Thursday, September 29, 2011

MOGADISHU (Sunatimes) Guessing Alshabaab's Composition

MOGADISHU (Sunatimes) A new report published on Somalia’s widely read website (www.waagacusub.com) on Tuesday shows that the Al-Qaeda inspired militant group Al-Shabaab in Somalia has 14,426 fighters in many parts of the country.

Quoting some of Al-Shabaab militant officials, the report says the biggest number of Al-Shabaab militias is from Digil and Mirifle clans of Rahanwein tribe totaling 4,230 fighters as indicated in the list of the clans and their figure. Rahanwein is the main dominant tribe in southwest Somalia.

3,106 soldiers of Al-Shabaab are from Darod tribe mainly from Ogaden and Marehan clans who are inhabitants in southern Somalia.

2,401 are from Hawiye tribe mostly from Duduble and Murursade clans in the country’s central and southern regions.

1,982 from Al-Qaeda foreign fighters, among of them are highly skilled military experts with war strategy and information intelligence.

1,702 are largely from Isaaq clan of Somalia’s northern Dir tribe as 753 fighters of that number belonging especially to the sub-clan of Al-Shabaab’s leader Ahmed Godane.

1,005 are from the minority clans in Somalia those who are students and farmers recruited from the southern parts of the country.

Al-Shabaab, which now controls much of southern and central Somalia, seems to be rooted in the horn of African nation that became safe haven for the most wanted Al-Qaeda operatives in the world.

By Dahir Alasow

dahiralasow@yahoo.com

Fatuhal Xabash: OO sheegaya xiligii Axmed Gurey Mareehanka in ay ka mid ahayeen Habar Magadle

Fatuhal Xabash: OO sheegaya xiligii Axmed Gurey Mareehanka in ay ka mid ahayeen Habar Magadle



The proceedings of the First International Congress of Somali Studies
books.google.ca
Hussein Mohamed Adam, Charles Lee Geshekter, Somali Studies International Association - 1992 - 923 pages - Snippet view
identified as Ahmad Guray Xusseyn, chief of the Habar Magadle.* Another reference, however, appears to link the Habar Magadle with the Marrehan. The other Ahmad of Shihab ad-Din's history is directly referred to as "the Imam Ahmad" or ...






http://books.google.ca/books?id=923RPSYnuC4C&pg=PA30&dq=magadle&hl=en&ei=JzqETpeEAunciAKExNmmDA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=8&ved=0CFIQ6AEwBw#v=onepage&q=magadle&f=false

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

MAH MAHYO SOMALIA IYO INGRIIS

MAH MAHYO SOMALIA IYO INGRIIS
Maahmaahyo Somali iyo ingiriis ah

1. Aabayeelid li'ida goorta iyo goobta. Regardless of time and space.
2. Aadane gef lagama waayo. To err is human.
3. Aammusnaan waa oggolaansho barkeed. Silence gives consent.
4. Af daboolan waa dahab. Speech is silver, silence is gold.
5. Afkeennu waysu ammaan. Between you and me.
6. Akhri sadarrada dhexdooda. To read between the lines.
7. Ammin dumay dib uma soo laabto. Lost time is never found again.
8. Aqooni waa awood. Knowledge is power.
9. Aqoonla'aani waa iftiinla'aan. Learning is the eye of the mind.
10. Aragtida qaanuunka. The eyes of the law.
11. Awr hal waa loo tu’in karaa, ninse naag looma tu’in karo. Love cannot be compelled.
12. Ballandarro waa diindarro. A promise is a promise.
13. Baruur keliya baa baruuro qurmisa. One scabbed sheep infects the whole flock.
14. Baryaaye waa aadane, bixiyana Eebbe weeye. / Dadku waa dalbade, deeqfidiyahana Daa’inka weeye. / Talo maaha aadmigu Tuu uur jecleystee, Hadba waa Ilaahay Arrintuu hirgeliyaa. Man proposes but God disposes.
15. Beeni raad ma leh. Lies have short legs.
16. Beentaada hore runtaada dambe bay u daran tahay. A liar is not believed when he speaks the truth.
17. Bidaari sibiq bay kugu gashaa. Baldness comes up on you stealthily.
18. Budee inta birtu kulushahay. Strike while the iron is hot.
19. Caano uma kabbado. Make no scruple about smth
. 20. Cagta cagta u saar. Breathe down smb.’s neck.
21. Cagweynta ayaa gabyi. Money talks.
22. Calool dheregsani calool baahan kama naxdo. A man with a full belly thinks no one is hungry. / He that is warm thinks all so.
23. Cayaar carruureed. Child's play.
24. Cir kaa dheer, dhul kaa dheer. Between the devil and the deep blue sea.
25. Cunto-u-noole uun ha ahaannin, cunnadase ku noolaasho u quudo. Live not to eat, but eat to live.
26. Dabaggaalle timir gaariwaayay `qadhaadhaa!´ buu yiraahdaa. Sour grapes.
27. Daljirka Daahsoon. The Unknown Soldier.
28. Dantaa lagu ogaadaa naflaha, kii dir kuu xiga’e. / Baahida, dadka waad ku barataa. A Friend in need is a friend indeed.
29. Degdegsiinyo door ma dhaliso. More haste, less speed.
30. Diid ama ha diidin. Willy-nilly.
31. Dil waqtiga. Kill time.
32. Dux iyo dareen la’aan. A dry stick.
33. Dhagax qudha ku dil labo shimbirood. Kill two birds with one stone.
34. Dhammaan wixii dhalaala dheemman maaha. All is not gold that glitters.
35. Dhexdhexaadiye. Go-between
36. Dhex iyo dhexaad. Betwixt and between.
37. Dhibbaan eebo waa laga bogsadaa, dhaawaca carrabka aadanase lagama bogsado. One heals from a spear wound, but not from a wound from the human tongue.
38. Dhibla’aan dheefi ma timaaddo. He that will eat the kernel must crack the nut.
39. Dhurwaaga midka ciya iyo ka aammusa, ka ciya ayaa roon. Better the devil you know than the devil you don’t know.
40. Eebbow iga badbaadi sharka saaxiibbaday; nacabkayga aniga ayaa iska difaacaya. God defend me from my friends; from my enemies I can defend myself.
41. Fadhi-ku-dirir. An armchair fighter.
42. Falka iyo iswaafaji fekerka. To practice what one preaches.
43. Faras-hadiyo foolkiisa lama feydo. Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth.
44. Fool-ka-fool. Face to face.
45. Fuley geesi hortii buu dhintaa. Cowards die many times before their deaths.
46. Fursad munaasabad. Await smb.’s convenience.
47. Fursadda ugu horreysa. At one’s earliest convenience.
48. Gaalka dil, gartiisana sii. Give the devil his due.
49. Gacmo badan ayaa garabsiin hawl fududeeya. / Wadajir bay gacmuhu wax ku gooyaan. Many hands make light work.
50. Gacmo furan. With open arms.
51. Gacmo isweydaartay ayay galladi ka dhalataa. Friendship cannot stand always on one side.
52. Garaadyo laysu keenay ayay garasho ka dhalataa. Four eyes see more than two.
53. Garo naftaada. Know thyself.
54. Geel kolkii loo heeso, goroyo u hees. Speak a different language.
55. Geeriyi nin aanad garanayn iyo geeljire ayay ku wacan tahay. Death is a commonplace only when it happens to camel-herders and to people you don't know.
56. Gees lo'aad kulaylka ayaa lagu gooyaa. Make hay while the sun shines.
57. Gogol rag waa godob la’aan. A good conscience is a soft pillow.
58. Good iyo abeeso waxba isma doorshaan. Between two evils ’tis not worth choosing.
59. Guul ama geeri. Do or die.
60. Guulle haydin gargaaro! God bless you!
61. Habar fadhida legdin la fudud. Easier said than done.
62. Hadal calool baahan ma buuxsho. Fine words butter no parsnips.
63. Hadal daan la qabto ayuu leeyahay. A word spoken is past recalling.
64. Haddii kale. Or else.
65. Had iyo jeeraale ruux toosani ma jiro. No man is wise at all times.
66. Hadduusan qadhaadh jireen, miyaa la qiri lahaa malab? Who has never tasted bitter, knows not what is sweet.
67. Ha dhaafin, ha dhiteen oo dib haw dhigan hawl eegga ku dhawri! Procrastination is the thief of time.
68. Hadhuub caano daata, dabada ayaa la qabtaa. It is no use crying over spilt milk.
69. Hal aad nin ku baratay kaama luminnin. No great loss without some small gain.
70. Hawl aan laguu dirsannin dalaq ha soo orannin. / Hawl yeello. Mind one’s own affairs.
71. Heddeedii / heddiisii baa gashay. One’s time has come.
72. Huriweyto hooyada ikhtiraaca weeye. Necessity is the mother of invention.
73. Iga fog fadqalallo. Out of the woods.
74. Ilaahow, Adaa Qaaddir ah. God Almighty.
75. Indhahaaga oo shan ah. Under smb.'s nose.
76. Indholaawe illaawe ayaa dhaama. Better one-eyed than stone-blind.
77. In la waayo raagidda ayaa ka wacan. Better late than never.
78. Inta aadan falin ka fiirso. Look before you leap.
79. Isha ayaa u macallin ah. Speaks for itself.
80. Isha ka rid. Hit the right nail on the head.
81. Ixsaanka ehelka ayuu ka unkamaa. Charity begins at home.
82. Jidka ku dhac. Hit the road.
83. Ka aammusnaan mu’aamaraad. A conspiracy of silence.
84. Kol hadday wasaayad jirto, waddana waa jirtaa. Where there's a will, there's a way.
85. Kor muuqaal u hayn. Keep up appearances.
86. Kor waayeel waa wada indho. Old birds are not to be caught with chaff.
87. Kuma weeye kuma. Who’s who.
88. Kun iyo kow hawlood. A thousand and one.
89. Kutiri-kuteenno ayaa kadlaynaya. Rumours are going round.
90. Khayr wax kaama dhimmee, shar u toog hay. Hope for the best and prepare for the worst.
91. Labawajiile. Show a false face.
92. Labo daran mid dooro. Of two evils choose the least.
93. Labo oodafo iskama abaal weydo. Claw me and I will claw thee.
94. Lama halmaamaan. Second to none.
95. Lillaahi iyo laqdabo meel ma wada galaan. Straightforwardness and slyness cannot enter one and the same place.
96. Lumi waqtiga. Lose time.
97. Macaan midnimo ayaa leh. Union is strength.
98. Ma noola mana dhimannin. Neither dead nor alive.
99. Mannooge baa raxan leh, maquuste baa reer leh. / Hawlkarnimo waa hooyada hannaanka guusha. Diligence is the mother of success.
100. Mar la dage, digtoonaa. Once bitten twice shy.
101. Mar maaha. Time and again.
102. Masallaha dhulkiyo ciiddu waa, mahudhadaadiiye. East or West, home is best.
103. Meel siday u taallo ayaa loola yaallaa. Do at Rome as the Romans do.
104. Miro gunti ku jira, kuwo geed saaran looma daadsho. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
105. Muunad cadow u ahe, waa dhalan nacab u ahe. An enemy to beauty is a foe to nature.
106. Naasnuujinta iyo naxdingelinta. The carrot and the stick.
107. Naga duw, Eebbow, aafaadka soconaya. God, save us from the present disasters.
108. Nimaad dhashay kuma dhalinnin. Your offspring are not your parents.
109. Nimaan dhididin ma dhergo. No sweet without sweat.
110. Nimaan shaqaysan shaah waa ka xaaraan. He that will not work shall not eat.
111. Nin daad qaaday xumbo cuskay. A drowning man will catch at a straw.
112. Nin dhintay kabahiisa ayaa dhaama. A living dog is better than a dead lion.
113. Nin waliba wuxuu yahay ayuu ku moodaa. Measure smb.’s corn by one’s own bushel.
114. Ninba meesha bugta isaga ayay belbeshaa. / Ninba meesha laga hayo, hay ama haabay. Every heart knows its own bitterness. / Everyone talks about the things on his mind.
115. Oofi ereygaaga! Keep one's word.
116. Qaanuun addeece. Law-abiding.
117. Qaanuunka qarjoogta. The jungle law.
118. Qalad qalad ka dabagee qallooc aan la saxin buu dhalaa. / Xumaani xumaan ma dhaqdo. Two wrongs don’t make a right.
119. Qalinka ayaa qoriga ka quwad weyn. The pen is mightier than the sword.
120. Qasad dhammaystirma waa marmarsiinyaha wasiilada. The end justifies the means.
121. Qayaxid daliileed. Burden of proof.
122. Qayblibaax. The lion’s share.
123. Ruux walbowba raaco danahaaga. Every man for himself and the devil take the hindmost.
124. Saafi. Simon-pure.
125. Sababtaas darteed. By the same token.
126. Samraa sed weyn hela. Everything comes to him who waits.
127. Sankunneefle maaha soorunnoole. Man shall not live by bread alone.
128. Sebi saancadde suxufinnimo bar. Teach one’s grandmother to suck eggs.
129. Sixinka ugu wacan safrad weeye. / Garow iidaankiis gaajo weeye. Hunger is the best sauce.
130. Shaki shafeecid shakhsi. Give smb. the benefit of the doubt.
131. Shakhsi aan is xushmaynnin lama sharfo. He that respects not is not respected.
132. Shayddaankuba farax kolkuu, shuush u toog qabine. The devil is good when he is pleased.
133. Shimbir waliba shimbirkeeda ayay la duushaa. Birds of a feather flock together.
134. Shinkeedii baa dhow. She is near her time.
135. Shulleyn ayaa shaafiyayn ka shiddo yar. Prevention is better than cure.
136. Waa wax fahamkoodu iga sarreeyo. It is beyond me.
137. Wadnaha ka qabo. Give somebody a hard time.
138. Waqtigu lacag weeye. Time is money.
139. Wararka suuqa. The talk of the town.
140. War iyo wacaal lagama hayo. Nothing is heard of smb.
141. Wasiilada dhammaystirka. Means to an end.
142. Wax qof dila ayaa qof kale dawo u ah. One man’s meat is another man’s poison.
143. Wax walbaayi waxay ku socdaan sidii loogu talaggalay. Everything is under control.
144. Waxaan naf lahayn. Next to nothing.
145 Af jooga looma adeego.
146 Af macaan, gacan macaan baa dhaanta.
147 Af wax cunay xishoo.
148 Abaal raaga rag baa leh.
149 Adduun waa hadhka labadiisa gelin.
150 Ama afeef hore lahow, ama adkeysin dambe lahow.
151 Ama buur ahaw, ama buur ku tiirsanow.
152 Amaano kugu raagtay yedaa baad moodaa.
153 Aqoon la´aani waa iftiin la´aan.

