Gaalje'el
الجعل
Total population
5,990,294
Languages
Somali
Religion
Islam (Sunni)
Related ethnic groups
Garre, Degoodi, other Somalis

The Gaalje'el (Somali: Gaaljecel), (Italian: Galgial), (Arabic: الجعل) or Habar Tigaalle is one of the largest Somali clans, whose origins trace back to Samaale. The Galje'el clan belong to the Saransor family of clans, alongside the Issa, Masare and Degodia.

Tradition

Wells

Two young camel herders from the Galgial tribe patiently wait by the wells, ready to provide water for their camels.

Within the Gaalje'el tribe, the ownership of wells exhibits a nuanced structure. While some wells exclusively belong to a single sub-tribe, others serve as communal resources for two or more sub-tribes or even the entire Galgial community. Additionally, specific excavations by minor groups or individuals result in wells owned solely by them.

The utilization of wells follows a system of reciprocity among all Galgial sub-tribes. However, non-owners must respect the owners' right of precedence when accessing these vital water sources. In instances of wells collectively owned, the individual arriving first claims the right of precedence during watering.

A distinctive practice arises when the Barsame people visit wells belonging to other sub-tribes. Due to a recognized right of progeniture and a gesture of special respect, Barsames are consistently granted access to water and are occasionally given precedence. Conversely, when other Galgial groups approach wells owned by Barsanes, they may water their cattle only at night or during the day if Barsanes are absent with their cattle, even if they arrived later.Gaaljecel tribe reflects a system deeply rooted in respect, reciprocity, and a nuanced understanding of communal and individual rights to this vital resource. [1]

For example Hatful district in Barsane tribe boasts arround 40 natural wells, averaging 2 meters in depth, water is manually drawn using hand leather bags, each holding an impressive 250,000 liters. This traditional method ensures a daily capacity vital for sustaining Galgial Barsano's community and its way of life. [2]

Etymology

According to Ali Jimale, the etymology of the name Gaalje'el is from gaal, meaning camel and je'el meaning love: gaalje'el meaning "that which loves the camel". Gaal is the Af May (Reewin dialect) equivalent of Geel in Af Maḥa Tiri (the Maḥa Tiri dialect).[3]

Another etymology, which has recently gained steam, references the Jaalin tribe of Sudan. By combining "Geel", the dromedory camel for which the tribe is known to rear, with the arabic Al Je'el (الجعل), proponents of this etymology point to the bedouin nature of the Gaalje'el and surmise that the tribe could have had its origins in the nearby country, since they share the names of several branches.

Distribution

A
Map of the well-known Gaalje'el wells located Qorahsin

The Gaalje'el traditionally settled in the region called Qorahsin of Hiraan, Lower Shabelle, Middle Shabelle These regions are called Qorahsin because it is located west of the Shabelle River, and also inhabit in Jubaland,the city of Kismayo the largest rural community is Gaaljecel. .[4] The Gaalje'el are often incorrectly associated with the Hawiye clan due to their close political and social alignment. However, the Gaalje'el actually descend from Saransoor, as do the Degoodi, Masarre and the Iise. This means that there is no closer blood relation than beyond those also shared amongst all Somalis.[5]

History

Revolt and Resist: Chronicles of Anti-Colonial Wars

Mahaday Attack

April 1, arround 60 Gaalje'el mens from Alofi and Yeber Omar had gathered north of Mahaday and they had gone to Neghei, a place not far from the river where the Italian-Somali agricultural society held a small lime factory, and they invaded it. The guard Gogles and the native personnel were disarmed worker, two huts were set on fire and they sacked everything [6]

The conflict between the Italians and the Gaaljecel was a part of the broader conflict between Italy and the Somali people during the colonial era. The Gaaljecel, like many other Somali clans, fiercely resisted the Italian occupation of their land and fought against the Italian colonial forces in the early 20th century.

