Mar 1,2010
Warsanmag-The Gadabursi (Somali: Gadaabuursi,), also known as Samaroon,
is a northern Somali clan. The Gadabuursi are presently concentrated in northwestern
Somaliland and are the pre-dominant clan of the Awdal and Salal regions. They
also inhabit Djibouti and the contiguous areas in the Hararghe and the Shinile
Zone in the Somali Region of Ethiopia. In Djibouti, the Gadabuursi are the second
largest Somali clan whereas the Issa constitute the majority.
History
It was on the 13th century that came to the light, in Horn of Africa, one of
the strongest empires that existed in East Africa. Adal Empire had its origin
in the city of Zeyla, situated until today in the northern region of the former
Somalia.
Adal Empire became an Islamic Empire that expanded the religion of Islam with
determination, into the entire Horn of Africa. Remarked by its faithful actions,
other Islamic States in the world called Adal Empire "Diraasal-Islaam".
During the centuries that followed, Adal Empire was engaged into many wars
against the Abysinians (Habasha), where thousands and thousands individuals
died. At that time, Adal Empire became the most loved Islamic State among the
entire Islamic Nations because of its determination to its cause; its strong
judicial system and its faithful expansion of Islam into the territories of
Abyssinians and Galas (Oromos). At that period of time, Adal Empire had a strong
alliance with the Ottoman Empire of Turkey, while the Portuguese supported the
Abyssinians.
To the North, Adal Empire was situated up to the region of Danaakil (actually,
North of the Republic of Djibouti, populated by Afar people). While to the South,
the empire had its border up to the region of Ras-Xaafuun (actually called Hays
and Maydh, located in today's Region of Sanaac). From the East, Adal Empire
as well as the actual State of Awdal, had the entire code facing the Red Sea
while to the West, it was situated up to the Region of Shawa (in Ethiopia),
also called Shawa at that time. In fact, Shawa was the base of the Kingdom of
Abyssinia and today, it's the home of its descendents leaded by the Ethiopian
government, with its capital city of Addis-Ababa.
Composition of Adal Empire:
Adal Empire was composed of seven (7) States. According to the size of their
land and the military forces of each state, here is their names: Ifaad, Dawaaro,
Araabiini, Hadaya,Sharqa, Baali and Daara, where each of them had its own government.
. The largest and strongest State Ifaad, known from Egypt and "Shaam"
as Zeyla's land, became later the dominant and the central one with its capital
city of Zeyla. Ifaad will lead the entire Empire and will face many challenges.
According to the historians of that period, Ifaad was large as 20 days of walk
from North to South and 15 days of walk from East to West. Its military force
was composed of 15000 cavaliers and 20000 of infantries.
In his book titled "Masaalikal-Absaar"(this is in Somali spelling),
the Egyptian author, Subhul Ahsha mentioned that Zeyla was the nucleus city
of Adal Empire. Continuing into the description of this city, he added that
Zeyla was "The City of Light", which had many Mosques and many schools,
where all kind of subjects were taught. In fact, Mr. Ahsha described Zeylac
as "The Place" where one can acquire any kind of knowledge that may
be taught in that period of time. The author added in his description that the
people were 100% Muslim. Mr. Ahsha said that they were gathering in large number
into the Mosques of the city, as faithful believers to Islam. According to this
writing, these Mosques could be compared to the municipal libraries that can
be found today in big cities of our century. In addition of that, schools were
places where people use to enjoy meeting, share knowledge, discuss about social
issues and debate intellectually. As a matter of fact, Zeyla was known as the
place where the knowledge was at the merci of everyone.
The Adal of yesterday is the Awdal of today:
First of all, though the Empire that we mention all along was called Adal Empire,
in their mother language (Somali), the people of that nation called "Cadal".
Translating the word Cadal into Latin gave Adal. With the time, people changed
the word Adal (Cadal) to Awdal and that is how the Awdal of today is referred
to the Adal Empire of yesterday.
The Gadabursi Kingdom was established more than 600 years
ago, and consisted of many elders and a King (Ugaas). Hundreds of elders used
to work in four sections consisting of 25 elders each:
?Social committee
?Defence - policing authorities consisting of horsemen (referred to asfardoolay)
and foot foldiers
?Economy and collection of taxes
?Justice committee
The chairmen of the four sections were called Afarta Dhadhaar, and were selected
according to talent and personnel abilities. A constitution, XeerGadabursi ,
had been developed, which divided every case as to whether it was new or had
precedents (ugub or curad).
The Gadabursi King and the elders opposed the arrival of the British at the
turn of the twentieth century, and subsequently signed an agreement with the
latter. Later, as a disagreement between the two parties both arose and intensified,
the British installed some people against the Ugaas in hopes of overthrowing
him. This would eventually bring about the collapse of the kingdom.
Alnuur