Ugaas Gadiid Cabdillaahi Buux oo Geeriyooday

Ugaas Gadiid Cabdillaahi Buux oo Geeriyooday
09/21/00


21 September 2011

Diridhaba Waxaa maanta magaalada Diridhaba lagu aasay Ugaas Gadiid Cabdillahi Buux oo ahaa ugaas beesha Gurgure. Aaska Ugaaska ayay dad badan oo qaybaha bulshada kasocday kasoo qaybgaleen, waxaana kamid ahaa wafdi kasocday Dawlad Deegaanka Soomaalida.

Ugaas Gadiid ayaa ugaasnimada beesha Gurgure hayay sodonkii sano ee lasoo dhaafay, wuxuuna ahaa nin aad looga yaqaano Gobolka Shiniile iyo magaalada Diridhaba. Sida ay dadka Ugaas Gadiid aqoonta uleh sheegayaan, ugaasku wuxuu ahaa nin nabaddoon ah oo bulshada deegaanka isukeena, danaha dadkana kashaqeeya. Ugaas Gadiid waxay inbadan soo wada shaqeeyeen ugaaskii hore ee beesha Ciise, Ugaas Xasan.

Wuxuu ugaasku ahaa nin wayne, waxayna dadka yaqaana Kilil5 usheegeen in da’diisu ahayd 52 sano. Ugaaska ayaa lasheegay inuu si caadi ah udhintay. Ugaas Gadiid ayaa lasheegay in uusan katagin wax ubad ah. Waxaanu hadaan nahay shaqaalaha shabakada kilil5 Allaah ugabaryaynaa inuu naxariistiisa kawaraabiyo,janadana guri wayn oo uu kunasto kasiiyo.Waxaanu sidoo kale leenahay ehelka garaadka,bulshawaynta Soomaliyeed iyo beelwaynta Gurgure kasiiyo sabir iyo Iiman.

Waxaa sidoo kale,halkan tacsi ugadiraya beelwaynta Gurgure iyo eheladii garaadka:

Cabdi M Muuse -Godcusbo
Maxamed Aden obyaal
C/xakiim Aden obyaal
Yuusuf Aden obyaal
Maxamed ismail obyaal
Dr. Redwaan ismail Obyaal
Eng- Abdirahman ismail obyaal
Xaaji Saalax siciid Adiiq
Yuusuf Cali ibraahim
Maxamed Xaaji Nuur
C/laahi xaaji Nuur
Maxamed Axmed sulux
C/qaadir Yuusuf Habane
Maxamed Axmed Habane
Nadiifo saalax Aden
Maryan siciid subagle
sahnuun Amin cismaan
Yuusuf ismaaciil Aw Nuur
Jamal Cali Yuusuf
Dr cismaan maxamed yoodh
Cali ismaaciil xaaji Nuur iyo Xaaskiisa
Mustafe ismaaciil xaaji Nuur iyo xaaskiisa
C/Laahi saleebaan cumar
Maxamed saleebaan cumar
yuusuf saleebaan cumar
ismahaan saleebaan cumar
c/salaan saleebaan cumar
ibraahim saleebaan cumar
Hinda saleebaan cumar
Gadiid maxamed Gadiid
yuusuf xaaji khayre
maxamed cabdi Aden- kulmis
Yuusuf cabdilaahi warancadde

Marxuumka waxan leenahay naxariistii jano eebe ha siiyo dhamaan ehelka iyo qaraabada iyo beelwaynta Gurgure waxan leenahay badal khayr qaba iyo samir iyo iimaan....

THE GURGURE DIR CLAN OF DIRA DHAWA

http://beeshadireed.blogspot.com

THE GURGURE DIR CLAN OF DIRA DHAWA

The City Dirra Dhawe (place were the Dir worriors Hit with their spears or conquered) as they named it in the 1450's, after the Gurgura worriors of Adal Kingdom freed the town from Christian invaders of the Ethiopian Higlands and ever since they remain the protectors of that town.
The Oromo call the Maxammed Madaxweyn Dir, Gurgura or Warra Gurgura which in Oromo means the trader, sells men, or merchant. Figuratively, it means in Oroma too, to cheat. Also in the Oroma languege it means Shop, shopper or merchandise and the act of selling.
In old Somali, the word comes from Gorgortan or to sell or barter. Gurgure means also in Somali to carry, for example things or mechandise, therefore, the Somali Isasa and Gadabursi in Zaila area from long time ago called the Gurgure carriers of merchandise to Harrar and as far as the Highlands of Shoa and Wallo. The Oromo adopted that name in 1600 when they invaded Harrar area.
The Gurgure were the dominant trading clan in Eastern Ethiopian Harrar pleatue from the 1500s. They exported to the Middle East, coffee beans, Ivory, Ostrich feathers, slaves, hides of leapords, rhino horns, and gum from hinterland Ethiopia. And returned to Ethiopia salt from Zaila or Djibouti coast. The Gurgure also were were major suppliers to beads, weapons like swords, and other metal utinsiles.
who claim to be Dir. And the Booran section of Dirre which is a Booran Moiet and also territorial group have several Dir clans amoungst them and that whole moiet claims that the entire Dirre section is of Dir origin.
Subclans of the Gurgure
The main Gurgure subclans are:
1)Habar Daar which includes:
* Reer Kundhuuble
* Ali
* Cabdille
2)Guwaah and Liibaan
Gu'waah include:
* Reer Gufaatiile
* Reer Sanceele
* Reer Sanye
Liibaan Include:
* Nabidoor
* Gacalwaaq
* Baciido
Also to this day the Gurgure live in the Somaliland state not far from Zaila, in Arabsiyo, Ijaara, Awabarre and Wajaale areas there are large populations of Gurgure . Many still maintain there ancient trade of carrying merchandise between Northern Somalia and Ethiopia. Also those Gurgure traders of Zaila shifted their trade to Djibouti in 1700s. Unfortunatly, the Gurgure lost this art of trade and business in the last 150 years and many young Gurgures have not adopted the art.
Other Dir groups like the Dudub of Gadabuursi and Reer Gullen of Issas took over where the Gurgure left from 1820s. By 1902 the Dira Dhawe-Djibouti train was built the Gurgure ceased to be active in Somali trade and concentrated in trading with Oromo Muslims like the Itu and Ale who were ancient partners and who trained under them, today the Ale and Itu are more involved in trade then the Gurgure or Akisho. Even in Dirra Dhawa a Gurgure town you will find very few Gurgure traders.
The Oromo Bareentuma of Harrar region, call the Gurguras Maanguuda, or the wise ones. The Gurgura are surrounded by the Itu, Ale and Anniya who they trade with since the 1600s and they speak their langueges fluen
Noole Group Gurgure saved from Oromo destruction
The Noole, one group that is very Somalized and at times claim to be Madaxeweyn Direed are on group that is allied to the Gurgure and lives in the Gurgure region. The closest kinsman of the Gurgure in the region are the Akisho.
Fatuuh Al Habas mentions Gurgure name
The Gurgure Dir were well known as traders and their name was in fact used as early as the 1550's, as they are mentioned in Fatuh Al Habash, the book that described the campaigns of Ahmed Guray ( Ahmed Grange). The Fatuh Al Habash a book written by Shihab Al Din, who left use a full description of Gurey's Campaigns, depicts the Gurgura as fierce worriors who were the best horsemen who contributed 4,800 of their fiercest worriors on horse back, who stuck terror on the infidels hearts and the Gurgure's colorful display and wild chanting of Allahu Akbar , at the Shimbir Kurey Battle.

