Darod
دارود
The tomb of Sheikh Darod in Haylan, Sanaag, Somaliland.
Regions with significant populations
Somalia, Oman, Yemen, Socotra, Ethiopia, Kenya
Languages
Somali & Arabic
Religion
Islam (Sunni)
Related ethnic groups
Dir, Hawiye, Isaaq, Rahanweyn, other Somalis

The Darod (Somali: Daarood, Arabic: دارود) is a Somali clan. The forefather of this clan was Sheikh Abdirahman bin Isma'il al-Jabarti, more commonly known as Darod.[1][2] 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–Somalia border.[3] The Darod clan is the largest Somali clan family in the Horn of Africa.[4][1][2][5]

Origins

Mohamoud Ali Shire, leader of the Warsangali. Warsangali are a subclan of the Darod.

Main article: Abdirahman bin Isma'il al-Jabarti

According to early Islamic books and Somali tradition, Aqeel Abu Talib ibn Abd al-Muttalib Al-Qurashi descendant Abdirahman bin Isma'il al-Jabarti (Darod), a son of the Sufi Sheikh Isma'il al-Jabarti of the Qadiriyyah order, fled his homeland in the Arabian Peninsula after an argument with his uncle.[6][7] During the 10th or 11th century CE,[8] Abdirahman is believed to have then settled in modern-day Sanaag just across the Red Sea and married Dobira, the daughter of the Dir clan chief. This union is said to have given rise to the Darod clan family.[9] Thus, it established matrilateral ties with the Samaale main stem.[10]

According to the British anthropologist and Somali Studies veteran Ioan Lewis, the traditions of descent from noble Arab families related to the Prophet are most probably figurative expressions of the importance of Islam in Somali society.[11][12] 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.[13] Besides historical sources such as Al-Masudi's Aqeeliyoon,[7] a modern manaaqib (a collection of glorious deeds) printed in Cairo 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.[14]

Sheikh Darod's own tomb is in Haylaan, situated in the Sanaag region of Somaliland, and is the scene of frequent pilgrimages.[15] Sheikh Isaaq is buried nearby in Maydh,[16] 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.[14]

The Darod were supporters of Imam Ahmad ibn Ibrahim al-Ghazi during his 16th century conquest of Abyssinia; especially the Geri Koombe who were in laws with Imam Ahmed, Garad Matan married Imam Ahmed's sister who her name was Fardawsa.[17] Garaad Matan being the sultan of Geri Koombe supported the Jihad heavily 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.[18] 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.[19]

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 Adal sultanate. The imam had then gathered all the Somali tribes and entrusted it to his brother in law Garad Matan ibn Uthman Al Somali[18]

16th century manuscript showing Ahmed Girri Bin Hussein leading Yabarray division of Habar Maqdi The text underlined in red translates to '' The tribe of Yabirray with their leader Ahmed Girri." As the only primary source on the Ahmed Girri Bin Hussein and the Futuh Wars, this definitevly illustrates the identity of Ahmed Girri as not only Somali, but also of Jidwaaq Absame of the Darod clan.

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[18]

Shihāb al-Dīn notes that Harti soldiers took part in Imam Ahmad's Adal Sultanate army Hamaza Al Jufi one of the most bravest adalites for the imam was the infantry leader during the battle of shimbara kura. the writer Arab Faqih attributes him as brave character. in the battle of shimbara kura Hamza al Jufi couldn't contain himself from battle until the adalites had to hold him back telling him to ' be patient ', Arab faqih goes on to describe the Harti just like Hamaza al jufi recognizing the bravery of the Somalis.. He describes them as "famous among the infantry as stolid swordsmen" and "a people not given to yielding".[20]

The Marehan clan are recorded as having played a significant role in Imam Ahmad ibn Ibrihim al-Ghazi's campaigns against Ethiopia during the 16th century. Imam Ahmad alongside his successor Emir Nur ibn Al-Mujahid Garad Ahmed bin Hirabu all hailed from the Marehan clan. The Marehan along with the Habar Maqdi of the Jidwaaq;[21][22][23] helped push westward the enemies into the plains of Harar and farther, helping destabilize the highland Christian empire. Evident in these battles were the Somali archers, namely the Marehan[24]

Lineage

Sultan Ali Yusuf Kenadid of the Sultanate of Hobyo, from the Majerteen Darod lineage.

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 who is believed to have descendant of Aqeel ibn Abi Talib who in turn hails from the Quraysh, a historically significant Arab tribe that the final prophet of Islam, Muhammed hails from.[25] In 2009, former President of Somalia, Abdullahi Yusuf visited the grave of Ismail bin Ibrahim Al-Jabarti in Yemen[26]

According to many medieval 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.[7] 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 and Mahra regions in Southern Arabia.[27]

Distribution

Traditional territory inhabited by the various Somali clans shown[28]
Traditional Somali tribes' territories 1977

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[29] and are also one of the largest Somali clan in North Eastern Province of Kenya.[30] 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 regions of Somalia. The Darod in Somalia, roughly corresponds to the Darod's settled within the Jubbaland and Puntland states. In Somaliland the Darod settle the eastern Sool, Sanaag regions and the Buhoodle district of Togdheer

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

Main articles: Somali aristocratic and court titles, Majeerteen Sultanate, and Sultanate of Hobyo

The Darod clan has produced numerous noble Somali men and women over the centuries, including many Sultans. Traditionally, the Darod population was mostly concentrated in the northern and northeastern cities on the Gulf of Aden and upper Indian Ocean coast in the Horn of Africa. 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

Statue of Mohammed Abdullah Hassan (or Mad Mullah), leader of the Dervish movement.

