Ajuran (clan)
The Ajuran (Arabic: أجران) is a Somali clan, belonging to the Samaale family of Somalis, thus are related to the major clan families of Dir, Hawiye , Hawadle , Gardhere (Gaalje'el &Degodia). The Ajuran members largely inhabit Kenya as well as southern east Ethiopia; considerable numbers are also found in Somalia.[1][2]
Languages | |
---|---|
Somali | |
Religion | |
Islam (Sunni) | |
Related ethnic groups | |
Dir, Hawiye and other Samaale groups. |
Overview
The Ajuran clan's origins are found in the Ajuran Sultante, a Somali Muslim sultanate that ruled over large parts of the Horn of Africa in the Middle Ages.[3][4][5] Today they largely live in Kenya, the North Eastern Province and the Somali region of Ethiopia, but also in Somalia. The Ajuraan largely speak the Somali language, but a big portion also speak the Borana language.[6] The Ajuran are descendants of Alama who in turn is a son of Bal'ad who traces descent from an Arab settler named Harmalle Samaale[7]
History
The Ajuran clan established the Garen Dynasty that ruled both Mogadishu Sultanate and Ajuran Empire during the Middle Ages. During the early modern period, the Garen Dynasty survived from the Ajuran state disintegrated and established the Kelafo Sultanate that ruled large parts of the Somali region the arid, inhospitable southern east desert land of Ethiopia. They were eventually weakened due to their continues claims to lands belonging to the Ethiopian Empire and harassment from the Italian Empire. They were later driven out by the encroaching Ogaden tribe and the survivors fled to Kenya.
Clan Tree
This Clan Tree is based on "Identities on the Move: Clanship and Pastoralism in Northern Kenya" by Gunther Schlee.[8]
-Samaale
- Harmalle
- Bal'ad
- Alama
- Ajuran
- Waaqle "Uurmidig, Gidir, Bexaw, Daguuro.
- Wallemugge
- Saremugge
- Tore
- Dakhsore
- Beidan
- Badbeidan
- Sanle
- Ajuran
- Alama
- Bal'ad
Ugaas Abdisabur, Nabadoon Dhegaqoob,Siyaasi Xuseen elfis, Hassan Khamis, Ugaas keynan, Eng Bishaar, Dr Muuse, Eng Ridwan,
References
- Mohamed Haji Mukhtar (25 February 2003). Historical Dictionary of Somalia. Scarecrow Press. p. 35. ISBN 978-0-8108-6604-1.
- Kenya National Assembly Official Record (Hansard). 1984-03-20.
- Luling, Virginia (2002). Somali Sultanate: the Geledi city-state over 150 years. Transaction Publishers. p. 17. ISBN 978-1-874209-98-0.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
- Luc Cambrézy, Populations réfugiées: de l'exil au retour, p.316
- Mukhtar, Mohamed Haji. "The Emergence and Role of Political Parties in the Inter-River Region of Somalia from 1947–1960". Ufahamu. 17 (2): 98.
- Schlee, Günther; Watson, Elizabeth E. (2009-01-01). Changing Identifications and Alliances in North-East Africa. Berghahn Books. ISBN 9781845456030.
- Mukhtar, Mohamed Haji (2003-02-25). Historical Dictionary of Somalia. Scarecrow Press. ISBN 978-0-8108-6604-1.
- Schlee, Günther; Watson, Elizabeth E. (2009-01-01). Changing Identifications and Alliances in North-East Africa. Berghahn Books. ISBN 9781845456030.