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Coordinates: 8°28′34″N 47°21′25″E / 8.476°N 47.357°E / 8.476; 47.357
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|author=[[Douglas James Jardine]]}}
|author=[[Douglas James Jardine]]}}


[[Neville Lyttelton]]'s War Office described the Nogal / Nugaal as the "theatre of war" and the "base of operations" against Dervishes.<ref name="office"/>
[[Neville Lyttelton]]'s War Office described the Nogal / Nugaal as the "theatre of war" and the "base of operations" against Dervishes.<ref name="office">{{Cite web|year=1907|title=Official History of the Operations in Somaliland, 1901-04|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fZQLAAAAIAAJ&q=%22guarantee+of+any+kind+as+to+%22+gure|quote='''Deria Gure''' – only an unconditional surrender should be accepted, no guarantee of any kind as to future treatment being given.}}</ref>


{{Blockquote
{{Blockquote
Line 307: Line 307:
<blockquote>the claim to Dervish history was emphasized by many uses of the word Daraawiish in Laascaanood ... There was a Darawiish pharmacy and in the streets one could buy artistically decorated walking sticks favoured by elders with the name Darawiish branded on them. Many young men would, at least when talking to a social anthropologist, recite poems ... containing graphic descriptions of Dervish fighting.<ref>https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/Between%20Somaliland%20and%20Puntland%20by%20Markus%20Hoehne%20-%20RVI%20Contested%20Borderlands%20%282015%29%20%281%29.pdf</ref></blockquote>
<blockquote>the claim to Dervish history was emphasized by many uses of the word Daraawiish in Laascaanood ... There was a Darawiish pharmacy and in the streets one could buy artistically decorated walking sticks favoured by elders with the name Darawiish branded on them. Many young men would, at least when talking to a social anthropologist, recite poems ... containing graphic descriptions of Dervish fighting.<ref>https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/Between%20Somaliland%20and%20Puntland%20by%20Markus%20Hoehne%20-%20RVI%20Contested%20Borderlands%20%282015%29%20%281%29.pdf</ref></blockquote>


===Maarsasho===
===Notable residents===
''Maarsasho'' is a Somali term which literally means minimalism, referring to the off-the-grid lifestyle. The Sayid, who spoke on behalf of Diiriye Guure,<ref name="leged">Gaala-leged, poem 78, Diiwaanka gabayadi Sayid Mohamed Cabdullah Xassan</ref> states in a 1903 letters to the British colonial consulate that the Darawiish pride themselves on having no material possessions:<ref name="taarii">Taariikhdii daraawiishta iyo Sayid Maxamad Cabdille Xasan, Jaamac Cumar Ciise · 2005 , PAGE 114</ref>

{{Blockquote
|text= Last year I fought with you and Musa Farah was with you. God willing, I will take many rifles from you, but you won’t get any rifles or ammunition from me, and I will not take your country. I have no forts, no houses, no country. I have no cultivated fields, no silver or gold for you to take. I have no artificers. Musa Farah has gained no benefit by killing my men and my country is of no good to you
|author=
}}

Douglas Jardine likewise noted the propensity of ''maarsasho'' (minimalism) among Darawiish, and said this extended to avoiding drugs such as the Khat leaf:<ref>Douglas Jardine, p 39</ref>

{{Blockquote
|text= With all the corrosive invective of the born agitator and the recklessness of the reformer, he inveighed against the luxury of the age. He proclaimed that the Somalis were wasting their substance on riotous living, especially on tea-drinking. He protested
against the immorality of chewing kat*
|author=
}}

===Poetry===
Poetry was a major theme in Darawiish life, and notable people who engaged in poetry within Darawiish quarters include [[Ismail Mire]], Xaaji Nuur Ciise, Xirsi Diihaal Halanje,
Jaamac Seed, Xuseen Dhiqle, Cabdi-yare Dhalbaas and Afqarshe Ismail.<ref>Ahmed Farah Ali, 1974</ref> There is also poetry during Guure's era, that specifically discusses the constituents of Dhulbahante as Darawiish, such as:

{{Verse translation
|Hawa beena Soomaalidaa, hadafka raacdaa leh
Hadal ruma Daraawiishta iyo, weli hanoonaa leh
Raggii diinta hooyga u noqdiyo, hanad shirshooraa leh
|Somalis whom are by and large deceitful, they belong to the terminus of their journey
Those truthful words of Darawiish, still belongs to the kind-hearted
Those men who are the vanguards of faith, bravery truly belongs to the Shirshoore
}}

===Treaties===
====Diiriye Guure====
The head of the Dhulbahante tribe at the turn of the 20th century was Diiriye Guure. With regard to capturing Deeria Guure, the British stated that "no guarantee of any kind as to ... future treatment being given", insinuates the intent of retribution on the part of the British government and a high priority for capture.<ref name="office">{{Cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fZQLAAAAIAAJ&q=%22guarantee+of+any+kind+as+to+%22+gure|title = Official History of the Operations in Somaliland, 1901-04|year = 1907|quote='''Deria Gure''' – only an unconditional surrender should be accepted, no guarantee of any kind as to future treatment being given.}}</ref> The verbatim motion as presented by James Hayes Sadler states that the Darawiish is a movement in among the Dhulbahante clan, and states that Diiriye Guure is among those it seeks to capture:

{{Blockquote
|text= The object of the expeditions is to capture or defeat the Mullah and to put an end to his movement in the Dolbahanta ... In the unlikely event of the Mullah offering to surrender ... '''Deria Gure''' – only an unconditional surrender should be accepted, no guarantee of any kind as to future treatment being given.
|author=
}}

The transcript from James Hayes Sadler to general Eric Swayne, and subsequently forwarded to levies was rendered by Somali historian [[Jama Omar Issa]] as follows:<ref>{{cite book |last1=Ciise |first1=Jaamac cumar |title=Taariikhdii daraawiishta iyo Sayid Maxamed Cabdulle Xasan |date=1976 |page=50 |quote='''Diiriye Guure''' waxa qur ah oo laga oggolaan karaa isdhiibid aan shuruud lahayn}}</ref>

