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Sheekhaal

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sheekhaal
شيخال
Languages
Somali & Arabic
Religion
Islam (Sunni)
Related ethnic groups
Abgaal, Habargidir, Duduble, Gaaljecjel, Dagodiye, Hawadle, Gugundhabe

The Sheekhaal (var. Shiiqaal, Arabic: شيخال), also known as Fiqi Cumar is a clan that inhabits Somalia, Ethiopia, Djibouti and with considerable representation in the Northern Frontier District (NFD) in Kenya.

Overview[edit]

The Sheekhaal is a prominent sub-clan within the larger Hawiye clan, specifically affiliated with the Hiraab lineage. Renowned for their considerable influence in religious, trade and education sectors. The Sheekhaals have historically played a pivotal role in religious education. It is said that their ancestors devoted their lives and resources to the propagation of Islam across Somali peninsula, a commitment that earned them their name, which translates to 'Mullahs' or 'Lords'. This legacy of religious dedication continues to define the Sheekhaal's esteemed position within their community. Some clan members argue that their ancestor Sheikh Abadir Umar Ar-Rida, also known as Fiqi Umar, traced his lineage to the first caliph, Abu Bakr (Sayid Abubakar Al-Sadiq).[1] The claim descent from "Caliph Abu Bakr" and asserted that their anector crossed over from Al-Hijaz to the Horn of Africa.[2] Fiqi Umar crossed over with his six sons: Umar the Greater, Umar the Lesser, the two Abdillahs, Ahmad and Siddik.[3] Sheikh Ar-Rida is also regarded the patron saint of Harar.[4] The lineage goes back to Banu Taym, through the first Caliph Abu Bakr.[5]

The Sheekhaal have been instrumental in the early Somali resistance and in safeguarding Somali territories against their traditional adversaries, the Habash. Their significant and prominent contributions to Ahmed Gurey's forces during the conquest and subsequent defeat of Ethiopian rule are well documented. It is often asserted that Ahmed Gurey himself hailed from the Sheekhaal, although numerous other Somali clans also claim him as their own. They are credited with founding the modern-day city of Harar, where their sultans governed for decades before migrating southward. Today, remnants of the clan can still be found in Harar and its surrounding regions, continuing their storied legacy.

Sheekhaal clans[edit]

  1. Reer Axmed Loobage (Martiile Hiraab) [6]
    • Sacdi Loobage
    • Caagane
      • Samatar Caagane
      • Samafale Caagane
      • Buubaal Caagane
      • Maxamed Caagane
    • Tolweyne Loobage
      • Gacal Mahadalle
      • Maxamed Mahadalle
    • Cabdi Loobage
  2. Reer Aw Qudub (Martiile Hiraab)[7]
    • Reer Cabdale Aw Qudub
      • Axmed Cas Aw Cabdalle
      • Axmed Somal Aw Cabdalle
      • Axmednuur Aw Cabdalle
      • AxmedJamaal Aw Cabdalle
    • Reer Cumar siyaad Aw Qudub
      • Aw Ismaaciil Aw Cumarsiyaad
      • Xaji Maxamud Aw Cumarsiyaad
      • Aw Samatar Aw Cumarsiyaad
      • Aw Salaan Aw Cumarsiyaad
      • Aw Camaar Aw Cumarsiyaad
      • Yaxye Aw Cumarsiyaad
    • Reer Axmed Aw Qudub
      • Ali Ahmed
      • Sh Liban Axmed "Ree Sh Rooble"
      • Abdirahman Ahmed
      • Musse Ahmed
      • Hussein Ahmed
      • Yussuf Ahmed
    • Reer Cumardiin Aw Qudub
      • Aw Yaxye Sh Cumardin
      • Aw Calinasri Aw Cumardin
      • Aw Cabdullahi Aw Cumardin
      • Aw cabdiraxman Aw Cumardin
      • Aw Ismaciil Aw Cumardin
      • Jamaal Aw Cumardin
      • Isixaaq Aw Cumardin
      • Ibraahim Aw Cumardin
    • Reer Sadiiq Aw Qudub
    • Reer Samire Aw Qudub
  3. Reer Abdiraxiin (Adeer) (Martiile Hiraab)
  4. Reer aw saciid ( (Martiile Hiraab))
  5. Reer Cabdi Sheekh ( (Martiile Hiraab))
  6. Reer Maxamed Aw Guudle (Martiile Hiraab) [8]
  7. Reer Aw Xassan [8]
  8. Sheekhaal Jaziira
  9. Sheekhaal Aw Cisman (Gendershe )[9]

