The Marehan (, ) is a Somali clan, which is part of one of the largest Somali clan families, the Darod.
The clan are the largest tribe in the Jubaland state and make the majority of the Gedo, Middle Juba and Lower Juba states, some major cities in these states owned by the tribe are Beled Hawo, Jilib, Saakow, Kismayo, Bardhere and Burgabo. They are primarily concentrated on the western part of Middle Juba primarily in Bu'aale where their camels graze deep into the Lower Shabelle and the coasts of Lower Juba. They live as far south as the towns Bilis Qooqaani, Bibi and Midi and the town Diff. The tribe are single handedly the majority of the Kismayo district, with a territory extending as far as the Badhadhe District region, dominating it almost completely comprisng the most territory followed by the Degodi and Gaaljecel tribes, primarily living in the coastal plains, with their main population centres being Ras Marehan and Burgabo. Some major towns/districts of the tribe include Birta Dheer, Istanbul, Qudus, Goobweyn, Berhan and Buulo xaaji.
The tribe can also be found in Galmudug, where they constitute the largest tribe in Galgaduud, owning the largest city and most urban district Abudwak. The tribe also make up the majority clan of the Wajir East Constituency, living all the way up to the road and have a huge presence in Mandera and Garissa. The tribe are also one of the largest in the South West State of Somalia, constituting the majority of the Yeed, Qansahdhere, Dinsoor districts. The grazing boundaries of the tribe also extend from the cities of Burgabo in Badhadhe District, to Barawe. The Hubeer and Yantar tribes are of Marehan origin and dominate the Dinsoor and Qansahdhere regions where they live with the unrahanweynized brothers the Yabar Husayn.
The tribe also own the majority of the Bajuuni islands including Kooyama.
The Marehan settled in Raas Mareexaan during the early 1900s establishing it near the Bajuuni islands.
The tribe are also the majority of the city of Dire Dawa which was founded by them, however the majority have been Oromized, however there are still a huge number of Somalis in the city.
They can also be found in Bale in places such as Ginir (woreda), and Shewa, mainly in the city of Adama. The tribe can also be found scattered all over Amhara Region, Tigray and Gurage, the majority of which are descendants of remnants from the Adal wars.
Overview
Between the 17th and 18th centuries, the Marehan were reported to have lived in an area that extended from the
Bandar Siyada on the Gulf of Aden to beyond Ras el-Khail on the Indian Ocean, or much of northern Somalia.
[Encyclopedia of Religion and Ethics, Part 12 by James Hastings, , pp. 490] The clan are recorded as having played a significant role in
Imam Ahmad ibn Ibrihim al-Ghazi's campaigns against
Ethiopia during the 16th century. The commander of the Somali forces and the closest deputy of the Imam was a Marehan commander, Garad Hirabu Goita Tedros. Ahmad ibn Ibrihim al-Ghazi was also a member of the clan, and his descendants can be found in
Gedo Somalia and are part of the Reer Garaad sub clans. His descendants in
Amhara Region and
Gurage also claim descent from the tribe.
Together they helped push westward the enemies into the plains of
Harar and farther, helping destabilize the highland
Christians empire. Evident in these battles were the Somali
Archery, namely the Marehan and the Gerri archers, through whom al-Ghazi was able to defeat the numerically superior Ethiopian Army that consisted of 16,000
cavalry and more than 200,000
infantry. After the fall of the
Sultanate, the tribe would go on to rule the Imamate of Aussa
[Richard Pankhurst, An Introduction to the Economic History of Ethiopia, from Early Times to 1800]
Another major ruler was Emir Nur ibn Mujahid who was the second conqueror of Ethiopia, he was the commander of the elite Melesay unit, and he would capture the south eastern provinces of Ethiopia. He successfully defeated the forces of Gelawdewos and killed him in the battle of Fatagar. He also built the walls of Harar spanning a whooping 3.9 km, a UNESCO world heritage site, and the longest fortified walls in east Africa. His son aided Talha ibn Abbas, the son of Wazir Abbas in his war against the grand sons of Uthman the Abyssinian and his sub clan would go on to rule the Emirate of Harar.[Richard Pankhurst, An Introduction to the Economic History of Ethiopia, from Early Times to 1800]
Garad Hirabu Goita Tedros
Marehan had multiple powerful important leaders within the Adal such as Garad Hirabu, who was given the title
Emir of the Somalis. During the Adal war there were 3 generals who were Ahmad ibn Ibrahim al-Ghazi, Garad Hirabu Goita Tedros and Sultan Muhammad.
