bead on his left wrist and the duubcad turban on his head

The Darawiish, mostly hailed from the Dhulbahante and drew the majority of its followers from this clan; the four major Darawiish administrative divisions, i.e. Dooxato, Shiikhyaale, Golaweyne and Miinanle were near exclusively Dhulbahante. The Dhulbahante in Buuhodle were particularly the first and most persistent supporters of the Dervish chieftainship-emirate-sultanate. The poet Aadan Carab noted that the Dhulbahante experienced a genocide at the hands of European colonialists due to their Darawiish adherence, noting the Dhulbahante genocide in his poem ''Diidda Ama Yeella''. The Dervish chieftainship-sultanate resisted colonial occupation, especially the British who were aided by other Somali clans.

Foundation of Puntland

In 1998, the Harti community convened at

Garowe Garowe (, ,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 ...

served as the fledgling state's founding president.

Clan tree

There is no clear agreement on the clan and sub-clan structures and many lineages are omitted. The following listing is taken from 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''.Worldbank,
Conflict in Somalia: Drivers and Dynamics
', January 2005, Appendix 2, Lineage Charts, p.55 Figure A-1Country Information and Policy Unit, Home Office, Great Britain, Somalia Assessment 2001, Annex B: Somali Clan Structure
, p. 43 *

( Daarood) **Mohamed Darod (Kablalah) ***Abdi Mohamed (Kombe) ****Saleh Abdi (Harti) *****Mohamed Harti (

) *****Mohamoud Harti (

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 ...

) *****Ahmed Harti ( Dishiishe) *****Said Harti (

) *****Abdirahman Harti (Kaskiqabe) *****Geesiguulle *****Liibaangashe

Notable Harti members

Commanders

* Nuurxaashi Cali, commander of one of the two Garbo subdivisions, named after himself * Jaamac Cudur, commander of a

Garbo (Darawiish) Garbo may refer to: People *Greta Garbo (1905–1990), Swedish actress *Gunnar Garbo (1924–2016), Norwegian journalist and politician *Ingvald Garbo (1891–1941), member of the Norwegian Resistance in WWII *Norman Garbo (1919–2017), America ...

subdivision * Osman Boss, commander of a Ragxun subdivision * Cabbane Sugulle, commander of Burcadde-Godwein, a Darawiish administrative division * Adan Ali Gurey, commander of Golaweyne * Ali Meggar, Darawiish naval commander * Suleiman Aden Galaydh, Darawiish commander at Cagaarweyne * Nur Hedik, commander of Dooxato (the Darawiish cavalry) who had a Shiikhyaale regiment named after him * Haji Yusuf Barre, commander of the biggest battle in Darawiish history, i.e. Jidbali; singlehanded defender of Taleh * Yusuf Agararan, Jama Siad, led most successful Darawiish raid since Dul Madoba * Ibraahin Xoorane, Darawiish commander who killed Richard Corfield * Axmed Aarey, Darawiish artillery commander who abetted Richard Corfield's death *

Mohamed Abshir Muse Mohamed Abshir Muse (, ); 1 July 1926 – 25 October 2017), also known as Mahamed Abshir Haamaan, was a prominent Somali General and the first Commander of the Somali Police Force. Early years Abshir Muse was born to a Somali family and recei ...

, first commander of the Somali Police Force *

Abdullahi Ahmed Irro Abdullahi Ahmed Irro (; - ), Abdullahi Ahmed Yusuf Irro,''ARR: Arab report and record'', (Economic Features, ltd.: 1978), p.602. was a prominent Somali military professor and late general. He helped establish the National Academy for Strategy. ...

, Somali General, founded the National Academy for Strategy. * Mohamed Adam Ahmed, former

Chief of Staff The title chief of staff (or head of staff) identifies the leader of a complex organization such as the armed forces, institution, or body of persons and it also may identify a principal staff officer (PSO), who is the coordinator of the supportin ...

of the

Somali Armed Forces The Somali Armed Forces are the military forces of the Federal Republic of Somalia. Headed by the president as commander-in-chief, they are constitutionally mandated to ensure the nation's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity. I ...