LOVE XERAALE LAND OF MILK AND HONEY


LOVE XERAALE LAND OF MILK AND HONEY

Sheikh Turned Ape Sheikh Danyeer isu Rogay


The Art of War

Chapter summary
1.Laying Plans/The Calculations explores the five fundamental factors (the Way, seasons, terrain, leadership, and management) and seven elements that determine the outcomes of military engagements. By thinking, assessing and comparing these points, a commander can calculate his chances of victory. Habitual deviation from these calculations will ensure failure via improper action. The text stresses that war is a very grave matter for the state, and must not be commenced without due consideration.
2.Waging War/The Challenge explains how to understand the economy of warfare, and how success requires winning decisive engagements quickly. This section advises that successful military campaigns require limiting the cost of competition and conflict.
3.Attack by Stratagem/The Plan of Attack defines the source of strength as unity, not size, and discusses the five factors that are needed to succeed in any war. In order of importance, these critical factors are: Attack, Strategy, Alliances, Army, and Cities.
4.Tactical Dispositions/Positioning explains the importance of defending existing positions until a commander is capable of advancing from those positions in safety. It teaches commanders the importance of recognizing strategic opportunities, and teaches not to create opportunities for the enemy.
5.Energy/Directing explains the use of creativity and timing in building an army's momentum.
6.Weak Points & Strong/Illusion and Reality explains how an army's opportunities come from the openings in the environment caused by the relative weakness of the enemy in a given area.
7.Maneuvering/Engaging The Force explains the dangers of direct conflict and how to win those confrontations when they are forced upon the commander.
8.Variation in Tactics/The Nine Variations focuses on the need for flexibility in an army's responses. It explains how to respond to shifting circumstances successfully.
9.The Army on the March/Moving The Force describes the different situations in which an army finds itself as it moves through new enemy territories, and how to respond to these situations. Much of this section focuses on evaluating the intentions of others.
10.Terrain/Situational Positioning looks at the three general areas of resistance (distance, dangers, and barriers) and the six types of ground positions that arise from them. Each of these six field positions offer certain advantages and disadvantages.
11.The Nine Situations/Nine Terrains describes the nine common situations (or stages) in a campaign, from scattering to deadly, and the specific focus that a commander will need in order to successfully navigate them.
12.The Attack by Fire/Fiery Attack explains the general use of weapons and the specific use of the environment as a weapon. This section examines the five targets for attack, the five types of environmental attack, and the appropriate responses to such attacks.
13.The Use of Spies/The Use of Intelligence focuses on the importance of developing good information sources, and specifies the five types of intelligence sources and how to best manage each of them.


Authenticity







The Art of War

By Sun Tzu

Translated by Lionel Giles

I. Laying Plans

1. Sun Tzu said: The art of war is of vital importance to the State.

2. It is a matter of life and death, a road either to safety or to ruin. Hence it is a subject of inquiry which can on no account be neglected.

3. The art of war, then, is governed by five constant factors, to be taken into account in one's deliberations, when seeking to determine the conditions obtaining in the field.

4. These are: (1) The Moral Law; (2) Heaven; (3) Earth; (4) The Commander; (5) Method and discipline.

5,6. The Moral Law causes the people to be in complete accord with their ruler, so that they will follow him regardless of their lives, undismayed by any danger.

7. Heaven signifies night and day, cold and heat, times and seasons.

8. Earth comprises distances, great and small; danger and security; open ground and narrow passes; the chances of life and death.

9. The Commander stands for the virtues of wisdom, sincerely, benevolence, courage and strictness.

10. By method and discipline are to be understood the marshaling of the army in its proper subdivisions, the graduations of rank among the officers, the maintenance of roads by which supplies may reach the army, and the control of military expenditure.

11. These five heads should be familiar to every general: he who knows them will be victorious; he who knows them not will fail.

12. Therefore, in your deliberations, when seeking to determine the military conditions, let them be made the basis of a comparison, in this wise:--

13. (1) Which of the two sovereigns is imbued with the Moral law? (2) Which of the two generals has most ability? (3) With whom lie the advantages derived from Heaven and Earth? (4) On which side is discipline most rigorously enforced? (5) Which army is stronger? (6) On which side are officers and men more highly trained? (7) In which army is there the greater constancy both in reward and punishment?

14. By means of these seven considerations I can forecast victory or defeat.

15. The general that hearkens to my counsel and acts upon it, will conquer: let such a one be retained in command! The general that hearkens not to my counsel nor acts upon it, will suffer defeat:--let such a one be dismissed!

16. While heading the profit of my counsel, avail yourself also of any helpful circumstances over and beyond the ordinary rules.

17. According as circumstances are favorable, one should modify one's plans.

18. All warfare is based on deception.

19. Hence, when able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must seem inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near.

20. Hold out baits to entice the enemy. Feign disorder, and crush him.

21. If he is secure at all points, be prepared for him. If he is in superior strength, evade him.

22. If your opponent is of choleric temper, seek to irritate him. Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant.

23. If he is taking his ease, give him no rest. If his forces are united, separate them.

24. Attack him where he is unprepared, appear where you are not expected.

25. These military devices, leading to victory, must not be divulged beforehand.

26. Now the general who wins a battle makes many calculations in his temple ere the battle is fought. The general who loses a battle makes but few calculations beforehand. Thus do many calculations lead to victory, and few calculations to defeat: how much more no calculation at all! It is by attention to this point that I can foresee who is likely to win or lose.

II. Waging War

1. Sun Tzu said: In the operations of war, where there are in the field a thousand swift chariots, as many heavy chariots, and a hundred thousand mail-clad soldiers, with provisions enough to carry them a thousand li, the expenditure at home and at the front, including entertainment of guests, small items such as glue and paint, and sums spent on chariots and armor, will reach the total of a thousand ounces of silver per day. Such is the cost of raising an army of 100,000 men.

2. When you engage in actual fighting, if victory is long in coming, then men's weapons will grow dull and their ardor will be damped. If you lay siege to a town, you will exhaust your strength.

3. Again, if the campaign is protracted, the resources of the State will not be equal to the strain.

4. Now, when your weapons are dulled, your ardor damped, your strength exhausted and your treasure spent, other chieftains will spring up to take advantage of your extremity. Then no man, however wise, will be able to avert the consequences that must ensue.

5. Thus, though we have heard of stupid haste in war, cleverness has never been seen associated with long delays.

6. There is no instance of a country having benefited from prolonged warfare.

7. It is only one who is thoroughly acquainted with the evils of war that can thoroughly understand the profitable way of carrying it on.

8. The skillful soldier does not raise a second levy, neither are his supply-wagons loaded more than twice.

9. Bring war material with you from home, but forage on the enemy. Thus the army will have food enough for its needs.

10. Poverty of the State exchequer causes an army to be maintained by contributions from a distance. Contributing to maintain an army at a distance causes the people to be impoverished.

11. On the other hand, the proximity of an army causes prices to go up; and high prices cause the people's substance to be drained away.

12. When their substance is drained away, the peasantry will be afflicted by heavy exactions.

13,14. With this loss of substance and exhaustion of strength, the homes of the people will be stripped bare, and three-tenths of their income will be dissipated; while government expenses for broken chariots, worn-out horses, breast-plates and helmets, bows and arrows, spears and shields, protective mantles, draught-oxen and heavy wagons, will amount to four-tenths of its total revenue.

15. Hence a wise general makes a point of foraging on the enemy. One cartload of the enemy's provisions is equivalent to twenty of one's own, and likewise a single picul of his provender is equivalent to twenty from one's own store.

16. Now in order to kill the enemy, our men must be roused to anger; that there may be advantage from defeating the enemy, they must have their rewards.

17. Therefore in chariot fighting, when ten or more chariots have been taken, those should be rewarded who took the first. Our own flags should be substituted for those of the enemy, and the chariots mingled and used in conjunction with ours. The captured soldiers should be kindly treated and kept.

18. This is called, using the conquered foe to augment one's own strength.

19. In war, then, let your great object be victory, not lengthy campaigns.

20. Thus it may be known that the leader of armies is the arbiter of the people's fate, the man on whom it depends whether the nation shall be in peace or in peril.

III. Attack by Stratagem

1. Sun Tzu said: In the practical art of war, the best thing of all is to take the enemy's country whole and intact; to shatter and destroy it is not so good. So, too, it is better to recapture an army entire than to destroy it, to capture a regiment, a detachment or a company entire than to destroy them.

2. Hence to fight and conquer in all your battles is not supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting.

3. Thus the highest form of generalship is to balk the enemy's plans; the next best is to prevent the junction of the enemy's forces; the next in order is to attack the enemy's army in the field; and the worst policy of all is to besiege walled cities.

4. The rule is, not to besiege walled cities if it can possibly be avoided. The preparation of mantlets, movable shelters, and various implements of war, will take up three whole months; and the piling up of mounds over against the walls will take three months more.

5. The general, unable to control his irritation, will launch his men to the assault like swarming ants, with the result that one-third of his men are slain, while the town still remains untaken. Such are the disastrous effects of a siege.

6. Therefore the skillful leader subdues the enemy's troops without any fighting; he captures their cities without laying siege to them; he overthrows their kingdom without lengthy operations in the field.

7. With his forces intact he will dispute the mastery of the Empire, and thus, without losing a man, his triumph will be complete. This is the method of attacking by stratagem.

8. It is the rule in war, if our forces are ten to the enemy's one, to surround him; if five to one, to attack him; if twice as numerous, to divide our army into two.

9. If equally matched, we can offer battle; if slightly inferior in numbers, we can avoid the enemy; if quite unequal in every way, we can flee from him.

10. Hence, though an obstinate fight may be made by a small force, in the end it must be captured by the larger force.

11. Now the general is the bulwark of the State; if the bulwark is complete at all points; the State will be strong; if the bulwark is defective, the State will be weak.

12. There are three ways in which a ruler can bring misfortune upon his army:--

13. (1) By commanding the army to advance or to retreat, being ignorant of the fact that it cannot obey. This is called hobbling the army.

14. (2) By attempting to govern an army in the same way as he administers a kingdom, being ignorant of the conditions which obtain in an army. This causes restlessness in the soldier's minds.

15. (3) By employing the officers of his army without discrimination, through ignorance of the military principle of adaptation to circumstances. This shakes the confidence of the soldiers.

16. But when the army is restless and distrustful, trouble is sure to come from the other feudal princes. This is simply bringing anarchy into the army, and flinging victory away.

17. Thus we may know that there are five essentials for victory: (1) He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight. (2) He will win who knows how to handle both superior and inferior forces. (3) He will win whose army is animated by the same spirit throughout all its ranks. (4) He will win who, prepared himself, waits to take the enemy unprepared. (5) He will win who has military capacity and is not interfered with by the sovereign.

18. Hence the saying: If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.

IV. Tactical Dispositions

1. Sun Tzu said: The good fighters of old first put themselves beyond the possibility of defeat, and then waited for an opportunity of defeating the enemy.

2. To secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself.

3. Thus the good fighter is able to secure himself against defeat, but cannot make certain of defeating the enemy.

4. Hence the saying: One may know how to conquer without being able to do it.

5. Security against defeat implies defensive tactics; ability to defeat the enemy means taking the offensive.

6. Standing on the defensive indicates insufficient strength; attacking, a superabundance of strength.

7. The general who is skilled in defense hides in the most secret recesses of the earth; he who is skilled in attack flashes forth from the topmost heights of heaven. Thus on the one hand we have ability to protect ourselves; on the other, a victory that is complete.

8. To see victory only when it is within the ken of the common herd is not the acme of excellence.

9. Neither is it the acme of excellence if you fight and conquer and the whole Empire says, "Well done!"

10. To lift an autumn hair is no sign of great strength; to see the sun and moon is no sign of sharp sight; to hear the noise of thunder is no sign of a quick ear.