{{Verse translation
| '''Diiriye Guure''' waxa qur ah oo laga oggolaan karaa isdhiibid aan shuruud lahayn; wax sugan oo ballanqaad ah oo noloshooda dambe laga siin karaa ma jirto.
|Diiriye Guure can solely be permitted to capitulate and give himself up, without any conditions. We do not attach any agreements or safeguards hereafter.
}}

An Evening Express piece published by Walter Alfred Pearce referred to Diiriye Guure as the head of the Dhulbahante clan during the Dervish era. It further describes Guure as wealthy and powerful, and that he participated at the Battle of Gumburu Cagaarweyne, heavily sustaining injuries therein.<ref name="eveningexpress,walterspearce">{{cite book |last1=Spearce |first1=Walter |title=Somali Campaign |date=August 1903 |url=http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:TOLiKgxj78AJ:https://newspapers.library.wales/view/4136185/4136187/47/john%2520powell&hl=en&gl=si&strip=1&vwsrc=0 |quote=The third leader is '''Deeria Goori''', of the Dolbahanta tribe, who was badly wounded at the Battle of Gunrburru ... These men are the '''heads of their respective tribes''', and are all wealthy and powerful. }}</ref>

:: '' The third leader is '''Deeria Goori''', of the Dolbahanta tribe, who was badly wounded at the Battle of Gunburru ... These men are the heads of their respective tribes, and are all wealthy and powerful. ''<ref name="eveningexpress,walterspearce"/>

====Dhulbahante non-treaty-makers====
According to Roman Loimeier, the Dhulbahante non-treaty was an impetus for behind the wars:<ref name="loimeier"/>

{{Blockquote
|text=The Dulbahante had a number of good reasons to put their energies into a jihad: first, the British had not concluded a trade agreement or treaty with them and favored competing clans; second, the Dulbahante felt threatened by the Ethiopian advance into the Ogaden, which formed part of Dulbahante pastures
|author=Roman Loimeier
}}


Diiriye Guure, his predecessor Garad Ali and the wider Dhulbahante garad members, were the only extant Somali tribe who didn't sign a colonial era treaty.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Jardine |first1=Douglas |title=Mad Mullah of Somaliland |date=1923 |page=35 |quote=Early in 1885 Great Britain concluded separate protective treaties with all the Somali tribes now living under her protection, except the Warsangeli, who concluded a treaty in 1886, and the Dolbahanta, with whom no treaty has been made.}}</ref> Accordign to IM Lewis, the successive Garads of the Dhulbahante gained prestige out of this defiance towards treaties or of being non-signatories with the European colonial administrations:<ref>I.M. Lewis p 204</ref>

{{Blockquote
|text=Garaad Jaama ' of the Faaraḥ Garaad has only recently been recognized , having successfully maintained his prestige by opposing the Administration
|author=IM Lewis
}}

Former colonial administrator [[Douglas James Jardine]] stated that Diiriye Guure and his predecessor Garad Ali the 4th, were the only major Somali tribal chieftains who did not sign a colonial treaty with European colonial power:<ref>Douglas Jardine. p.74</ref>

{{Blockquote
|text=Early in 1885 Great Britain concluded separate protective treaties with all the Somali tribes now living under her protection, except the Warsangeli, who concluded a treaty in 1886, and the Dolbahanta, with whom no treaty has been made.
|author=Douglas Jardine
}}

{{Blockquote
|text=and consciences were salved by the reflection that our obligation to protect the tribe from the man whom they themselves had created, supported and followed, was less than our obligations to the Ishaak tribes who had for the most part resisted the movement from its very start. Moreover, as will be recalled, the Dolbahanta were the only tribe with whom we had no formal protective treaty.
|author=Douglas Jardine
}}

{{Blockquote
|text=The War Office replied that His Majesty's Government had no treaty with the Dolbahanta, and that to put the General's policy into effect would involve assurances of protection, which would still further add to our liabilities in a direction which had already cost so much.
|author=Douglas Jardine
}}


The mid-19th century predecessor of Diiriye Guure, namely Koore-baas, and his Dhulbahante constituents were likewise described in these self-determination and autonomy inclined ways by author Said Sheikh Samatar:<ref>Oral Poetry and Somali Nationalism, p 104</ref>

{{Blockquote
|text=... unlike other pastoralists, the Dulbahante are also excellent horsemen. Even by pastoral standards, the Dulbahante have a reputation for pride, independence and martial spirit
|author=Said Samatar
}}


====Treaty-makers====
The Dhulbahante non-treatymaker Diiriye Guure as well as his predecessor and successor garaads, lie in contrast with the non-Dhulbahante Somali tribes whose chiefs were signatories who aligned with colonial powers via treaties of obligations and impositions, including Habar Awal, Habar Jeclo, Gadabuursi, Eesa, Majeerteen and Garhajis and Rahanweyn. In order to ensure Somali obedience to Europeans colonists and their treaties, European powers promoted a culture of enmeshment in Somali populace, in the youth vis-a-vis their elders and in the laymen vis-a-vis their chieftains. The treatymakers, composed of chieftains of these clans, signed the treaties which are as follows:<ref name="supplement">{{cite book |last1=Omar |first1=Mohamed |title=The Scramble in the Horn of Africa; History of Somalia (1827-1977) |date=2001 |page=600}}</ref>

{{Blockquote
|text=The British Government and the Elders of the Habr Awal Tribe who have signed this agreement ... Elders of the Habr Awal agree and promise to refrain from entering into any correspondence, agreement or treaty with any foreign nation or power except with the knowledge and sanction of Her Majesty’s Government
|author=Habar Awal treaty
}}

{{Blockquote
|text=British Government and the Elders of the Habr Toljaala Tribe who have signed this agreement .. Elders of the Habr Toljaala agree and promise to refrain from entering into any correspondence, agreement or treaty with any foreign nation or power except with the knowledge and sanction of Her Majesty’s Government... the British Government shall have the power to appoint an agent or agents to reside in the territories of the Habr Toljaala, and every such agent shall be treated with respect and consideration ... all of the Yussuf sub tribe ... all of the Adan Madoba sub-tribe; ... all of the Rerdod sub-tribe ...
|author=Habar Jeclo treaty
}}