Prime ministers & leaders

* Suleiman Haglotosiye, SSC president * Cabbaas Xuseen, first prime minister of the Darawiish (1895 - 1900) * Xaashi Suni Fooyaan, peace-time prime minister of the Darawiish (1905-1906) * Ali Khalif Galaydh, Ex-Prime minister of Somalia and Khaatumo President. * Abdiweli Gaas, former Prime Minister of Somalia, current President of Puntland. *

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 ...

, former President of Somalia, President of Puntland and leader/co-founder of the Somali Salvation Democratic Front. * Faarax Sugulle, head of the Darawiish haroun * Sainab Ugas Yasin, First female parliamentarian of Puntland 1998–2008. Women's inclusion to politics advocate. * Indhosheel, former Khatumo president * Mohamed Abdi Hashi, President of

, October 2004 – January 2005 *

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.

, first Prime Minister of Somalia, second President of Somalia (10 June 1967 until 16 October 1969) *

Abdirizak Haji Hussein Abdirizak Haji Hussein (; ‎; 24 December 192431 January 2014) was a Somali diplomat and politician. He was the Prime Minister of Somali Republic from 14 June 1964 to 15 July 1967.

, former Prime Minister of Somalia (1964–1967), and former Secretary General of the Somali Youth League. * Omar Sharmarke, Prime Minister of Somalia, and son of Abdirashid Sharmarke * Abdirizak Jurile, Veteran politician and Former Somalia Minister of Planning, Head of numerous International agencies *

Mohamud Muse Hersi ''Maj Gen'' Mohamud Muse Hersi (, ; 1 July 1937 – 8 February 2017), Adde Musa, was a Somali military official and former President of Puntland from 8 January 2005 to 8 January 2009. Biography A former General in the Somali Armed Forces of ...

, third President of Puntland * Abdihakim Amey, former Puntland vice-president * Abdisamad Ali Shire, former Puntland vice-president * Ahmed Elmi Osman, vice-president of Puntland since 2019 * Abdirahman Farole, former President of Puntland * Barkhad Ali Salah, first mayor of Bosaso * Mohamed Geedeeye, first mayor-representative of Caynabo for Garad Ali's USP party * Ibrahim Eid, first mayor-representative of Xudun for Garad Ali's USP party * Said Mohamed Rage, Founder of Puntland counter-piracy & maritime crimes authority

Enterprisers

* Aadan Carab, poet who documented the Dhulbahante genocide at the hands of European colonialists during the Darawiish era * Afqarshe Ismail, former Darawiish spokesman-poet; and first person to die in an airstrike in Africa * Ismail Mire, Darwiish supreme commander, poet * Jama Biixi Kidin, last resident of Silsilad; Darawiish child prisoner * Guled Adan, reverse engineer of electric toys * Ali Awale, created Somalia's national anthem * Aw Jama, Somali scholar, historian and collector of oral literature of Somalia. He wrote the first authoritative study of Dervishes. * Saado Ali Warsame, singer-songwriter and former MP in the

Federal Parliament of Somalia The Federal Parliament of Somalia (; often ''Baarlamaanka Federaalka Soomaaliya''; ) is the national parliament of Somalia. Formed in August 2012, it is based in the capital Mogadishu and is bicameral, consisting of an Upper House (Senate) and a ...

. * Ali Dhuh, anti-darwiish poet. * Kiin Jama, Somali artist * Ali Haji Warsame, entrepreneur, former chief executive officer of Golis Telecom Somalia * Amina Mohamed, former chairman of the INM and the

WTO The World Trade Organization (WTO) is an intergovernmental organization headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland that regulates and facilitates international trade. Governments use the organization to establish, revise, and enforce the rules that g ...