11. What the ancients called a clever fighter is one who not only wins, but excels in winning with ease.

12. Hence his victories bring him neither reputation for wisdom nor credit for courage.

13. He wins his battles by making no mistakes. Making no mistakes is what establishes the certainty of victory, for it means conquering an enemy that is already defeated.

14. Hence the skillful fighter puts himself into a position which makes defeat impossible, and does not miss the moment for defeating the enemy.

15. Thus it is that in war the victorious strategist only seeks battle after the victory has been won, whereas he who is destined to defeat first fights and afterwards looks for victory.

16. The consummate leader cultivates the moral law, and strictly adheres to method and discipline; thus it is in his power to control success.

17. In respect of military method, we have, firstly, Measurement; secondly, Estimation of quantity; thirdly, Calculation; fourthly, Balancing of chances; fifthly, Victory.

18. Measurement owes its existence to Earth; Estimation of quantity to Measurement; Calculation to Estimation of quantity; Balancing of chances to Calculation; and Victory to Balancing of chances.

19. A victorious army opposed to a routed one, is as a pound's weight placed in the scale against a single grain.

20. The onrush of a conquering force is like the bursting of pent-up waters into a chasm a thousand fathoms deep.

V. Energy

1. Sun Tzu said: The control of a large force is the same principle as the control of a few men: it is merely a question of dividing up their numbers.

2. Fighting with a large army under your command is nowise different from fighting with a small one: it is merely a question of instituting signs and signals.

3. To ensure that your whole host may withstand the brunt of the enemy's attack and remain unshaken-- this is effected by maneuvers direct and indirect.

4. That the impact of your army may be like a grindstone dashed against an egg--this is effected by the science of weak points and strong.

5. In all fighting, the direct method may be used for joining battle, but indirect methods will be needed in order to secure victory.

6. Indirect tactics, efficiently applied, are inexhaustible as Heaven and Earth, unending as the flow of rivers and streams; like the sun and moon, they end but to begin anew; like the four seasons, they pass away to return once more.

7. There are not more than five musical notes, yet the combinations of these five give rise to more melodies than can ever be heard.

8. There are not more than five primary colors (blue, yellow, red, white, and black), yet in combination they produce more hues than can ever been seen.

9. There are not more than five cardinal tastes (sour, acrid, salt, sweet, bitter), yet combinations of them yield more flavors than can ever be tasted.

10. In battle, there are not more than two methods of attack--the direct and the indirect; yet these two in combination give rise to an endless series of maneuvers.

11. The direct and the indirect lead on to each other in turn. It is like moving in a circle--you never come to an end. Who can exhaust the possibilities of their combination?

12. The onset of troops is like the rush of a torrent which will even roll stones along in its course.

13. The quality of decision is like the well-timed swoop of a falcon which enables it to strike and destroy its victim.

14. Therefore the good fighter will be terrible in his onset, and prompt in his decision.

15. Energy may be likened to the bending of a crossbow; decision, to the releasing of a trigger.

16. Amid the turmoil and tumult of battle, there may be seeming disorder and yet no real disorder at all; amid confusion and chaos, your array may be without head or tail, yet it will be proof against defeat.

17. Simulated disorder postulates perfect discipline, simulated fear postulates courage; simulated weakness postulates strength.

18. Hiding order beneath the cloak of disorder is simply a question of subdivision; concealing courage under a show of timidity presupposes a fund of latent energy; masking strength with weakness is to be effected by tactical dispositions.

19. Thus one who is skillful at keeping the enemy on the move maintains deceitful appearances, according to which the enemy will act. He sacrifices something, that the enemy may snatch at it.

20. By holding out baits, he keeps him on the march; then with a body of picked men he lies in wait for him.

21. The clever combatant looks to the effect of combined energy, and does not require too much from individuals. Hence his ability to pick out the right men and utilize combined energy.

22. When he utilizes combined energy, his fighting men become as it were like unto rolling logs or stones. For it is the nature of a log or stone to remain motionless on level ground, and to move when on a slope; if four-cornered, to come to a standstill, but if round-shaped, to go rolling down.

23. Thus the energy developed by good fighting men is as the momentum of a round stone rolled down a mountain thousands of feet in height. So much on the subject of energy.

VI. Weak Points and Strong

1. Sun Tzu said: Whoever is first in the field and awaits the coming of the enemy, will be fresh for the fight; whoever is second in the field and has to hasten to battle will arrive exhausted.

2. Therefore the clever combatant imposes his will on the enemy, but does not allow the enemy's will to be imposed on him.

3. By holding out advantages to him, he can cause the enemy to approach of his own accord; or, by inflicting damage, he can make it impossible for the enemy to draw near.

4. If the enemy is taking his ease, he can harass him; if well supplied with food, he can starve him out; if quietly encamped, he can force him to move.

5. Appear at points which the enemy must hasten to defend; march swiftly to places where you are not expected.

6. An army may march great distances without distress, if it marches through country where the enemy is not.

7. You can be sure of succeeding in your attacks if you only attack places which are undefended.You can ensure the safety of your defense if you only hold positions that cannot be attacked.

8. Hence that general is skillful in attack whose opponent does not know what to defend; and he is skillful in defense whose opponent does not know what to attack.

9. O divine art of subtlety and secrecy! Through you we learn to be invisible, through you inaudible; and hence we can hold the enemy's fate in our hands.

10. You may advance and be absolutely irresistible, if you make for the enemy's weak points; you may retire and be safe from pursuit if your movements are more rapid than those of the enemy.

11. If we wish to fight, the enemy can be forced to an engagement even though he be sheltered behind a high rampart and a deep ditch. All we need do is attack some other place that he will be obliged to relieve.

12. If we do not wish to fight, we can prevent the enemy from engaging us even though the lines of our encampment be merely traced out on the ground. All we need do is to throw something odd and unaccountable in his way.

13. By discovering the enemy's dispositions and remaining invisible ourselves, we can keep our forces concentrated, while the enemy's must be divided.

14. We can form a single united body, while the enemy must split up into fractions. Hence there will be a whole pitted against separate parts of a whole, which means that we shall be many to the enemy's few.

15. And if we are able thus to attack an inferior force with a superior one, our opponents will be in dire straits.

16. The spot where we intend to fight must not be made known; for then the enemy will have to prepare against a possible attack at several different points; and his forces being thus distributed in many directions, the numbers we shall have to face at any given point will be proportionately few.

17. For should the enemy strengthen his van, he will weaken his rear; should he strengthen his rear, he will weaken his van; should he strengthen his left, he will weaken his right; should he strengthen his right, he will weaken his left. If he sends reinforcements everywhere, he will everywhere be weak.

18. Numerical weakness comes from having to prepare against possible attacks; numerical strength, from compelling our adversary to make these preparations against us.

19. Knowing the place and the time of the coming battle, we may concentrate from the greatest distances in order to fight.

20. But if neither time nor place be known, then the left wing will be impotent to succor the right, the right equally impotent to succor the left, the van unable to relieve the rear, or the rear to support the van. How much more so if the furthest portions of the army are anything under a hundred LI apart, and even the nearest are separated by several LI!

21. Though according to my estimate the soldiers of Yueh exceed our own in number, that shall advantage them nothing in the matter of victory. I say then that victory can be achieved.

22. Though the enemy be stronger in numbers, we may prevent him from fighting. Scheme so as to discover his plans and the likelihood of their success.

23. Rouse him, and learn the principle of his activity or inactivity. Force him to reveal himself, so as to find out his vulnerable spots.

24. Carefully compare the opposing army with your own, so that you may know where strength is superabundant and where it is deficient.

25. In making tactical dispositions, the highest pitch you can attain is to conceal them; conceal your dispositions, and you will be safe from the prying of the subtlest spies, from the machinations of the wisest brains.

26. How victory may be produced for them out of the enemy's own tactics--that is what the multitude cannot comprehend.

27. All men can see the tactics whereby I conquer, but what none can see is the strategy out of which victory is evolved.

28. Do not repeat the tactics which have gained you one victory, but let your methods be regulated by the infinite variety of circumstances.

29. Military tactics are like unto water; for water in its natural course runs away from high places and hastens downwards.

30. So in war, the way is to avoid what is strong and to strike at what is weak.

31. Water shapes its course according to the nature of the ground over which it flows; the soldier works out his victory in relation to the foe whom he is facing.

32. Therefore, just as water retains no constant shape, so in warfare there are no constant conditions.

33. He who can modify his tactics in relation to his opponent and thereby succeed in winning, may be called a heaven-born captain.

34. The five elements (water, fire, wood, metal, earth) are not always equally predominant; the four seasons make way for each other in turn. There are short days and long; the moon has its periods of waning and waxing.

VII. Maneuvering

1. Sun Tzu said: In war, the general receives his commands from the sovereign.

2. Having collected an army and concentrated his forces, he must blend and harmonize the different elements thereof before pitching his camp.

3. After that, comes tactical maneuvering, than which there is nothing more difficult. The difficulty of tactical maneuvering consists in turning the devious into the direct, and misfortune into gain.

4. Thus, to take a long and circuitous route, after enticing the enemy out of the way, and though starting after him, to contrive to reach the goal before him, shows knowledge of the artifice of deviation.

5. Maneuvering with an army is advantageous; with an undisciplined multitude, most dangerous.

6. If you set a fully equipped army in march in order to snatch an advantage, the chances are that you will be too late. On the other hand, to detach a flying column for the purpose involves the sacrifice of its baggage and stores.

7. Thus, if you order your men to roll up their buff-coats, and make forced marches without halting day or night, covering double the usual distance at a stretch, doing a hundred LI in order to wrest an advantage, the leaders of all your three divisions will fall into the hands of the enemy.

8. The stronger men will be in front, the jaded ones will fall behind, and on this plan only one-tenth of your army will reach its destination.

9. If you march fifty LI in order to outmaneuver the enemy, you will lose the leader of your first division, and only half your force will reach the goal.

10. If you march thirty LI with the same object, two-thirds of your army will arrive.

11. We may take it then that an army without its baggage-train is lost; without provisions it is lost; without bases of supply it is lost.

12. We cannot enter into alliances until we are acquainted with the designs of our neighbors.

13. We are not fit to lead an army on the march unless we are familiar with the face of the country--its mountains and forests, its pitfalls and precipices, its marshes and swamps.

14. We shall be unable to turn natural advantage to account unless we make use of local guides.

15. In war, practice dissimulation, and you will succeed.

16. Whether to concentrate or to divide your troops, must be decided by circumstances.

17. Let your rapidity be that of the wind, your compactness that of the forest.

18. In raiding and plundering be like fire, is immovability like a mountain.

19. Let your plans be dark and impenetrable as night, and when you move, fall like a thunderbolt.

20. When you plunder a countryside, let the spoil be divided amongst your men; when you capture new territory, cut it up into allotments for the benefit of the soldiery.

21. Ponder and deliberate before you make a move.

22. He will conquer who has learnt the artifice of deviation. Such is the art of maneuvering.

23. The Book of Army Management says: On the field of battle, the spoken word does not carry far enough: hence the institution of gongs and drums. Nor can ordinary objects be seen clearly enough: hence the institution of banners and flags.

24. Gongs and drums, banners and flags, are means whereby the ears and eyes of the host may be focused on one particular point.