[6] 11 Reer Abiib (Martiile Hiraab) 12 Reer Cali Cafiif (Martiile Hiraab)

Prominent figures[edit]

  • Abdulrahman Kinana, first Speaker of the East African Legislative Assembly, 2001–2006; former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Defence of Tanzania.
  • Mohamed Ibrahim Liqliiqato, Prominent Somali politician, diplomat, and Major General from Kismayo lower Jubba region. He was a Somali ambassador to the Soviet Union, and ambassador to West-Germany in 1970s. He also held the ministry of Agriculture and Interior ministry. He is the longest-serving speaker of the parliament, holding the position from 1982 to 1991. The Liiqliiqato bridge in Beledwen named after him.
  • Mohammed Hussein Ali, former commissioner of the Kenya Police and Major General.
  • Dahir Adan Elmi, chief of Somali Armed Forces, major general and the commander of Qabdir-Daharre Battalion in Somalia-Ethiopian War in 1977 who won bravery golden award that war. He is regarded as the most decorated general in Somali army.
  • Mohamed Nadif , Current Member of Parliament, Federal Republic of Somalia
  • Mohamed Ali Kariye, Renowned Somali poet and songwriter

References[edit]

  1. ^ Nyadera, Israel Nyaburi; Islam, Nazmul; Agwanda, Billy (2024), Nyadera, Israel Nyaburi; Islam, Nazmul; Agwanda, Billy (eds.), "Clan Configuration and Identity Networks in Somalia", The Somalia Conflict Revisited: Trends and Complexities of Spatial Governance on National and Regional Security, Cham: Springer Nature Switzerland, pp. 39–58, doi:10.1007/978-3-031-55732-3_2, ISBN 978-3-031-55732-3
  2. ^ Burton, Sir Richard Francis (1894). First Footsteps in East Africa, Or, An Exploration of Harar. Tylston and Edwards. p. 193. ISBN 978-0-7054-1500-2.
  3. ^ Burton, Sir Richard Francis (1894). First Footsteps in East Africa, Or, An Exploration of Harar. Tylston and Edwards. p. 193. ISBN 978-0-7054-1500-2.
  4. ^ Siegbert Uhlig, Encyclopaedia Aethiopica: He-N, Volume 3, (Otto Harrassowitz Verlag: 2007), pp.111 & 319.
  5. ^ Wolford, Ali; Jimcale (1995-10-04). The Invention of Somalia. First Edition Design Pub. p. 55. ISBN 978-0932415998.
  6. ^ a b Colucci, Massimo (1924). Principi di diritto consuetudinario della Somalia italiana meridionale: i gruppi sociali, la proprietà con dieci tavole dimostrative, sotto gli auspici del governo della Somalia italiana. p. 97.
  7. ^ Richard Burton, First Footsteps in East Africa, 1856; edited with an introduction and additional chapters by Gordon Waterfield (New York: Praeger, 1966), p. 165
  8. ^ a b Censimento della popolazione Somala, 21 Aprile 1931. Amministrazione Fiduciaria Italiana della Somalia, Ufficio Studi e Statistica Statistica. 1953.
  9. ^ Al-Nadhiiri, Sharif 'Aydarus. "Bughyat al-Amal fi Tarikh al Sumal (The History of Somalia)" (PDF).

Works cited[edit]

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