's General Council, and the current Secretary for Foreign Affairs of

. *

Abdi Bile Abdi Bile (, ; born 28 December 1962) is a former middle distance runner. He holds the highest number of national records in athletics in Somalia across various disciplines. He is currently Somalia's national record holder in nine athletic disc ...

, Somalia's most decorated athlete with the most Somali national records * Mohamed Suleiman, first ethnic Somali to win an Olympic medal *

Abdinasir Ali Hassan Abdinasir Ali Hassan (), is a Somali Kenyan entrepreneur and the chairman of Hass Petroleum, an international oil marketing company. Hass Petroleum Hassan took over the company after his brother, Abdirazak Ali Hassan died. He began expanding the ...

, chairman of Hass petroleum. * Abdi Holland, Somali artist. * Abdillahi Mohammed Ahmed (1926–1993), known as Qablan, former Under-Secretary of Finance *

Farah Awl Farah Mohamed Jama Awl (, ; 1937–1991), usually credited as Farah Awl, was a Somali writer. His surname ''Cawl'' () means "gazelle", was the nickname of his great-grandfather who was the Sultan of the Warsangali clan. The Awl family also i ...

(1937–1991), writer *

Fatima Jibrell Fatima Jibrell (, ; born December 30, 1947) is a Somali-American environmental activist. She was the co-founder and executive director of the Horn of Africa Relief and Development Organization (now Adeso), co-founder of Sun Fire Cooking, and wa ...

founder of the Horn relief now known as ADESO. * Yaasiin Cismaan Keenadiid, traditional Somali linguist * Shire Haji Farah, entrepreneur, and Executive Committee Member of the Somali Business Council * Omar A. Ali, entrepreneur, accountant, financial consultant, philanthropist, and leading specialist on Islamic finance. *

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 ...

, inventor of the Osmanya writing script * Mohammed Awale Liban, designed the flag of Somalia * Maxamed Daahir Afrax, novelist, playwright, journalist and scholar * Iman (Zara Mohamed Abdulmajid), a Somali-American fashion model, actress and entrepreneur. A pioneer in the ethnic-cosmetics market, she is also noted for her philanthropic work. She is the widow of English rock musician David Bowie. * Abdulqawi Yusuf, lawyer and judge at the International Court of Justice. * Ali A. Abdi, sociologist and educationist, professor of education and international development, the University of British Columbia. * Abdullahi (Daan) Saleh Yusuf, notable businessman from the geesaguule sub-clan of harti

Royalty

*Diiriye Guure, head / sultan of Dhulbahante, a position that coalesced with the Dervish *Garad Jama Garad Ali, Traditional Clan Chief of Dhulbahante Clan. * Garad Mukhtar Garad Ali, Traditional Clan Chief. * Ugas Hassan Ugas Yasin, supreme traditional clan elder of Dishiishe/ nominal chief Ugas of Harti clans. *

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 ...

, last Sultan of the Sultanate of Hobyo * Gerad Hamar Gale second Sultan of the Warsangali Sultanate *

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 ...

(1897–1960), one the Warsangeli Sultanate chiefs * Ugas Yasin Ugas Abdurahman, Ugas of the Dishiishe sultanate of Bosaso *

Yusuf Ali Kenadid Yusuf Ali Kenadid (; 1837 – 14 August 1911) was a Somali Sultan and the founder of the Sultanate of Hobyo. He was succeeded to the throne by his son Ali Yusuf Kenadid. Family Yusuf Ali Kenadid was born into the Bah Yaaqub (part of the large ...

, founder of the Sultanate of Hobyo *

, King of the Majeerteen Sultanate (mid-1800s – early 1900s)

Politicians

* Bashe Mohamed Farah, Speaker of Somaliland House of Representative. * Ibraahim Guure, Khatumo lawmaker * Ali Jangali Somalia's minister of foreign affairs *

Ahmed Gacmayare Ahmed Gacmayare is a Somalia, Somali politician who was from 2008 until 2012 the spokesperson for the SSC movement, and in 2012 became the Minister (government), minister for information and culture. See also *Politics of Somalia References

...