25. The host thus forming a single united body, is it impossible either for the brave to advance alone, or for the cowardly to retreat alone. This is the art of handling large masses of men.

26. In night-fighting, then, make much use of signal-fires and drums, and in fighting by day, of flags and banners, as a means of influencing the ears and eyes of your army.

27. A whole army may be robbed of its spirit; a commander-in-chief may be robbed of his presence of mind.

28. Now a soldier's spirit is keenest in the morning; by noonday it has begun to flag; and in the evening, his mind is bent only on returning to camp.

29. A clever general, therefore, avoids an army when its spirit is keen, but attacks it when it is sluggish and inclined to return. This is the art of studying moods.

30. Disciplined and calm, to await the appearance of disorder and hubbub amongst the enemy:--this is the art of retaining self-possession.

31. To be near the goal while the enemy is still far from it, to wait at ease while the enemy is toiling and struggling, to be well-fed while the enemy is famished:--this is the art of husbanding one's strength.

32. To refrain from intercepting an enemy whose banners are in perfect order, to refrain from attacking an army drawn up in calm and confident array:--this is the art of studying circumstances.

33. It is a military axiom not to advance uphill against the enemy, nor to oppose him when he comes downhill.

34. Do not pursue an enemy who simulates flight; do not attack soldiers whose temper is keen.

35. Do not swallow bait offered by the enemy. Do not interfere with an army that is returning home.

36. When you surround an army, leave an outlet free. Do not press a desperate foe too hard.

37. Such is the art of warfare.

VIII. Variation in Tactics

1. Sun Tzu said: In war, the general receives his commands from the sovereign, collects his army and concentrates his forces

2. When in difficult country, do not encamp. In country where high roads intersect, join hands with your allies. Do not linger in dangerously isolated positions. In hemmed-in situations, you must resort to stratagem. In desperate position, you must fight.

3. There are roads which must not be followed, armies which must be not attacked, towns which must be besieged, positions which must not be contested, commands of the sovereign which must not be obeyed.

4. The general who thoroughly understands the advantages that accompany variation of tactics knows how to handle his troops.

5. The general who does not understand these, may be well acquainted with the configuration of the country, yet he will not be able to turn his knowledge to practical account.

6. So, the student of war who is unversed in the art of war of varying his plans, even though he be acquainted with the Five Advantages, will fail to make the best use of his men.

7. Hence in the wise leader's plans, considerations of advantage and of disadvantage will be blended together.

8. If our expectation of advantage be tempered in this way, we may succeed in accomplishing the essential part of our schemes.

9. If, on the other hand, in the midst of difficulties we are always ready to seize an advantage, we may extricate ourselves from misfortune.

10. Reduce the hostile chiefs by inflicting damage on them; and make trouble for them, and keep them constantly engaged; hold out specious allurements, and make them rush to any given point.

11. The art of war teaches us to rely not on the likelihood of the enemy's not coming, but on our own readiness to receive him; not on the chance of his not attacking, but rather on the fact that we have made our position unassailable.

12. There are five dangerous faults which may affect a general: (1) Recklessness, which leads to destruction; (2) cowardice, which leads to capture; (3) a hasty temper, which can be provoked by insults; (4) a delicacy of honor which is sensitive to shame; (5) over-solicitude for his men, which exposes him to worry and trouble.

13. These are the five besetting sins of a general, ruinous to the conduct of war.

14. When an army is overthrown and its leader slain, the cause will surely be found among these five dangerous faults. Let them be a subject of meditation.

IX. The Army on the March

1. Sun Tzu said: We come now to the question of encamping the army, and observing signs of the enemy. Pass quickly over mountains, and keep in the neighborhood of valleys.

2. Camp in high places, facing the sun. Do not climb heights in order to fight. So much for mountain warfare.

3. After crossing a river, you should get far away from it.

4. When an invading force crosses a river in its onward march, do not advance to meet it in mid-stream. It will be best to let half the army get across, and then deliver your attack.

5. If you are anxious to fight, you should not go to meet the invader near a river which he has to cross.

6. Moor your craft higher up than the enemy, and facing the sun. Do not move up-stream to meet the enemy. So much for river warfare.

7. In crossing salt-marshes, your sole concern should be to get over them quickly, without any delay.

8. If forced to fight in a salt-marsh, you should have water and grass near you, and get your back to a clump of trees. So much for operations in salt-marches.

9. In dry, level country, take up an easily accessible position with rising ground to your right and on your rear, so that the danger may be in front, and safety lie behind. So much for campaigning in flat country.

10. These are the four useful branches of military knowledge which enabled the Yellow Emperor to vanquish four several sovereigns.

11. All armies prefer high ground to low and sunny places to dark.

12. If you are careful of your men, and camp on hard ground, the army will be free from disease of every kind, and this will spell victory.

13. When you come to a hill or a bank, occupy the sunny side, with the slope on your right rear. Thus you will at once act for the benefit of your soldiers and utilize the natural advantages of the ground.

14. When, in consequence of heavy rains up-country, a river which you wish to ford is swollen and flecked with foam, you must wait until it subsides.

15. Country in which there are precipitous cliffs with torrents running between, deep natural hollows, confined places, tangled thickets, quagmires and crevasses, should be left with all possible speed and not approached.

16. While we keep away from such places, we should get the enemy to approach them; while we face them, we should let the enemy have them on his rear.

17. If in the neighborhood of your camp there should be any hilly country, ponds surrounded by aquatic grass, hollow basins filled with reeds, or woods with thick undergrowth, they must be carefully routed out and searched; for these are places where men in ambush or insidious spies are likely to be lurking.

18. When the enemy is close at hand and remains quiet, he is relying on the natural strength of his position.

19. When he keeps aloof and tries to provoke a battle, he is anxious for the other side to advance.

20. If his place of encampment is easy of access, he is tendering a bait.

21. Movement amongst the trees of a forest shows that the enemy is advancing. The appearance of a number of screens in the midst of thick grass means that the enemy wants to make us suspicious.

22. The rising of birds in their flight is the sign of an ambuscade. Startled beasts indicate that a sudden attack is coming.

23. When there is dust rising in a high column, it is the sign of chariots advancing; when the dust is low, but spread over a wide area, it betokens the approach of infantry. When it branches out in different directions, it shows that parties have been sent to collect firewood. A few clouds of dust moving to and fro signify that the army is encamping.

24. Humble words and increased preparations are signs that the enemy is about to advance. Violent language and driving forward as if to the attack are signs that he will retreat.

25. When the light chariots come out first and take up a position on the wings, it is a sign that the enemy is forming for battle.

26. Peace proposals unaccompanied by a sworn covenant indicate a plot.

27. When there is much running about and the soldiers fall into rank, it means that the critical moment has come.

28. When some are seen advancing and some retreating, it is a lure.

29. When the soldiers stand leaning on their spears, they are faint from want of food.

30. If those who are sent to draw water begin by drinking themselves, the army is suffering from thirst.

31. If the enemy sees an advantage to be gained and makes no effort to secure it, the soldiers are exhausted.

32. If birds gather on any spot, it is unoccupied. Clamor by night betokens nervousness.

33. If there is disturbance in the camp, the general's authority is weak. If the banners and flags are shifted about, sedition is afoot. If the officers are angry, it means that the men are weary.

34. When an army feeds its horses with grain and kills its cattle for food, and when the men do not hang their cooking-pots over the camp-fires, showing that they will not return to their tents, you may know that they are determined to fight to the death.

35. The sight of men whispering together in small knots or speaking in subdued tones points to disaffection amongst the rank and file.

36. Too frequent rewards signify that the enemy is at the end of his resources; too many punishments betray a condition of dire distress.

37. To begin by bluster, but afterwards to take fright at the enemy's numbers, shows a supreme lack of intelligence.

38. When envoys are sent with compliments in their mouths, it is a sign that the enemy wishes for a truce.

39. If the enemy's troops march up angrily and remain facing ours for a long time without either joining battle or taking themselves off again, the situation is one that demands great vigilance and circumspection.

40. If our troops are no more in number than the enemy, that is amply sufficient; it only means that no direct attack can be made. What we can do is simply to concentrate all our available strength, keep a close watch on the enemy, and obtain reinforcements.

41. He who exercises no forethought but makes light of his opponents is sure to be captured by them.

42. If soldiers are punished before they have grown attached to you, they will not prove submissive; and, unless submissive, then will be practically useless. If, when the soldiers have become attached to you, punishments are not enforced, they will still be unless.

43. Therefore soldiers must be treated in the first instance with humanity, but kept under control by means of iron discipline. This is a certain road to victory.

44. If in training soldiers commands are habitually enforced, the army will be well-disciplined; if not, its discipline will be bad.

45. If a general shows confidence in his men but always insists on his orders being obeyed, the gain will be mutual.

X. Terrain

1. Sun Tzu said: We may distinguish six kinds of terrain, to wit: (1) Accessible ground; (2) entangling ground; (3) temporizing ground; (4) narrow passes; (5) precipitous heights; (6) positions at a great distance from the enemy.

2. Ground which can be freely traversed by both sides is called accessible.

3. With regard to ground of this nature, be before the enemy in occupying the raised and sunny spots, and carefully guard your line of supplies. Then you will be able to fight with advantage.

4. Ground which can be abandoned but is hard to re-occupy is called entangling.

5. From a position of this sort, if the enemy is unprepared, you may sally forth and defeat him. But if the enemy is prepared for your coming, and you fail to defeat him, then, return being impossible, disaster will ensue.

6. When the position is such that neither side will gain by making the first move, it is called temporizing ground.

7. In a position of this sort, even though the enemy should offer us an attractive bait, it will be advisable not to stir forth, but rather to retreat, thus enticing the enemy in his turn; then, when part of his army has come out, we may deliver our attack with advantage.

8. With regard to narrow passes, if you can occupy them first, let them be strongly garrisoned and await the advent of the enemy.

9. Should the army forestall you in occupying a pass, do not go after him if the pass is fully garrisoned, but only if it is weakly garrisoned.

10. With regard to precipitous heights, if you are beforehand with your adversary, you should occupy the raised and sunny spots, and there wait for him to come up.

11. If the enemy has occupied them before you, do not follow him, but retreat and try to entice him away.

12. If you are situated at a great distance from the enemy, and the strength of the two armies is equal, it is not easy to provoke a battle, and fighting will be to your disadvantage.

13. These six are the principles connected with Earth. The general who has attained a responsible post must be careful to study them.

14. Now an army is exposed to six several calamities, not arising from natural causes, but from faults for which the general is responsible. These are: (1) Flight; (2) insubordination; (3) collapse; (4) ruin; (5) disorganization; (6) rout.

15. Other conditions being equal, if one force is hurled against another ten times its size, the result will be the flight of the former.

16. When the common soldiers are too strong and their officers too weak, the result is insubordination. When the officers are too strong and the common soldiers too weak, the result is collapse.

17. When the higher officers are angry and insubordinate, and on meeting the enemy give battle on their own account from a feeling of resentment, before the commander-in-chief can tell whether or no he is in a position to fight, the result is ruin.

18. When the general is weak and without authority; when his orders are not clear and distinct; when there are no fixes duties assigned to officers and men, and the ranks are formed in a slovenly haphazard manner, the result is utter disorganization.

19. When a general, unable to estimate the enemy's strength, allows an inferior force to engage a larger one, or hurls a weak detachment against a powerful one, and neglects to place picked soldiers in the front rank, the result must be rout.

