View source for Isaaq

{{Short description|Somali clan family}}
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{{EngvarB|date=July 2022}}
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{{About|the Somali clan|the Sultanate|Isaaq Sultanate}}{{About|a Somali clan|an overview of all Somali clans|Somali clans}}{{Infobox tribe
| name = Isaaq
| image = File:Sheekh Isaaq.jpg
| caption = The tomb of Ishaaq, the father of the Isaaq clan, in [[Maydh]]
| ethnicity = [[Somali people|Somali]]
| type = Somali clan
| location = {{flagicon|Somaliland}}[[Somaliland]]<br />{{flagicon|Somalia}}[[Somalia]]<br />{{flagicon|Ethiopia}}[[Ethiopia]]<br />{{flagicon|Djibouti}}[[Djibouti]]<br />{{flagicon|Saudi Arabia}}[[Saudi Arabia]]<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IfgxAQAAQBAJ&q=saudi&pg=PA134 | title=Consider Somaliland: State-Building with Traditional Leaders and Institutions | isbn=978-90-04-22254-0 | last1=Renders | first1=Marleen | date=27 January 2012 | publisher=BRILL }}</ref>
| branches = <br />'''Habr Magaadle:'''<br />
*[[Habar Awal|Abdirahman]]
*[[Arap|Muhammed]]
*[[Garhajis|Ismail]]
*Ayub
'''Habr Habuusheed:'''<br />
*[[Habr Je'lo|Muse]]
*[[Sanbur|Ibrahim]]
*[[Ibran|Muhammed]]
*Ahmed
| religion = [[Sunni Islam]]
| language = [[Somali language|Somali]]<br />[[Arabic]]
| descended = [[Ishaaq bin Ahmed|Sheikh Ishaaq bin Ahmed]]
| population = 3-4 million<ref>{{Cite book |last=Minahan |first=James B. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uwTHEAAAQBAJ |title=Encyclopedia of Stateless Nations: Ethnic and National Groups around the World |date=2016-08-01 |publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing USA |isbn=979-8-216-14892-0 |pages=184–185 |language=en}}</ref>
| local name = {{nobold|Reer Sheekh Isxaaq}}<br />{{nobold|بنو إسحاق}}
| nisba = Al-Ishaaqi<br>الإسحاقي
}}
The '''Isaaq''' ({{langx|so|Reer Sheekh Isxaaq}}, {{langx|ar|بنو إسحاق}}, ''Banu Ishaq'') is a major [[Somali clans|Somali clan]].<ref name="Nobility">{{Cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/bloodbonecallofk00ioan |url-access=registration |page=[https://archive.org/details/bloodbonecallofk00ioan/page/102 102] |quote=isaaq noble. |title=Blood and Bone: The Call of Kinship in Somali Society |publisher=The Red Sea Press |isbn=9780932415936 |last1=Lewis |first1=I. M. |year=1994}}</ref> It is one of the largest Somali clan families in the [[Horn of Africa]], with a large and densely populated traditional territory. 

The Isaaq people claim in a traditional legend to have descended from [[Ishaaq bin Ahmed|Sheikh Ishaaq bin Ahmed]], an [[Ulama|Islamic scholar]] who purportedly traveled to [[Somaliland]] in the 12th or 13th century and married two women; one from the local [[Dir (clan)|Dir clan]].<ref name="Lewis3">I.M. Lewis, ''A Modern History of the Somali'', fourth edition (Oxford: James Currey, 2002), pp. 22–23.</ref> He is said to have sired eight sons who are the common ancestors of the clans of the Isaaq clan-family. He remained in [[Maydh]] until his death.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Adam |first=Hussein M. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=a1gMAQAAIAAJ&q=%22sheikh+isaaq%22 |title=Somalia and the World: Proceedings of the International Symposium Held in Mogadishu on the Tenth Anniversary of the Somali Revolution, October 15–21, 1979 |date=1980 |publisher=Halgan |language=en}}</ref>

==Overview==
{{Further|Ishaaq bin Ahmed}}

Somali genealogical tradition places the origin of the Isaaq tribe in the 12th or 13th century with the arrival of the Sheikh [[Ishaaq bin Ahmed|Ishaaq Bin Ahmed]] (Sheikh Ishaaq) from [[Arabian Peninsula|Arabia]].<ref name="McGown">{{cite book |first=Rima |last=Berns McGown |title=Muslims in the diaspora |publisher=[[University of Toronto Press]] |date=1999 |pages=27–28}}</ref><ref name="Lewis">{{cite book |first=I. M. |last=Lewis |title=A Modern History of the Somali |edition=Fourth |location=Oxford |publisher=James Currey |date=2002 |page=22}}</ref> Sheikh Ishaaq settled in the coastal town of [[Maydh]] in modern-day northeastern [[Somaliland]]. Hence, Sheikh Ishaaq married two local women in Somaliland, which left him with eight.<ref name="Lewis3"/><ref>{{Cite book |last=Gori |first=Alessandro |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/55104439 |title=Studi sulla letteratura agiografica islamica somala in lingua araba |language=it |trans-title=Studies on Somali Islamic hagiographic literature in Arabic |date=2003 |publisher=Dipartimento di linguistica, Università di Firenze |isbn=88-901340-0-3 |location=Firenze |pages=72 |oclc=55104439 |access-date=15 October 2021 |archive-date=4 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211104135644/https://www.worldcat.org/title/studi-sulla-letteratura-agiografica-islamica-somala-in-lingua-araba/oclc/55104439 |url-status=live}}</ref>

There are also numerous existing hagiographies in Arabic which describe Sheikh Ishaaq's travels, works and overall life in modern Somaliland, as well as his movements in Arabia before his arrival.<ref name="RolandAnthony">Roland Anthony Oliver, J. D. Fage, ''Journal of African history, Volume 3'' (Cambridge University Press.: 1962), p.45</ref> Besides historical sources, one of the more recent printed biographies of Sheikh Ishaaq is the ''Amjaad'' of Sheikh Husseen bin Ahmed Darwiish al-Isaaqi as-Soomaali, which was printed in [[Aden]] in 1955.<ref name="Lewis4">{{cite book |first=I. M. |last=Lewis |title=A pastoral democracy: a study of pastoralism and politics among the Northern Somali of the Horn of Africa |publisher=LIT Verlag Münster |date=1999 |page=131}}</ref>

Sheikh Ishaaq's tomb is in [[Maydh]], and is the scene of frequent pilgrimages.<ref name="RolandAnthony" /> Sheikh Ishaaq's ''[[mawlid]]'' (birthday) is also celebrated every Thursday with a public reading of his ''manaaqib'' (a collection of glorious deeds).<ref name="Lewis3"/> His Siyaara or pilgrimage is performed annually both within Somaliland and in the diaspora particularly in the [[Middle East]] among Isaaq expatriates.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Reese |first=Scott S. |title=Claims to Community: Mosques, Cemeteries and the Universe: Claims to Community |date=2018 |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.3366/j.ctt1tqxt7c.10 |work=Imperial Muslims |pages=69 |series=Islam, Community and Authority in the Indian Ocean, 1839–1937 |publisher=[[Edinburgh University Press]] |jstor=10.3366/j.ctt1tqxt7c.10|isbn=978-0-7486-9765-6 |access-date=2022-01-03 |archive-date=3 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220103011635/https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.3366/j.ctt1tqxt7c.10 |url-status=live}}</ref>

The dialect of the [[Somali language|Somali]] language that the Isaaq speak has the highest prestige of any other Somali dialect.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Pia |first=John Joseph |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AFE-AAAAIAAJ |title=Somali Sounds and Inflections |date=1968 |publisher=[[Indiana University Press]] |pages=6 |language=en}}</ref>

==Distribution==
[[File:Isaaq Flag.svg|thumb|left|The [[Isaaq Sultanate]] banner derived from an [[Adal Sultanate]] flag with the [[Shahada]]]]
The Isaaq are estimated to number 3-4 million according to a 2015 estimate,<ref name="SN">{{Cite book |last=Minahan |first=James B. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uwTHEAAAQBAJ |title=Encyclopedia of Stateless Nations: Ethnic and National Groups around the World |date=2016-08-01 |publisher=[[Bloomsbury Publishing]] USA |isbn=979-8-216-14892-0 |pages=184–185 |language=en}}</ref> and roughly comprise around 22% of all Somalis.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Briggs |first=Philip |url=https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/Somaliland/M6NI2FejIuwC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=somaliland+palace&pg=PA22&printsec=frontcover |title=Somaliland: With Addis Ababa & Eastern Ethiopia |date=2012 |publisher=Bradt Travel Guides |isbn=978-1-84162-371-9 |pages=28 |language=en}}</ref> 