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's Conflict in Somalia: Drivers and Dynamics from 2005 and the United Kingdom's Home Office publication, Somalia Assessment 2001.[31][32]

In the south central part of Somalia the World Bank shows the following clan tree:[38]

One tradition maintains that Darod had one daughter .[39]

Darod's tomb

Darod is buried in an old town called Haylaan near Badhan in the north-eastern Sanaag region of Somalia. 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[26]

Sheikh Darod's mawlid (birthday) is celebrated every Friday with a public reading of his manaqib and passages in the Quran.

Sons of Sheikh Darod Ismail

Notable Darod people

Royalty

Ali Yusuf Kenadid, second sultan of the Sultanate of Hobyo
Abdiweli Gaas, former president of Puntland

Rulers

Inventors and founders

Lawyers and legislators

Writers and musicians

Military leaders and personnel

Politicians

Engineers

Athletes

Other

Notes

  1. ^ a b Lewis, Ioan M (1999). A Pastoral Democracy: A Study of Pastoralism and Politics Among the Northern Somali of the Horn of Africa. James Currey Publishers. p. 12. ISBN 9780852552803. Retrieved 18 September 2019.
  2. ^ a b Lewis, Ioan M (July 1959). "Clanship and Contract in Northern Somaliland". Africa: Journal of the International African Institute. 29 (3): 274–293. doi:10.2307/1157617. JSTOR 1157617. S2CID 143243256. Retrieved 18 September 2019.
  3. ^ Ethnic Groups (Map). Somalia Summary Map. Central Intelligence Agency. 2002. Retrieved 2012-07-30. Perry–Castañeda Library Map Collection – N.B. Various authorities indicate that the Darod is one of the largest Somali clans [1], 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 [2].
  4. ^ Grant, Peter (2018). Somalia. Darood is the largest clan among all Somalis across borders.
  5. ^ Lewis, IM (2019). A Modern History Of Somalia. the Dulbahante and Warsangeli divisions of the Darod who, with a strength of perhaps one and a half million, are the largest and most widely distributed of all the Somali clan-families.
  6. ^ Rima Berns McGown, Muslims in the diaspora, (University of Toronto Press: 1999), pp.27–28
  7. ^ a b c "Islam in Somali History Fact and Fiction revisited, the Arab Factor". maanhadal.com. Archived from the original on 19 September 2011. Retrieved 6 April 2018.
  8. ^ I.M. Lewis, A Modern History of the Somali, fourth edition (Oxford: James Currey, 2002), p. 22
  9. ^ Somaliland Society (1954). The Somaliland Journal, Volume 1, Issues 1–3. The Society. p. 85.
  10. ^ Lewis, A pastoral democracy, pp. 11–13.
  11. ^ I.M. Lewis, A pastoral democracy: a study of pastoralism and politics among the Northern Somali of the Horn of Africa, (LIT Verlag Münster: 1999), pp.128–129
  12. ^ Lewis, Ioan. M. (1994). Blood and Bone: The Call of Kinship in Somali Society. Larwenceville, NJ: The Red Sea Press Inc. pp. 104–105. ISBN 9780932415936. Retrieved 23 September 2015.
  13. ^ Roland Anthony Oliver, J. D. Fage, Journal of African history, Volume 3, (Cambridge University Press.: 1962), p.45
  14. ^ a b Lewis, A pastoral democracy, p.131.
  15. ^ Lewis, Peoples of the Horn of Africa, p.18-19
  16. ^ I.M. Lewis, "The Somali Conquest of the Horn of Africa", Journal of African History, 1 (1960), p. 219
  17. ^ Pankhurst, Richard (July 2003). Conquest Of Abyssinia. Tsehai Publishers & Distributors. p. 44. ISBN 9780972317252.
  18. ^ a b c Richard, Pankhurst; ʻArabfaqīh, Shihāb (1974). The Conquest of Abyssinia: 16th Century. Lightning Source Incorporated. p. 261. ISBN 9780972317252.
  19. ^ Al-Din, Sihab (July 2003). Conquest of Abyssinia. Tsehai Publishers & Distributors. p. 76. ISBN 9780972317252.
  20. ^ Shihāb al-Dīn Aḥmad ibn ʻAbd al-Qādir ʻArabfaqīh, Translated by Paul Stenhouse, Richard Pankhurst (2003). The conquest of Abyssinia: 16th century. Tsehai Publishers & Distributors. p. 77. ISBN 9780972317269.((cite book)): CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  21. ^ "Cahiers d'études africaines". Cahiers d'études africaines. 2: 30. 1961 – via Google books.
