Ajuran (clan)

The Ajuran (Arabic: أجران) is a Somali clan, belonging to the Samaale family of Somalis. The Ajuran members largely inhabit Kenya as well as southern east Ethiopia; considerable numbers are also found in Somalia.[1][2] Some Ajuran members settled in Mogadishu. They usually call themselves Moorshe and are descendants of the Abdalle Dayle lineage.

Ajuran (Ajuuraan) أجران

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

Antiquity

Many traditions link the Ajuran with a people known to the Somalis as Madanle (Maantiiinle. Madinle, etc.) who were celebrated well-diggers in southern Somalia and northeastern Kenya. [8]

Middle Ages

The Ajuran clan established the Garen Dynasty that ruled both Mogadishu Sultanate and Ajuran Empire during the Middle Ages.

Early Modern Period

During the early modern period, the Garen Dynasty survived from the Ajuran state disintegrated and established the Kelafo Sultanate by Sultan Olol Dinle. Where he had carved a new sultanate out of the upper reaches of the Webi Shabelle, centered at Kelafo, the traditional capital at the turn of the 20th century.

Clan Tree

This Clan Tree is based on "Identities on the Move: Clanship and Pastoralism in Northern Kenya" by Gunther Schlee.[9]

-Samaale

• Harmalle
  • Bal'ad
    • Alama
      • Ajuran
        • Waaqle "Uurmidig, Gidir, Bexaw, Daguuro.
        • Wallemugge
        • Saremugge
        • Tore
        • Dakhsore
        • Beidan
        • Badbeidan
        • Sanle

References

1. Mohamed Haji Mukhtar (25 February 2003). Historical Dictionary of Somalia. Scarecrow Press. p. 35. ISBN 978-0-8108-6604-1.
2. Kenya National Assembly Official Record (Hansard). 1984-03-20.
3. 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)
4. Luc Cambrézy, Populations réfugiées: de l'exil au retour, p.316
5. Mukhtar, Mohamed Haji. "The Emergence and Role of Political Parties in the Inter-River Region of Somalia from 1947–1960". Ufahamu. 17 (2): 98.
6. Schlee, Günther; Watson, Elizabeth E. (2009-01-01). Changing Identifications and Alliances in North-East Africa. Berghahn Books. ISBN 9781845456030.
7. Mukhtar, Mohamed Haji (2003-02-25). Historical Dictionary of Somalia. Scarecrow Press. ISBN 978-0-8108-6604-1.
8. Identities on the Move: Clanship and Pastoralism in Northern Kenya Page 226
9. Schlee, Günther; Watson, Elizabeth E. (2009-01-01). Changing Identifications and Alliances in North-East Africa. Berghahn Books. ISBN 9781845456030.