Warsangali Sultanate Explained

Native Name:
Conventional Long Name:Warsangali Sultanate
Year Start:Possibly late 13th century
Year End:1887
P1:Adal Sultanate
S1:British Somaliland
Flag P1:Flag of Adal Sultanate.svg
Event End:Disestablished
Image Map Caption:Map of the historic Warsangali Sultanate
Capital:Las Khorey
Common Languages:Somali
Government Type:Monarchy
Leader2:Mohamoud Ali Shire
Year Leader2:1897–1960
Title Leader:Sultan
Religion:Islam
Today:Somalia
Area Km2:54,231
Flag S1:Flag of British Somaliland (1903–1950).svg

The Warsangali Sultanate (so|Saldanadda Warsangeli|lit=Boqortooyada Warsangali, ar|سلطنة الورسنجلي‎‎), was a Somali imperial ruling house centered in northeastern and in some parts of southeastern Somalia. It governed an area historically known as Maakhir.[1] [2] The sultanate was ruled in the 19th century by the influential Sultan Mohamoud Ali Shire who assumed control during its most turbulent years. In 1884, the United Kingdom established the protectorate of British Somaliland through various treaties with the northern Somali sultanates (Dir, Isaaq and Harti including the Warsangali). The Warsangali clan constituted 120,000 of British Somaliland's total population at the time, of 640,000 (18.75%).[3]

History

Background

The Sultanate of Gerad Dhidhin was established in northern Somalia in the late 13th century by a group of Somalis from the Warsangali branch of the Darod tribe, and was controlled by the descendants of the Gerad Dhidhin. The Warsangali Sultanate included the Sanaag region and sections of the country's northeastern Bari region, which was traditionally known as Maakhir or the Maakhir Coast.[4]

The Sultanate is recognized for its remarkable longevity as a political entity and its tendency to prioritize trade over conquest or expansionism. The Sultanates major ports included Maydh, Bosaso and finally Laasqoray, its capital.[5] It was through these ports that they made the bulk of their trade revenue. I.M. Lewis, in his book A Pastoral Democracy: A Study of Pastoralism and Politics Among the Northern Somali of the Horn of Africa, mentions the sultanates reliance on their ports and writes:

During the 19th century, Somali sultanates began to face pressure from European imperialism. I.M. Lewis points to the Sultanate's declining strength was due to the British Protectorate. Lewis writes:

[6]

British-Warsangali Treaties

Under threat of violence from the British Empire, several northern Somali sultanates, including the Warsangali Sultanate, signed numerous treaties that led to the establishment of the British Somaliland protectorate in 1887. I.M. Lewis mentions the Warsangali as being the most powerful of the sultanates within the British Protectorate.

Warsangali treaty with the British government[7] [8]

The British Government and the Elders of the Warsangali tribe who have signed this Agreement being desirous of maintaining and strengthening the relations of peace and friendship existing between them;

The British Government have named and appointed Major Frederick Mercer Hunter, C.S.I., Political Agent and Consul for the Somali Coast, to conclude a Treaty for this purpose.The said Major F. M. Hunter, C.S.I., Political Agent and Consul for the Somali Coast, and the said Elders of the Warsangali, have agreed upon and concluded the following articles:-

ART.I. The British government, in compliance with the wish of the undersigned Elders of the Warsangali, undertakes to extend to them and to the territories under their authorities and jurisdiction the gracious favour and protection of Her Majesty the Queen-Empress.

II. The said Elders of the Warsangali agree and promise to refrain from entering into any correspondence, Agreement, or Treaty with any foreign nation or Power, except with the knowledge and sanction of Her Majesty's Government.

III. The Warsnagali are bound to render assistance to any vessel, whether British or belonging to any other nation, that may be wrecked on the shores under their jurisdiction and control, and to protect the crew, passengers, and cargo of such vessels, giving speedy intimation to the Resident at Aden of the circumstances; for which act of friendship and good-will a suitable reward will be given by the British Government.

IV. The Traffic in slaves throughout the territories of the Warsangali shall cease for ever, and the Commander of any of Her Majesty's vessels, or any other British officer duly authorized, shall have the power of requiring the surrender of any slave, and of supporting the demand by force of arms by land and sea.

V. The British Government shall have the power to appoint an Agent or Agents to reside in the territories of the Warsangali, and every such Agent shall be treated with respect and consideration, and be entitled to have for this protection such guard as the British Government deem sufficient.

VI. The Warsangali hereby engage to assist all British officers in the execution of such duties as may be assigned to them, and further to act upon their advice in matters relating to the administration of justice, the development of the resources of the country, the interests of commerce, or in any other matter in relation to peace, order, and good government, and the general progress of civilization.

VII. This Treaty to come into operation from the 27th day of January, 1886, on which date it was signed at

Bunder Gori by the Undermentioned.

F. M. HunterWitness:

J. H. Raintier, Commander, R. N.

Muhammad Mahmud Ali, The Gerad of all Warsangali.

