Futuh al-Habasha: Somalis As Bedouins

[Idilinaa]

One final damning thing this all sort of implies is that, well... I'm gonna trigger some folks and maybe ruffle some feathers but please be aware that I'm not religious about this. It's just what I observe... and that's that this seems to pretty much imply most of the people the author is interacting with are Somalis. Only Somalis would really call the nomads "Somali" and prompt him to record things that way. If he was speaking to Ethiosemites of any kind we'd likely see the book littered with "Simur" or "Simuri" or something to that effect, then there are damning place names like this for the Shabelle river:



He's literally just writing the Somali word for "river" and doesn't realize it. They probably revered it as "The river" rather than giving him a specific name like for the Awash because, as he says, it's very important and mighty. It was also pointed out to me that the Imam's wife's name, "Bati Del Wanbara" sounds in part like a weird Habesha bastardization of a name similar to "Dombira", the founding mother of the Darood. I don't remember how this friend came upon the reconstruction but I think he mentioned some linguist pointing out that it could be read like "Dalombira":

Then there's the fact that, as far as I remember noticing, any non Christian Habesha names that aren't Arab and aren't ethnic names like Gedaya (Gedeo?) are basically Somali names like the few outlined earlier. There's not really other ethnic given names evident, as far as I can see, though I must admit it's been a while since I've done a full read through and I maybe mistaken. But if this is the case, it strongly implies the Imam and probably everyone else in the area is mostly Somali and speaking Somali when not speaking Arabic. Along this vein, it's very telling that all the nomads in the area are being referred to using a Somali word that was probably passed onto the author by their settled counterparts like the Arab women calling the Badus "The Arabs" to their children whom they want to scare.

In Futuh her name is written as Dalombiro Bintu Maxfud. Bati Del Wambara is the Ethiopian Ethio-Semetic rendering of her name.

It was pointed out by linguist Abdalla Mansur. that it was similar to Daroods wife's name Dambiro in Somali traditions.

There is a trend to render Somali names into Amharic/Ethio-Semetic ones by Ethiopian Christians. The nickname Gurey becomes Gragn, Dalombiro Bintu Maxfud becomes Bati Del Wamabara. Aw-Bare a prominent medieval town becomes Tefer Beri, Qabri Bayax similarly a town becomes Gebre Bayah etc etc.

When you see Somalis with names like Goita Tedros and Dawit in Futuh. It's not really surprising given these facts, it's clearly a forced replacement of their names , not just forced conversions.

One must also consider that Somali cultural traditions are on display in the Futuh as well. Such as with this story involving the Imam:



It is referencing a Somali and Afar Cushitic tradition of trial by fire:


As you can see above, one Ethiopian author actually tried to use it as evidence that the Imam was Afar or half Afar but that author is mistaken as I've pointed out elsewhere. He makes big unfounded leaps such as assuming the Malassai are an ethnic group (and Afar) when we know from reading the Futuh they're instead a mishmash of tribes and soldiers who comprise the army's elite fighters who directly serve under the Imam.

And Malasay was a Military title and Futuh plainly says it with no specific tribal attachement:

Which i am positively certain is the title Malaakh which means ''War Leader' among sedentary Somali communities.

 

[Idilinaa]

There's a source I remember reading out there of settled raxanweyn in the mid 20th century refusing to be identified as "Somali" for this very reason. For some groups Somali = pastoralist occupation was a very recent thing

Source for this? because the settled raxanweyn plainly identify as Somali in the 20th century from what i've seen.

Tunnis for example identify themselves as simply as ''Somalis of Brava'' in the internal Qadi Record books from the 1800s and the Geledi Sultans send letter correspondence as a Somali and other elders signed treaties as Somalis.

You would even have few far southern individuals going by Al-Somal/Sumal from what i found.

@Shimbiris But they do make economic/occupational distinctions between them but they do it in other ways. Grouping of Sab and Samaale in the distant lineage tree tradition is not the same as saying you're not Somali. Samaale and Soomaal are not from the root word either. Soomaal did not mean pastoralist occupation in the 20th century, it was a general ethnic moniker for Somalis.

 

[Midas]

In Futuh her name is written as Dalombiro Bintu Maxfud. Bati Del Wambara is the Ethiopian Ethio-Semetic rendering of her name.

It was pointed out by linguist Abdalla Mansur. that it was similar to Daroods wife's name Dambiro in Somali traditions.

There is a trend to render Somali names into Amharic/Ethio-Semetic ones by Ethiopian Christians. The nickname Gurey becomes Gragn, Dalombiro Bintu Maxfud becomes Bati Del Wamabara. Aw-Bare a prominent medieval town becomes Tefer Beri, Qabri Bayax similarly a town becomes Gebre Bayah etc etc.

