The Issa Musa or ‘Isa Musa ( so, Ciise Muuse, ar, عيسى موسى , Full Name:'' ’Isa ibn Musa ibn Zubayr ibn Abd al-Raḥmān ibn ash-
Shaykh Isḥāq ibn Aḥmad'' ) is a northern
Somali clan
The Somalis ( so, Soomaalida 𐒈𐒝𐒑𐒛𐒐𐒘𐒆𐒖, ar, صوماليون) are an ethnic group native to the Horn of Africa who share a common ancestry, culture and history. The Lowland East Cushitic Somali language is the shared mo ...
. Its members form a part of the
Habr Awal
The Habr Awal, also contemporarily known as the Subeer Awal, and alternately romanized as the Zubeyr Awal ( so, Habar Awal, ar, هبر أول, Full Name: '' Zubeyr ibn Abd al-Raḥmān ibn ash- Shaykh Isḥāq ibn Aḥmad)'' is a major clan of ...
clan of the
Isaaq
The Isaaq (also Isaq, Ishaak, Isaac) ( so, Reer Sheekh Isxaaq, ar, بني إسحاق, Banī Isḥāq) is a Somali clan. It is one of the major Somali clans in the Horn of Africa, with a large and densely populated traditional territory. Pe ...
clan family. The Isa Musa are divided into four major sub-clans: Mohammed Issa, Adam Issa, Abokor Issa and Idarais Issa. The Isa Musa traditionally consists of
coastal
The coast, also known as the coastline or seashore, is defined as the area where land meets the ocean, or as a line that forms the boundary between the land and the coastline. The Earth has around of coastline. Coasts are important zones in n ...
people,
nomadic pastoralist
Nomadic pastoralism is a form of pastoralism in which livestock are herded in order to seek for fresh pastures on which to graze. True nomads follow an irregular pattern of movement, in contrast with transhumance, where seasonal pastures are fix ...
and
merchants
A merchant is a person who trades in Commodity, commodities produced by other people, especially one who trades with foreign countries. Historically, a merchant is anyone who is involved in commerce, business or trade. Merchants have operated fo ...
. This clan are primarily settled in
Somaliland, including
Maroodi Jeex
Marodi Jeh ( so, Maroodi Jeex, ar, مرودي جيح) is an administrative region ('' gobol'') in western Somaliland. It is the most populous region of the country. It is bordered by Awdal to the west, Sahil to the north, Togdheer to the ea ...
,
Togdheer
Togdheer ( so, Togdheer, ar, تُوْجْدَيْر, Tūjdayr) is an administrative region ('' gobol'') in central Somaliland. Togdheer is bordered by Maroodi Jeex to the west, Saaxil to the north, Sanaag to the northeast, Sool to the east ...
,
Sahil,
Ethiopia
Ethiopia, , om, Itiyoophiyaa, so, Itoobiya, ti, ኢትዮጵያ, Ítiyop'iya, aa, Itiyoppiya officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a landlocked country in the Horn of Africa. It shares borders with Eritrea to the Er ...
, as well as Kenya.
The Issa Musse have produced many prominent Somali figures with the Undersecretary General of the United Nations
Abdulrahim Abby Farah
Abdulrahim Abby Farah ( so, Cabdiraxiim Caabbi Faarax, ar, عبد الرحيم آبي فرح; October 22, 1919 – May 14, 2018) was a Welsh-born Somali diplomat and politician. He was Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations 1979-1990. He ...
, the first
Somali
Somali may refer to:
Horn of Africa
* Somalis, an inhabitant or ethnicity associated with Greater Somali Region
** Proto-Somali, the ancestors of modern Somalis
** Somali culture
** Somali cuisine
** Somali language, a Cushitic language
** Soma ...
Prime Minister & second President of
Somaliland Muhammad Haji Ibrahim Egal
Mohamed Haji Ibrahim Egal ( so, Maxamed Xaaji Ibraahim Cigaal, ar, محمد الحاج ابراهيم عقال; August 15, 1928 – May 3, 2002) was a Somali politician who served as the President of Somaliland from 1993 to his death in 2002. ...
,current Ctrack Middle East Sales Manager
Abdul Wahab Jama Abdi and the second tallest man in the world
Hussein Bisad.