[S. ARTHUR STRONG, "Futuh Ul Habashah, or, THE CONQUEST OF ABYSSINIA"]
Garad Hirabu would save the Imam from Sultan Abu Bakr ibn Muhammad, the arch rival of the Abadir dynasty who had killed the cousin of Garad Hirabu and Ahmad ibn Ibrahim al-Ghazi, Abun Adashe. Abu Bakr ibn Muhammad in revenge for the take over of the Adal Sultanate by the Abadir dynasty would attempt to stage a coup and kill the Imam, however he was halted by the Emir Garad Hirabu Goita Tedros.[S. ARTHUR STRONG, "Futuh Ul Habashah, or, THE CONQUEST OF ABYSSINIA"]
He was the son of Goyta Ali (Tedros, a title given by the local Harla) which is the highest role in the sultanate, his father controlled all trading routes in the kingdom and held the keys to the gates of Harar during nocturnal periods, the title Goyta was third only to Emir and Sultan and was the title of the highest general. Garad Hirabu Goita Tedros successfully captured the provinces of Bale and Tigray.[S. ARTHUR STRONG, "Futuh Ul Habashah, or, THE CONQUEST OF ABYSSINIA"]
Groups
The Juba Valley Alliance is a political faction of the Somali Civil War.
The Somali Revolutionary Socialist Party was the ruling party of the Somali Democratic Republic from 1976 to 1991.
The Somali National Front (SNF) was also a revolutionary movement and armed militia in Somalia After Somali Democratic Republic were clapsed.
Clan tree
There is no clear agreement on the clan and sub-clan structures and many lineages are omitted. The following listing is taken from the
World Bank's
Conflict in Somalia: Drivers and Dynamics from 2005 and the
United Kingdom's
Home Office publication,
Somalia Assessment 2001.
[Worldbank, Conflict in Somalia: Drivers and Dynamics, January 2005, Appendix 2, Lineage Charts, p.55 Figure A-1][ Country Information and Policy Unit, Home Office, Great Britain, Somalia Assessment 2001, Annex B: Somali Clan Structure , p. 43]
In the Marehan clan-family, component clans are divided into two uterine divisions Marehan In Jubaland, Galguduud and Mudug Somalia the World Bank shows the following clan tree:[Worldbank, Conflict in Somalia: Drivers and Dynamics, January 2005, Appendix 2, Lineage Charts, p.56 Figure A-2] In the World Bank shows the following Marehan clan tree.
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Sade
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Marehan
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Awsame
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Baalyeri
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Hodonbari(suhayweyn)
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Gaalshireedle
-
Gashashoor (Presence in Yemen) Al-Donbari/Al-Danabir/Dthambari
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Gaalshireedle
-
Xasan Gaalshireedle
-
Reer Yusuf
-
Ibrahim
-
Waqmaasho
-
Gumarwaaq
-
isaaq Gaalshireedle
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Amaanreer
-
Maxamed Amaanreer (Wagardhac)
-
Reer Gadiid
-
Reer Wardheere
-
ReerAllamagan
-
Cumar Dheer
-
Reer Afweyne
-
Reer Rooble
-
Reer Faahiye
-
Reer Faatax
-
Reer Kheyr
-
Sririg
-
Reer Ciise
-
Siyaad Liibaan
-
Rubeec
-
Cali Amaanreer (Hawraarsame)
-
Talxe Amaanreer (Talxe)
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Ridamiir Amaanreer
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Ridaamiir
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WarWaa'Jecle
-
Yacquub WarWaa'Jecle (Fiqi Yacquub)
Fiqi-Yacqub has the following Sub-Clan.