When you see Somalis with names like Goita Tedros and Dawit in Futuh. It's not really surprising given these facts, it's clearly a forced replacement of their names , not just forced conversions.




And Malasay was a Military title and Futuh plainly says it with no specific tribal attachement:

Which i am positively certain is the title Malaakh which means ''War Leader' among sedentary Somali communities.

I know one of the old names for sannag was maakhir . Don't know what it means but is there a possible connection?

 

[daljirkadahsoon]

In Futuh her name is written as Dalombiro Bintu Maxfud. Bati Del Wambara is the Ethiopian Ethio-Semetic rendering of her name.

It was pointed out by linguist Abdalla Mansur. that it was similar to Daroods wife's name Dambiro in Somali traditions.

There is a trend to render Somali names into Amharic/Ethio-Semetic ones by Ethiopian Christians. The nickname Gurey becomes Gragn, Dalombiro Bintu Maxfud becomes Bati Del Wamabara. Aw-Bare a prominent medieval town becomes Tefer Beri, Qabri Bayax similarly a town becomes Gebre Bayah etc etc.

When you see Somalis with names like Goita Tedros and Dawit in Futuh. It's not really surprising given these facts, it's clearly a forced replacement of their names , not just forced conversions.




And Malasay was a Military title and Futuh plainly says it with no specific tribal attachement:

Which i am positively certain is the title Malaakh which means ''War Leader' among sedentary Somali communities.

Waa ajeeb this whole time 'Bati del Wambara' is fake? i.e it isn't in the original Futuh and they translated it like that. How the hell did they get Bati del Wambara lol?

Is there any connection between 'Goita' and 'Ughaz'- is Goita some Ethiopian butchering of the title?

 

[daljirkadahsoon]

They acquired precious gems, gold, silver and silk , to the point they could lavishly adorn themselves with it. It reflects wealth of the elites during that period.

Nothing to do with customs. But the head wrap has do with a costume to separate the leaders/kings from the common folk hence a status expression.

A head wrap/band is most certainly ancient tradition not even Somalis only but most of our neighbours. Look at any neighbouring ethnic group you will find some sort of band around their head

 

[Idilinaa]

A head wrap/band is most certainly ancient tradition not even Somalis only but most of our neighbours. Look at any neighbouring ethnic group you will find some sort of band around their head

Head wrap being mention here is a turban. And Cerruli in that source talking about medieval Somalis in same line with the modern ones.

 

[daljirkadahsoon]

Head wrap being mention here is a turban. And Cerruli in that source talking about medieval Somalis in same line with the modern ones.

The thing I meant is almost like an Igal but a soft cloth/band not a turban

 

[Riftvalley]

Some of the Christianised names like the Marehan Chief might not be the actual names. It could have been a dig by the author who was a fanatic supporter of Imam Ahmed and always criticises and questions the religiosity anyone who opposes him.

 

[Yami]

Source for this? because the settled raxanweyn plainly identify as Somali in the 20th century from what i've seen.

Tunnis for example identify themselves as simply as ''Somalis of Brava'' in the internal Qadi Record books from the 1800s and the Geledi Sultans send letter correspondence as a Somali and other elders signed treaties as Somalis.

You would even have few far southern individuals going by Al-Somal/Sumal from what i found.

@Shimbiris But they do make economic/occupational distinctions between them but they do it in other ways. Grouping of Sab and Samaale in the distant lineage tree tradition is not the same as saying you're not Somali. Samaale and Soomaal are not from the root word either. Soomaal did not mean pastoralist occupation in the 20th century, it was a general ethnic moniker for Somalis.

I’ll try to find it again. I read on it a few years ago

 

[Idilinaa]

Some of the Christianised names like the Marehan Chief might not be the actual names. It could have been a dig by the author who was a fanatic supporter of Imam Ahmed and always criticises and questions the religiosity anyone who opposes him.

In Futuh her name is written as Dalombiro Bintu Maxfud. Bati Del Wambara is the Ethiopian Ethio-Semetic rendering of her name.

It was pointed out by linguist Abdalla Mansur. that it was similar to Daroods wife's name Dambiro in Somali traditions.

There is a trend to render Somali names into Amharic/Ethio-Semetic ones by Ethiopian Christians. The nickname Gurey becomes Gragn, Dalombiro Bintu Maxfud becomes Bati Del Wamabara. Aw-Bare a prominent medieval town becomes Tefer Beri, Qabri Bayax similarly a town becomes Gebre Bayah etc etc.