History
Historically, the Isa Musa made use of the very valuable
caravan
Caravan or caravans may refer to:
Transport and travel
*Caravan (travellers), a group of travellers journeying together
**Caravanserai, a place where a caravan could stop
*Camel train, a convoy using camels as pack animals
*Convoy, a group of veh ...
trade
Trade involves the transfer of goods and services from one person or entity to another, often in exchange for money. Economists refer to a system or network that allows trade as a market.
An early form of trade, barter, saw the direct exch ...
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), ...
. Deriving income from arriving caravans into the markets of the coastal city of
Berbera
Berbera (; so, Barbara, ar, بربرة) is the capital of the Sahil region of Somaliland and is the main sea port of the country. Berbera is a coastal city and was the former capital of the British Somaliland protectorate before Hargeisa. It ...
. The Isa Musa were able to impose a transit duty of 4 units of ana per camel loaded with merchandise.
The Isa Musa, whose pasture area is the coastal plain, also raise a transit duty of 4 anas (approx. 48 pfennigs) from the caravans for the loaded dromedar and 1 ana for each sheep and each goat, which from other tribes after the Markets to be brought from Berbera.
The Italian explorer and geographer
Luigi Robecchi Brichetti had a similar remark in aspect of the valuable caravan trade, where he also mentioned the related Ayal Ahmad of Habr Awal - who reserved the title as the Abban of Berbera.
According to the account of Bricchetti, the Isa Musa were able to attain revenue thanks to the busy caravan traffic entering & leaving the coastal and historical city of Berbera
They pass for skilled camel breeders and intelligent caravan organizers yal Achmed Yal, or YAL, can mean:
*Boeing YAL-1, a US Air Force test aircraft for anti-missile laser development
* Yāḻ, an ancient Tamil harp
*YAL, the IATA code for Alert Bay Airport in British Columbia, Canada
*YAL, the National Rail code for Yalding rai ...
And such are also the different families of the Isa Musa, who live off the caravan traffic with the Ogaden, going up to Uebi ebialong the Faf (Fafan) route.
The Isa Musa, along with the wider Habr Awal clan family, formed the majority of the Somali merchants who frequented
Aden and other Southern Arabian ports. Conducting independent trading expeditions on their own vessels to Arabian ports. They procured various raw goods from Harar and the interior in exchange for manufactured goods. During their stay, the Habr Awal rented their own houses and hired their own servants, whereas other Somali clans tended to stay with relatives already established across the Gulf.
Merchants. — These are generally members of the Habr Awal tribe. They bring from Harrar and the Galla country, coffee, saffron (bastard), tusks (ivory), and feathers, taking away in return zinc, brass, broad cloth, and piece goods. They remain in Aden for about twenty days at a time during the trading season, which lasts about nine months,' making four trips. During their residence they hire a house, and are accompanied by their own domestics.
The ‘Isa Musa, weren’t only involved in the commodity trade but also in the livestock trade. Exporting their livestock to Southern Arabian ports like
Aden through Berbera. According to a 1895 publication by Captain H. G. C. Swayne.
the Esa Musa export their cattle and sheep to Aden. They have agents at Berbera, and as opportunities offer, batches of, say, ten oxen or two hundred sheep are brought down for export, marching by easy stages. Coming from Bur’o, eighty miles from the coast, cattle or sheep reach Berbera in four to six days, while caravans generally cover the distance in three days.
Clans

A summarized clan family, with four of the major subclans of Issa Mussa is presented below.
*Sheikh Isaaq Bin Ahmed (
Sheikh Isaaq)
**''Habar Habuusheed''
*** Ahmed (Tol-Ja'lo)
*** Muuse (
Habr Je'lo
The Habr Je'lo ( so, Habar Jeclo, ar, هبر جعلو , Full Name: ''Mūsa ibn ash-Shaykh Isḥāq ibn Aḥmad,'' historically known as the Habr Toljaala ( so, Habar Toljeclo) is a major sub-tribe of the wider Isaaq family. Its members form ...
)
*** Ibrahiim (Sanbuur)
*** Muhammad ('Ibraan)
** ''Habar Magaadle''
*** Ismail (
Garhajis
The Garhajis ( so, Garxajis, ar, غرحجس , Full Name: ''Al-Qādhī Ismā'īl ibn ash-Shaykh Isḥāq ibn Aḥmad bin Muḥammad bin'' ''al-Ḥusayn al-Hāshimīy'') historically known as the Habar Gerhajis () is a major clan of the wider Isa ...