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Rer Gadid
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Rer Abdi Ali
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rer Ugas Jiir(Ugasyada Fiqi-Yacqub)
-
Ahmed Farah
-
Rer ilbir
-
rer Cabsiya.
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Rer Gedi.
-
Rer Jilal
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Rer Roble
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Ciise WarWaa'Jecle (Habar Ciise)
-
Xuseen WarWaa'Jecle
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Muuse Xuseen
-
Cali Xuseen (Celi)
-
Muse Xuseen
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Cabdiraxiin Muuse
-
Abaadir Muuse
-
Maamasame Muuse
-
Abaadir Muuse
-
Daa'uud Abadir
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Soonfure Abaadir (Soonfure)
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Daa'uud
-
Boqor Maxamed Daa'uud
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Cali Maxamed (Cali Dheere)
-
Cismaan Maxamed (Reer Cismaan)
reer cismaan has the following sub-clan.
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Reer agoon
-
Reer idiris
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Reer saleeban.
Reer agoon has also the following sub-clan
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Faarax agoon
-
Maxamed agoon
rer maxamed agoon:
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Reer rooble
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Reer muse
-
Reer wardhere
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Yuusuf Maxamed (Reer Yuusuf)
-
Axmed Maxamed
-
Axmed Maxamed
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Ciis
-
Mataan
-
Garaad Adam
-
Yuusuf Mataan
-
Garaad Adam
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Garad Ali "Goita Tedros"
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Garad Abibeker "Gilgila"
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Garad Ali
-
Ibrahim
-
Garad Hirabu Goita Tedros
-
Ibrahim
-
Garad Ahmed "Ahmad ibn Ibrahim al-Ghazi"
-
Mohammed
-
Siyaad
-
Dauud
-
Muuse
-
Xariire
-
Naasir
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Guuleed
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Shareido
-
Garad Hirabu Goita Tedros
-
Garad Abibeker "Gilgila"
-
Yuusuf mataan
-
Nuur Yuusuf (Imam Nuur ibn Mujaahid) Ina Nur
-
Xuseen Yuusuf
-
Xuseen Yuusuf
-
Bah Gareen
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Siyaad Xuseen ( Reer Siyaad Xuseen )
-
Yabar Xuseen
-
Khalaf Xuseen
-
Bah Ismaacil
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Axmed Xuseen ( Reer Axmed )
-
Cali Xuseen
-
Reer Siyaad Xuseen
-
Reer Rooble Siyaad
-
Reer Nuur Siyaad
-
Reer Buraale
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Reer Saanyar
-
Reer Faarax Siyaad
-
Reer Tuur
-
Reer Jimca Doon
-
Reer Liiban Dalal
-
Reer Cadaan
-
Reer Qeyr
-
Reer Odowaa
-
Ughaz Khalaf Xuseen
-
Samatar Khalaf
-
Ugaas Sharmaarke Khalaf
-
Ugaas Sharmaarke
-
Bah Dir
-
Bah Abasguul
-
Ugaas Guuleed
-
Ugaas Guuleed
-
Baho Guuleed
-
Faarax Ugaas
-
Faarax Ugaas
-
Guleed Faarax
-
Xersi Faarax
-
Samantar Faarax
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Rooble Faarax
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Ugaas Diini Faarax (Reer Diini)
-
Ugaas Diini
-
Bah Ogaaden
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Reer Dalal
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Reer Xirsi
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Reer Maxmuud Guuled
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Bah Dhulbahante
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Reer Allamagan Diini
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Reer Qaliif Diini ( Qaliif Gawracane )
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Bah Xawaadle
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Reer Ugaas Sharmake
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Reer Siyaad
-
Reer Warsame
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Bah Daraandole
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Reer Kooshin
-
Reer Nuur
-
Reer Warfaa Diini
-
Reer Shirwac Diini
-
Reer Maxmuud Diini
-
Reer Faarax Diini
[Worldbank, Conflict in Somalia: Drivers and Dynamics, January 2005, Appendix 2, Lineage Charts, p.57 Figure A-3]
Notable people
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Mohamed Omar Salihi, Was a marine scientist, engineer, and maritime advisor to the Somali presidency credited for the protection of Somalia's maritime database during the civil war that broke in 1991.