{{Somali clans}}The Isaaq have a very wide and densely populated traditional territory and make up 80% of Somaliland's population,<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1050870928 |title=Africa. 2018-2019, 53rd edition |date=2018 |first=Francis |last=Wiafe-Amoako |isbn=978-1-4758-4179-4 |location=Lanham, MD|pages=238 |oclc=1050870928}}</ref><ref name="Internationalist">{{cite web |year=2017 |title=Somaliland between clans and November elections |url=https://newint.org/columns/country/2017/10/01/somaliland |access-date=24 January 2021 |publisher=New Internationalist |archive-date=9 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230609053908/https://newint.org/columns/country/2017/10/01/somaliland |url-status=live}}</ref> and live in all of its six regions ([[Awdal]], [[Maroodi Jeex|Marodi Jeh]], [[Togdheer]], [[Sahil, Somaliland|Sahil]], [[Sanaag]] and [[Sool, Somalia|Sool]]). The Isaaq have large settlements in the [[Somali Region]] of Ethiopia, mainly on the eastern side of Somali Region also known as the [[Hawd]] and formerly Reserve Area which is mainly inhabited by the Isaaq residents. A subclan of the Habr Yunis, the Damal Muse (also known as the Dir Rooble<ref>{{Cite web |title=Abtirsi.com : Damal "Dir Roble" Muse Arre |url=https://www.abtirsi.com/view.php?person=14563&abtirsiLang=1 |access-date=2024-02-28 |website=www.abtirsi.com |archive-date=28 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240228035448/https://www.abtirsi.com/view.php?person=14563&abtirsiLang=1 |url-status=live}}</ref>), also inhabit the [[Mudug]] region of [[Somalia]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mataan |first=Asad Cabdullahi |date=2012-11-28 |title=Qabaa'ilka Soomaalidu ma isbahaysi baa, mise waa dhalasho? |url=https://www.caasimada.net/qabaailka-soomaalidu-ma-isbahaysi-baa-mise-waa-dhalasho/ |access-date=2021-07-12 |website=Caasimada Online |language=en-US |archive-date=27 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211027220655/https://www.caasimada.net/qabaailka-soomaalidu-ma-isbahaysi-baa-mise-waa-dhalasho/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The Habarnoosa, a clan of the [[Hadiya people|Hadiya]] people in the [[Hadiya Zone|Hadiya]] Zone claim descent from the [[Habar Yoonis|Habr Yunis]] subclan of Isaaq.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XawXAQAAMAAJ&q=habarnoosa |title=Zeitschrift für Ethnologie |date=1957 |publisher=Springer-Verlag |pages=71, 75 |language=de |access-date=10 July 2023 |archive-date=18 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230818152515/https://books.google.com/books?id=XawXAQAAMAAJ&q=habarnoosa |url-status=live}}</ref> The Isaaqs also have large settlements in [[Naivasha]], [[Kenya]], where the Ishaakia make up a large percentage of the Kenyan population, and in [[Djibouti]], where the Isaaq account for 20% of Djibouti's population.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1 March 1990 |title=Somalia: Information on the Issa and the Issaq |url=https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ab2f60.html |website=Refworld |publisher=Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |access-date=10 October 2021 |archive-date=16 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230216170230/https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ab2f60.html |url-status=live}}</ref>  

The Isaaq tribe are the largest group in [[Somaliland]]. The populations of five largest cities in Somaliland – [[Hargeisa]], [[Burao]], [[Berbera]], [[Erigavo]] and [[Gabiley]] – are all predominantly Isaaq.<ref name="SOM23518.E">Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, [http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/docid/3ae6ab704.html ''Somalia: Information on the ethnic composition in Gabiley (Gebiley) in 1987–1988''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240522134019/https://webarchive.archive.unhcr.org/20230604105928mp_/https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ab704.html |date=22 May 2024 }}, 1 April 1996, SOM23518.E [accessed 6 October 2009]</ref><ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xbQTEF0rd7wC&q=%22second+largest+city+destruction+hargeisa%22&pg=PA152 |title=Eritrea and Ethiopia: From Conflict to Cooperation |last=Tekle |first=Amare |date=1994 |publisher=The Red Sea Press |isbn=9780932415974 |language=en |access-date=28 November 2020 |archive-date=22 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240522140110/https://books.google.com/books?id=xbQTEF0rd7wC&q=%22second+largest+city+destruction+hargeisa%22&pg=PA152#v=snippet&q=%22second%20largest%20city%20destruction%20hargeisa%22&f=false |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Briggs |first=Philip |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=M6NI2FejIuwC&dq=erigavo+isaaq+clan+population&pg=PA137 |title=Somaliland: With Addis Ababa & Eastern Ethiopia |date=2012 |publisher=Bradt Travel Guides |isbn=978-1-84162-371-9 |language=en |access-date=15 March 2023 |archive-date=25 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230425232436/https://books.google.com/books?id=M6NI2FejIuwC&dq=erigavo+isaaq+clan+population&pg=PA137 |url-status=live}}</ref> They exclusively dominate the [[Maroodi Jeex|Marodi Jeh]] region, and the [[Togdheer]] region, and form a majority of the population inhabiting the western and central areas of [[Sanaag]] region, including the regional capital [[Erigavo]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.refworld.org/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/rwmain?page=search&docid=3ae6a5bf0&skip=0&query=Erigavo%20clans&coi=SOM|title=Report on the Fact-finding Mission to Somalia and Kenya (27 October – 7 November 1997)|author=United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees|work=Refworld|access-date=2017-11-17|language=en|archive-date=19 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201019080151/https://www.refworld.org/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/rwmain?page=search&docid=3ae6a5bf0&skip=0&query=Erigavo|url-status=live}}</ref> The Isaaq also have a large presence in the western and northern parts of [[Sool, Somalia|Sool]] region as well,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.york.ac.uk/media/prdu/documents/publications/Beyond%20Fragility-a%20conflict%20and%20education%20analysis%20of%20the%20Somali%20context.pdf |title=Beyond Fragility: A Conflict and Education Analysis of the Somali Context |access-date=24 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180830073753/https://www.york.ac.uk/media/prdu/documents/publications/Beyond%20Fragility-a%20conflict%20and%20education%20analysis%20of%20the%20Somali%20context.pdf |archive-date=30 August 2018 |url-status=dead}}</ref> with [[Habr Je'lo]] sub-clan of Isaaq living in the [[Aynabo District|Aynabo district]] whilst the [[Habr Yunis]] subclan of [[Garhajis]] lives in the eastern part of [[Xudun District|Xudun district]] and the very western part of [[Las Anod District|Las Anod district]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ecoi.net/file_upload/1226_1457606427_easo-somalia-security-feb-2016.pdf |title=EASO Country of Origin Information Report |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160615215650/http://www.ecoi.net/file_upload/1226_1457606427_easo-somalia-security-feb-2016.pdf |archive-date=15 June 2016 |access-date=2020-01-27}}</ref> They also live in the northeast of the [[Awdal]] region, with [[Habr Awal|Saad Muse]] sub-clan being centered around [[Lughaya]] and its environs. The [[Arap]] live Somalia [[Bakool]] [[Rabdhure District]] the live also [[Fafan Zone]] and [[Baligubadle]].{{Citation needed|date=July 2024}}

The Isaaq also has a sizable diaspora around the world, mainly residing in Western Europe, the Middle East, North America, and several other African countries.<ref>{{Cite journal |date=January 2017 |title=Member Profile Somaliland: Government of Somaliland |url=https://unpo.org/downloads/2343.pdf |journal=[[Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization]] |page=4 |access-date=3 February 2024 |archive-date=16 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230916122200/https://unpo.org/downloads/2343.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2018-07-20 |title=When is a nation not a nation? Somaliland's dream of independence |url=http://www.theguardian.com/news/2018/jul/20/when-is-a-nation-not-a-nation-somalilands-dream-of-independence |access-date=2022-03-04 |work=[[The Guardian]] |language=en |archive-date=16 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230716181432/https://www.theguardian.com/news/2018/jul/20/when-is-a-nation-not-a-nation-somalilands-dream-of-independence |url-status=live}}</ref> The Isaaq were among the first Somalis to arrive in the United Kingdom in the 1880s, and have since then formed large communities across the country, especially in Cardiff,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mosalski |first=Ruth |date=2015-03-26 |title=Cardiff becomes only second UK council to recognise the Republic of Somaliland |url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/somaliland-recognised-by-cardiff-council-8930027 |access-date=2024-02-03 |website=Wales Online |language=en |archive-date=2 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221002035118/https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/somaliland-recognised-by-cardiff-council-8930027 |url-status=live}}</ref> Sheffield,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-04-05 |title=Somaliland Hails British Step Forward in Independence Bid |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/somaliland-hails-british-step-forward-in-independence-bid/1886918.html |access-date=2024-02-03 |website=[[Voice of America]] |language=en |archive-date=3 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240203052610/https://www.voanews.com/a/somaliland-hails-british-step-forward-in-independence-bid/1886918.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Bristol and eastern London boroughs like [[London Borough of Tower Hamlets|Tower Hamlets]] and [[London Borough of Newham|Newham]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Galipo |first=Adele |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_OV3DwAAQBAJ&q=isaaq+diaspora |title=Return Migration and Nation Building in Africa: Reframing the Somali Diaspora |date=2018-11-08 |publisher=[[Routledge]] |isbn=978-0-429-95713-0 |language=en |access-date=3 February 2024 |archive-date=22 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240522140109/https://books.google.com/books?id=_OV3DwAAQBAJ&q=isaaq+diaspora#v=snippet&q=isaaq%20diaspora&f=false |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Liberatore |first=Giulia |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qQjTDgAAQBAJ&dq=habar+jeclo+tower+hamlets&pg=PA106 |title=Somali, Muslim, British: Striving in Securitized Britain |date=2017-06-29 |publisher=Taylor & Francis |isbn=978-1-350-02773-2 |pages=106 |language=en |access-date=3 February 2024 |archive-date=22 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240522140020/https://books.google.com/books?id=qQjTDgAAQBAJ&dq=habar+jeclo+tower+hamlets&pg=PA106#v=onepage&q=habar%20jeclo%20tower%20hamlets&f=false |url-status=live }}</ref> In Canada the Isaaq form large communities in the [[North York]] and [[Scarborough, Ontario|Scarborough]] districts of [[Toronto]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Berns MacGown |first=Rima |title=Muslims in the diaspora: the Somali communities of London and Toronto |date=1999 |publisher=[[University of Toronto Press]] |isbn=978-0-8020-8281-7 |location=Toronto |pages=23}}</ref>