)
*** Muhammad (Arap)
*** Ayub
*** Abdirahman (Subeer Awal) (
Habr Awal
The Habr Awal, also contemporarily known as the Subeer Awal, and alternately romanized as the Zubeyr Awal ( so, Habar Awal, ar, هبر أول, Full Name: '' Zubeyr ibn Abd al-Raḥmān ibn ash- Shaykh Isḥāq ibn Aḥmad)'' is a major clan of ...
)
*** Afgab Musse
*** Abdi Musse
*** Abdalle Musse
*** Igalle Musse
*** Eli Musse
*** Sa’ad Musse
The four major subclans of Issa Musse are:
** Abokor Issa
** Iderias Issa
** Adam Issa
** Mohammed Issa
Notable figures
*
Abdul Wahab Jama Abdi, the current Sales and marketing manager of Ctrack Middle East, Abu Dhabi is from Issa Musse clan
*
Sultan Osman Sultan Ali Koshin
Sultan Osman Sultan Ali Koshin ( so, Suldaan Cismaan Suldaan Cali Kooshin), is the current general sultan of the Issa Musse clans. His family were the traditional holders of the Issa Musse
The Issa Musa or ‘Isa Musa ( so, Ciise Muuse, ar, � ...
, the current general sultan of the Issa Musse clans, his family was the traditional sultanate holders of Issa Mussa clans
*
Hussain Bisad, the second tallest man in the world, and He held the record for the largest hands of anyone alive until took the record
Sultan Kösen
Sultan Kösen (born 10 December 1982) is a Turkish farmer who holds the Guinness World Record for tallest living male at . Of Kurdish ethnicity, he is the seventh-tallest man in history.
Kösen's growth resulted from the conditions gigantis ...
*
Abdulrahim Abby Farah
Abdulrahim Abby Farah ( so, Cabdiraxiim Caabbi Faarax, ar, عبد الرحيم آبي فرح; October 22, 1919 – May 14, 2018) was a Welsh-born Somali diplomat and politician. He was Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations 1979-1990. He ...
,
Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations
An under-secretary-general of the United Nations (USG) is a senior official within the United Nations System, normally appointed by the General Assembly on the recommendation of the secretary-general for a renewable term of four years. Under ...
1979–1990 and Permanent Representative of
Somali Republic
The Somali Republic ( so, Jamhuuriyadda Soomaaliyeed; it, Repubblica Somala; ar, الجمهورية الصومالية, Jumhūriyyat aṣ-Ṣūmālīyyah) was a sovereign state composed of Somalia and Somaliland, following the unification ...
to the United Nations 1965–1972.
*
Muhammad Haji Ibrahim Egal
Mohamed Haji Ibrahim Egal ( so, Maxamed Xaaji Ibraahim Cigaal, ar, محمد الحاج ابراهيم عقال; August 15, 1928 – May 3, 2002) was a Somali politician who served as the President of Somaliland from 1993 to his death in 2002. ...
, The first Somali prime minister 1960, double time prime minister 1967–1969. President of
Somaliland, 1993–2002.
* General
Ahmed Mohamoud Farah “Ina lah-was”, former vice-president of Somalia and member of the 5th
Supreme Revolutionary Council (SRC) of Somalia
* Aar Guruxeed- Geologist and philosopher specializing in rural and urban culture. until 1939 he was famous for his political slogans and short poems and catchword which he recited on the forum.
*
Ahmed Mohamed Obsiye Speaker of the Parliament of
Somali Republic
The Somali Republic ( so, Jamhuuriyadda Soomaaliyeed; it, Repubblica Somala; ar, الجمهورية الصومالية, Jumhūriyyat aṣ-Ṣūmālīyyah) was a sovereign state composed of Somalia and Somaliland, following the unification ...
1964-1967.
*
Ahmed Yusuf Yasin, former vice-prisdent of Somaliland and the former second chairman of
UDUB party 2002-2010.
*
Ali Jama Habil, one of the most notable contemporary Somali poets of the golden age
*
Ali Omar Mohamed
Ali Omar Mohamed ( so, Cali Cumar Maxamed, ar, علي عمر محمد) also known as Cali Xoor Xoor was a Berbera Port's longest serving manager.
See also
* List of Somalis
* Berbera Port
References
Living people
Year of birth missing (li ...