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Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed, 17th Prime Minister of Somalia, Economist and Politician. , 17th Prime Minister of Somalia.]]
-
senator《 mowlid hussein guhad 》
deputy speaker of Somali's Upper House.
2017 - 2022
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Muhammad Gasa (Arabic: محمد قاسا) (died 1583)- First Imam of the Aussa Imamate and relative of Nur ibn Mujahid and Ahmed Al-Ghazi.
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Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo, 9th President of Somalia, Founder Nabad iyo Nolol party
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Siad Barre, Former President of Somali Democratic Republic.
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Mohamed Mohamoud Warsame (Jango’an) Former interior Minister of Somalia.
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Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed, Former Prime minister of Somalia.
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Mohamud Ali Magan, Former Minister of Planning, Former Consul General to United States Of America and Canada.
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Abdi Farah Shirdon, Former Prime Minister of Somalia.
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Mohamed Ali, Is director for the Kismayo Regional Islamic Courts under the government of the Juba Valley Alliance.
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Abdiwahid Gonjeh, Former Prime Minister of Somalia.
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Abdirahman Barre, The first Deputy Prime Minister.
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Shire Jama Ahmed, a linguist who implemented the modern Somali Latin script.
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General Yusuf Osman Dhumal, a former Head Commander of Somali Military Forces.
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Farah Hussein Sharmarke, a philosopher and poet.
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Omar Haji Massale, Former Minister of Defence and Health of Somalia
-
Ahmed Abdullahi Gulleid, A columnist, writer and researcher.
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Mohamed Hashi Abdi, Former Vice President of the Galmudug.
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Dr. Mohamed Said Samatar, Somali Architects and Strategist Designer, Founder of the Somali National Front.
-
Emir Nur ibn Mujahid, the second conqueror of Adal Sultanate Reign After Imam Ahmed Gurey Ethiopia and the Patron Saint of Harar was one of rulers of parts of the Horn of Africa.
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Fatimo Isaak Bihi, First Somali female Ambassador to Geneva, Director of the African Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
-
Khalif Farah Hayir, a poet who mainly creates patriotic poems as well as poems that address Somali social issues.
-
Ahmed Warsame, Former Head of the Somali Military Academy.
-
Aden Ibrahim Aw Hirsi, An author and politician – helped with planning of the Jubaland State and the current Minister of State for Environment & Climate Change of Somalia.
-
Abdullahi Anod, Former Head Commander of the Somali Military Forces.
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Colonel Barre Adan Shire Hiiraale, Former Minister of Defence of Somalia, head of the Jubba Valley Alliance.
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Abdulkadir Sheikh Dini, Former Minister of Defence of Somalia.
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Abdi Shire Warsame, Former Somali Ambassador to Kenya and China and a former Foreign Affairs State Minister in the Transitional National Government.
-
Abdulahi Sheik Ismael Fara-Tag, Member of sen of upper house in Somalia,
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Ahmed Mohamed Hassan, A member of the Pan-African Parliament.
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General Dr. Ali Nur.
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General Mohammed Hashi ''Gaani'', a former Head Commander of the Somali Military Forces as well as being the former head of the SNF.
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Garad Hirabu Goita Tedros.
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Ahmed 'Idaaja'' Farah Ali, a Somali people literary scholar and publisher of written folklore.
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Mohamed Aden Sheikh, Premier Somali intellectual, Former head of Somali Technological Development, Medical doctor and Former Health minister, Education and Information, Former Head of the Ideology Bureau SRRC.
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Yamyam was a Somali people poet and playwright.
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Ali Matan Hashi, First Somali pilot and Commander of the Somali Air Force between 1959 and 1978.
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Burale. Author, Former President of Court of Appeal, Somali Democratic Republic.
Sources