{{Blockquote
|text=The British Government and the Elders of the Habr Gerhajis Tribe who have signed this agreement ... Elders of the Habr Gerhajis agree and promise to
refrain from entering into any correspondence, agreement or treaty with any foreign nation or power except with the knowledge and sanction of Her Majesty’s Government
|author=Garhajis treaty
}}

{{Blockquote
|text=The British Government and the Elders of the Warsangli Tribe who have signed this agreement ... Elders of the Warsangli agree and promise to
refrain from entering into any correspondence, agreement or treaty with any foreign nation or power except with the knowledge and sanction of Her Majesty’s Government
|author=Warsangeli treaty
}}

{{Blockquote
|text=The Chiefs give their country to France in order that it (The latter) may protect it against all foreigners{{efn|name=fn1|The second section of the treaty (titled ARTICLE II), is wherein Somali chieftains yield their self-determination and autonomy, whilst the third section (titled ARTICLE III) is wherein chieftains signature is located.}}
|author=Issa treaty
}}

{{Blockquote
|text=The Gadabursi tribe do hereby declare that they are pledged and bound never to cede, sell, mortgage or otherwise give for occupation, save to the British Government, any portion of the territory presently inhabited by them{{efn|name=fn1}}
|author=Gadabuursi treaty
}}

{{Blockquote
|text=Osman Mahmud, Sultan of the Mijjertain, places his person, his Sultanate, and the whole territory of the Mijjertain under the protection and under the flag of the powerful Government of Italy; he flies the Italian flag at all the ports of the coast{{efn|name=fn1}}
|author=Majeerteen treaty
}}

{{Blockquote
|text=Geledi became an Italian protectorate on November 3 , 1894<ref>The Modern History of Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa, page 278, Harold Marcus</ref>
|author=Rahanweyn treaty{{efn|Southern tribes concluded a distinct treaty with either British East Africa in Jubaland or Italy in Benadir region}}
}}

====Frederick Mercer Hunter====
The first Somali chieftains to sign a treaty with the British Political Resident at Aden, Frederick Mercer Hunter were Abdillah Liban and Jamah Yunus of the Habar Awal tribe on the 14th July 1884. A memorandum for British treaties was issued 16th July 1886, as follows, with the most comprehensive treaty concluded with the Garhajis and Habar Jeclo tribes containing the additional commitments of "render assistance" to vessels and forbidding diplomacy with non-British officials:<ref name="supplement"/>

{{Blockquote
|text=In token of the conclusion of this lawful and honourable bond, Abdillah Liban and Jamah Yunus ... concluded with the Habr Awal, Habr Toljaala, and Habr Gerhajis, in terms of Articles 1 and 2 of the Warsangali Treaty, establishing such Protectorate and containing the stipulation against dealing with foreign powers ... not to dispose of their territories in any manner save to the British Government; (2) to allow all vessels flying the British flag to trade at their ports; (3) to protect all British subjects residing in or visiting their territories ... Article 2, which does not appear in the treaties with the other tribes, was included in the treaties with the Habr Toljaala and Habr Gerhajis, binding them to render assistance to any vessel, British or foreign
|author=Supplementary General Treaties
}}

==Notable residents==
*[[Rooda Xassan]], designer of [[Khatumo]] flag
*[[Rooda Xassan]], designer of [[Khatumo]] flag
*[[Abdi Bile]], world champion long distance athlete
*[[Abdi Bile]], world champion long distance athlete

Revision as of 18:19, 20 December 2021

Las Anod
Laascaanood (Somali)
لاسعانود (Arabic)
City
LaasCaanood, Somaliland.
Las Anod. Somaliland night view.
Laascaanood city, Somaliland.
Official logo of Las Anod
Local council seal of Las Anod
Nickname(s): 
Laaska, L.A.
Las Anod is located in Somaliland
Las Anod
Las Anod
Location in Somaliland
Coordinates: 8°28′34″N 47°21′25″E / 8.476°N 47.357°E / 8.476; 47.357
Country Somaliland
RegionSool
DistrictLas Anod
Government
 • TypeDistrict Council
 • MayorAbdirahim Ali Ismail
Elevation
691 m (2,267 ft)
Population
 (2005)[1]
 • City75,436
 • Urban
24,830
Time zoneUTC+3 (EAT)

Las Anod (Somali: Laascaanood; Arabic: لاسعانود) is the administrative capital of the Sool region of Somaliland.[2][3][4][5]

The Dehjeneur quarter of Las Anod city was during the Shiikhyaale era of the early 1900s referred to by British officer Stanton as constituting of "Dervish karias" i.e. a Dervish village.[6] During the closing decades of colonialism, Las Anod was the capital of the Nogal District, the precursor province of Sool, described by John Hunt as an "entirely Dolbahanta" province.[7] During the years surrounding independence, Las Anod was the seat of Garad Ali's USP party representing Warsangeli, Gadabuursi and Dhulbahante clans. The 1969 assassination of Somalia's president Shermarke in the city was the catalyst for Somalia's subsequent military regime.[8]

History

Shops in Las Anod.

Shiikhyaale

During the colonial era, the clans native to Las Anod adopted the socio-political identity of Shiikhyaale.[9] On the 3rd of June 1901, these Shiikhyaale engaged a British force led by Eric Swayne at Waylahed, in a southwestern neighbourhood of Las Anod, leading to 50 dead in the former. Later that same month, the Shiikhyaale engaged the forces of Eric Swayne at an area called Ana Hadigle. The engagement between Shiikhyaale and Eric Swayne became a running battle which ended at Kurgaraad to the south of Boocame, where it was reported "an important horseman of the Ali Gheri being killed amongst others.".[10]

The Shiikhyaale also had reconnoiters. The battles between Shiikhyaale reconnoiters and colonial reconnoiters usually were low-intensity and as such, produced minimal deaths. One example of such a confrontation was in August 1903 in the vicinity of Dehjeuner, immediately northeast of Las Anod city center which produced one death only. The budding Shiikhyaale bivouac at the Dehjeneur quarter of Las Anod was at the time referred to by British colonial officers as a Dervish village or Dervish karia:[6]

"As an example of their work, I may mention that a party of 40 mounted Illalos left Bohotle in August, 1903, brushed through a fairly strong party of Dervish Illalos in the vicinity of the Dehjeuner and reconnoitred to about 10 miles east of Beretabli, a distance of 140 miles, the first 80 of which were waterless. ... the illaloes managed to penetrate well within the circle of Dervish karias (or Nomad villages), and succeeded in securing two most useful prisoners, returning with the loss of one man only, having covered a distance of 300 miles in nine days.