“Ali Hor-hor”, former longest serving general manager of
Berbera Port
*
Said Hassan Abdilahi, current General Manager of the
port of Berbera
*
Hassan Gadhweyneh, the Deputy-Mayor of Mogadishu(1975-1991), Governor of Sahil region(1998-2003, the Mayor of Berbera(1998-2003) and the longest serving Minister of Education of Somaliland (2003-2010
*
Sheikh Osman Noor, the first religious leader of
Burao
Burao, also spelt Bur'o or Bur'ao (; so, Burco, , ar, برعو) is the capital of the Togdheer region and the second largest city in Somaliland. Burao was also the third largest city of Somalia. Burao was the site of the declaration of an ...
Togdheer
Togdheer ( so, Togdheer, ar, تُوْجْدَيْر, Tūjdayr) is an administrative region ('' gobol'') in central Somaliland. Togdheer is bordered by Maroodi Jeex to the west, Saaxil to the north, Sanaag to the northeast, Sool to the east ...
*
Armiye Odowa’a, the first
major of
Burao
Burao, also spelt Bur'o or Bur'ao (; so, Burco, , ar, برعو) is the capital of the Togdheer region and the second largest city in Somaliland. Burao was also the third largest city of Somalia. Burao was the site of the declaration of an ...
Togdheer
Togdheer ( so, Togdheer, ar, تُوْجْدَيْر, Tūjdayr) is an administrative region ('' gobol'') in central Somaliland. Togdheer is bordered by Maroodi Jeex to the west, Saaxil to the north, Sanaag to the northeast, Sool to the east ...
*
Jamal Ali Hussein
Jamal ( ar, جمال ''/'') is an Arabic masculine given name, meaning "beauty",[Jamal]
at BehindTheName.com and a surn ...
Somali politician and economist, former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for Citi Bank Tanzania, former presidential candidate of
UCID party in Somaliland
*
Abdullahi Abokor Osman The current Ministry of Transportation and Roads Development of the Republic of Somaliland
*
Abdi Haybe Laampad Veteran Somali comedian and one of the best Somali comedian of all time.
*
Dr. Saad Ali Shire, currently serving as the Minister of Finance in the
Republic of Somaliland
Somaliland,; ar, صوماليلاند ', ' officially the Republic of Somaliland,, ar, جمهورية صوماليلاند, link=no ''Jumhūrīyat Ṣūmālīlānd'' is a ''List of states with limited recognition, de facto'' sovereign s ...
. Shire formerly served as the Foreign Minister of Somaliland
*
Adan Haji Ali, the current Chief Justice
Ministry of Justice (Somaliland)
*
Abdishakur Iddin
Abdishakur Mohamoud Hassan Iddin ( so, Cabdishakuur Maxamuud Xasan Ciddin, ar, عبدي شكور) is a Somaliland politician who is the current Mayor of Berbera, Somaliland. Iddin belongs to the Issa Musa sub-division of the Habr Awal Isaaq ...
, the current
Mayor
In many countries, a mayor is the highest-ranking official in a municipal government such as that of a city or a town. Worldwide, there is a wide variance in local laws and customs regarding the powers and responsibilities of a mayor as well as ...
of
Berbera
Berbera (; so, Barbara, ar, بربرة) is the capital of the Sahil region of Somaliland and is the main sea port of the country. Berbera is a coastal city and was the former capital of the British Somaliland protectorate before Hargeisa. It ...
which is the former capital of Somaliland before
Hargeisa
Hargeisa (; so, Hargeysa, ar, هرجيسا) is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Somaliland. It is located in the Maroodi Jeex region of the Horn of Africa. It succeeded Burco as the capital of the British Somaliland Protecto ...
*
Abdi duco
Abdi is a male name. It is a given name used in several countries with different origins. The Oromo version of the name, used within Ethiopia, translates to ‘Hope’. Among others, one version has Arabic has meaning which is loosely translated a ...
, one of secular somalis
References
External links
"The Somali Ethnic Group and Clan System" from "Reunification of the Somali People", Jack L. Davies
Somalia Recent Economic and Political Developments Handbook Volume 1 Strategic Information and Developments*https://www.somaliland.com/news/somaliland/somaliland-partners-consult-with-chief-justice-of-the-supreme-court/
Somalia Mineral & Mining Sector Investment and Business GuideAnatomy of Violence: Understanding the Systems of Conflict and Violence in Africa*
Wasiir Cabdilaahi Abokor Oo Ku Margaday Su’aalo Xasaasi Oo Lagu Waydiiyay Waraysi Lala Yeeshay – somalilandtoday.com
{{Human rights in Somaliland
Demographics of Somaliland