Something that always has played on my mind following and seeing Somali politics and recent history is do we really have a hierarchical authoritive clan based system? If we are a truly clan based society shouldn't every region state or clan fiefdom be lead by its clan leader? Why do we have random politicians as heads when we follow clan politics?
For example, this is the Quraysh before the time of the Prophet Muhammad S.a.w. If the Quraysh had a conflict only the head of the qabiil could raise the banner for war and the rest of the tribe would follow. If a matter had to be dealt with the tribal leader would make the final decision and it was binding.
The same thing system I noticed watching the Turkish show Ertugrul(lol not a reliable source). But it was interesting seeing how each Turkish tribe had an undisputed leader whose decision was the law and any disobedience was considered treason. The tribal leader was always a direct descendent from the Clan father(for example Hawiye) and was passed down by succession to the eldest son. They would come together in a main tent, the tribal elders would be asked for their opinion and have their turn to speak and then the tribal leader at the head of tent would make the final decision with complete authority.
Now why I am mentioning all this is the Somali clan system seems like anarchy compared to the above. I can't talk for all Somalis because I don't know the situations in other areas and clans. However, seeing the situation in southern Somalia makes me think that the clan system is broken over there and that there isn't any clear authority over clans and subclans.
Like I know Abgaal have an Imam, HG-Ceyr have an Ugaas. Don't know about mursade @Step a side ? But do they really have any power and authority to command entire clans/subclans?
Hawiye is a whole clan, but we don't have one authoritive leader. Habar Gidir don't have one authorative leader who can dictate to them what to do. What is this system then that we are playing at? The Turks or Arabs used to have leaders who were direct descendents from their clan father. Why didn't we have leadership succession pass down from each main clan and subclan?
When I read about the chaos after the collapse of the Siyad Barre government it confuses me as to what were the tribal elders and leaders doing? Forget stopping USC against other clans, what were they doing when Caydiid and Ali Mahdi were fighting? Why was it so hard to stop the conflict amongst subclans and come to an agreement?
Why do individuals and certain figures have such power and sway over clans? For example SNM was headed by Cabdirahman tuur, SSDF by Cabdullahi Yusuf, USC by Caydiid and SPM by Omar Jess. Shouldn't the decision to fight and overthrow the Central gov come from a Clan leader who makes the decision? How are individuals within clans so independent?
I know people say we have kaabo qabiil, and the tribal elders come together when making a decision but im talking about a true out and out leader for each clan. For Hawiye, Darood, Isaaq, Dir, Digil iyo Mirifle etc. An undisputed tribal leader for each subclan who isn't just a maqaar saar but one who all final decisions rest with.
As the Prophet S.a.w said
Abu Sa’id al-Khurdi reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Whenever three people set out on a journey, let one of them be appointed as their leader.”(Sunnah Abi dawuud)
Where are the leaders of our clans? It all seems like a chaotic system to me. Let me know how things are in other tribes. Do MJ, Isaaq, Ogadeen,Marexaan have an undisputed leader who commands are followed?
For example, this is the Quraysh before the time of the Prophet Muhammad S.a.w. If the Quraysh had a conflict only the head of the qabiil could raise the banner for war and the rest of the tribe would follow. If a matter had to be dealt with the tribal leader would make the final decision and it was binding.
The same thing system I noticed watching the Turkish show Ertugrul(lol not a reliable source). But it was interesting seeing how each Turkish tribe had an undisputed leader whose decision was the law and any disobedience was considered treason. The tribal leader was always a direct descendent from the Clan father(for example Hawiye) and was passed down by succession to the eldest son. They would come together in a main tent, the tribal elders would be asked for their opinion and have their turn to speak and then the tribal leader at the head of tent would make the final decision with complete authority.
Now why I am mentioning all this is the Somali clan system seems like anarchy compared to the above. I can't talk for all Somalis because I don't know the situations in other areas and clans. However, seeing the situation in southern Somalia makes me think that the clan system is broken over there and that there isn't any clear authority over clans and subclans.
Like I know Abgaal have an Imam, HG-Ceyr have an Ugaas. Don't know about mursade @Step a side ? But do they really have any power and authority to command entire clans/subclans?
Hawiye is a whole clan, but we don't have one authoritive leader. Habar Gidir don't have one authorative leader who can dictate to them what to do. What is this system then that we are playing at? The Turks or Arabs used to have leaders who were direct descendents from their clan father. Why didn't we have leadership succession pass down from each main clan and subclan?
When I read about the chaos after the collapse of the Siyad Barre government it confuses me as to what were the tribal elders and leaders doing? Forget stopping USC against other clans, what were they doing when Caydiid and Ali Mahdi were fighting? Why was it so hard to stop the conflict amongst subclans and come to an agreement?
Why do individuals and certain figures have such power and sway over clans? For example SNM was headed by Cabdirahman tuur, SSDF by Cabdullahi Yusuf, USC by Caydiid and SPM by Omar Jess. Shouldn't the decision to fight and overthrow the Central gov come from a Clan leader who makes the decision? How are individuals within clans so independent?
I know people say we have kaabo qabiil, and the tribal elders come together when making a decision but im talking about a true out and out leader for each clan. For Hawiye, Darood, Isaaq, Dir, Digil iyo Mirifle etc. An undisputed tribal leader for each subclan who isn't just a maqaar saar but one who all final decisions rest with.
As the Prophet S.a.w said
Abu Sa’id al-Khurdi reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Whenever three people set out on a journey, let one of them be appointed as their leader.”(Sunnah Abi dawuud)
Where are the leaders of our clans? It all seems like a chaotic system to me. Let me know how things are in other tribes. Do MJ, Isaaq, Ogadeen,Marexaan have an undisputed leader who commands are followed?
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