On the 31st July 1903, another battle occurred between 30 British scouts and 128 Darawiish scouts, a few miles west of Heli Madu near Las Anod:[6]

"half way between Las Anod and Heli Madu ... they were the advanced scouts of a party of 128 of the Mullah's scouts, mostly spearmen ... the enemy emerged from thick bush. They fought for two hours, the enemy losing many men killed and wounded, the exact number not being known ; the enemy dragged their wounded and dead away.

Las Anod-Nogal district from 1944 - 1960.

The motive for this Shiikhyaale or Dervish development was said by Roman Loimeier as caused by how patricide victim sultan-garad Ali and his successor Diiriye Guure had not signed colonial protective treaties, combined with the fear, agitation and anxiety from contemporaneous yearly expedition-raids by marauding Menelik II armies and their pillaging.[11]

Nogal-Sool District

A district created by Gerald Thomas Fisher named after Las Anod, namely Las Anod-Nogal District, existed for sixteen years from 1944 until 1960 with Las Anod as capital as the former name of Sool.[12] John A Hunt stated the following about the Gerald Thomas Fisher commissioned Las Anod-Nogal District:

"The Nogal (Las Anod) District defined in 1944. This was supposed to have been done for administrative convenience, but the somewhat crooked boundary between the Burao and Nogal districts suggests that it was intended to make the Las Anod-Nogal District an entirely Dolbahanta Tribal District ... All the Dolbahanta have been Las Anod District since 1944, except for the Naleya Ahmed of the Ogadyahan Siad ... remaining in Erigavo District".[7]

Daraawiish independence day celebrations of nostalgia and reminiscence in Las Anod 2019 with congregants wearing traditional Darawiish duubcad turbans
Commemoration of Shiikhyaale wars and the 1900-1920 Dhulbahante genocide the hands of European partitionists of Africa at Sool Sports center, in Las Anod 2018

The 1905 treaty between the Italians and Darawiish, which was terminated within a year, concurred that Darawiish territory was limited to the Nugaal, specifically from Ras Garad to Ras Gabbe (in modern-day Puntland), to Xudun (Hudun) to Tifafleh, and from Tifafleh to Docmo (in modern-day Bookh district of Ethiopia).[13]


Notes by H. E Stanton, a British Chief of Staff officer states the following about territories in anti-Dervish expedition:[14]

It was obvious from the first that the main operations would be conducted in the Nogal district. This tract of country was very badly and inaccurately shown on existing maps.

— H. E Stanton on Dervish positions

According to British lieutenant-colonel G.T Forestier Walker, the maps for anti-Darawiish expeditions were called individually Nogal no. 1 map, Nogal no. 2 map, and Nogal no. 3 map, and included the Gumburu locality:[14]

All demands for maps were met with great promptitude, and, in the case of the three Nogal maps, which were compiled in the field and sent home for reproduction,... Nogal No. 1 was compiled in the field and sent home for rapid production ... I had Nogal No. 2 compiled from all the above sources, with the addition of Wellby's route, which had been accidentally omitted from No. 1. ... I had no hesitation in making his work the basis of the new map, Nogal No. 3, and the work previously compiled in No. 2 was fitted on to it. ... They went to Gumburu (see Nogal sketch) ...

— lieutenant-colonel G.T Forestier Walker on Darawiish territorial boundaries & jurisdiction

According to Secretary for War H. O. Arnold-Forster, suspension of hostilities against Dervishes pragmatically meant withdrawing from the Nogal:[15]

... the Secretary of State for War stated in the House of Commons that it had been decided to discontinue the military operations ... orders were sent to the Officer Commmanding 1st Brigade to withdraw from the Nogal by the 8th May ...

— H. O. Arnold-Forster

According to General Egerton, the Nogal was the "base of operations" of the Dervish[16]:

... tract of country known as Nogal, which forms the principal summer grazing ground of the Dolbahanta, and the Mullah's base of operations against the western and north-eastern tribes of the Protectorate. It is well known that the Dolbahanta tribe are adherents of the Mullah ...

— General Egerton on the Darawiish domain

The 1900s British media industry stated that a surprise ambush by British colonial troops into the Nugaal could end the anti-Dervish war, whilst the Britannic Majesty was anxious for a "damaging blow" into the Nugaal:[17]

... Press at home urged General Egerton to make a sudden dash at once for the Nogal with mounted troops. This, they maintained, was all that was necessary now to terminate the Somali war ... His Majesty's Government, however, expressed themselves as ... being anxious to strike an immediate and damaging blow at the Mullah in the Nogal

— Douglas James Jardine

Neville Lyttelton's War Office described the Nogal / Nugaal as the "theatre of war" and the "base of operations" against Dervishes.[18]

... a base of operations in the Nogal which it was evident must form the theatre of war ...