When you see Somalis with names like Goita Tedros and Dawit in Futuh. It's not really surprising given these facts, it's clearly a forced replacement of their names , not just forced conversions.

By the way in Futuh you see direct mentions of Muslims who were forcibly converted after capture being brought back to the fold of Islam afterwards when Muslims gained back the advantage.

For example in this passage:

The sultan had looked kindly upon him, and put him in charge of Ankarasah. He put him in command of a Muslim force to go into the land of Bali, which he plundered and ravaged. A Christian army mobilised against him, and they fought. The infidels got the better of the Muslims, and the latter fled, and a great number of them was killed.

Wanag Jan was capturcd and they took him to the king of Abyssinia, Na'od, the
father of king Wanag Sagad. They took him into the king’s presence, in chains. His
brother Wasan Sagad pleaded for him and the king released him into his custody.
iHs esteem for him grew, and he became like a wazir to him. He had become a
Christian reluctantly, for his heart was firmly with Islam, The king, as well,
appointed him in charge of the land of Bali, where he settled down, and his power
increased. He bought horses, and the number of his cavalry,4> increased: and the
soldiers did his bidding.

In some cases the leaders convert to Christianity but their armies under them remain steadfast Muslim.

They remained on in Abunah, all of whose people, meanwhile, along with their patrician Eslamu, became Muslims. After the imam had set out for Bet Amhara, their leader Eslamu apostatised and joined forces with the king. His army remained faithful to Islam and they fought with Samsu
throughout the whole conquest of Abyssinia.

 

[Khaem]

truly the greatest thread on this forum @Shimbiris
I've come back and read this many times

 

[Yami]

Yes our settled ancestors were forced to disperse.

They were hit with the collapse of 'Adal, an Oromo invasion extending to at least Berbera, successive years of drought and famine, Portuguese bombardment of coastal cities and the end of the old trade system (severely restricted trade and economic recession), etc.

The ilbax lifestyle wasn't possible with the collapse so Somalis fall back on tribal allegiances and fled to wherever their relatives were.

You can see the rough start of the current Ugaazates and reformulated Xeer like the famous Xeer Gadabuursi-Ciise as well fits the fallout of this collapse

Bump but I wanted to add that during this same time period the Isxaaq sultanate was founded as well after Ciidagale (purely nomadic clan at that time period mind you) was granted leadership of the clan from the original forbearers Tol Jeclo. IMO its not a coincidence that all these nomadic chiefdoms were founded around the within a century of each other and in the same geographical location as the former Awdal.

House of Guled - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Idilinaa]

Bump but I wanted to add that during this same time period the Isxaaq sultanate was founded as well after Ciidagale (purely nomadic clan at that time period mind you) was granted leadership of the clan from the original forbearers Tol Jeclo. IMO its not a coincidence that all these nomadic chiefdoms were founded around the within a century of each other and in the same geographical location as the former Awdal.

House of Guled - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Clan chieftdoms was a direct result of the collapse of Awdal's central authority in 1674. The political fragmentation it created led to city states and tribal cheiftanships and Tariqas(Sufi Orders) to fill the power vaccum. Same thing happened with the south-central as well with the collapse of Gareen central leadership.

The only unitary/central statehood that survived semi-intact was the Eastern part of Awdal (Bari-Nugaal) because it's was a vassal of Western Awdal governed by a seperate authority.

Western part was known as Barr el-Sa'adin and Eastern part was known as Barr el-Khazain in Arabic sources.

I mentioned a bit about that here:

I tend to disagree with Said Shidaad on this. I don't think the the interior towns decline or fall had anything to do with the Portuguese maritime disturbance.

The interior towns in the east was connected to a caravan trade to the west and fell apart as the political and economic structure of the west central Awdal fell apart in the mid-late 1600s. Awdal's economy relied more on a interior self sustaining economy based partly on caravan trade.

The Eastern State(Bari) largely survived because the maritime coastal economy continued intact but the interior economy didn't. A trade alliance between the Eastern Sultanate and the Arabian peninsula was created to sustain it in the 1600s and safeguard trade.

Portuguese didn't manage to fully block trade, control or destroy it either, they did however disturb it enough to cause a breif decline, they pretty much abandoned most of the places they attacked by mid 1500s and then in the 1700s there was European piracy in the Indian ocean.

You can read more about European Piracy in the Indian Ocean. It is dubbed the ''Golden Age of Piracy'' and piracy in a general scale that made the waters unsafe and dangerous.