The Gaaljecel warriors were known for their bravery, skill in battle, and use of guerrilla tactics. They used their knowledge of the terrain to their advantage and employed hit-and-run tactics against the Italian forces. They also made use of traditional weapons such as spears and swords, as well as firearms obtained from other sources.

The Italians, on the other hand, had a technological advantage over the Gaaljecel. They had access to modern weapons, such as machine guns and artillery, which they used to devastating effect. However, the Italians found it difficult to maintain control over the areas inhabited by the Gaaljecel due to the resilience and determination of the clan.

The conflict between the Italians and the Gaaljecel lasted for several years and resulted in many casualties on both sides. The Gaaljecel suffered losses, but they were able to inflict significant damage on the Italian forces, which forced the Italians to adopt more aggressive tactics. The Italian forces responded by conducting punitive raids against the Gaaljecel villages, burning down homes and confiscating livestock.

Despite the odds, the Gaaljecel were able to maintain their resistance against the Italians, which became a source of inspiration for other clans in Somalia. The Gaaljecel's successful resistance against the Italian colonial forces has been seen as a symbol of the resilience and courage of the Somali people in the face of adversity.

Lineage

Gaalje'el is descended from Samaale[7] Saransoor has 4 son's,[8] together with their uncle Garre they are division of Larger Gardheere Samaale clans.[9]

Clan tree

Max Planck Institute for Social Anthropology highlights some of the more prominent families which make up the Gaalje'el[10]

Gaalje'el

  • Barsame
    • Mugurmal
      • Qalafow
      • Hilowle
      • Haadow
      • Faarah
    • Haadowe
      • Mahamed Hassan
        • Abdi
        • Siyad
      • Mahamed Adam
      • Dumal Ja'eer
        • Yabar Dumal
        • Hassan Dumal
        • Ali Dumal
  • Sooraanle
    • Mu'awiye
      • Omar Massan
      • Osman Mohamed
      • Adan Mohamed
      • Ali Biyalle
      • Aadan Gorod
    • Aarwaaq (Doqondid)
      • Idris Aarwaaq
        • Ilkoole
          • Mahad Alla
            • Xalane
              • Xaaji Aamin
                • Xamze Xaaji
                • Cali Xaaji
                • Cusman Xaaji
                • Cumar Xaaji
                • Faqi Xaaji
                • Ahmed Xaaji
                • Xussein Xaaji
            • Yabarow
              • Xasan
                • Cabdi Xasan
                • Roble Xassan
                • Abikar Xassan
                • Cabdille Xassan
                • Cumar Xassan
            • Iidle
            • Nuur
            • Maxamuud
            • Orodoow
      • Zubeyr
        • Barre(Garaar)
        • Maxamuud
          • Aden
            • Xarla Aadan
            • Axmed Aadan
      • Mujaber Aarwaaqe
      • Hilindoor Aarwaaqe
    • Dholadhaqan
      • Ersandhaali
        • Dirissame
          • Abturale
            • Gargelis
              • Dalab
              • Mahad Alla
          • Wasuge
            • Cali
            • Somane
            • Waceys
            • Cilmi
            • Cabdi nuur
            • Cisman
            • Orodow
            • Axmad
        • Dorwaaq
          • Abtisame
            • Jidfarah
              • Cidif
              • Diinloot
              • Baile
              • Wareene
              • Shige
                • Abdille Shige (Wehliye)
                • Ise Shige (Sheekhaal)
                • Mahamed Shige
            • Haji Saleh
              • Abkii Alin
              • Dumaal Weyn
              • Yabadhaale
              • Reer Ugaas (Eraballe)
          • Millah
          • Lahube
            • Bes Lahube
              • Dhagahow
              • Hilowle
              • Abdi Magan
            • Omar Lahube
              • Makahil Omar
                • Ali Makahil
                  • Mahamed Ali
                    • Faarah
                      • Aalin
                        • Nuur
                        • Samatar
                        • Wa"ays
                        • Barrow
                        • Hassan
                        • Omar
                        • Mahamuud
                • Yabar Makahil
                  • Muse Yabar
                    • Adan Yabar
                      • Dhoorow Adan
                      • Iraab Adan
                      • Ahmad Adan
                        • Abdi Ahmad
                        • Mataan Abdi
                          • Omar Mataan
                        • Kheir Abdi
                          • Yabar
                            • Mahamud Yabar
                              • Noolow Mahamud
                              • Magan Mahamud
                              • Dheemow Mahamud
                            • Halane Yabar
                            • Amin Yabar
                        • Eraballe
                          • Hasan
                          • Nuur
                      • Isma'iil Adan
                        • Abdi Isma'iil
                          • Ifaaf
                            • Alin Ifaf
                            • Afi Ifaf
                          • Roble
                            • Sugow Roble
                            • Hirsi Roble
                              • Farah Hirsi
                            • Ali Abdi
            • '''Aloofi''' Lahube
              • Kabole Alofi
              • Bila' Alofi
              • Yabar Alofi