— Neville Lyttelton

Somali academic Said Sheikh Samatar concurs that the Nugaal, which is formed of the Nugaal plateau beneath the Cal range, and the Nugaal valley in the Sool province, is a Dhulbahante territory, and the site of the biggest Dervish battles:[19]

The climate of the Nugaal, a region which constitutes the heartlands of the Dulbahante, is highly suited for breeding and rearing ponies... The country of the Dulbahante is the prize of pastoral habitat: well-watered and well-pastured, the Nugaal valley provides a welcome sanc-tuary from the perennial twin scourges of Somali pastoralism, thirst and starvation... Demoralized and disorganized, the Der-vishes were forced to disperse all over the Nugaal and the Haud after their resounding defeat by the British expeditionary force. Not only did they sustain heavy casualties (7,000 to 8,000 in dead and injured) but also the loss of 20,000 of their best war-horses

Anti-colonialism

According to Said Samatar, British authorities initially opposed Dhulbahante appointees to government during the 1920s and early 1930s out of judiciousness, due to their background in the Dervishes:[19]

The Dulbahante clan, as a result of their support for the Dervishes, were out of favor with the British for a while after the demise of the Dervish movement. They were allegedly made to pay for their part in the revolt by being forced to serve under Isaaq native administrators. 'Arab Deere was one of these administrators, and while Police Chief of the Dulbahante town of Laas 'Aanood, he is alleged to have used his new powers for clannish vendetta and score-settling

James Hayes Sadler, who was consul general, held the most senior position within the Somali Coast protectorate at the turn of the 20th century. According to a letter which Sadler sent to the Marquess of Salisbury (British prime minister Robert Gascoyne-Cecil), the Dhulbahante were the originators and creators of the Darawiish, stating:

... the events of the past few months now force us to exercise greater interference than I should have contemplated for some time to come. Our hands have, so to say, been forced by this movement which originated in the Dolbahanta[20]

Sadler repeated the sentiment that Dhulbahante are the originators of the Darwiishes in a letter to the British Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, where he stated:

I do not consider that the presence of this Mission in Berbera has had anything to do with the movement that originated in the Dolbahanta, though it is doubless a useful lever with which to try and raise disaffection amongst our Mahomedan tribes[20]

According to the Darawiish war veterans Soofe Durraan, and Cabdi-yaar Cali Guleed, the creators of the Darawiish were predominantly clergymen who were on their way to the Arale Mahad town of Dareema Caddo, whom included Aw Cabbaas Xuseen, Aadan Seed, Obsiiye Seed, Ismail Mire and Maxamuud Dheri.[21] Douglas James Jardine, who wrote the first retrospective book on the dervishes, likewise states that Dhulbahante created the Darawiish:

and consciences were salved by the reflection that our obligation to protect the tribe from the man whom they themselves had created, supported and followed was less than our obligations to the Ishaak tribes who had for the most part resisted the movement from its very start. Moreover, as will be recalled, the Dolbahanta were the only tribe with whom we had no formal protective treaty.[22]

Post-independence

Garad Ali's USP party represented Warsangeli, Gadabuursi and Dhulbahante clans
File:Mohamed Geedeeye, first elected USP representative for Aynabo, and first post-independence government minister.png
Aynabo representative Mohamed Geedeeye in 1940s, was the first elected USP representative, and as Caynabo elect, was the first post-independence Dhulbahante government minister

The USP was formed with the intention of forming a non-Isaaq axis, due to tensions deriving from the instability in 1954 and 1955. The instability of 1954 was primarily due to camel-rustling between Dhulbahante and Habar Jeclo, whilst that of 1955 was due to roaming resulting from droughts that culminated into a war with Dhulbahante on one side battling the two Isaaq clans of Habar Yunis and Habar Jeclo on the other:[23]

On the 27th of October the District Commissioner Las Anod, completed the hearing of an enquiry into previous unrest in the region... One of those killed was a man of the Habar Yuunis Sa'ad Yuunis who were fighting with the Habar Ja'lo against the Ḍulbahante, and the other a man of the MaḤammad Abokor.

From 1959 until 1961, Las Anod was the seat of Garad Ali's USP party. With Las Anod as its seat, Garad Ali's USP party formed a coalition consisting of the Warsangeli, Gadabuursi and Dhulbahante clans. In the previous six years, Ali's father Garad Farah, was in self-induced exile in Mogadishu:

Ali Gerad Jama , the university - educated son of the Gerad ( chief ) Jama Farah ( who went into voluntary exile in Mogadiscio from 1952 to 1958 as a result of his conflict with the British administration ) provided the main drive behind the party.[24]

On October 15, 1969, whilst paying a visit to the city, Somali President Abdirashid Ali Shermarke was shot dead by one of his own bodyguards. His assassination was quickly followed by a military coup d'état on October 21, 1969 (the day after his funeral), in which the Somali Military seized power without encountering armed opposition — essentially a bloodless takeover. The putsch was spearheaded by Major General Mohamed Siad Barre, who at the time commanded the army.[8][25]

Abdirizak Cardoofe, one of over a hundred assassinated Las Anod community leaders in the 21st century

Initially, there was cordiality between the SYL party (Somali Youth League) and the northern Harti-dominated USP party; for instance the parties held joint conferences across Somalia and together expressed support for Somalia's new constitution in 1960.[26] However, post independence, Las Anod has had a history of suspicion of centralized politics, including against the unitary and Somali nationalist platform of the Somali Youth League (SYL). For example, in the 1960s, five SYL officials were killed within the city. Towards the end of the decade 16 people were once against killed when the SYL party supporters staged in the city. [27] Throughout the 21st century, Las Anod has been described as the only city in the Horn of Africa wherein the population's dignitaries are regularly assassinated without a culprit, suspect or defendant being named, including the extolled influencer Cabdirisaaq Cardoofe, assassinated in 2021.[28]

Politics

Voters in the parliamentary and municipal elections across Somaliland

As of 2021, Las Anod constituents are represented by 12 members parliament representing Sool elected in the Somaliland parliamentary elections.[29] [30] Additionally, residents are represented by 13 local councillors elected in the Somaliland municipal elections.[29] Over 100,000 residents across the region with capital being Sool registered to vote in the 2021 elections.[29]

Abdirisak Khalif who hails from Las Anod was also elected as the speaker of Somaliland's house of representatives in the same year.