[[File:Illustration of Isaaq Somali women, 1870.png|thumb|An illustration depicting a Somali woman of the Isaaq clan published in Bilder-Atlas in 1870]]

==History==

=== Medieval ===
As the Isaaq grew in size and numbers during the 12th century, the clan-family migrated and spread from their core area in Mait (Maydh) and the wider Sanaag region in a southwestward expansion over a wide portion of present-day Somaliland by the 15th and 16th centuries.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Abdi |first=Mohameddeq Ali |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=erprEAAAQBAJ&dq=isaaq+clan+expansion&pg=PA25 |title=Why Somalia does not get the right direction |date=2022-04-19 |publisher=BoD – Books on Demand |isbn=978-3-7543-5218-2 |pages=25 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |title=The invention of Somalia |date=1995 |publisher=Red Sea Press |isbn=978-0-932415-99-8 |editor-last=Ahmed |editor-first=Ali J. |edition=1. print |location=Lawrenceville, NJ |pages=251}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The great Somali migrations |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Somalia/The-great-Somali-migrations |access-date=2024-02-29 |website=www.britannica.com |language=en |archive-date=25 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240225232716/https://www.britannica.com/place/Somalia/The-great-Somali-migrations |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Lewis |first=I. M. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=P5AZyEhMtbkC&dq=isaaq+clan+expansion&pg=PA94 |title=Saints and Somalis: Popular Islam in a Clan-based Society |date=1998 |publisher=The Red Sea Press |isbn=978-1-56902-103-3 |pages=94 |language=en}}</ref> By the 1300s the Isaaq clans united to defend their inhabited territories and resources during clan conflicts against migrating clans.<ref name="SN" />

The Isaaq played a prominent role in the [[Ethiopian-Adal war|Ethiopian-Adal War]] (1529–1543, referred to as the "Conquest of Abyssinia") in the army of [[Ahmad ibn Ibrahim al-Ghazi]],<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eK6SBJIckIsC&q=%22as+did+also+the+habar+magaadle%22 |title=A Pastoral Democracy: A Study of Pastoralism and Politics Among the Northern Somali of the Horn of Africa |last=Lewis |first=I. M. |date=1999 |publisher=James Currey Publishers |isbn=9780852552803 |language=en}}</ref> The Habr Magadle division (Ayoub, Garhajis, Habr Awal and Arap) of the Isaaq were mentioned in chronicles of that war written by Shihab Al-Din Ahmad Al-Gizany known as Futuh ''Al Habash.''<ref>{{cite journal |title=The Galla in Northern Somaliland |first=I. M. |last=Lewis |journal=Rassegna di Studi Etiopici |publisher=Istituto per l'Oriente C. A. Nallino |volume=15 |date=1959 |jstor=41299539 |pages=21–38 |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/41299539 |access-date=28 April 2021 |archive-date=28 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210428082817/https://www.jstor.org/stable/41299539 |url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Isaaq Chiefs Hargeisa.jpg|left|thumb|[[Habr Awal]] (left) and [[Garhajis|Habr Garhajis]]  (right) chiefs photographed in [[Hargeisa]], [[Somaliland]]]]

I. M. Lewis states:<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_ZFhQneTR7wC&q=%22The+text+refers+to+two+Ahmad%27s+with+the+nickname%22&pg=PA42 |title=Dictionnaire historique afar: 1288–1982 |trans-title=Historic dictionary of Afar: 1288–1982 |last=Morin |first=Didier |date=2004 |publisher=KARTHALA Editions |isbn=9782845864924 |language=fr |access-date=28 November 2020 |archive-date=22 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240522141732/https://books.google.com/books?id=_ZFhQneTR7wC&q=%22The+text+refers+to+two+Ahmad%27s+with+the+nickname%22&pg=PA42#v=snippet&q=%22The%20text%20refers%20to%20two%20Ahmad's%20with%20the%20nickname%22&f=false |url-status=live}}</ref> <blockquote>The Marrehan and the Habr Magadle [Magādi] also play a very prominent role (...) The text refers to two Ahmads's with the nickname 'Left-handed'. One is regularly presented as 'Ahmad Guray, the Somali' (...) identified as Ahmad Guray Xuseyn, chief of the Habr Magadle. Another reference, however, appears to link the Habr Magadle with the Marrehan. The other Ahmad is simply referred to as 'Imam Ahmad' or simply the 'Imam'.This Ahmad is not qualified by the adjective Somali (...) The two Ahmad's have been conflated into one figure, the heroic [[Ahmed Guray]] (...)</blockquote>

[[File:XaajiSuudicropped2.png|thumb|Dervish Commander [[Haji Sudi]] on the left with his brother-in-law Duale Idris (1892)]]

=== Early modern ===
{{Main|Isaaq Sultanate|Isaaq migrations}}

Long after the collapse of the [[Adal Sultanate]], the Isaaq established successor states, the [[Isaaq Sultanate]] and the [[Habr Yunis Sultanate]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Ylönen |first1=Aleksi Ylönen |title=The Horn Engaging the Gulf Economic Diplomacy and Statecraft in Regional Relations |isbn=9780755635191 |page=113}}</ref> These two Sultanates possessed some of the organs and trappings of a traditional integrated state: a functioning bureaucracy, regular taxation in the form of livestock, as well as an army (chiefly consisting of mounted light cavalry).<ref name="HOA">''Horn of Africa'', Volume 15, Issues 1–4, ([[Horn of Africa Journal]]: 1997), p.130.</ref><ref name="NEAS">Michigan State University. African Studies Center, Northeast African studies, Volumes 11–12, ([[Michigan State University Press]]: 1989), p.32.</ref><ref>The Journal of The anthropological institute of Great Britain and Ireland| Vol.21 p. 161</ref><ref>Journal of the East Africa Natural History Society: Official Publication of the Coryndon Memorial Museum Vol.17 p. 76</ref> These sultanates also maintained written records of their activities, which still exist.<ref name="Ssarif">{{cite book |title=Sub-Saharan Africa Report, Issues 57–67 |year=1986 |publisher=Foreign Broadcast Information Service |page=34 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8FlEAQAAIAAJ |access-date=17 February 2018 |archive-date=22 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240522141721/https://books.google.com/books?id=8FlEAQAAIAAJ |url-status=live}}</ref> The Isaaq Sultanate ruled parts of the [[Horn of Africa]] during the 18th and 19th centuries and spanned the territories of the Isaaq clan in modern-day [[Somaliland]] and [[Ethiopia]]. The sultanate was governed by the [[Guled Dynasty|Rer Guled]] branch of the [[Eidagale]] clan and is the pre-colonial predecessor to the modern [[Somaliland|Republic of Somaliland]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Taariikhda Beerta Suldaan Cabdilaahi ee Hargeysa {{!}} Somalidiasporanews.com |url=http://www.qurbejoog.com/taariikhda-beerta-suldaan-cabdilaahi-ee-hargeysa/ |access-date=2021-01-09 |language=en-US |archive-date=19 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210219181303/http://www.qurbejoog.com/taariikhda-beerta-suldaan-cabdilaahi-ee-hargeysa/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Genealogies of the Somal">{{cite book |title=Genealogies of the Somal |date=1896 |publisher=Eyre and Spottiswoode (London) |language=english}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Guure (Aboor) |first=Ibraahim-rashiid Cismaan |title=Taariikhda Saldanada Reer Guuleed Ee Somaliland |url=http://togdheernews.com/articles/31/05/2016/taariikhda-saldanada-reer-guuleed-ee-somaliland-abwaanibraahim-rashiid-cismaan-guure-aboor/ |access-date=2021-08-09 |website=Togdheer News Network |language=en-US |archive-date=11 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210111020220/http://togdheernews.com/articles/31/05/2016/taariikhda-saldanada-reer-guuleed-ee-somaliland-abwaanibraahim-rashiid-cismaan-guure-aboor/ |url-status=dead}}</ref>

The modern [[Guled Dynasty]] of the Isaaq Sultanate was established in the middle of the 18th century by Sultan Guled of the [[Eidagale]] line of the [[Garhajis]] clan. His coronation took place after the victorious battle of Lafaruug in which his father, a religious mullah Abdi Eisa successfully led the Isaaq in battle and defeated the [[Absame]] tribes near Berbera where a century earlier the Isaaq clan expanded into. After witnessing his leadership and courage, the Isaaq chiefs recognized his father Abdi who refused the position instead relegating the title to his underage son Guled while the father acted as the regent till the son come of age. Guled was crowned the as the first Sultan of the Isaaq clan in July 1750.<ref>{{Cite web |date=13 February 2021 |title=Maxaad ka taqaana Saldanada Ugu Faca Weyn Beesha Isaaq oo Tirsata 300 sanno ku dhawaad? |url=https://somalilandpost.net/maxaad-ka-taqaana-saldanada-ugu-faca-weyn-beesha-isaaq-oo-tirsata-300-sanno-ku-dhawaad |access-date=30 June 2022 |archive-date=7 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407064639/https://somalilandpost.net/maxaad-ka-taqaana-saldanada-ugu-faca-weyn-beesha-isaaq-oo-tirsata-300-sanno-ku-dhawaad/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Sultan Guled thus ruled the Isaaq up until his death in 1839, where he was succeeded by his eldest son [[Farah Guled|Farah]] full brother of Yuusuf and Du'ale, all from Guled's fourth wife Ambaro Me'ad Gadid.<ref name="Genealogies of the Somal"/>

By the early 1880s the Isaaq Sultanate had been reduced to the ''Ciidangale'' confederation with the Eidagale, and Ishaaq Arreh subclan of the Habr Yunis remaining. In 1884–1886 the British signed treaties with the coastal subclans and had not yet penetrated the interior in any significant way.<ref>Hugh Chisholm (ed.), ''The encyclopædia britannica: a dictionary of arts, sciences, literature and general information'', Volume 25, (At the University press: 1911), p.383.</ref> Sultan [[Deria Hassan]] remained ''de facto'' master of Hargeisa and its environs.

