Sheekhaal
Somali clan
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Sheekhaal (var. Sheikhaal, Arabic: شيخال), also known as Fiqi Cumar is a clan that inhabits Somalia, Ethiopia, Djibouti and with considerable numbers also found in the Northern Frontier District (NFD) in Kenya.
- Qudub Fiqi Umar (Reer Aw Qudub)
- Ahmed Fiqi Umar (Reer Axmed Loobage)
- Haasan Fiqi Umar (Reer Aw Xasan)
- Mohamed Fiqi Umar (Sheekhaal jaziira)
- Osman Fiqi Umar (Sheekhaal Gendershe)
| Sheikhaal بنو شيخال | |
|---|---|
| Somali clan | |
| Ethnicity | Somali |
| Location |  Ethiopia Somalia |
| Descended from | Abadir Umar ar-Rida |
| Branches |
|
| Language | Somali Arabic |
| Religion | Sunni Islam |
Overview
Sheekhal traces its ancestry to Sheikh Abadir Umar Ar-Rida, also known as Fiqi Umar, who in turn traced his lineage to the first caliph, Abu Bakr (Sayid Abubakar Al-Sadiq).[1]
According to the explorer Richard F. Burton, in his book First Footsteps in East Africa, the Sheekhaal are described as the only Somalis who maintain a tradition of genealogy not derived from Dir and Darood. They claim descent from "Caliph Abu Bakr" and asserted that their ancestor Khutab bin Fakih Umar crossed over from Al-Hijaz to the Horn of Africa.[2] Fiqi Umar crossed over with his six sons: Umar the Greater, Umar the Lesser, the two Abdillahs, Ahmad and Siddik.[3] Sheikh Ar-Rida is also regarded the patron saint of Harar.[4] The lineage goes back to Banu Taym, through the first Caliph Abu Bakr.[5]
Some clans of Sheekhaal would argue that while they are politically aligned with the larger Hawiye clan, this does not mean that they are Hawiye.[6] This view is shared by the Aw-Qutub, one of the Sheekhaal subclans; they too totally reject the notion that the Sheekhal clan are part of Hawiye. Lobogay (Loboge) are considered part of (Hiraab, Aw Qudub and Gendershe and Ali).[7]
Lewis (1982) mentions that the largest clan of the Sheikhal is the Reer Fiqi Omar, whose most important lineage, the Reer Aw Qutub, inhabit the Somali Region of Ethiopia.[8] The Sheekhal clans were reportedly considered as part of the Hawiye politically until after the civil war.[9]
General Mohamed Ibrahim Liiqliqato, who was a Sheikhal, described in his book how the Sheikhal became associated with the Hawiye and added as ‘Martileh Hiraab’ (literally meaning guests of Hiraab).[10] The Sheekhaal are also mentioned to be one of the religious groups of Somalia along with the Asharaf.[11]
The Wardiq a now sub clan of Issa are historically associated with the Sheekhal.[12]
Sheekhaal clans
Prominent figures
- Mohammed Sheikh Jamal, Mayor of Mogadishu 1956 – 1958.
- Abdulrahman Kinana, first Speaker of the East African Legislative Assembly, 2001–2006; former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Defence of Tanzania.
- Mohamed Ibrahim Liqliiqato, Prominent Somali politician, diplomat, and Major General from Kismayo lower Jubba region. He was a Somali ambassador to the Soviet Union, and ambassador to West-Germany in 1970s. He also held the ministry of Agriculture and Interior ministry. He is the longest-serving speaker of the parliament, holding the position from 1982 to 1991. The Liiqliiqato bridge in Beledwen named after him.
- Mohammed Hussein Ali, former commissioner of the Kenya Police and Major General.
- Dahir Adan Elmi, chief of Somali Armed Forces, major general and the commander of Qabdir-Daharre Battalion in Somalia-Ethiopian War in 1977 who won bravery golden award that war. He is regarded as the most decorated general in Somali army.
- Mohamed Nadif , Current Member of Parliament, Federal Republic of Somalia
- Mohamed Ali Kariye, Renowned Somali poet and songwriter