Jama Mahmud - Rer Gerad

Muhammad Ibrahim - Rer Gerad

Omar Ahmed - Rer Gerad

Mahmud Abdullah - Rer Gerad

Yusuf Mahmud - Rer Gerad

Muhammad Abdi Nalaya - Ogeyslabe

Mahmud Sagully - Ogeyslabe

Abdullah Sagully - Ogeyslabe

Muhammad Abdulah - Ogeyslabe

Nur Abdullah - Rer Fatah

Isa Adan - Rer Fatah

Muhammad Ali Shirwa - Rer Fatah

Abdy Nur - Rer Fatah

Warsangali-Dervish collaboration

In his paper The 'Mad Mullah' and Northern Somalia, the historian Robert L. Hess touches upon this alliance, writing that "in attempt to break out of Obbian-Mijertein encirclement, the Mullah sought closer alliances with the Warsangali of British Somaliland and Bah Geri of Ethiopia".[9] In May 1916 the Dervish attacked Las Khorey but were repelled by a British Warship. In September of that year fearing a Dervish invasion, British troops occupied Las Khorey at the insistence of Sultan Mahamud Ali Shire.[10]

Sultans

Rulers of the Warsangali Sultanate:[11] [12]

1Garaad Dhidhin1298–1311Established the Warsangali Sultanate in the late 13th century.
2Garaad Hamar Gale1311–1328
3Garaad Ibrahim1328–1340
4Garaad Omer1340–1355
5Garaad Mohamud I1355–1375
6Garaad Ciise I1375–1392
7Garaad Siciid1392–1409
8Garaad Ahmed1409–1430
9Garaad Siciid II1430–1450
10Garaad Mohamud II1450–1479
11Garaad Ciise II1479–1487Father of Garaad Ali Dable.
12Garaad Omar1487–1495Following Garaad Ciise II's death, various pretenders to the throne battled each other to succeed the ruler. Power was eventually transferred for a short period to Ciise II's brother, Garaad Omar.
13Garaad Ali Dable1491–1503Exiled in Yemen after the death of his father, Garaad Ciise II. Returned with cannon fire and defeated the Garaad of Dhulbahante's troops in the Battle of Garadag.
14Garaad Liban1503–1525Eldest son of Garaad Ali Dable.
15Garaad Yuusuf1525–1555
16Garaad Mohamud III1555–1585
17Garaad Abdale1585–1612
18Garaad Ali1612–1655
19Garaad Mohamud IV1655–1675
20Garaad Naleye1675–1705
21Garaad Mohamed1705–1750
22Garaad Ali1750–1789
23Garaad Mohamud Ali1789–1830
24Garaad Aul1830–1870
25Garaad Ali Shire1870–1897Father of Sultan Mohamoud Ali Shire, with whom he briefly engaged in a power struggle.
26Sultan Mohamoud Ali Shire1897–1960Led the Sultanate during some of its most turbulent years. Fought against and signed treaties with the British. Eventually exiled to the Seychelles for ignoring imperial entreaties.
27Sultan Abdul Sallan1960–1997
28Sultan Siciid Sultan Abdisalaan1997–present
[13]

Warsangeli sultanate main sub divisions:

Omar ibrahim (Omar) - Yusuf Hammar gale (Dubbays) - Abdirahman Hamar gale (Ogeyslabe) Isman ibrahim - Warlabe - Hinjiye - Waqadsiinye

See also

Bibliography

Notes and References

  1. Book: Abdullahi, Abdurahman . Making Sense of Somali History: Volume 1 . Adonis & Abbey publishers ltd . 2017 . 978-1909112797 . London, United Kingdom . 63 . English.
  2. The Puntland State of Somalia. A Tentative Social Analysis . Marchal . Roland . 2010 . en.
  3. Book: Lewis, I. M. . A Pastoral Democracy: A Study of Pastoralism and Politics Among the Northern Somali of the Horn of Africa . 1999 . James Currey Publishers . 9780852552803 . en.
  4. Book: Surhonee . L.M. . Warsangali Sultanate . Timpledon . M.T. . Marseken . S.F. . 2010-07-03 . VDM Publishing . 978-6130586324 . en . L.M. Surhonee . M.T. Timpledon . S.F. Marseken.
  5. Book: Briggs, Philip . Somaliland : with Addis Ababa & Eastern Ethiopia . 2012 . Chalfont St. Peter, Bucks, England : Bradt Travel Guides; Guilford, CT : Globe Pequot Press . Internet Archive . 978-1-84162-371-9 . 10–12.
  6. Book: Lewis, Ioan M. . A pastoral democracy: a study of pastoralism and politics among the Northern Somali of the Horn of Africa . 1999 . LIT . 978-3-8258-3084-7 . 3. ed. - Repr. d. Ausg. von 1982 . Classics in African anthropology . Hamburg.
  7. Web site: . Heshiiskii 27kii January, 1886. . 2023-04-15 . allsanaag .
  8. Web site: 1886-01-27 . Agreement between Great Britain and the Warsangali (Somali Coast), signed at Bunder Gori, 27 January 1886 . 2023-04-15 . Oxford Public International Law . Oxford Historical Treaties.
  9. Hess . Robert L. . The 'Mad Mullah' and Northern Somalia . Journal of African History . 1964 . 423 . 10 February 2018.
  10. Web site: http://www.kingscollections.org/exhibitions/archives/armies-abroad/dervish-state/establishment#Gallery[gallery1/7/ King's College London, King's collection : Ismay's summary as Intelligence Officer (1916–1918) of Mohammed Abdullah Hassan ].
  11. Web site: Sultan of Warsangali, Somalia . 2 June 2022 . The African Royal Families.
  12. Web site: "Rulers of the Warsangali Sultanate" . 27 April 2014 . Ferroon11.
  13. Web site: Warsangeli Sultanate (Sultanate of Northern Somalia) .