=== Modern ===

==== Dervish movement ====
The Isaaq also played a major role in the [[Dervish movement (Somali)|Dervish movement]], with [[Nur Ahmed Aman|Sultan Nur Aman]] of the Habr Yunis being fundamental in the inception of the movement. Sultan Nur was the principle agitator that rallied the dervish behind his anti-French [[Catholic missions|Catholic Mission]] campaign that would become the cause of the dervish uprise.<ref>Foreign Department-External-B, August 1899, N. 33-234, NAI, New Delhi, Inclosure 2 in No. 1. And inclosure 3 in No. 1.</ref> [[Haji Sudi]] of the Habr Je'lo was the highest ranking Dervish after [[Mohammed Abdullah Hassan]], he died valiantly defending the [[Taleh]] fort during the [[Somaliland campaign (1920)|RAF bombing campaign]].<ref>Sun, Sand and Somals – Leaves from the Note-Book of a District Commissioner.By H. Rayne,</ref><ref>Correspondence respecting the Rising of Mullah Muhammed Abdullah in Somaliland, and consequent military operations,1899–1901.pp.4–5.</ref><ref>Official history of the operations in Somaliland, 1901–04 by Great Britain. War Office. General Staff Published 1907.p.56</ref> The Isaaq tribes most well known for joining the [[Dervish movement (Somali)|Dervish movement]] were from the eastern tribes such as the [[Habr Yunis]] and [[Habr Je'lo]]. These two sub-tribes were able to purchase advanced weapons and successfully resist both [[British Empire]] and [[Ethiopian Empire]] for many years.<ref>Official History of the Operations in Somaliland, Volume 1. p. 41</ref> The fourth Isaaq Grand Sultan [[Deria Hassan]] exchanged letters with [[Mohammed Abdullah Hassan|Muhammad Abdullah Hassan]] in the first year of the movement's foundation, with the sultan inciting an insurrection in Hargeisa in 1900 as well as supplying the Mullah with vital information.<ref>{{cite book |title=Parliamentary Papers: 1850-1908, Volume 48 |date=1901 |publisher=H.M. Stationery Office |pages=65 |language=en}}</ref>

==== Post-colonial ====
The Isaaq people along with other northern Somali tribes were under [[British Somaliland]] protectorate administration from 1884 to 1960. On gaining independence, the Somaliland protectorate decided to form a union with Italian Somalia. The Isaaq clan spearheaded the greater Somalia quest from 1960 to 1991.

The Isaaq played a massive role to push for unification and independence. They selected to join the [[Trust Territory of Somaliland]] to form the [[Somali Republic]]. During the civilian government from 1960 to 1969, they held dominant positions. [[Jama Mohamed Ghalib]] (1960-4) and [[Ahmed Mohamed Obsiye]] (1964-6), both belonging to the Isaaq clan, served as the president of the National Assembly, while a notable Isaaq member named [[Muhammad Haji Ibrahim Egal]] served as the prime minister of [[Somalia]] from 1967 to 1969. Furthermore, when English became one of the official languages, the ministries of Foreign Trade, Foreign Affairs, Education, and Information were mainly held by the Isaaq members. They were still powerful in the early years of the military dictatorship (1969–91). However, from the late 1970s, [[Marehan]] became politically powerful under the leadership of the military dictator [[Siad Barre]]. The Isaaq began to face political and economic marginalization and in response, they organized the [[Somali National Movement]] to over his regime. Thus the [[Somaliland War of Independence]] began and this struggle movement forced the Isaaq clan to become a victim to a [[Isaaq genocide|genocidal campaign]] by [[Siad Barre]]'s troops (which also included armed Somali refugees from Ethiopia); the death toll has been estimated to be between 50,000 and 250,000. After the collapse of the [[Somali Democratic Republic]] in 1991 the Isaaq-dominated [[Somaliland]] declared independence from Somalia as a separate nation.<ref name="Historical Dictionary of Somalia">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DPwOsOcNy5YC |title=Historical Dictionary of Somalia |page=122 |date=25 February 2003 |isbn=9780810866041 |access-date=2014-02-15 |last1=Mukhtar |first1=Mohamed Haji |publisher=Scarecrow Press |archive-date=22 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240522135353/https://books.google.com/books?id=DPwOsOcNy5YC |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=History|url=http://recognition.somalilandgov.com/history/|access-date=2017-10-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170820181036/http://recognition.somalilandgov.com/history/|archive-date=20 August 2017}}</ref>

==Mercantilism==
Historically (and presently to a degree), the wider Isaaq clan were relatively more disposed to trade than their tribal counterparts due in part to their centuries-old trade links with the Arabian Peninsula. In view of this imbalance in mercantile experience, other major Somali clans tended to resort to tribal slang terms such as "iidoor", an enviable pejorative roughly meaning trader/exchanger:

<blockquote>Somalis bandied about numerous stereotypes of clan behavior that mirrored these emerging social inequalities. The pejorative slang terms iidoor or kabadhe iidoora (loosely meaning "exchange") reflect Somali disdain for the go-between, the person who amasses wealth through persistence and mercantile skills without firm commitments to anyone else. As the Isaaq became more international and cosmopolitan, their commercial success and [[achievement ideology]] aroused suspicion and jealousy, notably among rural Darod who disliked Isaaq self-confidence and made them the target of stereotypes.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Geshekter|first1=Charles L.|title=Somali Maritime History and Regional Sub-Cultures: A Neglected Theme of the Somali Crisis|date=1993|publisher=The European Association of Somali Studies & School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS)|pages=21–22|language=en}}</ref></blockquote>

The [[Habr Awal]] clan of the Isaaq have a rich mercantile history largely due to their possession of the major Somali port of [[Berbera]], which was the chief port and settlement of Habr Awal clan during the early modern period.<ref>{{cite web |date=21 August 2015 |title=Piece of Berbera History: Reer Ahmed Nuh Ismail |url=https://reerahmednuux.wordpress.com/2015/08/21/piece-of-berbera-history-reer-ahmed-nuh-ismail/ |website=wordpress.com |access-date=30 June 2022 |archive-date=2 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191102171812/https://reerahmednuux.wordpress.com/2015/08/21/piece-of-berbera-history-reer-ahmed-nuh-ismail/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The clan had strong ties to the [[Emirate of Harar]] and Emirs would hold Habr Awal merchants in their court with high esteem with [[Richard Francis Burton|Richard Burton]] noting their influence in Emir [[Ahmad III ibn Abu Bakr]]'s court and discussions with the [[Vizier]] Mohammed.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Burton |first=Richard |url=https://archive.org/details/firstfootstepsi00burtgoog |title=First Footsteps in East Africa |publisher=Longman, Brown, Green, and Longmans |year=1856 |edition=1st |page=238}}</ref> The Habr Awal merchants had extensive trade relations with Arab and Indian merchants from [[Arabia]] and the [[Indian subcontinent]] respectively,<ref>{{cite book |last1=Lewis |first1=I.M. |title=The Modern History of Somaliland: from Nation to State |date=1965 |publisher=Praeger |pages=35 |language=en}}</ref> and also conducted trade missions on their own vessels to the Arabian ports.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Pankhurst |first1=R. |title=Journal of Ethiopian Studies Vol. 3, No. 1 |date=1965 |publisher=Institute of Ethiopian Studies |pages=45 |language=en}}</ref> Berbera, in addition to Berbera being described as “the freest port in the world, and the most important trading place on the whole Arabian Gulf,<ref name="The Merchants' Magazine and Commercial Review">{{cite book |last1=Hunt |first1=Freeman |title=The Merchants' Magazine and Commercial Review, Volume 34 |date=1856 |pages=694 |language=en}}</ref> was also the main marketplace in the entire Somali seaboard for various goods procured from the interior, such as [[livestock]], [[coffee]], [[frankincense]], [[myrrh]], [[acacia gum]], [[saffron]], [[feathers]], [[wax]], [[ghee]], [[hide (skin)]], [[gold]] and [[ivory]].<ref>{{cite book |title=The Colonial Magazine and Commercial-maritime Journal, Volume 2 |date=1840 |pages=22 |language=en}}</ref>