  22. ^ Shihāb al-Dīn, ibn ʻAbd al-Qādir ʻArabfaqīh (2003). The Conquest of Abyssinia 16th Century. Tsehai Publishers & Distributors. p. 141. ISBN 9780972317252.
  23. ^ al-Dīn, Shihāb (2003). The Conquest of Abyssinia. Tsehai Publishers & Distributors. p. 125. ISBN 0972317260.
  24. ^ Richard Pankhurst, An Introduction to the Economic History of Ethiopia, from Early Times to 1800
  25. ^ Donner, Fred M. (2014-07-14). The Early Islamic Conquests. Princeton University Press. ISBN 9781400847877.
  26. ^ a b "Yemen: C/laahi Yuusuf oo Booqday Qabrigii Ismaaciil Jabarti..." somalitalk.com. Retrieved 6 April 2018.
  27. ^ Al-Rajihi, A (2006). Allaa'i alsuniyah fi al-aqab al-Aqiliyah (3rd ed.). Dar Al Manar. pp. 113–116.
  28. ^ "Somalia Maps – Perry-Castañeda Map Collection – UT Library Online". Retrieved September 21, 2019.
  29. ^ "UNPO: Ogaden". unpo.org. Retrieved 6 April 2018.
  30. ^ Pike, John. "Somalia-Ethiopia, Kenya Conflict". www.globalsecurity.org. Retrieved 6 April 2018.
  31. ^ Worldbank, Conflict in Somalia: Drivers and Dynamics, January 2005, Appendix 2, Lineage Charts, p.55
  32. ^ Country Information and Policy Unit, Home Office, Great Britain, Somalia Assessment 2001, Annex B: Somali Clan Structure Archived 2011-07-16 at the Wayback Machine, p. 43
  33. ^ Britain), Royal Geographical Society (Great (6 April 1884). "Proceedings of the Royal Geographical Society and Monthly Record of Geography". Edward Stanford. Retrieved 6 April 2018 – via Google Books.
  34. ^ Hussein, Jeylan (2015). "Sociocognitive Processes in the Construction of Identity and Conflict between the Jarso and Girhi in Eastern Ethiopia". African Conflict and Peacebuilding Review. 5 (2). Indiana University Press: 94. doi:10.2979/africonfpeacrevi.5.2.89. JSTOR 10.2979/africonfpeacrevi.5.2.89. S2CID 154694376.
  35. ^ Ambroso, Guido. CLANSHIP, CONFLICT AND REFUGEES: AN INTRODUCTION TO SOMALIS IN THE HORN OF AFRICA (PDF). Roma Tre University. p. 11. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2020-06-18. Retrieved 2020-05-11.
  36. ^ Ralph E. Drake-Brockman (1912). British Somaliland. London. p. 273.((cite book)): CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  37. ^ "Shirkii dib u heshiisiinta Beelaha Cali Saleebaan iyo Ugaar Saleebaan oo furmay". 22 July 2018.
  38. ^ Worldbank, Conflict in Somalia: Drivers and Dynamics, January 2005, Appendix 2, Lineage Charts, p.56 Figure A-2
  39. ^ Laurence, Margaret (1970). A Tree for Poverty: Somali Poetry and Prose. Hamilton: McMaster University. p. 145. ISBN 978-1-55022-177-0. Then Magado, the wife of Ishaak, bore him twin sons, and their names were Ahmed, nick-named Arap, and Ismail, nick-named Gerhajis.
  40. ^ "Ahmed Biif Speaks Out On Quiting Music & New Career As Islamic Preacher". Dalsan. Retrieved January 29, 2023.
  41. ^ "Somalia sacks police boss amid Al-Shabaab raids in Mogadishu". Garowe Online. 30 June 2020. Retrieved 2023-03-05.
  42. ^ "AMISOM to help Somali Police Force establish communication offices in federal states". 2018-05-13.
  43. ^ "Somalia appoints new police, intelligence chiefs".
  44. ^ "Generals of the 1st Kacaan". Somaliwave. Retrieved 2021-07-14.
  45. ^ "Statement of British Somali Elders Endorsing Dr Aweys Omar Mohamoud's Presidential Bid for 2021". www.aweysomarmohamoud4president.com. Archived from the original on 2021-07-14. Retrieved 2021-07-14.
  46. ^ "Tacsi: Siyaasi Dr Cabdicasiis Nuur Xirsi oo ku geeriyooday magaalada Boston (Illaahay Janatul fardawso haka waraabsho | Puntland Observer". Retrieved 2021-07-14.
  47. ^ "Sacdiya,Burhan iyo Jaabir oo loodoortay Xildh. Beesha Yusuf Darood". meeraysane.com. 2016-11-13. Retrieved 2021-07-14.
  48. ^ "Golaha wasiirada ee Soomaaliya oo mar kale lagu dhawaaqay". BBC News Somali (in Somali). 2015-02-05. Retrieved 2021-07-14.

References

Further reading

External links

Somali clans
Categories