Huwan

Huwan is the pre-colonial era name of the people and the land-mass of the Somali region. At the onset of the colonial era, the term Huwan came to denote a local and colloquial name for the Somalis and the region under the direct or nominal rule of Menelik II. On the other hand, the local and colloquial name for the land and people north of Huwan who were ruled by the British was Rayid, those to the east of Huwan who were under Italian rule were natively referred to as Dhabayaco, whilst in their midst, the people of the Ciid and Nugaal Valley regions were called Darawiish.[1] In Somali poetry, the Huwan, Rayid and Dhabayaco are collectively referred to as by the epithet aqdaamo ferenji.[2]

Gurdumi incident

The Huwan region was briefly ruled by the Sayid, head of the Darawiish, from the start of 1900 until the Gurdumi incident in the summer of 1900. The Sayids prestige was very high in the aftermath of the military victory over the Abyssinians at Jigjiga in March 1900. However, some Ogaden tribesmen felt the Sayid was growing too much in power and as such plotted to assassinate him in an incident called Gurdumi. Although the Sayid managed to evade the assassination attempt, his closest confident, Aw Abbas died at the spears of the conspirators. In revenge, the Sayid killed all delegates of a peace delegation and party whom was sent to pay blood money for Aw Abbas. The Ogaden subsequently paired with Menelik II to drive the Sayid and the Darawiish away from the Huwan and back into Ciid and Nugaal regions. This incident is collectively referred to as Gurdumi. The people of Huwan would subsequently come to be under the rule of Menelik II either nominally or directly via taxation or other obligations.[3]

Leader

The governor of the Huwan at the turn of the 20th century was Xuseen Dalal Iljeex, an ally of emperor Menelik II and opponent of the Sayid.[3]

References
  1. Aadan Carab (1917-2001), Maansoyahannadii hore kii ugu dambeeyey, page 342
  2. Garbaduubkii gumeysiga ; Faarax Maxamed Jaamac · 1978 – PAGE 90
  3. Taariikhdii daraawiishta iyo Sayid Maxamad Cabdille Xasan, Jaamac Cumar Ciise · 2005 , PAGE 176
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