The [[Habr Je'lo]] clan of the Isaaq derived a large supply of frankincense from the trees south in the mountains near port town of [[Heis (town)|Heis]]. This trade was lucrative and with gum and skins being traded in high quantity, [[Arabs|Arab]] and [[Gujarati people|Indian]] merchants would visit Habr Je'lo ports early in the season to get these goods cheaper than at [[Berbera]] or [[Zeyla]] before continuing westwards along the Somali coast.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Pankhurst |first=Richard |year=1965 |title=The Trade of the Gulf of Aden Ports of Africa in the Early Nineteenth and Early Twentieth Centuries |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/41965718 |journal=Journal of Ethiopian Studies |volume=3 |issue=1 |pages=36–81 |jstor=41965718 |access-date=30 June 2022 |archive-date=23 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211023204731/https://www.jstor.org/stable/41965718 |url-status=live }}</ref> Heis, in addition to being a leading exporter of tanned skins also exported a large quantity of skins and sheep to [[Aden]] as well as imported a significant amount of goods from both the Arabian coast and western Somali ports, reaching nearly 2 million rupees by 1903.<ref>{{cite book |last=Great Britain |first=House of Commons |title=Sessional papers Inventory control record 1, Volume 92 |publisher=HM Stationery Office |year=1905 |page=385}}</ref> The Habr Je’lo coastal settlements and ports, stretching from near [[Siyara]] in the west to [[Heis (town)|Heis]] (Xiis) in the east, were important to trade and communication with the Somali interior, with Kurrum ([[Karin, Sahil|Karin]]), the principle Habr Je’lo port, being a major market for livestock and frankincense procured from the interior,<ref>Ethnographie Nordost-Afrikas: Die Materielle Cultur Der Danakil, Galla Und Somal, 1893</ref> and was a favorite for livestock traders due to the close proximity of the port to Aden. The [[Buur Dhaab]] range in [[Sool]] region has also historically acted as a junction for trade caravans coming from the east on their way to [[Berbera]] port,<ref name="SP">{{Cite book |last=Britain) |first=Royal Geographical Society (Great |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Rl8MAAAAIAAJ&dq=bur+dab&pg=PA553 |title=Supplementary Papers |date=1893 |publisher=J. Murray |language=en}}</ref> passing through the Laba Gardai or Bah Lardis pass located within the range.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yxNLAQAAMAAJ&dq=bur+dab+range&pg=PA27 |title=The Geographical Journal |date=1898 |publisher=Royal Geographical Society. |language=en}}</ref> The powerful Habr Je'lo clan has historically acted as the guardians of this pass, receiving dues in exchange for guaranteed safety through Buur Dhaab:<ref name="SP" />

{{Blockquote|text=The Habr Toljaala are a powerful tribe, and make it a point of honour that caravans shall have safe passage through their country, and they receive a part of the dues for this purpose.}}

Starting in the middle of the 19th century, Isaaq clans became more connected to the European commercial world as historic ties between southern Somali towns along the [[Banaadir|Benadir]] coast with [[India]] and [[Oman]] were being reoriented southward toward [[Zanzibar]].<ref name="MH">{{Cite book |last=Geshekter |first=C. L. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=l3JLHQAACAAJ |title=Somali Maritime History and Regional Sub-cultures: A Neglected Theme of the Somali Crisis |publisher=AAMH |year=1993 |pages=3 |language=en |access-date=28 July 2022 |archive-date=22 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240522141722/https://books.google.com/books?id=l3JLHQAACAAJ |url-status=live}}</ref> Isaaq trade and migration patterns were skewed by British imperial control of Aden more toward Europe and colonies like India, [[Egypt]], and the Sudan, enabling the Isaaq to maintain a variety of contacts across the British Empire.<ref name="MH" /> The Isaaq clan-family became the first Somalis to actually reside abroad, in western Europe or its colonial outposts, where they socialized in two different cultures.<ref name="MH" />

The Isaaq affinity for mercantilism was not lost on the sole president and dictator of the [[Somali Democratic Republic]] (1969–1991), [[Siad Barre]], who disliked the Isaaq clan-family due to their financial independence, thus making it harder to control them:

<blockquote>Siyaad had a deep and personal dislike for the clan. The real reasons can only be guessed at, but in part it was due to his inability to control them. As accomplished business operatives, they had built a society that was not dependent on government largesse. The Isaaq had traditional trade relationships with the nations of the Arabian Peninsula that continued despite the attempts of the government to center all economic activity in Mogadishu. Siyaad did what he could, however, and Isaaq traders were forced to make the long trip to Mogadishu for permits and licenses.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Maren |first1=Michael |title=The road to hell: the ravaging effects of foreign aid and international charity |date=2009 |publisher=Free Press |location=New York |isbn=978-1439188415}}</ref></blockquote>

Nevertheless, in the 1970s and 1980s, nearly all of the [[livestock]] exports went out through the port of [[Berbera]] via Isaaq livestock traders, with the towns of [[Burao]] and [[Yirowe]] in the interior being home to the largest livestock markets in the [[Horn of Africa]].<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wDweAQAAIAAJ&q=yirowe|title=Regulating the Livestock Economy of Somaliland|date=2002|publisher=Academy for Peace and Development|language=en|access-date=28 August 2021|archive-date=22 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240522141722/https://books.google.com/books?id=wDweAQAAIAAJ&q=yirowe|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|author1=War-torn Societies Project|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cTtyAAAAMAAJ&q=yiroowe|title=Rebuilding Somaliland: Issues and Possibilities|author2=WSP Transition Programme|date=2005|publisher=Red Sea Press|isbn=978-1-56902-228-3|language=en|access-date=28 August 2021|archive-date=22 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240522141628/https://books.google.com/books?id=cTtyAAAAMAAJ&q=yiroowe|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=d2EwAQAAIAAJ&q=yiroowe|title=A Self-portrait of Somaliland: Rebuilding from the Ruins|date=1999|publisher=Somaliland Centre for Peace and Development|language=en|access-date=28 August 2021|archive-date=22 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240522141625/https://books.google.com/books?id=d2EwAQAAIAAJ&q=yiroowe|url-status=live}}</ref> The entire livestock exports accounted to upwards of 90% of the Somali Republic's entire export figures in a given year, and Berbera's exports alone provided over 75% of the nation's recorded foreign currency income at the time.<ref>{{cite web|last1=de Waal|first1=Alex|title=CLASS AND POWER IN A STATELESS SOMALIA|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/238101910|website=ResearchGate|access-date=25 November 2020|archive-date=16 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210316145513/https://www.researchgate.net/publication/238101910_CLASS_AND_POWER_IN_A_STATELESS_SOMALIA|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=http://www.sahistory.org.za/sites/default/files/file%20uploads%20/africa_watch_somalia_a_government_at_war_with_ibook4you.pdf|title=Somalia: A Government at War with Its Own People|publisher=Human Rights Watch|pages=213|year=1990|access-date=25 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170217070406/http://www.sahistory.org.za/sites/default/files/file%20uploads%20/africa_watch_somalia_a_government_at_war_with_ibook4you.pdf|archive-date=17 February 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Isaaq sub-clans==
[[File:Sultan Abdulrahman Deria.png|thumb|Sultan [[Abdulrahman Deria|Abdurahman Deria]] of the [[Sa'ad Musa]] Isaaq in London 1955]]
In the Isaaq clan, component sub-clans are divided into two uterine divisions, as shown in the genealogy. The first division is between those lineages descended from sons of Sheikh Ishaaq by a [[Harari people|Harari]] woman – the Habr Habuusheed – and those descended from sons of Sheikh Ishaaq by a [[Somali people|Somali]] woman of the Magaadle sub-tribe of the [[Dir (clan)|Dir]] – the Habr Magaadle. Indeed, most of the largest subtribes of the tribal-ethnic group are in fact uterine alliances hence the matronymic "Habr" which in archaic [[Somali language|Somali]] means "mother".<ref>{{Cite book| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yoMBQCr4LysC| title=A Pastoral Democracy: A Study of Pastoralism and Politics Among the Northern Somali of the Horn of Africa| isbn=9783825830847| last1=Lewis| first1=I. M.| year=1999| publisher=LIT Verlag Münster| access-date=23 September 2015| archive-date=22 May 2024| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240522141725/https://books.google.com/books?id=yoMBQCr4LysC| url-status=live}}</ref> This is illustrated in the following clan structure.<ref name="Lewisapd">I. M. Lewis, ''A pastoral democracy: a study of pastoralism and politics among the Northern Somali of the Horn of Africa'', (LIT Verlag Münster: 1999), p. 157.</ref>
[[File:Habr Awal Warriors.png|thumb|right|Warriors of the Habr Awal subtribe]]
''A. Habr Magaadle''
* Abdirahman ([[Habr Awal]])
** [[Isamusa]]
** [[Sa'ad Musa]]
* Muhammad ([[Arap]])
** Muuse celi [[Barsuug]]
** Maxamed celi 
** Subeer celi
* [[Ishaaq bin Ahmed|Ayub]]
* Ismail ([[Garhajis|Habr Garhajis]]) 
** [[Habr Yunis]]
** [[Eidagale]]
''B. Habr Habuusheed''
* Ahmed (Tol Je’lo)
* Muuse ([[Habr Je'lo]])
** [[Mohamed Abokor]]
** [[Musa Abokor]]
* Ibrahiim ([[Sanbur|Sanbuur]])
* Muhammad ([[‘Ibraan]])
[[File:Duale Abdi.png|thumb|right|200 px|Dualeh Abdi of the [[Musa Abokor]] [[Habr Je'lo]] tribe photographed in 1890]]There is clear agreement on the tribe and sub-tribe structures that has not changed for a long time. The oldest recorded genealogy of a Somali in Western literature was by Sir Richard Burton in the mid–19th century regarding his Isaaq (Habr Yunis) host and the governor of [[Zeila]], [[Sharmarke Ali Saleh]]<ref>{{cite book|last1=Burton. F.|first1=Richard|title= First Footsteps in East Africa |date=1856|pages=18|language=en}}</ref>

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''.<ref name="worldbank55">Worldbank, ''[http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTSOMALIA/Resources/conflictinsomalia.pdf Conflict in Somalia: Drivers and Dynamics] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200215085758/http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTSOMALIA/Resources/conflictinsomalia.pdf |date=15 February 2020 }}'', January 2005, Appendix 2, Lineage Charts, p. 55 Figure A-1</ref><ref name="ind01b_somalia_ca">[http://www.asylumlaw.org/docs/somalia/ind01b_somalia_ca.pdf Country Information and Policy Unit, Home Office, Great Britain, Somalia Assessment 2001, Annex B: Somali Clan Structure] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716081350/http://www.asylumlaw.org/docs/somalia/ind01b_somalia_ca.pdf |date=16 July 2011 }}, p. 43</ref>

