Sheekhaal Explained
See main article: Somali clan.
The Sheekhaal (var. Sheikhaal, Arabic: شيخال), also known as Fiqi Cumar is a clan that inhabits Somalia, Ethiopia, Djibouti and with considerable numbers also found in the Northern Frontier District (NFD) in Kenya.
Overview
Sheekhal traces its ancestry to Sheikh Abadir Umar Ar-Rida, also known as Fiqi Umar, who in turn traced his lineage to the first caliph, Abu Bakr (Sayid Abubakar Al-Sadiq).
According to the explorer Richard F. Burton, in his book First Footsteps in East Africa, the Sheekhaal are described as the only Somalis who maintain a tradition of genealogy not derived from Dir and Darood. They claim descent from "Caliph Abu Bakr" and asserted that their ancestor Khutab bin Fakih Umar crossed over from Al-Hijaz to the Horn of Africa.[1] Fiqi Umar crossed over with his six sons: Umar the Greater, Umar the Lesser, the two Abdillahs, Ahmad and Siddik.[2] Sheikh Ar-Rida is also regarded the patron saint of Harar.[3] The lineage goes back to Banu Taym, through the first Caliph Abu Bakr.[4]
Some clans of Sheekhaal would argue that while they are politically aligned with the larger Hawiye clan, this does not mean that they are Hawiye.[5] This view is shared by the Aw-Qutub, one of the Sheekhaal subclans; they too totally reject the notion that the Sheekhal clan are part of Hawiye. Lobogay (Loboge) are considered part of (Hiraab, Aw Qudub and Gendershe and Ali).[6]
Lewis (1982) mentions that the largest clan of the Sheikhal is the Reer Fiqi Omar, whose most important lineage, the Reer Aw Qutub, inhabit the Somali Region of Ethiopia.[7] The Sheekhal clans were reportedly considered as part of the Hawiye politically until after the civil war.[8]
General Mohamed Ibrahim Liiqliqato, who was a Sheikhal, described in his book how the Sheikhal became associated with the Hawiye and added as ‘Martileh Hiraab’ (literally meaning guests of Hiraab).[9] The Sheekhaal are also mentioned to be one of the religious groups of Somalia along with the Asharaf.[10]
Sheekhaal clans
- Reer Axmed Loobage (Martiile Hiraab) [11]
- Reer Abdiraxiin (Adeer) (Martiile Hiraab)
- Reer aw saciid ((Martiile Hiraab))
- Reer Cabdi Sheekh ((Martiile Hiraab))
- Reer Maxamed Aw Guudle (Martiile Hiraab) [12]
- Reer Aw Qudub (Martiile Hiraab)[13]
- Reer Aw Xassan
- Sheekhaal Jaziira
- Sheekhaal Aw Cisman (Gendershe)[14]
11 Reer Abiib (Martiile Hiraab)12 Reer Cali Cafiif (Martiile Hiraab)
Prominent figures
- 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
Works cited
Notes and References
- Book: Burton, Sir Richard Francis . First Footsteps in East Africa, Or, An Exploration of Harar . 1894 . Tylston and Edwards . 978-0-7054-1500-2 . 193 . en.
- Book: Burton, Sir Richard Francis . First Footsteps in East Africa, Or, An Exploration of Harar . 1894 . Tylston and Edwards . 978-0-7054-1500-2 . 193 . en.
- Siegbert Uhlig, Encyclopaedia Aethiopica: He-N, Volume 3, (Otto Harrassowitz Verlag: 2007), pp.111 & 319.
- Book: The Invention of Somalia. Wolford. Ali . Jimcale. 1995-10-04. First Edition Design Pub.. 978-0932415998. 55. en.
- Book: Who Cares About Somalia. Hassan Ali Jama. Verlag Hans Schiler. 2005. 3-89930-075-0. Berlin. 140.
- Web site: Report on minority groups in Somalia. 2000-11-24. Joint British, Danish and Dutch fact-finding mission to Nairobi, Kenya. 55. 2013-01-02. Nairobi, Kenya. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20131021044246/http://www.somraf.org/research%20Matrerials/joint%20british%20danish%20dutch%20fact%20finding%20mission%20in%20Nairobi%20-%202001.pdf. 2013-10-21.
- Book: Lewis, I.M. A study of pastoralism and politics among the northern Somalis of the Horn of Africa. Africana Publishing Company. New York. 1982. 10–11. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20131021044246/http://www.somraf.org/research%20Matrerials/joint%20british%20danish%20dutch%20fact%20finding%20mission%20in%20Nairobi%20-%202001.pdf. 2013-10-21.
- Book: Hassan Ali Jama . 2005 . Who Cares About Somalia . Berlin . Verlag Hans Schiler . 140 . 3-89930-075-0 .
- Web site: Joakim Gundel . COI Workshop Vienna . December 2009 . Clans in Somalia Report on a Lecture . www.ecoi.net.
- Web site: The religious minority groups of Somalia . www.minorityrights.org.
- Book: Colucci . 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 . 1924 . 97.
- Book: Censimento della popolazione Somala, 21 Aprile 1931 . Amministrazione Fiduciaria Italiana della Somalia, Ufficio Studi e Statistica Statistica . 1953.
- Richard Burton, First Footsteps in East Africa, 1856; edited with an introduction and additional chapters by Gordon Waterfield (New York: Praeger, 1966), p. 165
- Web site: Al-Nadhiiri . Sharif 'Aydarus . Bughyat al-Amal fi Tarikh al Sumal (The History of Somalia). .