, former Information Minister for Khaatumo State * Abdirizak Jurile, Veteran Politician, Former Minister of Planning and In't Cooperations of Somalia. Former Minister of Postal cooperation of Somalia. Diplomat, Head of numerous UN organizations and professor. * Abdullahi Bile Noor, longest served Somali MP, State-Minister of Education and Higher learning of Somalia Government * Faisal Hassan, Canadian politician * Ali Abdi Aware, former Puntland State Minister of the Presidency for International relations and Social Affairs. * Asha Gelle Dirie, former Minister of Women Development and Family Affairs of Puntland; founder and executive director of TAG Foundation *

Ayaan Hirsi Ali Ayaan Hirsi Ali (; born 13 November 1969) is a Dutch and American writer, activist, conservative thinker and former politician. She is a critic of Islam and an advocate for the rights and self-determination of Muslim women, opposing forced mar ...

, the first Somali-born member of parliament of a European country, author and political activist 9* Farah Ali Jama, former Minister of Finance of Puntland *

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 ...

, first President of Somali National Assembly; Minister of Health and Labor of Somalia (1966–67) * Barkhad Ali Salah, First Mayor For Bosaso. *

Hassan Abshir Farah Hassan Abshir Farah (, ; June 20, 1945 – July 12, 2020) was a Somali politician. He previously served as mayor of Mogadishu and interior minister of Puntland. From November 12, 2001 to November 8, 2003, he was also prime minister of Somalia. ...

, former Mogadishu mayor, Somalia ambassador to Japan and later to Germany, interior minister of Puntland * Omar Fateh, first Somali and Muslim State Senator in Minnesota * Hassan Ali Mire, first Minister of Education of the Somali Democratic Republic; former Chairman of the Somali Salvation Democratic Front (SSDF). *

Hirsi Magan Isse Hirsi Ali "Magan" Issa (; ; 1935–2008), commonly known as Hirsi Magan, was a Somali scholar, intellectual, and political dissident. He was a prominent figure in the Somalian Rebellion, Somali culture, and Somalia's political elite. Magan co-f ...

, scholar and revolutionary leader with the Somali Salvation Democratic Front (SSDF). *

Ilhan Omar Ilhan Abdullahi Omar (born October 4, 1982) is an American politician serving as the U.S. representative for since 2019. She is a member of the Democratic Party. Before her election to Congress, Omar served in the Minnesota House of Represen ...

, a Somali-American politician, currently a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives representing the 60B district. On November 6, 2018, Omar was elected to the United States House of Representatives for Minnesota's 5th congressional district. She was the first Somali member of congress and the second female Muslim to be elected (the first is

Rashida Tlaib Rashida Harbi Tlaib ( ; born July 24, 1976) is an American lawyer and politician serving as a U.S. representative from Michigan since 2019, representing the state's 12th congressional district since 2023. A member of the Democratic Party, sh ...

who will represent Michigan's 13th congressional district) She will be officially sworn into office on January 3, 2019. * Jama Ali Jama, Colonel in the Somali military and former President of Puntland * Mire Hagi Farah Mohamed, Somali Finance Minister 2004–2006, and former mayor of Kismayo * Mohamed Abdi Aware, Puntland judge and member of Supreme Judicial Council. * Mohammed Said Hersi Morgan, son-in-law of Siad Barre and minister of defense of Somalia * Said Mohamed Rage, founder of puntland counter-piracy authority * Saida Haji Bashir Ismail, former Somali Finance Vice-Minister in the TNG (2000–2004) * Yasin Haji Osman Sharmarke, leader and co-founder of the Somali Youth League * Omar Ismail Waberi, Chairman of Horcad party. FGS MP * Yusuf Mohamed Ismail, former Ambassador of Somalia to the United Nations Human Rights Office in Geneva * Yusuf Osman Samatar, politician

Notes

References

* {{Somali clans Darod Somali clans Somali clans in Ethiopia