*'''Isaaq''' 
**[[Habr Awal]]
***[[Issa Musa]]
***[[Sacad Muuse|Sa'ad Musa]]
**[[Arap]]
***Muuse celi [[Barsuug]]
***Maxamed celi 
***Subeer celi 
**[[Ishaaq bin Ahmed|Ayub]]
**[[Garhajis]]
***[[Habar Yoonis|Habr Yunis]]
***[[Eidagale]]
**[[Habr Je'lo]]
***[[Musa Abokor|Muuse Abokor]]
***[[Mohamed Abokor]]
***Samane Abokor
**Tol Je'lo
**[[Sanbur|Sanbuur]]
**[[Ibran|Imraan]]

Stereotypes among the Isaaq subtribes go a long way to explaining each subtribes role in Somaliland.<ref name="GP">{{Cite web|last=Dr. Ahmed Yusuf Farah|first=Matt Bryden|title=Case Study of a Grassroots Peace Making Initiative|url=https://www.africa.upenn.edu/eue_web/somrev96.htm|access-date=2022-01-03|website=www.africa.upenn.edu|publisher=UNDP Emergencies Unit for Ethiopia|archive-date=20 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220120081923/https://www.africa.upenn.edu/eue_web/somrev96.htm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Kluijver |first=Robert |title=The State in Somaliland |url=https://www.academia.edu/44590322 |journal=Sciences Po Paris |via=16 |access-date=14 March 2022 |archive-date=27 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230527143053/https://www.academia.edu/44590322 |url-status=live}}</ref> In one exemplified folklore tale, Sheikh Ishaaq's three eldest sons split their father's inheritance among themselves.<ref name="GP" /> Garhajis receives his ''[[Turban|imama]]'', a symbol of leadership; Awal receives the sheikh's wealth; and Ahmed (Tolja'ele) inherits his sword.<ref name="GP" /> The story is intended to depict the Garhajis's proclivity for politics, the Habr Awal's mercantile prowess, and the Habr Je'lo's bellicosity.<ref name="GP" />

To strengthen these tribal stereotypes, historical anecdotes have been used: The Garhajis were dominant leaders before and during the colonial period, and thus acquired intellectual and political superiority; Habr Awal dominance of the trade via Djibouti and Berbera is practically uncontested; and Habr Je’lo military prowess is cited in accounts of previous conflicts.<ref name="GP" />

== Notable figures ==
[[File:Hadrawi.jpg|thumb|[[Hadraawi]], notable contemporary Somali poet]]

=== Royalty and rulers ===
*[[Deria Hassan]], 4th Grand Sultan of the Isaaq
*[[Abdillahi Deria]], 5th Grand Sultan of the Isaaq
*[[Guled Abdi (Sultan)|Guled Abdi]], 1st Grand Sultan of the Isaaq
*[[Awad Deria]], 5th Sultan of the [[Garhajis#Habr Yunis|Habr Yunis]]
*[[Deria Sugulleh Ainashe]], 2nd Sultan of the [[Garhajis#Habr Yunis|Habr Yunis]]
*[[Hersi Aman]], 3rd Sultan of the [[Garhajis#Habr Yunis|Habr Yunis]]
*[[Sharmarke Ali Saleh]], major trader and governor of [[Berbera]], [[Zeila]] and [[Tadjoura]]
*[[Farah Guled]], 2nd Grand Sultan of the Isaaq
*[[Sultan Mohamed Sultan Farah]] - Sultan of the [[Arap]] clan and commander of the [[Somali National Movement|SNM]]'s [[Sheikh San'ani Brigade|10th division]]
*[[Abdulrahman Deria|Sultan Abdulrahman Deria]], Sultan of the [[Habr Awal]] clan
*[[Abdillahi Deria|Sultan Abdillahi Deria]], prominent anti-colonial figure and 5th Grand [[Sultan]] of the Isaaq
*[[Mahamed Abdiqadir]] – 8th Grand Sultan of the Isaaq
*[[Madar Hersi]], 7th Sultan of the [[Habr Yunis Sultanate]]
*[[Daud Mahamed]], 9th and current Grand Sultan of the Isaaq
*[[Sultan Osman Sultan Ali Koshin]], the current Grand sultan of the [[Issa Musse]] clans
[[File:Cabdilaahi qarshe.jpg|thumb|[[Abdullahi Qarshe]], Somali musician, poet and playwright; known as the "Father of Somali music"]]
*[[Sugulle Ainanshe]], 1st Sultan of the [[Garhajis#Habr Yunis|Habr Yunis]]

=== Politicians ===

*[[Ahmed Mohamed Mohamoud]], former president of Somaliland from June 2010 to December 2017, fourth and longest-serving chairman of the Somali National Movement, and former chairman of the Kulmiye Party
*[[Muse Bihi Abdi]], fifth [[President of Somaliland|president]] of [[Somaliland]]
*[[Abdirahman Ahmed Ali Tuur]], last Somali National Movement chairman and first president of Somaliland
*[[Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi]], Speaker of the House of Representatives of Somaliland and the chairman of Wadani political party
*[[Ahmed Yusuf Yasin]], was the [[Vice-President of Somaliland|vice-president of Somaliland]] from 2002 until 2010. and the second chairman of [[UDUB]] party.
*[[Abdurrahman Mahmoud Aidiid]], former [[Mayor of Hargeisa|mayor]] of [[Hargeisa]], the capital of the [[Somaliland]]
*[[Abdikarim Ahmed Mooge]], former mayor of Hargeisa
*[[Ali Abdi Farah]], former minister of communication and culture in [[Djibouti]]
*[[Ali Ismail Yacqub]] - first minister of defence for the [[Somali Republic]]
*[[Abdirahim Abbey Farah]], former United Nations under-secretary general[[File:Edna Adan Ismail (cropped).jpg|thumb|[[Edna Adan Ismail]], [[nurse midwife]], [[activist]] and the first female [[Minister of Foreign Affairs (Somaliland)|foreign minister]] of [[Somaliland]] from 2003 to 2006]]
*[[Umar Arteh Ghalib]], former prime minister of Somalia 1991–1993. Brought Somalia into the [[Arab League]] in 1974 during his term Foreign Minister of Somalia from 1969 to 1977. Former president of UN Security Council, teacher and poet
*[[Hussein Arab Isse]], the [[Minister of Defence (Somalia)|Minister of Defence]] and the deputy prime minister of Somalia from 20 July 2011 to 4 November 2012
*[[Ismail Mahmud Hurre]], foreign minister of the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia from mid-2006 to early 2007
*[[Ismail Ali Abokor]], former vice-president of the [[Somali Democratic Republic]]<ref name="Slrdf">{{cite book|editor-last1=Mohamed Yusuf Hassan|editor-first1=Roberto Balducci|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7A0OAQAAMAAJ|title=Somalia: le radici del futuro|date=1993|publisher=Il passaggio|page=33|access-date=22 September 2014|archive-date=26 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170326233413/https://books.google.com/books?id=7A0OAQAAMAAJ|url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[Faysal Ali Warabe]], chairman of the For Justice and Development party of Somaliland (UCID).
*[[Fowsiyo Yusuf Haji Adan]], former foreign minister of Somalia and MP in Federal Parliament
*[[Muhammad Haji Ibrahim Egal]], former [[Prime Minister of Somalia|prime minister of Somalia]] July 1960, July 1967– November 1969; former [[president of Somaliland]] from May 1993 to May 2002.
*[[Mohamed Abdullahi Omaar]], former foreign minister of Somalia
*[[Mohamed Omar Arte]], former deputy prime minister of Somalia.
*[[Abdishakur Iddin]], current [[Mayor of Berbera|mayor]] of [[Berbera]]
*[[Abdirisaq Ibrahim Abdi]], current [[Mayor of Burao|mayor]] of [[Burao]]
*[[Jama Mohamed Ghalib]], former Police Commissioner of the Somali Democratic Republic, Secretary of Interior, Minister of Labor and Social Affairs, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Minister of Transportation, and Minister of Interior.
*[[Osman Dubbe]] – Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism of [[Somalia]]
*[[Mohamed Ainanshe Guled]], former military officer and vice president of the [[Somali Democratic Republic]]<ref>Mogadishu memoir</ref><ref>Survey of China Mainland Press</ref>
*[[Muhammad Hawadle Madar]], former [[Prime Minister of Somalia|prime minister of Somalia]] from 3 September 1990 to 24 January 1991
*[[Ismail Ali Abokor]] – Vice President of the [[Somali Democratic Republic]] 1971–1982
*[[Abdilahi Husein Iman Darawal]] -  Somaliland politician and former [[Somali National Movement|SNM]] commander
*[[Abdullahi Abdi Omar|Abdullahi Abdi Omar "Jawaan"]] - Somaliland politician and introducer of the [[National emblem of Somaliland]]
*[[Mohamed Abdullahi Omaar]], served twice as the Foreign Minister of Somalia.
*[[Osman Jama Ali]] - Prime Minister of [[Somalia]] under the [[Transitional National Government]]
*[[Salah Ahmed Jama]] - Current Deputy Prime Minister of the [[Federal Government of Somalia]]
*[[Hussein Mohamed Bashe]] - Current [[Cabinet of Tanzania|Minister of Agriculture]] of [[Tanzania]]

