Sheikh Umar bin Qulatayn (also spelled as Kulatein, Kulatayn, Qulatein) bin Mudhir was an Islamic scholar following the Sufi Order of Qadariyah. Coming from Barawa, he traces his lineage to Hadramaut in Yemen and belonged to the Nadhiri family. He…
Masjid Awooto Eeday is what seems to be a small mosque hidden in the many historical alleyways of Hamarweyne. Overview The mosque is said to have been built with the money of a pious woman who was known as Awooto…
The oldest existing Masjid in Somalia is Masjid Jaama’a (also known as Friday Mosque or Masjid Jum’ah) – built in the year 636 AH, it is situated in the heart of Hamarweyne. It is one of the three oldest Mosques…
Mwana Fatima Hadji Mbarawa was the grandmother of Mwana Fatima (photo) bint Said Abdallah ibn Said Bakar ibn Mwigni M’kou. The name “Mbarawa” on her surname which was associated with his father Hadji’s first name, seems to refer to the…
يحوي مسائل فقهية ولمحات تاريخية –إدريس بن بابه باحامد –هو الشيخ الفقيه عبد العزيز بن عبد الغني الأموي، المعروف بقاضي زنجبار، لم أجد من كتب عنه كثيرا وفصّل في ذكر مآثره وحياته، إلا أنه اشتهر بعلمه وتمكنه في مجال القضاء…
Written by Riadh A. AlBusaidi, April, 2018 After the 1964 Zanzibar revolution, the Sultan’s Palace was turned into a museum. I have read articles and I have seen short ‘documentary’ films talking about the origins of this palace. I would…
Sheekhall Gandershe (Somali: Shiikhaal Gendershe Arabic:شيخال غاندارش) also known as Reer Aw Garweyne are a Benadiri/12 Koofi clan mainly from the southern coastal cities of; Gendershe, Marka and Mogadishu and have established communities in the hinterlands in towns such as Afgooye and the villages around it due to trading and…
For centuries Banadiris were well known for their business acumen and their contribution to the economy, they profited from every sector and contributed to the country up until recent. Despite being a maritime emporium once and a establishing a major…
Throughout history, Mogadishu was always this metropolitan and diverse city – being a major port and a city at its economical peak during the 19th century, it paved way for economical migrants to reside in large numbers. People settled in…
Below are excerpts taken from various sources and select documents determining the formation of city states and the commonalities it had based on migration, trade and language. In this instance, this article will examine the Hatimi clan and how they…
Sheekhaal Jaziira (Somali: Sheekhaal Jaziira, Arabic: شيخال جزيرة) also known as Shiikhaal Ba Hassan (Somali: Ba Xassan, Arabic: شيخال آل باحسن) are a Banaadiri[1] clan mainly from the southern coastal cities of; Jaziira, Jilib Marka, Marka[1] and Mogadishu and have established communities in the hinterlands in towns such as Afgooye and the…
Gamedle (Somali: Gaameedle Arabic: جامدل) are a Benadiri/12 Koofi clan mainly from the southern coastal cities of; Marka[1] and Mogadishu.[2] Overview The Gamedle clan are said to be of Hadrami ancestry according to their elders and are said to be Ba Hamdani in origin.[3] Prior to colonisation, the Gameedle…
Fasahale (Somali: Fasahaale Arabic:فصحالي) more commonly known as Kafaari are a Benadiri/12 Koofi clan mainly from the southern coastal city of Marka.[1] The Kafaari have specialised in the manufacture of iron and have their huts-workshops to the east of the city, near the fish market.…
“ Nasib Bunda, Capo Di Goscia Leader of the Gosha confederation and the hero of antislavery. Though the Arabs addressed him as sultan of the Goshaland, his real name was Makanjira Che Zamani. His birthplace and date of birth are…
Photos collated by Yassin Juma
Poetry is the epitome of the Somali people’s way of life, throughout history, poetry was used from commemorating religious occasions, praising famous people, to indirect scathing attacks on rivaling clans, it is for this reason a large sum of history…
When writing about Banadir history and the contributors to this magnificent civilization, it’s only fair to mention the Somali Cushitic people, their contribution and part to play in East African History. After all, the Banadir region after colonisation is situated…
Djoumbe Fatima was the Queen of Mohéli in Comoros from the age of five until her death. Her reign started after the death of her father, King Ramanateka, also known as Sultan Abderahmane. Djoumbe Fatima, like the majority of people…
Juunji (Somali: Juunji Arabic:جونجي) are a Benadiri/12 Koofi clan mainly from the southern coastal city of Marka.[1] Overview According to Pantano (1910:15). “The Giungiu came from Hirab, after I Biimaal, about 200 years ago”.[2] The Juunji live in the east of the town of Marka with the Reer…
he Reer Manyo are confederacy of clans based in the southern coast of Somalia, primarily in the cities of Mogadishu and Merca and the towns and villages between them. [1] Etymology Reer (Somali: Family) and Manyo (Somali: Sea), the etymological meaning of this clan confederacy…
