Abgaal

Italian scholar of Somali and Ethiopian studies Enrico Cerulli studies discusses the origin story of the name Abgaal in his book How a Hawiye tribe used to live.[3]

The mother of Hirabä was Faduma Karanlä. The mother of Abgal was Faduma Sargellä, who was an Aguran. She was espoused by 'Isman Darandollä. By him she had a son, who was called by the name 'Ali 'Isman. Later one went to Sargellä Garën. A learned old man went to him. He said: 'O noble Sargellä, I saw in the books that the children of the boy born to your daughter Faduma will chase your children from the earth. I saw it in the books.' 'Did you see these things?’ 'Yes, I saw them,’ he answered. 'So be it!’ the noble Sargellä replied; and into his heart came the thought: 'Rather than that your children, whom you have begotten, be killed, the son of your daughter might rather die!’ This came into his heart. After this he prepared two different amulets, one good and one bad. The bad one would kill the one who drank it. The good one would protect from any evil of this world. Then he went to his daughter. 'My Faduma, I am bringing you these two amulets: this one here – and it was the good one – you drink; and the other one – and it was the bad one – give to your son 'Ali 'Isman!’ The girl took the two amulets; but when it came to drinking them, she made a mistake! Faduma Sargellä drank the bad one and died immediately. 'Ali 'Ismän drank the good one and survived. Sargellä went back to the hut and saw his daughter dead. And the boy, when he heard his grandfather arrive, ran to the side of a saddle camel and hid behind it. 'Oh 'Ali, oh 'Ali! Come! I am your grandfather!’ Sargellä cried out, looking for the boy. 'You are not my grandfather ( abkäy ), my grandfather is the camels.' The camels ( gel ) in the language of one time were called gal. So afterwards he ('Ali 'Isman) had the name of Ab-gal ('Camel-grandfather').” The tradition substantially recalls the ancient fights between the Abgal, nomadic pastoralists who from places farther north tried to open a way to the river, and the Aguran, who dominated the region of the Middle Webi. This historical content, of course, has been adapted in popular dress with the theme, so widespread in the folklore of quite different peoples, of the prediction of the unborn child destined to drive the reigning prince from the throne. 'In this tradition Abgal has, besides his Somali name, which is explained, also a Mussulman name, 'Ali 'Isman. It does not seem necessary to me to suppose that the name 'Ali replaced the Somali one of Abgal in the genealogies in order to make them more Islamized, as one might say. The custom of several names for one single person, among which names, for the Mussulmans, are found an Arab one and one (or more) in the local language, is common in East Africa, even now.'

—Enrico Cerulli, How a Hawiye Tribe use to Live

Current president of Somalia Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud

The Abgaal are part of the Mudulood and the even larger Hiraab clan.[4] The Hiraab consists of the Mudulood, Habar Gidir, Sheekhaal and Duduble.[4] Besides the Abgaal, Mudulood includes Wacdaan, Moobleen, Hiilibi and Udeejeen. The Imam of both the Mudulood and Hiraab traditionally hails from the Abgaal. Currently Imam Mohamed Yusuf is the Imam of the Mudulood and also carries the dual position as Imam of the Hiraab.[4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11]

The Abgaal primarily live in the capital city of Mogadishu, which they traditionally inhabit, as well as the Middle Shabelle region where they are the majority. The clan also lives in neighbouring Galmudug region, specifically the El Dher District where they make up the majority as well as the Harardhere District in Mudug. Abgaal also inhabit the Lower Shabelle [12] region as well as the Middle Juba[12] and Lower Juba[12] regions. In addition to this the Abgaal can also be found in the Somali Region of Ethiopia as well as the North Eastern Province of Kenya.

Father of the Somali military Daud Abdulle Hirsi

The Abgaal have historically played an important role in Somali affairs. They are the Somali sub-clan that has produced the most Somali Presidents. These three politicians are Ali Mahdi Muhammad, Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, and Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud.[1][2] These officials constitute three of the four living former Presidents of Somalia. Additionally they are the first and only Somali sub-clan to have had consecutive presidencies in the terms of Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and Hassan Sheikh Mohamed. The father of the Somali military Daud Abdulle Hirsi was also Abgaal.

The capital Mogadishu is also considered to be their land. The current Governor/Mayor of Banadir, Yusuf Hussein Jimaale is Abgaal and the position always been held by the Abgaal clan. Most other various Banaadir positions are held by them as well.

Moreover, the clan has prominent members within the Somali business and media communities. For instance Abdirahman Yabarow, the editor-in-chief of VOA Somali hails from this clan.[13]

The Abgaal have their own form of Somali poetry. The guurow and shirib are unique poetical genres that are performed by the Abgaal and sometimes neighboring clans. Their poetry has distinctive dialect characteristics. For instance "iyo" with a long 'o' is a feature within their poetry. The most popular of Abgaal poetry is the shirib. The shirib are short songs that usually accompany dancing. They are sung during various gatherings such as family meetings, clan meetings, and celebrations.[14]

Ali Jimale Ahmed outlines the Hawiye clan genealogical tree in The Invention of Somalia:[15]

• Samaale
  • Irir
    • Hawiye
      • Gorgate
        • Hiraab
          • Mudulood
            • Abgaal
              • Harti
                • Agoonyar
                • Warsangeli
                • Owbakar
                • Yeber Maxamed
                • Ciise Harti
              • Wabudhan
                • Da'oud
                • Kabaale
                • Galmaax
                  • Celi Cumar
                  • Reer Mataan
                  • Mohamed Muse
                • Xuseen Yonis
              • Waceysle
                • Abdirahman Saleebaan
                • Absuge Qombor
                • Ali Gaaf
                • Macalin Dhiblaawe
                • Dhagaweyne Cumar
                • Haruun Waceysle