20. These are six ways of courting defeat, which must be carefully noted by the general who has attained a responsible post.

21. The natural formation of the country is the soldier's best ally; but a power of estimating the adversary, of controlling the forces of victory, and of shrewdly calculating difficulties, dangers and distances, constitutes the test of a great general.

22. He who knows these things, and in fighting puts his knowledge into practice, will win his battles. He who knows them not, nor practices them, will surely be defeated.

23. If fighting is sure to result in victory, then you must fight, even though the ruler forbid it; if fighting will not result in victory, then you must not fight even at the ruler's bidding.

24. The general who advances without coveting fame and retreats without fearing disgrace, whose only thought is to protect his country and do good service for his sovereign, is the jewel of the kingdom.

25. Regard your soldiers as your children, and they will follow you into the deepest valleys; look upon them as your own beloved sons, and they will stand by you even unto death.

26. If, however, you are indulgent, but unable to make your authority felt; kind-hearted, but unable to enforce your commands; and incapable, moreover, of quelling disorder: then your soldiers must be likened to spoilt children; they are useless for any practical purpose.

27. If we know that our own men are in a condition to attack, but are unaware that the enemy is not open to attack, we have gone only halfway towards victory.

28. If we know that the enemy is open to attack, but are unaware that our own men are not in a condition to attack, we have gone only halfway towards victory.

29. If we know that the enemy is open to attack, and also know that our men are in a condition to attack, but are unaware that the nature of the ground makes fighting impracticable, we have still gone only halfway towards victory.

30. Hence the experienced soldier, once in motion, is never bewildered; once he has broken camp, he is never at a loss.

31. Hence the saying: If you know the enemy and know yourself, your victory will not stand in doubt; if you know Heaven and know Earth, you may make your victory complete.

XI. The Nine Situations

1. Sun Tzu said: The art of war recognizes nine varieties of ground: (1) Dispersive ground; (2) facile ground; (3) contentious ground; (4) open ground; (5) ground of intersecting highways; (6) serious ground; (7) difficult ground; (8) hemmed-in ground; (9) desperate ground.

2. When a chieftain is fighting in his own territory, it is dispersive ground.

3. When he has penetrated into hostile territory, but to no great distance, it is facile ground.

4. Ground the possession of which imports great advantage to either side, is contentious ground.

5. Ground on which each side has liberty of movement is open ground.

6. Ground which forms the key to three contiguous states, so that he who occupies it first has most of the Empire at his command, is a ground of intersecting highways.

7. When an army has penetrated into the heart of a hostile country, leaving a number of fortified cities in its rear, it is serious ground.

8. Mountain forests, rugged steeps, marshes and fens--all country that is hard to traverse: this is difficult ground.

9. Ground which is reached through narrow gorges, and from which we can only retire by tortuous paths, so that a small number of the enemy would suffice to crush a large body of our men: this is hemmed in ground.

10. Ground on which we can only be saved from destruction by fighting without delay, is desperate ground.

11. On dispersive ground, therefore, fight not. On facile ground, halt not. On contentious ground, attack not.

12. On open ground, do not try to block the enemy's way. On the ground of intersecting highways, join hands with your allies.

13. On serious ground, gather in plunder. In difficult ground, keep steadily on the march.

14. On hemmed-in ground, resort to stratagem. On desperate ground, fight.

15. Those who were called skillful leaders of old knew how to drive a wedge between the enemy's front and rear; to prevent co-operation between his large and small divisions; to hinder the good troops from rescuing the bad, the officers from rallying their men.

16. When the enemy's men were united, they managed to keep them in disorder.

17. When it was to their advantage, they made a forward move; when otherwise, they stopped still.

18. If asked how to cope with a great host of the enemy in orderly array and on the point of marching to the attack, I should say: "Begin by seizing something which your opponent holds dear; then he will be amenable to your will."

19. Rapidity is the essence of war: take advantage of the enemy's unreadiness, make your way by unexpected routes, and attack unguarded spots.

20. The following are the principles to be observed by an invading force: The further you penetrate into a country, the greater will be the solidarity of your troops, and thus the defenders will not prevail against you.

21. Make forays in fertile country in order to supply your army with food.

22. Carefully study the well-being of your men, and do not overtax them. Concentrate your energy and hoard your strength. Keep your army continually on the move, and devise unfathomable plans.

23. Throw your soldiers into positions whence there is no escape, and they will prefer death to flight. If they will face death, there is nothing they may not achieve. Officers and men alike will put forth their uttermost strength.

24. Soldiers when in desperate straits lose the sense of fear. If there is no place of refuge, they will stand firm. If they are in hostile country, they will show a stubborn front. If there is no help for it, they will fight hard.

25. Thus, without waiting to be marshaled, the soldiers will be constantly on the qui vive; without waiting to be asked, they will do your will; without restrictions, they will be faithful; without giving orders, they can be trusted.

26. Prohibit the taking of omens, and do away with superstitious doubts. Then, until death itself comes, no calamity need be feared.

27. If our soldiers are not overburdened with money, it is not because they have a distaste for riches; if their lives are not unduly long, it is not because they are disinclined to longevity.

28. On the day they are ordered out to battle, your soldiers may weep, those sitting up bedewing their garments, and those lying down letting the tears run down their cheeks. But let them once be brought to bay, and they will display the courage of a Chu or a Kuei.

29. The skillful tactician may be likened to the shuai-jan. Now the shuai-jan is a snake that is found in the ChUng mountains. Strike at its head, and you will be attacked by its tail; strike at its tail, and you will be attacked by its head; strike at its middle, and you will be attacked by head and tail both.

30. Asked if an army can be made to imitate the shuai-jan, I should answer, Yes. For the men of Wu and the men of Yueh are enemies; yet if they are crossing a river in the same boat and are caught by a storm, they will come to each other's assistance just as the left hand helps the right.

31. Hence it is not enough to put one's trust in the tethering of horses, and the burying of chariot wheels in the ground

32. The principle on which to manage an army is to set up one standard of courage which all must reach.

33. How to make the best of both strong and weak--that is a question involving the proper use of ground.

34. Thus the skillful general conducts his army just as though he were leading a single man, willy-nilly, by the hand.

35. It is the business of a general to be quiet and thus ensure secrecy; upright and just, and thus maintain order.

36. He must be able to mystify his officers and men by false reports and appearances, and thus keep them in total ignorance.

37. By altering his arrangements and changing his plans, he keeps the enemy without definite knowledge. By shifting his camp and taking circuitous routes, he prevents the enemy from anticipating his purpose.

38. At the critical moment, the leader of an army acts like one who has climbed up a height and then kicks away the ladder behind him. He carries his men deep into hostile territory before he shows his hand.

39. He burns his boats and breaks his cooking-pots; like a shepherd driving a flock of sheep, he drives his men this way and that, and nothing knows whither he is going.

40. To muster his host and bring it into danger:--this may be termed the business of the general.

41. The different measures suited to the nine varieties of ground; the expediency of aggressive or defensive tactics; and the fundamental laws of human nature: these are things that must most certainly be studied.

42. When invading hostile territory, the general principle is, that penetrating deeply brings cohesion; penetrating but a short way means dispersion.

43. When you leave your own country behind, and take your army across neighborhood territory, you find yourself on critical ground. When there are means of communication on all four sides, the ground is one of intersecting highways.

44. When you penetrate deeply into a country, it is serious ground. When you penetrate but a little way, it is facile ground.

45. When you have the enemy's strongholds on your rear, and narrow passes in front, it is hemmed-in ground. When there is no place of refuge at all, it is desperate ground.

46. Therefore, on dispersive ground, I would inspire my men with unity of purpose. On facile ground, I would see that there is close connection between all parts of my army.

47. On contentious ground, I would hurry up my rear.

48. On open ground, I would keep a vigilant eye on my defenses. On ground of intersecting highways, I would consolidate my alliances.

49. On serious ground, I would try to ensure a continuous stream of supplies. On difficult ground, I would keep pushing on along the road.

50. On hemmed-in ground, I would block any way of retreat. On desperate ground, I would proclaim to my soldiers the hopelessness of saving their lives.

51. For it is the soldier's disposition to offer an obstinate resistance when surrounded, to fight hard when he cannot help himself, and to obey promptly when he has fallen into danger.

52. We cannot enter into alliance with neighboring princes until we are acquainted with their designs. We are not fit to lead an army on the march unless we are familiar with the face of the country--its mountains and forests, its pitfalls and precipices, its marshes and swamps. We shall be unable to turn natural advantages to account unless we make use of local guides.

53. To be ignored of any one of the following four or five principles does not befit a warlike prince.

54. When a warlike prince attacks a powerful state, his generalship shows itself in preventing the concentration of the enemy's forces. He overawes his opponents, and their allies are prevented from joining against him.

55. Hence he does not strive to ally himself with all and sundry, nor does he foster the power of other states. He carries out his own secret designs, keeping his antagonists in awe. Thus he is able to capture their cities and overthrow their kingdoms.

56. Bestow rewards without regard to rule, issue orders without regard to previous arrangements; and you will be able to handle a whole army as though you had to do with but a single man.

57. Confront your soldiers with the deed itself; never let them know your design. When the outlook is bright, bring it before their eyes; but tell them nothing when the situation is gloomy.

58. Place your army in deadly peril, and it will survive; plunge it into desperate straits, and it will come off in safety.

59. For it is precisely when a force has fallen into harm's way that is capable of striking a blow for victory.

60. Success in warfare is gained by carefully accommodating ourselves to the enemy's purpose.

61. By persistently hanging on the enemy's flank, we shall succeed in the long run in killing the commander-in-chief.

62. This is called ability to accomplish a thing by sheer cunning.

63. On the day that you take up your command, block the frontier passes, destroy the official tallies, and stop the passage of all emissaries.

64. Be stern in the council-chamber, so that you may control the situation.

65. If the enemy leaves a door open, you must rush in.

66. Forestall your opponent by seizing what he holds dear, and subtly contrive to time his arrival on the ground.

67. Walk in the path defined by rule, and accommodate yourself to the enemy until you can fight a decisive battle.

68. At first, then, exhibit the coyness of a maiden, until the enemy gives you an opening; afterwards emulate the rapidity of a running hare, and it will be too late for the enemy to oppose you.

XII. The Attack by Fire

1. Sun Tzu said: There are five ways of attacking with fire. The first is to burn soldiers in their camp; the second is to burn stores; the third is to burn baggage trains; the fourth is to burn arsenals and magazines; the fifth is to hurl dropping fire amongst the enemy.

2. In order to carry out an attack, we must have means available. The material for raising fire should always be kept in readiness.

3. There is a proper season for making attacks with fire, and special days for starting a conflagration.

4. The proper season is when the weather is very dry; the special days are those when the moon is in the constellations of the Sieve, the Wall, the Wing or the Cross-bar; for these four are all days of rising wind.

5. In attacking with fire, one should be prepared to meet five possible developments:

6. (1) When fire breaks out inside to enemy's camp, respond at once with an attack from without.

7. (2) If there is an outbreak of fire, but the enemy's soldiers remain quiet, bide your time and do not attack.

8. (3) When the force of the flames has reached its height, follow it up with an attack, if that is practicable; if not, stay where you are.