Notable figures

  • Abdirahman Haji Mumin
  • Amina Mohamed Abdi, Somali Politician, and Member of Somali Parliament (MP) in the House of Representatives
  • Sheikh Hassan Barsane, cleric who led a revolt against Italian colonial forces after World War I.
  • Eng Issa Mumin Ali chair of diaspro community
  • Abdihakim Luqman, first Speaker Of Hirshabelle Parliament
  • Fawziya Abikar Nur, Federal Minister for Health and Social Care in Somalia since March 2017.
  • Mohamed Mukhtar Ibrahim Former Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources.
  • Mohamed Olow Barrow , He served as the Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources of S

References

  1. ↑ https://books.google.ca/books?id=ieZTKL8Sx6MC&pg=PA322&dq=galgial&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&source=gb_mobile_search&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjm2P7bg-qCAxWkg4kEHa2yAZsQ6wF6BAgLEAU#v=onepage&q=galgial&f=false
  2. ↑ https://books.google.ca/books?id=HZwNAQAAIAAJ&q=galgial&dq=galgial&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&source=gb_mobile_search&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjm2P7bg-qCAxWkg4kEHa2yAZsQ6wF6BAgGEAU#galgial
  3. ↑ Ahmed, Ali Jimale (1 January 1995). The Invention of Somalia. The Red Sea Press. p. 96. ISBN 9780932415998.
  4. ↑ Max Planck Institute for Social Anthropology, Germany, Conflict analysis in Bakool and Bay, South-western Somalia https://www.eth.mpg.de/3709496/consultancy_report_mar_2004.pdf page 31.
  5. ↑ Max Planck Institute for Social Anthropology, Germany: "Conflict analysis in Bakool and Bay, South-western Somalia", March 2004: https://www.eth.mpg.de/3709496/consultancy_report_mar_2004.pdf
  6. ↑ https://books.google.ca/books?id=jf3hAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA296&dq=galgial&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&source=gb_mobile_search&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjm2P7bg-qCAxWkg4kEHa2yAZsQ6wF6BAgHEAU#v=onepage&q=galgial&f=false
  7. ↑ Yuusuf, Muuse (20 May 2021). The Genesis of the Civil War in Somalia: The Impact of Foreign Military Intervention on the Conflict. Bloomsbury Publishing. ISBN 978-0-7556-2711-0.
  8. ↑ Maxamuud, Cabdulqaadir Cusmaan (1999). Sababihii burburka Soomaaliya (in Somali). Percetankan Zafar. ISBN 978-0-9681259-1-5.
  9. ↑ Ahmed, Ali Jimale (1995). The Invention of Somalia. The Red Sea Press. ISBN 978-0-932415-99-8.
  10. ↑ Max Planck Institute for Social Anthropology, Germany, "Conflict analysis in Bakool and Bay, South-western Somalia", https://www.eth.mpg.de/3709496/consultancy_report_mar_2004.pdf page 32/31
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