Somali The Five Major Ethnic Clans In Somalia

Somalia is comprised of five major ethnic clans and one minor ethnic clan. The five Major clans include the Darod, Dir, Hawiye, Isaaq, Reheweyn and a minor clan called the Ashraaf. Within the Darod clan is the Ogaden, Dhulbahante, Jidwag, Leelkase, Majeerteen, Marehan, Warsangali, Awrtable, Dishiishe, and Mora'ase. This is the largest clan because they operate in almost all parts of the north. Within the Dir clan is the Issa, Gadabuursi, Surre, and Biimaal. These clans make up the area known as “Greater Somalia” (Kenya, Ethiopia, Dijibouti, Somalia). Within the Hawiye clan is the Abgal, Gugunghabe, Duduble, Habar Gidir, Gorgate, Murusade, and Silicis. This clan mostly stays clustered and is known as the dominant clan in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia. Within

The linguistic differences, ethnic variances, and cultural distinctions between tribes (even those in close proximity) can be stark. This doesn’t excuse tribal and ethnic tension, but it does help explain it. But not in Somalia. Even with its small, disadvantaged minority groups Somalia is one of the most homogenous places in Africa. To outsiders the differences between the five major clans are seemingly inconsequential; they share a common Samaal heritage and all speak various dialects of the same Cushitic language. It is not ethnic or tribal tension that is the crux in Somalia—it is the clan. This means blood, honor, and justice—encompassed in the Somali word heer. In addition to precise rules of blood compensation (in the event of a man’s murder his clan is owed one hundred camels, while a woman’s life is only worth fifty camels), the clan system also accounts for a lot of old-fashioned nepotism—business, military, and government positions are all doled out via the clan. Many Somalis are thankful for the clan system. In the absence of a functioning government, heer is at least some kind of