9. (4) If it is possible to make an assault with fire from without, do not wait for it to break out within, but deliver your attack at a favorable moment.

10. (5) When you start a fire, be to windward of it. Do not attack from the leeward.

11. A wind that rises in the daytime lasts long, but a night breeze soon falls.

12. In every army, the five developments connected with fire must be known, the movements of the stars calculated, and a watch kept for the proper days.

13. Hence those who use fire as an aid to the attack show intelligence; those who use water as an aid to the attack gain an accession of strength.

14. By means of water, an enemy may be intercepted, but not robbed of all his belongings.

15. Unhappy is the fate of one who tries to win his battles and succeed in his attacks without cultivating the spirit of enterprise; for the result is waste of time and general stagnation.

16. Hence the saying: The enlightened ruler lays his plans well ahead; the good general cultivates his resources.

17. Move not unless you see an advantage; use not your troops unless there is something to be gained; fight not unless the position is critical.

18. No ruler should put troops into the field merely to gratify his own spleen; no general should fight a battle simply out of pique.

19. If it is to your advantage, make a forward move; if not, stay where you are.

20. Anger may in time change to gladness; vexation may be succeeded by content.

21. But a kingdom that has once been destroyed can never come again into being; nor can the dead ever be brought back to life.

22. Hence the enlightened ruler is heedful, and the good general full of caution. This is the way to keep a country at peace and an army intact.

XIII. The Use of Spies

1. Sun Tzu said: Raising a host of a hundred thousand men and marching them great distances entails heavy loss on the people and a drain on the resources of the State. The daily expenditure will amount to a thousand ounces of silver. There will be commotion at home and abroad, and men will drop down exhausted on the highways. As many as seven hundred thousand families will be impeded in their labor.

2. Hostile armies may face each other for years, striving for the victory which is decided in a single day. This being so, to remain in ignorance of the enemy's condition simply because one grudges the outlay of a hundred ounces of silver in honors and emoluments, is the height of inhumanity.

3. One who acts thus is no leader of men, no present help to his sovereign, no master of victory.

4. Thus, what enables the wise sovereign and the good general to strike and conquer, and achieve things beyond the reach of ordinary men, is foreknowledge.

5. Now this foreknowledge cannot be elicited from spirits; it cannot be obtained inductively from experience, nor by any deductive calculation.

6. Knowledge of the enemy's dispositions can only be obtained from other men.

7. Hence the use of spies, of whom there are five classes: (1) Local spies; (2) inward spies; (3) converted spies; (4) doomed spies; (5) surviving spies.

8. When these five kinds of spy are all at work, none can discover the secret system. This is called "divine manipulation of the threads." It is the sovereign's most precious faculty.

9. Having local spies means employing the services of the inhabitants of a district.

10. Having inward spies, making use of officials of the enemy.

11. Having converted spies, getting hold of the enemy's spies and using them for our own purposes.

12. Having doomed spies, doing certain things openly for purposes of deception, and allowing our spies to know of them and report them to the enemy.

13. Surviving spies, finally, are those who bring back news from the enemy's camp.

14. Hence it is that which none in the whole army are more intimate relations to be maintained than with spies. None should be more liberally rewarded. In no other business should greater secrecy be preserved.

15. Spies cannot be usefully employed without a certain intuitive sagacity.

16. They cannot be properly managed without benevolence and straightforwardness.

17. Without subtle ingenuity of mind, one cannot make certain of the truth of their reports.

18. Be subtle! be subtle! and use your spies for every kind of business.

19. If a secret piece of news is divulged by a spy before the time is ripe, he must be put to death together with the man to whom the secret was told.

20. Whether the object be to crush an army, to storm a city, or to assassinate an individual, it is always necessary to begin by finding out the names of the attendants, the aides-de-camp, and door-keepers and sentries of the general in command. Our spies must be commissioned to ascertain these.

21. The enemy's spies who have come to spy on us must be sought out, tempted with bribes, led away and comfortably housed. Thus they will become converted spies and available for our service.

22. It is through the information brought by the converted spy that we are able to acquire and employ local and inward spies.

23. It is owing to his information, again, that we can cause the doomed spy to carry false tidings to the enemy.

24. Lastly, it is by his information that the surviving spy can be used on appointed occasions.

25. The end and aim of spying in all its five varieties is knowledge of the enemy; and this knowledge can only be derived, in the first instance, from the converted spy. Hence it is essential that the converted spy be treated with the utmost liberality.

26. Of old, the rise of the Yin dynasty was due to I Chih who had served under the Hsia. Likewise, the rise of the Chou dynasty was due to Lu Ya who had served under the Yin.

27. Hence it is only the enlightened ruler and the wise general who will use the highest intelligence of the army for purposes of spying and thereby they achieve great results. Spies are a most important element in water, because on them depends an army's ability to move.



THE END

http://classics.mit.edu/Tzu/artwar.html

Monday, September 26, 2011

Ugaaskii Beesha Gur-gure: Ugaas Gadiid Cabdulaahi Ugaas Buux oo Geeriyooday




Ugaaskii Beesha Gur-gure: Ugaas Gadiid Cabdulaahi Ugaas Buux oo Geeriyooday





Ilaahay naxariistii janno ha ka waraabiyee, waxaa shalay magaalada Diridhabe ku geeriyooday, ugaaskii beesha Gur-gure; Ugaas GadiidCabdulaahi Ugaas Buux, oo maanta lagu aasay isla magaalada Dirdhabe. Ugaas Gadiid, oo beesha Gur-gure, hogaamiye dhaqameed u soo ahaa in ka badan 30 sanadood, ayaa in muddo ah ku xanuunsanaa magaalada Diridhabe.







Kadib markii shalay si kadis ah loogu soo sheegay geerida ugaaska, ayuu Madaxweynaha DDS, Mudane Cabdi Maxamuud Cumar oo markaasi safar shaqo ugu sii jeeday gobolka Dhagaxbuur, uu diyaariyay wafdi ka socda Dawlada Deegaanka Soomaalida inuu ka qayb galo aaska ugaaska. M/weyne ku xigeenka DDS,ahna Wasiirka Hawlaha Guud, Mudane Adan Faarax iyo wafdi uu hogaaminayo, oo matalaya xukuumada deegaanka, ayaa ka qayb galay aaskii Ugaas Gadiid oo maantaka dhacay Diridhabe. Madaxweynaha DDS, Mudane Cabdi Maxamud Cumar, ayaa dhambaal tacsi ah u diraya eheladii uu Ugaas Gadiid ka geeriyooday, iyo guud ahaanba beesha Gur-gure, wuxuuna ilaahay uga baryayaa inuu ugaaska u naxariisto ehelkiisiina samir iyo iimaan ka siiyo.

Alla ha u naxariistee Ugaas Gadiid oo da’diisu ahayd 52 jir,ayaan ifka kaga tagin wax caruur ah.

THE GURGURE DIR CLAN OF DIRA DHAWA

THE GURGURE DIR CLAN OF DIRA DHAWA

The City Dirra Dhawe (place were the Dir worriors Hit with their spears or conquered) as they named it in the 1450's, after the Gurgura worriors of Adal Kingdom freed the town from Christian invaders of the Ethiopian Higlands and ever since they remain the protectors of that town.
The Oromo call the Maxammed Madaxweyn Dir, Gurgura or Warra Gurgura which in Oromo means the trader, sells men, or merchant. Figuratively, it means in Oroma too, to cheat. Also in the Oroma languege it means Shop, shopper or merchandise and the act of selling.
In old Somali, the word comes from Gorgortan or to sell or barter. Gurgure means also in Somali to carry, for example things or mechandise, therefore, the Somali Isasa and Gadabursi in Zaila area from long time ago called the Gurgure carriers of merchandise to Harrar and as far as the Highlands of Shoa and Wallo. The Oromo adopted that name in 1600 when they invaded Harrar area.
The Gurgure were the dominant trading clan in Eastern Ethiopian Harrar pleatue from the 1500s. They exported to the Middle East, coffee beans, Ivory, Ostrich feathers, slaves, hides of leapords, rhino horns, and gum from hinterland Ethiopia. And returned to Ethiopia salt from Zaila or Djibouti coast. The Gurgure also were were major suppliers to beads, weapons like swords, and other metal utinsiles.
who claim to be Dir. And the Booran section of Dirre which is a Booran Moiet and also territorial group have several Dir clans amoungst them and that whole moiet claims that the entire Dirre section is of Dir origin.
Subclans of the Gurgure
The main Gurgure subclans are:
1)Habar Daar which includes:
* Reer Kundhuuble
* Ali
* Cabdille
2)Guwaah and Liibaan
Gu'waah include:
* Reer Gufaatiile
* Reer Sanceele
* Reer Sanye
Liibaan Include:
* Nabidoor
* Gacalwaaq
* Baciido
Also to this day the Gurgure live in the Somaliland state not far from Zaila, in Arabsiyo, Ijaara, Awabarre and Wajaale areas there are large populations of Gurgure . Many still maintain there ancient trade of carrying merchandise between Northern Somalia and Ethiopia. Also those Gurgure traders of Zaila shifted their trade to Djibouti in 1700s. Unfortunatly, the Gurgure lost this art of trade and business in the last 150 years and many young Gurgures have not adopted the art.
Other Dir groups like the Dudub of Gadabuursi and Reer Gullen of Issas took over where the Gurgure left from 1820s. By 1902 the Dira Dhawe-Djibouti train was built the Gurgure ceased to be active in Somali trade and concentrated in trading with Oromo Muslims like the Itu and Ale who were ancient partners and who trained under them, today the Ale and Itu are more involved in trade then the Gurgure or Akisho. Even in Dirra Dhawa a Gurgure town you will find very few Gurgure traders.
The Oromo Bareentuma of Harrar region, call the Gurguras Maanguuda, or the wise ones. The Gurgura are surrounded by the Itu, Ale and Anniya who they trade with since the 1600s and they speak their langueges fluen
Noole Group Gurgure saved from Oromo destruction
The Noole, one group that is very Somalized and at times claim to be Madaxeweyn Direed are on group that is allied to the Gurgure and lives in the Gurgure region. The closest kinsman of the Gurgure in the region are the Akisho.
Fatuuh Al Habas mentions Gurgure name
The Gurgure Dir were well known as traders and their name was in fact used as early as the 1550's, as they are mentioned in Fatuh Al Habash, the book that described the campaigns of Ahmed Guray ( Ahmed Grange). The Fatuh Al Habash a book written by Shihab Al Din, who left use a full description of Gurey's Campaigns, depicts the Gurgura as fierce worriors who were the best horsemen who contributed 4,800 of their fiercest worriors on horse back, who stuck terror on the infidels hearts and the Gurgure's colorful display and wild chanting of Allahu Akbar , at the Shimbir Kurey Battle.