=== Poets ===
*[[Salaan Carrabey]] – legendary poet
*[[Mohamed Nur Fadal]] - famous poet, WWI veteran and entrepreneur
*[[Abdillahi Suldaan Mohammed Timacade]], known as 'Timacade', a famous poet during the pre- and post-colonial periods
*[[Gaariye|Mohamed Hashi Dhamac (Gaarriye)]], legendary Somali poet and political activist
*[[Hadrawi]], poet and philosopher; author of ''Halkaraan''; also known as the "Somali Shakespeare"
*[[Hurre Walanwal]] — renowned Somali poet and songwriter<ref>{{Cite web |title=Renowned Somali poet Hurre Walanwal, brother of Hadrawi, passes away at 75 |url=https://hiiraan.com/news4/2023/Dec/194232/renowned_somali_poet_hurre_walanwal_brother_of_hadrawi_passes_away_at_75.aspx |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=www.hiiraan.com |language=en-US}}</ref>
*[[Elmi Boodhari]], legendary and beloved poet and pioneer for many Somali poetry/music genres, specifically romance and is dubbed the "King of Romance
*[[Hussein Hasan]] - legendary warrior and poet and was the grandson of the 1st Isaaq Sultan Guled Abdi
*[[Farah Nur]], a famous warrior, poet and sultan of the [[Arap]] subclan<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Middleton|first=John|date=October 1965|title=The Oxford Library of African Literature. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1964. A Selection of African Prose. I. Traditional Oral Texts; II. Written Prose. Compiled by W. H. Whiteley. Pp. xv, 200; viii, 185. 21s. each. - The Oxford Library of African Literature. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1964. Somali Poetry: an Introduction. By B. W. Andrzejewski and I. M. Lewis. Pp. viii, 167. 30s. - The Oxford Library of African Literature. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1964. The Heroic Recitations of the Bahima of Ankole. By H. F. Morris. Pp. xii, 142. 30s.|url=http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/1157666|journal=Africa|volume=35|issue=4|pages=441–443|doi=10.2307/1157666|jstor=1157666|issn=0001-9720|url-access=subscription}}</ref>
*[[Hussein Hasan]] - legendary warrior and poet and was the grandson of the 1st Isaaq Sultan Guled Abdi
*[[Kite Fiqi]] – legendary [[Habr Je'lo]] warrior and poet
*Aden Ahmed Dube of the Isaaq, Habr-Yonis tribe, great poems aroused envy in Raage Ugaz, and infrequently, bloody wars and irreconcilable enmity.
*Mohammed Liban from the Isaaq tribe of [[Habr Awal]], was an eloquent and witty improviser, and even better known under the name of Mohammed Liban Giader.<ref>Bollettino della Società geografica italiana. ... 1893 (ser.3, vol. 5). p.372
</ref>
*Aden Ahmed Dube "Gabay Xoog" circa 1821 –1916, poet.<ref>Bollettino della Società geografica italiana By Società geografica italiana. 1893.</ref><ref>Somalia e Benadir: viaggio di esplorazione nell'Africa orientale. Prima traversata della Somalia, compiuta per incarico della Societá geografica italiana. Luigi Robecchi Bricchetti. 1899. The Somalis in general have a great inclination to poetry; a particular passion for the stories, the stories and songs of love.</ref>
*Abdiwaasa' Hasan Ali Araale Guleid, wellknown poet
*Abdi Iidan Farah, 20th century Somali poet who wrote about Somali independence and camels

=== Economists ===
*[[Abdul Majid Hussein]], Economist, former permanent representative of Ethiopia to the United Nations, 2001–2004. Leader of [[Ethiopian Somali Democratic League]] (ESDL) party in the [[Somali Region]] of [[Ethiopia]] from 1995 to 2001
*[[Jamal Ali Hussein]], Somali politician and economists expert. He was former presidential candidate of [[Somaliland]] [[UCID]] party<ref>{{cite web|title=Somalia: Education in Transition|url=https://digitalcommons.macalester.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?referer=https://www.google.com/&httpsredir=1&article=1066&context=bildhaan|access-date=22 February 2019|archive-date=22 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190222095638/https://digitalcommons.macalester.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?referer=https://www.google.com/&httpsredir=1&article=1066&context=bildhaan|url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[Saad Ali Shire|Dr. Saad Ali Shire]], British-Somali politician, agronomist and economist, who is currently serving as the Minister of Finance of Somaliland. Shire formerly served as the Foreign Minister of Somaliland. He also served as the Minister of Planning and National Development of Somaliland.

=== Military leaders and personnel ===
*[[Mohamed Farah Dalmar Yusuf|Mohamed Dalmar Yusuf Ali]], more commonly known as "Mohamed Ali", high-ranking commander of the [[Western Somali Liberation Front|WSLF]] and [[Somali National Movement|SNM]]
*[[Ahmed Hurre Haariye]] - Commander of the [[Somaliland Coast Guard]]<ref name=":23">{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0kZipPxAWg |title=Waa Kuma Jeneraal Axmed Hure Haariye Taliyaha Ciidmada Badda Somaliland? |date=2023-09-22 |last=DHAAYOMAAL TV |access-date=2025-02-05 |via=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-01-19 |title=Laaleysnews.com |url=https://munamerebai22.wordpress.com/page/18/ |access-date=2025-02-05 |website=Laaleysnews.com |language=en}}</ref>
*[[Nimcaan Yusuf Osman]], current chief of staff of the [[Somaliland Armed Forces]]
*[[Deria Hassan]], fourth Grand Sultan of Isaaq, recognised for being a wise and astute leader.
*[[Mohamed Kahin Ahmed]], high-ranking SNM commander and current [[Ministry of Interior (Somaliland)|Minister of Interior]] of Somaliland
*[[Guled Haji]], wise sage and commander of the Habr Yunis
*[[Mohamed Hasan Abdullahi]], former chief of staff of the [[Somaliland Armed Forces]]
*[[Ibrahim Boghol]], high-ranking commander of the [[Dervish movement (Somali)|Dervish movement]]
*[[Nuh Ismail Tani]], former chief of staff of the [[Somaliland Armed Forces]]
*[[Mohamed Hashi Lihle]] - colonel of the [[Somali National Army|SNA]] and later the commander of the military wing of the Somali National Movement
*[[Mohamed Bullaleh]] - prominent 20th-century tribal chief and commander of the Hagoogane raid that destroyed [[Dervish movement (Somali)|Dervish movement]]
[[File:Musa Galal.png|thumb|[[Musa Haji Ismail Galal]], Somali linguist and historian who reformed the Somali Wadaad script and immensely contributed to the creation of the Somali Latin script]]

=== Writers and musicians ===
*[[Abdullahi Qarshe]], Somali musician, poet and playwright; known as the "Father of Somali music"
*[[Ali Feiruz]], popular musician in Djibouti, Somaliland and Somalia
*[[Mohamed Mooge Liibaan]], highly renowned [[Somali people|Somali]] instrumentalist and vocalist.
*[[Ahmed Mooge Liibaan]], prominent [[Somali people|Somali]] instrumentalist and vocalist
*[[Nadifa Mohamed]] – Somali novelist. Winner of the 2010 [[Betty Trask Prize]]
*[[Chunkz]] – English YouTuber, musician, host and entertainer
*[[Ahmed Gacayte]] – famous Somali singer, songwriter and composer
*[[Sahra Halgan]], Somali singer and cultural activist
*[[Guduuda 'Arwo|Shamis Abokor Ismail (Guduudo Carwo)]], [[Somali people|Somali]] singer

=== Scholars ===
*[[Musa Haji Ismail Galal]], a [[Somali people|Somali]] writer, scholar, linguist, historian and [[polymath]]
*[[Abdillahi Diiriye Guled]] - Literary scholar and discoverer of the Somali prosodic system
*[[Jama Musse Jama]], prominent Somali ethnomathematician and author
*[[Hussein M. Adam|Hussein Mohammed Adam (Tanzania)]] - foremost Somali intellectual and scholar who founded the Somali Studies International Association (SSIA)
[[File:Mohamed Farah Dalmar Yusuf.jpg|thumb|Mohamed Farah Dalmar Yusuf "Mohamed Ali", Somali military commander and revolutionary known for his leadership within [[Western Somali Liberation Front]], [[Afraad]] and later the [[Somali National Movement]]]]

=== Religious leaders and scholars ===
*[[Sheikh Bashir]], Somali religious leader who waged the [[1945 Sheikh Bashir Rebellion]]
*[[Sheikh Ali Warsame]] – prominent Somali Islamic cleric and preacher, founder of AIAI (1939–2022)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ifiye |first=Khadar |date=2022-05-28 |title=AKHRISO: Taariikh nololeedka AHUN Sheekh Cali Warsame oo geeriyooday |url=https://horseedmedia.net/akhriso-taariikh-nololeedka-ahun-sheekh-cali-warsame-oo-geeriyooday-367119 |access-date=2024-09-10 |website=Horseed Media |language=en}}</ref>
*Sheikh [[Mustafe Haji Ismail]], [[Somali people|Somali]]-[[Norway|Norwegian]] Muslim cleric, scholar, and Islamic philosopher<ref>{{cite journal|access-date=2023-12-15 |archive-date=2024-01-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240106030552/https://www.bbc.com/somali/war-50824562 |date=2019-12-17 |journal=BBC News Somali |language=so |title=Waa kuma Sheekh Mustafa Xaaji Ismaaciil Haruun? |url=https://www.bbc.com/somali/war-50824562}}<!-- auto-translated from Arabic by Module:CS1 translator --></ref>
*[[Sheikh Madar]] – head of [[Qadiriyya]] tariqa and influential figure in the early growth and expansion of [[Hargeisa]]
*[[Abdallah Shihiri]], senior advisor to the [[Mohammed Abdullah Hassan|Mullah]] of the [[Dervish movement (Somali)|Dervish movement]]
*[[Deria Arale]], senior advisor to the [[Mohammed Abdullah Hassan|Mullah]] of the [[Dervish movement (Somali)|Dervish movement]]
*[[Haji Sudi]], one of the founders of the Somali [[Dervish state|Dervish movement]]
*Sheikh Mohamed Sheikh Omar Dirir - prominent religious scholar and businessman
*[[Nur Ahmed Aman|Sultan Nur Ahmed Aman]], Sultan of the Habr Yunis and one of the founders of the Somali [[Dervish state|Dervish movement]]
*[[Ridwan Hirsi Mohamed]] – Former deputy prime minister of Somalia and former minister of religious affairs of Somalia
*[[Yasin Handule Wais]] religious scholar and founder of Somaliland's first Islamic party in the mid-20th century