Territorial dispute

Main article: Somaliland-Puntland dispute

The city is disputed by Puntland and Somaliland. The former bases its claim due to the kinship ties between the Dhulbahante clan and the dominant clan in Puntland, the Majeerteen. Whilst the later's claim is grounded on the border of the former British Somaliland Protectorate.[31] The city was the proclaimed capital of Khatumo State throughout its existence until its dissolvement in 2017.[32][33]

Somaliland forces captured the city in the Battle of Las Anod in 2007, ousting Puntland forces, and has maintained full control of the city in all aspects since.[34] Somaliland's governance of the city has "has reinforced its legitimacy from the local  population through improved security  provision and a number of tax exemptions".[35]

The residents of Las Anod have not fully accepted Somaliland's presence in their city. Ahmed Musa reports:

Somaliland independence day celebrations in Las Anod

Somaliland still governs Lasanod with little legitimacy or popularity. This is one reason why Somaliland has to be flexible with respect to tax collection. It cannot impose the full tax code on the Dhulbahante territories because that would only reinforce local people’s existing grievances vis-à-vis Somaliland. Therefore, Somaliland’s reduced taxes (cashuur dhaaf) in the Lasanod areas are one way of garnering, or at least retaining, some level of public acceptance.[35]

Geography

Las Anod is strategically positioned along the trade routes in Somaliland. The city is almost surrounded by hills and has considerable water resources, the latter of which makes it a prime destination for peoples from other parts of generally arid regions within Somaliland as well as from neighboring countries such as Somalia, Djibouti and Ethiopia [citation needed].

Economy

Evictions carried out in 2021 were reportedly due to business rivalries between locals and residents from South West State of Somalia.[36]

As a Dhulbahante territory, Las Anod and the wider former Nugaal incurred an economic embargo in 1899 prior to anti-Shiikhyaale (and wider Dervish) expeditions:[37]

"As matters stand, the gradual weaning of the tribes from the influence of the Mullah, coupled with the closing of our ports to those who shelter him or afford him assistance, are the measures I would rely on for the present in dealing with the Dolbahanta ... This done, and our hold established over the Ishak country, many of the Darod (Dolbahanta) sections may be expected to see that they have more to gain by peacefully trading with our ports than by following in the wake of this fanatical priest".

Demographics

Commemoration of Dhulbahante genocide during Darawiish wars of 1900-1920 in Las Anod 2015 with congregants wearing Shiikhyale duubcad attire

According to the UNDP 2005 the Las Anod District had an estimated population of 75,436 inhabitants.[1] The city is primarily inhabited by people from the Somali ethnic group, in particular by the Dhulbahante sub-clan of the Harti Darod,[38] with the gaashaanbuur subclan of Shiikhyaale especially well represented.[9][39]

The eastern segment of the city, which is encompassed in the metro area between Dehjuma, Daraymadoobe to Dehjeuner is primarily settled by the gaashaanbuur subclan of Indhabadan.[9] The nearest settlement to the Indhabadan locality of the eastern Las Anod metro area is Kala-jeex.[40]

Education

Las Anod has numerous primary schools which include both private and public. Currently there are 6 Primary Schools in the city of Las Anod; Gol Khatumo, Gateway, Abyan, Ilays, Imam Shafi and Sool primary schools.

Secondary school education is provided by Ilays Educational Academy, Muse Yusuf and Nugaal High Schools.[41] Founded in 2004, Nugaal University (NU) is the first post-secondary institution of higher learning to be established in the area. The first group of four-year Nugaal University students graduated in September 2009. Also there are Ilays National University and Gollis University both established in Las Anod in 2015.

Manhal Hospital

There are also a number of academic institutions in Las Anod which provide diverse education services such as Sool Institute of Heath Sciences (SIHS), Al-Furqan Islamic Institute, Sahal Software College, Future Technology Center etc.

Climate

Las Anod has a hot arid climate (Köppen BWh) with consistently very warm to hot temperatures and almost no rainfall except erratically[42] in May and October.

Climate data for Las Anod
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 27.9
(82.2) 		30.1
(86.2) 		30.8
(87.4) 		32.3
(90.1) 		32.5
(90.5) 		30.5
(86.9) 		30.3
(86.5) 		30.8
(87.4) 		32.4
(90.3) 		31.8
(89.2) 		31.5
(88.7) 		29.8
(85.6) 		30.9
(87.6)
Daily mean °C (°F) 20.3
(68.5) 		22.6
(72.7) 		23.1
(73.6) 		25.2
(77.4) 		25.9
(78.6) 		24.8
(76.6) 		25.1
(77.2) 		25.2
(77.4) 		26.2
(79.2) 		25.1
(77.2) 		24.1
(75.4) 		22.4
(72.3) 		24.2
(75.5)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 12.7
(54.9) 		15.1
(59.2) 		15.4
(59.7) 		18.2
(64.8) 		19.5
(67.1) 		19.1
(66.4) 		19.9
(67.8) 		19.7
(67.5) 		20.0
(68.0) 		18.5
(65.3) 		16.8
(62.2) 		15.1
(59.2) 		17.5
(63.5)
Average rainfall mm (inches) 1
(0.0) 		1
(0.0) 		4
(0.2) 		15
(0.6) 		52
(2.0) 		2
(0.1) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		15
(0.6) 		30
(1.2) 		10
(0.4) 		2
(0.1) 		132
(5.2)
Source: Climate-Data.org, altitude: 691 metres or 2,267 feet[43]


Culture

Media

Dhulbahante conflict (1900-1920) commemoration event in Las Anod 2016, with congregants wearing Shiikhyaale attire, i.e. a Dervish duubcad

There are many media companies whom operated in Las Anod in the 2010s, including Somnews, SBS,[44] Radio Las Anod,[45] Universal TV.[46]

The District surrounding Las Anod was also one of the first in the Horn of Africa to incur press censorship during the 1900 - 1920 expeditions:

"it was necessary to establish a censorship over the communications of newsagents and Press correspondents who were permitted to enter the theatre of operations. It was not, however, until December, 1902, ... that the General Officer Commanding was obliged to establish a censor-ship over Press communications. ... Subsequently the officer in charge of the Intelligence Department was also appointed Press censor at the head-quarters of the Field Force, with one assistant upon the lines of communication and another at the base. During the third and fourth expeditions a limited number of news agencies and papers were permitted, with the concurrence of the General Officer Commanding, to be represented in the theatre of operations by correspondents. The condition upon which licences were issued were that correspondents pledged themselves to transmit all their communications through a Press censor. These conditions were, as a rule, observed by most of the correspondents who accompanied the troops or were permitted to reside in the country. A few cases, however, occurred of serious irregularities being committed by Press correspondents, which resulted in the licences of the offenders being cancelled or suspended.[6]

The chief perception the chief governor James Hayes Sadler sought to cloud and allay was that the expeditions were an attack upon the Dhulbahante clan or of the impression of the Dervish wars as a British alliance with Ogo-inhabiting tribes, against Dhulbahante tribes:[6]

The chief danger of a large coalition of the Dolbahanta against us will lie in the possibility of our expedition being looked upon as an Ishak invasion of the Dolbahanta country. You will doubtless take all possible measures to allay any suspicion of the kind ; steps in this direction have for some time past been taken here.

Heritage

UBD (Ururuka Bilic Darwiish) is a grassroots development organization for the advancement of Las Anod and Sool

Due to an absence of international development funds in Las Anod and its wider former Nogal District province, a series of upstart development organisations have appeared in the city, including UBD - Ururka Bilic Darwiish. According to Laascaanood media figurehead Faahima Quuje, the only forms of grassroots nationalism or nativist commemoration observed in Las Anod or in the wider area of the former Nogal-district province is Daraawiish-related history[47][48][49],[unreliable source?] a sentiment concurred with by Markus Hoehne:

the claim to Dervish history was emphasized by many uses of the word Daraawiish in Laascaanood ... There was a Darawiish pharmacy and in the streets one could buy artistically decorated walking sticks favoured by elders with the name Darawiish branded on them. Many young men would, at least when talking to a social anthropologist, recite poems ... containing graphic descriptions of Dervish fighting.[50]

