Social hierarchy within Pre-modern Somalia

[Internet Nomad]

Within a pre-modern Somali society was there a classic pyramid social hierarchy? Was the social hierarchy as rigid as the Hindu caste system where people were born into fixed roles or was it one where people could climb up the ranks

Here are some example of hierarchies in different societies.

Now I understand nomadic-pastoralists wouldn’t be able to form a structure like this. It would come from sedentary people however Somalis have many sedentary civilisation especially on the coast.

 

[Three Moons]

Imam
Sultan / Emir / Boqor
Garaad / Ugaas
Wasiir / Na’ib
Sharif / Sheikh / Qadi / Wadaad
Waranleh / Malassay / Malaakh
Nomad / Merchant / Farmer / Urbanite / Sailor
Blacksmith / Weaver / Mason / Artisan
Slave / Servant
​

 

[Internet Nomad]

Imam
Sultan / Emir / Boqor
Garaad / Ugaas
Wasiir / Na’ib
Sharif / Sheikh / Qadi
Waranleh / Malassay / Malaakh
Nomad / Merchant / Farmer / Urbanite / Sailor
Blacksmith / Weaver / Mason / Artisan
Slave / Servant
​

Sultan,emir, boqor, garaad and ugaas are all different words for king. Or some of these different degrees of rule like CEO and Boss.

 

[NidarNidar]

I was listening to Bedwaaq who is a poet and oral historian, he mentioned we had a priestly class and warriors and then ordinary people like farmers, nomads and craftsmen, he mentioned that the priestly class and warriors got in bed with each other and hoarded all the power and wealth .. something happened, he got interrupted and need to find the rest, I need to look for older videos but it's hard to find.

Priestly class
Warriors
farmers/nomads/craftsmen

 

[Three Moons]

Sultan,emir, boqor, garaad and ugaas are all different words for king. Or some of these different degrees of rule like CEO and Boss.

They were used specifically by different major polities and smaller regional elements, hence why I listed them, though Ugaas and Garaad never reached the same height and influence as the other titles did historically. In most cases they were under a Imam, Boqor or a Sultan.

 

[Dima&Damo]

Sultan,emir, boqor, garaad and ugaas are all different words for king. Or some of these different degrees of rule like CEO and Boss.

Boqor is higher than a king he is king of kings

 

[Internet Nomad]

Imam
Sultan / Emir / Boqor
Garaad / Ugaas
Wasiir / Na’ib
Sharif / Sheikh / Qadi / Wadaad
Waranleh / Malassay / Malaakh
Nomad / Merchant / Farmer / Urbanite / Sailor
Blacksmith / Weaver / Mason / Artisan
Slave / Servant
​

Many of these titles are arab origin is there somali equivalents

 

[Banadiri Warrior]

Imam
Sultan / Emir / Boqor
Garaad / Ugaas
Wasiir / Na’ib
Sharif / Sheikh / Qadi / Wadaad
Waranleh / Malassay / Malaakh
Nomad / Merchant / Farmer / Urbanite / Sailor
Blacksmith / Weaver / Mason / Artisan
Slave / Servant
​

Malaakh/malaaq is same level as garaad and ugaas . Blacksmith, weaver ,mason , artisan etc were all same level as fishermen, merchant and other urbans in urban areas .

 

[Three Moons]

Many of these titles are arab origin is there somali equivalents

We are Muslim. Its a beautiful heritage bro, don’t let anyone psyops you into thinking it’s not. Somalization can be beneficial in certain aspects and situations, but becomes pointless when superimposed on historic terms. Do you really think Turks or Malays care that their historical figures were known by an Arabic term like Sultan? Do the modern Japanese care that their ancestors used Chinese characters to communicate with one another?

 

[Three Moons]

Malaakh/malaaq is same level as garaad and ugaas . Blacksmith, weaver ,mason , artisan etc were all same level as fishermen, merchant and other urbans in urban areas .

The set up of the hierarchy could or would change depending on the region, era or polity, at-least with the more senior titles. I don’t think any scholar has ever done an in-depth study on this, outside of off-hand comments and references, though it would be very interesting.

I also forgot the Abbans, a very important group for international trade.

 

[Internet Nomad]

We are Muslim. Its a beautiful heritage bro, don’t let anyone psyops you into thinking it’s not. Somalization can be beneficial in certain aspects and situations, but becomes pointless when superimposed on historic terms. Do you really think Turks or Malays care that their historical figures were known by an Arabic term like Sultan? Do the modern Japanese care that their ancestors used Chinese characters to communicate with one another?

Im not opposed to the use of arab words and concepts i just think it’s important to for us not to forget our own language

 

[Burqad]

Im not opposed to the use of arab words and concepts i just think it’s important to for us not to forget our own language

At this point somalized Arabic terms are part of our language, just like Latin is part of English or Chinese is part of Japanese. When you live next to a richer,
More ilbaxx civilization somethinhs are bound to trickle out.

 

[Garaad Awal]

Malaakh/malaaq is same level as garaad and ugaas . Blacksmith, weaver ,mason , artisan etc were all same level as fishermen, merchant and other urbans in urban areas .

Malaakh & Ugaas are of Ethio-Semitic origin. Garaad is an OG Cushitic title tho

 

[Ugas.Wacays]

Malaakh & Ugaas are of Ethio-Semitic origin. Garaad is an OG Cushitic title tho

Ugaas Ethio-Semitic ???

 

[DALMAR0_0]

At this point somalized Arabic terms are part of our language, just like Latin is part of English or Chinese is part of Japanese. When you live next to a richer,
More ilbaxx civilization somethinhs are bound to trickle out.

In terms of language somali doesnt fall short to arabic or english. And we need to know the somali terms for anything because we are fortunately still living in times where these authentic terms and names still exist but not known by many

 

[NidarNidar]

Malaakh & Ugaas are of Ethio-Semitic origin. Garaad is an OG Cushitic title tho

It means One who seeks Justice, we really need to revitalize using only Somali words, much of the meaning behind will be lost or changed, which is natural but sad at the same time.

 

[mohammdov]

1.Camel herders Firstly
2.Goat herders
3.Cows herders
4.Farmers
5.fishermen
6.The blacksmith and the hunter are the lowest
Camel herders first, because they were the most involved in wars and their lives were more difficult, and in many areas they imposed taxes on farmers and residents of coastal cities.

 

[Banadiri Warrior]

Malaakh & Ugaas are of Ethio-Semitic origin. Garaad is an OG Cushitic title tho

The people that use malaaq originally resided in Eastern Ethiopia same for garaad

 

[Banadiri Warrior]

1.Camel herders Firstly
2.Goat herders
3.Cows herders
4.Farmers
5.fishermen
6.The blacksmith and the hunter are the lowest
Camel herders first, because they were the most involved in wars and their lives were more difficult, and in many areas they imposed taxes on farmers and residents of coastal cities.

All these groups never lived in one place for there to be lowest and highest. In an urban society a fisherman, seafarer ,weaver, blacksmith, goldsmith, silversmiths, porter , merchant etc were all equal obviously they'd vary in terms of wealth like a merchant would be from a much wealthier background than a porter

 

[Banadiri Warrior]

The set up of the hierarchy could or would change depending on the region, era or polity, at-least with the more senior titles. I don’t think any scholar has ever done an in-depth study on this, outside of off-hand comments and references, though it would be very interesting.

I also forgot the Abbans, a very important group for international trade.

The only places were all those people of different occupations would be found would be in urban settlements.