=== Entrepreneurs ===
*[[Abdirashid Duale]], Somali entrepreneur and the CEO of [[Dahabshiil]]
*[[Abdi Awad Ali]] (''Indhadeero'') – renowned Somali entrepreneur and founder and former CEO of [[Indhadeero Group of Companies]]
*[[Amina Moghe Hersi]] (b. 1963), Award-winning Somali entrepreneur who has launched several multimillion-dollar projects in Kampala, Uganda
*[[Ismail Ahmed (businessman)|Ismail Ahmed]], owner and CEO of [[WorldRemit]] which is one of the fastest growing money transfer company in the world and he's considered 7th most influential man in Britain.<ref name="Ismael Ahmed">{{Cite web|url=https://www.worldremit.com/en/about-us/management-team|title=Board of directors|access-date=31 October 2021|archive-date=2 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191102170310/https://www.worldremit.com/en/about-us/management-team|url-status=dead}}</ref>
*[[Mahmood Hussein Mattan]], [[Somali people|Somali]] former [[Merchant shipping|merchant seaman]] who was wrongfully convicted of the [[murder]] of Lily Volpert on 6 March 1952
*[[Ibrahim Dheere]], considered to be the first Somali billionaire and richest [[Somalis|Somali]] person in the world with an estimated net worth of 1.8&nbsp;billion US Dollars.<ref name="Ibrahim Dheere">{{cite web |url=http://www.somalilandinformer.com/somaliland/breaking-ibrahim-dheere-tycoon-passes-away-in-djibouti/ |title=BREAKING: Ibrahim Dheere Tycoon passes away in Djibouti {{!}} SomalilandInformer |website=www.somalilandinformer.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180124005650/http://www.somalilandinformer.com/somaliland/breaking-ibrahim-dheere-tycoon-passes-away-in-djibouti/ |archive-date=2018-01-24}}</ref>
*[[Mohammed Abdillahi Kahin]] 'Ogsadey', Somali business tycoon based in Ethiopia, where he established MAO Harar Horse, the first African corporation to export coffee and amassed a net worth of approximately $3 Billion [[Ethiopian Birr]].<ref name="HIGP">{{cite news|date=15 June 2017|title=Somali Entrepreneurs|newspaper=Salaan Media|url=http://salaanmedia.com/?p=24470|access-date=15 February 2018|archive-date=2 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191102170315/http://salaanmedia.com/2013/12/somalis-the-most-entrepreneurial-people-in-africa/|url-status=live}}</ref>
[[File:Abdirashid duale.jpg|thumb|Abdirashid Duale, Somali entrepreneur and the CEO of [[Dahabshiil]], an international [[Wire transfer|funds transfer]] company]]

=== Activists ===
*[[Edna Adan Ismail]], first female Foreign Minister of Somaliland, has been called "The Muslim Mother Teresa" for her charity work and activism for women and girls
*[[Michael Mariano]] – legendary Somali politician, lawyer and key figure in independence struggle and [[Somali Youth League]]
*[[Farah Omar]] – anti-colonial ideologue and founder of the first Somali Association
*[[Hassan Isse Jama]], one of the founding fathers of the [[Somali National Movement|SNM]] in London, former deputy chairman of SNM, first vice president of Somaliland.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Woldemariam|first=Michael|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1000445166|title=Insurgent fragmentation in the Horn of Africa : rebellion and its discontents|date=15 February 2018|isbn=978-1-108-42325-0|location=Cambridge, United Kingdom|oclc=1000445166|access-date=30 October 2021|archive-date=10 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200710112825/https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1000445166|url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[Hassan Adan Wadadid]]- One of the original founders of the Somali National Movement and served as the movement's first vice-chairman.
*[[Hanan Ibrahim]], gender activist and first Somali British to be awarded Member of British Empire (MBE) for community work in UK
*[[Nimco Ali]], British social activist
*[[Magid Magid]] – Somali-British activist and politician who served as the [[List of mayors of Sheffield|Lord Mayor]] of [[Sheffield]] from May 2018 to May 2019

=== Athletes ===

[[File:Mo Farah3a.jpg|thumb|''Sir'' [[Mo Farah]], British long-distance runner and the most successful British track athlete in modern Olympic Games history]]

*[[Mo Farah]], British 4 time Olympic gold medalist and the most decorated athlete in British athletics history.<ref>{{cite web|title=Mo Farah's family cheers him on from Somaliland village|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2012/aug/10/mo-farah-mother-somaliland|access-date=13 March 2014|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=10 August 2012|archive-date=2 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191102170310/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2012/aug/10/mo-farah-mother-somaliland|url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[Jama Aden|Jama Mohamed Aden]] — Somali former middle-distance runner and coach<ref>{{Cite web |title=Olympedia – Jama Aden |url=https://www.olympedia.org/athletes/75661 |access-date=2025-01-02 |website=www.olympedia.org}}</ref>
*[[Mohammed Ahmed (athlete)|Mohammed Ahmed]], Somali-Canadian [[long-distance runner]] and Olympian
*[[Mohammed Ahamed]], Norwegian-Somalian association footballer currently playing in the Tippeligaen for Tromsø IL. He plays as a Center Forward
*[[Ahmed Said Ahmed]], an international [[Association football|footballer]] who plays for {{ill|Vantaan Jalkapalloseura|lt=VJS|fi}} as a [[Defender (association football)|defender]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Ahmed Said Ahmed|url=https://www.palloliitto.fi/pelaaja/93194|access-date=13 September 2019|publisher=[[Football Association of Finland]]|language=fi|quote=Kansallisuus: Suomi|archive-date=28 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190328202202/https://www.palloliitto.fi/pelaaja/93194|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=#80 Said Ahmed, Ahmed|url=http://www.veikkausliiga.com/pelaajat/93194/said-ahmed-ahmed|access-date=13 September 2019|publisher=[[Veikkausliiga]]|language=fi|quote=Kansalaisuus FI|archive-date=9 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190209132303/http://www.veikkausliiga.com/pelaajat/93194/said-ahmed-ahmed|url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[Bashir Abdi]], Somali-Belgian athlete
*[[Sheikh hamse|Sheikh Hamse]] - notorious [[Somalis|Somali]] [[Association football|football]] player

=== Journalists ===
[[File:Rageh Omaar.jpg|thumb|[[Rageh Omaar]], British-Somali journalist and writer]]
*[[Ahmed Hassan Awke]], Somali journalist and broadcaster, veteran of the [[BBC World Service]], the [[Voice of America]], [[Somaliland National TV]], [[Horn Cable Television]], [[Radio Mogadishu]] and [[Universal Television (Somalia)|Universal TV]], former presidential spokesman of [[Siad Barre]] during his [[Military Junta|military junta]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.somalilandinformer.com/somaliland/somaliland-prominent-somali-journalist-ahmed-hasan-awke-passes-away-in-jigjiga/ |title=Somaliland: Prominent Somali Journalist, Ahmed Hasan Awke Passes Away in Jigjiga {{!}} SomalilandInformer |website=www.somalilandinformer.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180216030219/http://www.somalilandinformer.com/somaliland/somaliland-prominent-somali-journalist-ahmed-hasan-awke-passes-away-in-jigjiga/ |archive-date=2018-02-16}}</ref>
*[[Rageh Omaar]], Somali-British journalist and writer. He used to be a [[BBC]] world affairs correspondent, In September 2006, he moved to a new post at [[Al Jazeera English]], and as of 2017 is currently with [[ITV News]]
*[[Mona Kosar Abdi]] – news anchor for ABC's Good Morning America

=== Other ===
*[[Hussain Bisad]], is one of the tallest men in the world, at 2.32 m (7&nbsp;ft 7 1⁄2 in). He has the largest hand span of anyone alive
*[[Sada Mire]], Swedish-Somali [[archaeologist]], art historian and presenter
*[[Abdi Haybe Lambad]], famous Somali stand-up comedian
*[[Buurmadow]] – well known clan elder
*[[Hussein Mohamed Adam|Hussein Mohammed Adam "Tanzania"]], Somali professor, journalist and documentary maker
*[[Sooraan]], famous actor and comedian<ref>{{Cite news|title=Afar arrimood ka ogow marxuum majaajileyste Sooraan|language=so|work=BBC News Somali|url=https://www.bbc.com/somali/war-57261590|access-date=2021-10-31|archive-date=31 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211031004629/https://www.bbc.com/somali/war-57261590|url-status=live}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

[[Category:Somali clans]]
[[Category:Somali clans in Ethiopia]]
[[Category:Issa Musa]]