Notable residents

Notes

References

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Laascaanood.
  1. ^ a b "Regions, districts, and their populations: Somalia 2005 (draft)" (PDF). UNDP. Retrieved 21 September 2013.
  2. ^ Regions of Somalia
  3. ^ Hassan, Abdiqani. "Dozens killed in clashes between two Somali regions in land dispute". Reuters. Retrieved 31 January 2019.
  4. ^ Hassan, Harun Maruf. "Official: Somaliland-Puntland Clash Leaves 4 Dead". VOA News. Retrieved 31 January 2019.
  5. ^ Senelwa, Kennedy. "Are Somaliland, Puntland ready for war over land?". The East African. Retrieved 31 January 2019.
  6. ^ a b c d e British war office, 1907, page 392, "As an example of their work, I may mention that a party of 40 mounted Illalos left Bohotle in August, 1903, brushed through a fairly strong party of Dervish Illalos in the vicinity of the Dehjeuner and reconnoitred to about 10 miles east of Beretabli, a distance of 140 miles, the first 80 of which were waterless. ... the illaloes managed to penetrate well within the circle of Dervish karias (or Nomad villages), and succeeded in securing two most useful prisoners, returning with the loss of one man only, having covered a distance of 300 miles in nine days"
  7. ^ a b Hunt, John Anthony (1951). A General Survey of the Somaliland Protectorate 1944-1950 (PDF). p. 165 & 53.
  8. ^ a b Moshe Y. Sachs, Worldmark Encyclopedia of the Nations, Volume 2, (Worldmark Press: 1988), p.290.
  9. ^ a b c Taariikhdii daraawiishta iyo Sayid Maxamad Cabdille Xasan, PAGE 176, 2005
  10. ^ British War Office. 1907. At Waylahed some horses and prisoners were taken, and the native encampment, large enough to contain 10,000 people, was burned.
  11. ^ Loimeier, Roman (2013). Muslim Societies in Africa. p. 204. The Dulbahante had a number of good reasons to put their energies into ajihad: first, the British had not concluded a trade agreement or treaty with them and favored competing clans; second, the Dulbahante felt threatened by the Ethiopian advance into the Ogaden, which formed part of Dulbahante pastures
  12. ^ A Modern History of the Somali: Nation and State in the Horn of Africa, I M Lewis, 2003
  13. ^ Commonwealth office, Foreign and (1911). British and Foreign State Papers -. p. 548. a fixed residence at the point most convenient for communication with the sea, between Ras Garad and Ras Gabbe ... The territory assigned to Seyyid Mohammed and his followers is that of the Nogal ... to enter their territories ( those of the English ) in the country of the Nogal to feed their cattle there according to their former custom ... the said cattle shall not be permitted to pass beyond the pasturage of the walls enumerated hereafter .. they are the wells or Halin, and from these to those of Hudin, and from Hudin to Tifafleh, and from Tifafleh to Danot
  14. ^ a b War Office, British (1907). "Volume Two". Official history of the operations in Somaliland, 1901-04 (Volume 2 ed.). Harrison and Sons. p. 402-412. (anti-dervish expedition) "It was obvious from the first that the main operations would be conducted in the Nogal district. This tract of country was very badly and inaccurately shown on existing maps" ... "All demands for maps were met with great promptitude, and, in the case of the three Nogal maps, which were compiled in the field and sent home for reproduction,... Nogal No. 1 was compiled in the field and sent home for rapid production ... I had Nogal No. 2 compiled from all the above sources, with the addition of Wellby's route, which had been accidentally omitted from No. 1. ... I had no hesitation in making his work the basis of the new map, Nogal No. 3, and the work previously compiled in No. 2 was fitted on to it." ... "They went to Gumburu (see Nogal sketch)" ...
  15. ^ War Office, British (1907). Official history of the operations in Somaliland, 1901-04. p. 604. the Secretary of State for War stated in the House of Commons that it had been decided to discontinue the military operations ... orders were sent to the Officer Commmanding 1st Brigade to withdraw from the Nogal by the 8th May
  16. ^ Jardine, Douglas (1923). Mad Mullah of Somaliland. p. 128. tract of country known as Nogal, which forms the principal summer grazing ground of the Dolbahanta, and the Mullah's base of operations against the western and north-eastern tribes of the Protectorate. It is well known that the Dolbahanta tribe are adherents of the Mullah
  17. ^ Jardine, Douglas (1923). Mad Mullah of Somaliland. p. 124. Press at home urged General Egerton to make a sudden dash at once for the Nogal with mounted troops. This, they maintained, was all that was necessary now to terminate the Somali war.
  18. ^ "Official History of the Operations in Somaliland, 1901-04". 1907. Deria Gure – only an unconditional surrender should be accepted, no guarantee of any kind as to future treatment being given.
  19. ^ a b Samatar, Said (1982). Oral Poetry and Somali nationalism. p. 43.
  20. ^ a b Parliamentary Papers: 1850-1908 - Page 31
  21. ^ Ciise, Jaamac (1999). Diiwaanka gabayadii, 1856-1921. p. 26. Aw Cabbaas Aw Xuseen Muuse wuxuu ka mid ahaa kooxdii Sayid Muxammad Maka u raacday, ... Ina-Dheri: Xaaji Maxamuud Dheri wuxuu ka mid ahaa kooxdii Sayidka Maka u raacday,
  22. ^ Jardine, Douglas (2015). Mad Mullah of Somaliland. p. 74.
  23. ^ Lewis, IM (1999). A Pastoral Democracy: A Study of Pastoralism and Politics. p. 248.
  24. ^ Coleman, James (2021). Political Parties and National Integration in Tropical Africa. p. 544.
  25. ^ "Somalia: Somaliland forces fire on civilians in Las Anod, 1 killed" Garowe Online 7 November 2007
  26. ^ Coleman, James (1964). Political Parties and National Integration in Tropical Africa. p. 549. Warsangeli and Dulbahante clans ( Daarood ) of the SYL and the USP overwhelmingly supported the constitution .
  27. ^ http://content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,901578,00.html
  28. ^ https://geeska.net/sool-xildhibaan-ka-mid-ahaa-golaha-deegaanka-laascaanood-oo-xalay-la-dilay/
  29. ^ a b c "2021 Parliamentary Election". SLNEC. Retrieved 2021-12-08.
  30. ^ Michael Walls, Mark Stevens, Kate Sullivan, Sarah Fradgley and Dominic Howell (2021). Final Report on the Somaliland House of Representatives and local council elections, 31 May 2021. UK: The Bartlett Development Planning Unit.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  31. ^ "Averting War in Northern Somalia". International Crisis Group. Retrieved 31 January 2019.
  32. ^ Mahmood, Omar (2019). "Overlapping claims by Somaliland and Puntland: The case of Sool and Sanaag" (PDF). Institute for Security Studies: 7. Retrieved 29 May 2021.
  33. ^ "What is Khatumo? A Special Report on SSC region of Northern Somalia". Somali Report. 2012. Retrieved 12 June 2021.
  34. ^ "Puntland and Somaliland Clashing in Northern Somalia: Who Cuts the Gordian Knot?*". hornofafrica.ssrc.org. Archived from the original on 17 November 2007. Retrieved 10 July 2018.
  35. ^ a b Musa, Ahmed. "Lasanod: City at the margins" (PDF). Rift Valley Institute: 29. Retrieved 8 October 2021.
  36. ^ https://www.garoweonline.com/en/news/somaliland/somaliland-president-bihi-differs-with-un-over-las-anod-evictions
  37. ^ of Commons, House (1901). Sessional Papers. p. 32. As matters stand, the gradual weaning of the tribes from the influence of the Mullah, coupled with the closing of our ports to those who shelter him or afford him assistance, are the measures I would rely on for the present in dealing with the Dolbahanta ... This done, and our hold established over the Ishak country, many of the Darod (Dolbahanta) sections may be expected to see that they have more to gain by peacefully trading with our ports than by following in the wake of this fanatical priest.
  38. ^ Roble, Faisal (22 October 2007) "Somaliland: Is Invading Los Anod Part of Creating 'New Reality on the Ground'"? Archived 2008-05-25 at the Wayback Machine WardheerNews.Com
  39. ^ Note:A gaashaanbuur refers to a political alliance rather than a patrilineal alliance
    • Sensenig, Peter (2016). Peace Clan: Mennonite Peacemaking in Somalia. p. 231.
    • Sool Multi-Cluster Initial Rapid Assessment. 2018. p. 2. between Bah-hararsame and Qayaad sub – clan in some settlements of southern Laascaanod
  40. ^ https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/Sool%20Region-%20WASH%20Cluster_Completed%20Activities%202012_A3.pdf
  41. ^ "Ilays National University". Ilays Educational Academy. Archived from the original on 4 June 2011. Retrieved 29 January 2015.
  42. ^ Dewar, Robert E. and Wallis, James R; ‘Geographical patterning of interannual rainfall variability in the tropics and near tropics: An L-moments approach’; in Journal of Climate, 12; pp. 3457-3466
  43. ^ "Climate: Las Anod - Climate graph, Temperature graph, Climate table". Climate-Data.org. Retrieved 25 September 2016.
  44. ^ https://www.nusoj.org/another-journalist-arrested-as-harassment-and-arbitrary-arrests-of-journalists-intensify/
  45. ^ https://cpj.org/tags/somaliland/page/7/
  46. ^ https://ipi.media/wave-of-media-intimidation-in-somaliland/
  47. ^ https://ne-np.facebook.com/cabaasmadani129/videos/laascaanood-oo-lagaga-dhawaaqay-urur-cusub-bilic-darwiish/784502448903932/
  48. ^ Braccini, C. "Somalie." Diplomatie 111 (2021): 8-9.
  49. ^ Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: "XILDHIBAN FIHIMA YUSUF O WARBAHINTA U SHEGTAY INAY QABAN DONTO XUSKA MALINTA DARASHISHED". YouTube.
  50. ^ https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/Between%20Somaliland%20and%20Puntland%20by%20Markus%20Hoehne%20-%20RVI%20Contested%20Borderlands%20%282015%29%20%281%29.pdf
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