 

[Midas]

Clan chieftdoms was a direct result of the collapse of Awdal's central authority in 1674. The political fragmentation it created led to city states and tribal cheiftanships and Tariqas(Sufi Orders) to fill the power vaccum. Same thing happened with the south-central as well with the collapse of Gareen central leadership.

The only unitary/central statehood that survived semi-intact was the Eastern part of Awdal (Bari-Nugaal) because it's was a vassal of Western Awdal governed by a seperate authority.

Western part was known as Barr el-Sa'adin and Eastern part was known as Barr el-Khazain in Arabic sources.

I mentioned a bit about that here:

Was eastern awdal depouplated somehow. Becuase i rmeber reading a description about how the majeerten sultan (maybe the hobyo one) where in his capital he was living with only a few hundred people . Also By awdal do you mean Adal. And do we know what was going on in sool-sannag at the time or was it just more sparsely populated.

 

[Idilinaa]

Was eastern awdal depouplated somehow. Becuase i rmeber reading a description about how the majeerten sultan (maybe the hobyo one) where in his capital he was living with only a few hundred people . Also By awdal do you mean Adal. And do we know what was going on in sool-sannag at the time or was it just more sparsely populated.

Majeerteen Sultanate as we know it in the early modern period, with it's Uthman Mahamuud was founded in 1620 by the 17th sultan in line as you seen it this source that was given to Gullain:

The Eastern region seized to be directly economically and politically connected to the West and no longer a vassal under Awdal since the political economic structure collapsed and diseappeared by 1674. The interior towns like the city of Badda was abandoned as well as it was depended on a caravan route to the west(above ground material found in them same as as the ones found in Waqooyi-Galbeed ones), so parts of sool connected to the nugaal was populated and the same with parts of Sanaag connected to Makhir coastal towns , Las Khoray and Maydh being the most important towns according to sources.

It is difficult to say how much the population was in these parts from the medieval period vs the early modern period without archeological investigation into cemeteries and settlements.

In the early modern period Bari sultanate was divided into 8 principal ports and a number of coastal villages dotted along the coastline with each containing a few hundred people to a couple of thousand people. Bandar Maryah was the administrative capital.

Bandar Cassim/Bosaso was the commercial capital and contained like a couple of thousand people and the Uthman Mahamuud Sultan had a palace/villa there.

 

[Khaem]

Majeerteen Sultanate as we know it in the early modern period, with it's Uthman Mahamuud was founded in 1620 by the 17th sultan in line as you seen it this source that was given to Gullain:

The Eastern region seized to be directly economically and politically connected to the West and no longer a vassal under Awdal since the political economic structure collapsed and diseappeared by 1674. The interior towns like the city of Badda was abandoned as well as it was depended on a caravan route to the west(above ground material found in them same as as the ones found in Waqooyi-Galbeed ones), so parts of sool connected to the nugaal was populated and the same with parts of Sanaag connected to Makhir coastal towns , Las Khoray and Maydh being the most important towns according to sources.

It is difficult to say how much the population was in these parts from the medieval period vs the early modern period without archeological investigation into cemeteries and settlements.

In the early modern period Bari sultanate was divided into 8 principal ports and a number of coastal villages dotted along the coastline with each containing a few hundred people to a couple of thousand people. Bandar Maryah was the administrative capital.

Bandar Cassim/Bosaso was the commercial capital and contained like a couple of thousand people and the Uthman Mahamuud Sultan had a palace/villa there.

Would you be interested in beefing up Somali wiki sites with these great sources

 

[Zak12]

In the early modern period Bari sultanate

Was Bari another name for the Majeerteen sultanate?

 

[Idilinaa]

Would you be interested in beefing up Somali wiki sites with these great sources

I believe there are people out there putting together books, academic papers and encyclopedias/dictionaries, archives and journals in the coming months and years.

So look forward to it.

Was Bari another name for the Majeerteen sultanate?

No. Bari means Eastern direction in the Somali language. Another name externally by Arabs it was called Barr Al-Khazain

Internally the people called their country/sultanate Urdh Al-Aman (The Land of Safety)

 

[NidarNidar]

A head wrap/band is most certainly ancient tradition not even Somalis only but most of our neighbours. Look at any neighbouring ethnic group you will find some sort of band around their head

Funny enough you mention that there is a particular head wrap style found in Hijaz region, sadly it's been by the Saudis in favour of the Ghutrah or Shemagh.

source:

 

[Thegoodshepherd]

am009133

collections.lib.uwm.edu

Harla are sedentary Somalis. Somalis always lived in those regions you just mentioned and they still do as Agro pastoralists. Tribal map from the early 20th century.

Here the screenshot

View attachment 319748

gacan ayaa kuu taagay ninyahow. Amazing find! Bravo