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Dood : Abtirsinyada Gadabuursi Samaroon Mandaluug Dir

Dood : Abtirsinyada Gadabuursi Samaroon Mandaluug Dir


DOODAAN WAXA AY DHEX MARTAY (XIGASHO)ABTIRSIINO.COM GAAL WADA DAHL IYO DHALIN SOMALIA, OO SIDAN AYAAY U DHACDO,



Gudabursi...

by Shabelle on Fri Feb 26, 2010 8:37 pm

A Little Explanation At The Bottom

Jibracin Saciid, Gobe Saciid & Samaroon Saciid are Brothers


*Jibracin Saciid (Reer Jibracin)


*Gobe Saciid
-Xildiid
-Salaan
-Muse


*Samaroon Saciid

-Isse Samaroon (Reer Isse)

-Yusuf Samaroon (Habar Yaasif)

-Subeer Samaroon
>>Dhego Weyne
>>Makal (Makayl Qaylo)
>>>Muse Subeer
>>>>Musefin
>>>>>Ismaaciil
>>>>>>Reer Cabdille
>>>>>>>Gadhcad
>>>>>>>Gadhweyn
>>>>>>Idaar
>>>>>>Ali Ugaadh
>>>>>Reer Abdi
>>>>Reer Hamud
>>>>Hassan Sa'ad
>>>>>Reer Rooble
>>>>Faroole


............................................................................................

-Saciid Samaroon
>>Makadoor Saciid Samaroon

Makadoor Saciid Had Two Sons::: Makahiil Makadoor & Mohammed Makadoor (Mahad Case)


>Makahiil Makadoor
>>Ciye Makahiil
>>Celi Makahiil
>>Abdalle Makahiil (Bahabr Abdalle)
>>Hassan Makahiil (Bahabar Hasan)

>>Muuse Makahii
>>>Jibriil Muuse (Afguduud)
>>>Idris Muuse (Bah Sanayo)
>>>Rooble Muuse (Bah Sanayo)
>>>Hawaday Muuse (Bah Sanayo)

>>>Makayl-Dheere
>>>>Reer Ugaas
>>>>>Ugaas Samatar
>>>>>Ugaas Cabdille
>>>>Reer Abokor
>>>>>Reer Galaangal
>>>>>Reer Abdi Abokor

>>>Yoonis Muuse

>>>>Jibril Yoonis
>>>>>Adan (Had) Jabril
>>>>>Abokr (Gorad) Jabril
>>>>>Ahmed Cismaan Kheyr Jabril (Reer Ahmed)
>>>>>Ali Khair (Kaba Harag)
>>>>>>Dudub Osman (Reer Dudub)
>>>>>>>Hodaal Dudub
>>>>>>>Dharaar Dudub
>>>>>>>Cigaal Dudub
>>>>>>>Dadar Dudub
>>>>>>>Aadan Dudub
>>>>>>Yoonis Osman
>>>>>>>Farah Yunus-Ba Madigan
>>>>>>>Ahmed Yunus-Ba Madigan
>>>>>>>Mahmud Yunus-Ba Musa Fin
>>>>>>>Darar Yonis-Ba Musa Fin
>>>>>>>Geleh Yonis-Ba Musa Fin
>>>>>>Gadaala-Dhal
>>>>>>>Abdi Yonis-Gadaladal
>>>>>>>Gedi Yonis-Gadaladal
>>>>>>>Adan Yonis-Gadaladal
>>>>>>>Ali Yonis-Gadaladal
>>>>>>>Hamud Yonis



>>>>Nuur Yoonis (Reer Nuur)

>>>>>Mohamoud Nuur

>>>>>>Abdi Mohamoud
>>>>>>>Cismaan Abdi (Reer Cismaan)
>>>>>>>Hussien Abdi
>>>>>>>>Xaad Hussien
>>>>>>>>Shirdoon Hussien
>>>>>>>>Gabbal Hussien
>>>>>>>>>Koohi Gabbal
>>>>>>>>>Samatar Gabbal
>>>>>>>>>Ali Gabbal
>>>>>>>>>Raage Gabbal
>>>>>>>>>Xerge Gabbal
>>>>>>>>>Khayre (bah-caso)
>>>>>>>>>Bahdoon (bah-caso)
>>>>>>>>>Samatar-yare (bah-caso)
>>>>>>>>>Dhaabur (bah-caso

>>>>>>Halas Mohamoud (Reer Halas)
>>>>>>> Cumar Halas
>>>>>>>>Husien Cumar
>>>>>>>>Farah Cumar
>>>>>>>>Gelleh Omar
>>>>>>>>Roble Omar
>>>>>>>>Afi Cumar
>>>>>>>>>Galab Afi
>>>>>>>Muse Halas
>>>>>>>Hiraab Halas
>>>>>>>Ali Halas
>>>>>>>>Reer Boqore
>>>>>>>>Reer Rooble Ali
>>>>>>>Guled Halas
>>>>>>>>Qoob Buur

>>>>>>Hufane Mohamoud (Nimidoor)

>>>>>>Hassan Mohamoud (Nimidoor)
>>>>>>>Reer Dharaar
>>>>>>>Odawa Hassan

>>>>>>Rooble Mohamoud (Bah Jibracin)
>>>>>>>Reer Geele
>>>>>>>Reer Dhabbar
>>>>>>>Reer Abdulahi
>>>>>>>Reer Ali Karuure

>>>>>>Mohammed Mohamoud (Bah Jibracin)
>>>>>>>Reer Buuh
>>>>>>>Reer Jirde


>>>>>Farah Nuur (Reer Farah Nuur)

>>>>>>Reer Ali Abdi

>>>>>>Ibrahim Farah
>>>>>>>Gaade Ibraahim
>>>>>>>Guled Ibraahim
>>>>>>>Samakaab Ibraahim
>>>>>>>Rooble Ibraahim
>>>>>>>Dadar Ibraahim
>>>>>>>Salah Ibraahim
>>>>>>>Bare Ibraahim
>>>>>>>>Reer Waadhawr

>>>>>>Geedi Farah (Gabarmadow)
>>>>>>>Hiraab Geedi
>>>>>>>Cali Geedi
>>>>>>>Mahamed Geedi
>>>>>>>Dabeer Geedi
>>>>>>>Wayteen Geedi




>Mohammed Makadoor (Mahad Case)

>>Bahabar Eli
>>>Cabdalle
>>>Habar Xuseen
>>>Maxamuud

>>Bahabar Adam

>>Bahabar Abokor
>>>Reer Siciid

>>Muuse Mohammed

>>>Bahabar Muuse
>>>>Ali Madoobe
>>>>Madax Madoobe
>>>>Akaraa

>>>Abrayn
>>>>Ali Hogol
>>>>Geesaale

>>>Reer Mohamed
>>>>Reer Aadan
>>>>Reer buux cumar
>>>>Reer cigaal

>>>Adam Muuse

Last edited by Shabelle on Sat Feb 27, 2010 5:28 am, edited 3 times in total.
Shabelle Posts: 5Joined: Fri Feb 26, 2010 6:51 pm
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Re: Gudabursi...

by Shabelle on Fri Feb 26, 2010 8:57 pm

The Habar Afaan Clan From Gudabursi Do Not Come From A Single Descendant, But Rather They Are Many Clans That Have Come Together To Form An Alliance.

Because Each Of The Clans in Habar Afaan Are Not As Large As The Descendants of Saciid Samaroon, so They Formed An Alliance In Order To Become as Big as The Descendants Of Saciid Samaroon (Makahiil & Mahad Case).

These Clans Are:

-Gobe Saciid, (Which Is The Brother Of Samaroon Saciid)

-Jibracin Saciid (Also The Brother Of Samaroon Saciid)

-Isse Samaroon (Son Of Samaroon Saciid)

-Yusuf Samaroon (Son Of Samaroon Saciid)

-Subeer Samaroon (Son Of Samaroon Saciid)


*There Are Two Other Clans In Habar Afaan That Are Called::
-Ali Ganuun (Which Is From A Darood Clan, But They Have Integrated Into The Gadabursi Clan)

-Xeebjire(Which Is From The Shiekhaal Clan, & They Have Also Integrated Into The Gadabursi Clan)

These Two Clans Joined The Habar Afaan Alliance.




-And Then There Is Saciid Samaroon, His Son Is:
Makadoor Saciid and Then::

Makahiil Makadoor Saciid Samaroon Saciid (Makahiil)
&
Mohammed Makadoor Saciid Samaroon Saciid (Also Known As Mahad Case).



I Hope That Explains It.
Shabelle Posts: 5Joined: Fri Feb 26, 2010 6:51 pm
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Re: Gudabursi...

by James Dahl on Thu Mar 04, 2010 11:08 pm

Ok I've been working my way through what you've posted, I've got most of it in the database

Let me know if I've made any mistakes
James DahlSite Admin Posts: 88Joined: Mon Oct 06, 2008 5:19 am
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Re: Gudabursi...

by Shabelle on Tue Mar 09, 2010 1:36 am

After Makadoor It's Mohammed (Mahad Case) & Makahiil... There Is No "ase" or "Maxaad"

And The Part Were It Says Dir Had 4 Sons Is Wrong, It's Mahe, Madaxweyne, Madobe & Mandaluug,, There Is No "Maaladuuqa"...lol
And Samaroon Is A Descendant Of Mandaluug, Not Maahe,, But I'll Get The Abtirsi From Samaroon Siciid To Dir.
Shabelle Posts: 5Joined: Fri Feb 26, 2010 6:51 pm
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Re: Gudabursi...

by James Dahl on Tue Mar 09, 2010 10:18 pm



Shabelle wrote:After Makadoor It's Mohammed (Mahad Case) & Makahiil... There Is No "ase" or "Maxaad"

And The Part Were It Says Dir Had 4 Sons Is Wrong, It's Mahe, Madaxweyne, Madobe & Mandaluug,, There Is No "Maaladuuqa"...lol
And Samaroon Is A Descendant Of Mandaluug, Not Maahe,, But I'll Get The Abtirsi From Samaroon Siciid To Dir.


I will fix this problem with Makadoor

Regarding Madaluug, are you sure? I've seen quite a few abtiris that count: Madaluug Maxamed Xanaftire Maahe DirJames DahlSite Admin Posts: 88Joined: Mon Oct 06, 2008 5:19 am
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Re: Gudabursi...

by burdi on Wed Mar 24, 2010 11:11 am

james,

don't believe this shabelle guy his not even somaron so how he can help you about samaron abtirsi or sub clans of samaron. there are no such people in gadabuursi tribe who are originally are darod or shekhail, all the sub calans of gadabuursi tribe are decent from Ali Madaluug the man who's his nick name is Gadabuursi.

here are some new information to you if you are really need to improve or update your data.
Samaroon has four sons Makadoor, Isse, Yousuf and Subeer. Samaroon has no such clan named makadoor siciid samaroon. but it is makadoor samaroon siciid.
also there is 2 generations missing between daa'uud and madaluug.
also there is wrong information about samatar-yare in reer nuur clan, there is two brothers with same name samatar so to to distinguish between the two the older one called samatar-weyne(the big samatar in somali) which i decent from, and the little one called samatar-yare(the little samatar in somali)

Samaroon lineage
Mahmoud(his nick name is samaroon)
Sa'ed
Daa'uud
Hassan
Umar
Ali(his nick name is gadabuursi) it is Ali madaluug Cali in somali not Celi
Madaluug

Last edited by burdi on Sat Aug 07, 2010 6:41 pm, edited 1 time in total.
burdi Posts: 6Joined: Wed Mar 17, 2010 10:45 pm
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Re: Gudabursi...

by James Dahl on Wed Mar 24, 2010 8:52 pm

burdi,
Thank you for explaining that, that helps a lot

I have added your abtiris here:
http://www.abtirsi.com/view.php?person=4570
James DahlSite Admin Posts: 88Joined: Mon Oct 06, 2008 5:19 am
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Re: Gudabursi...

by burdi on Sat Aug 07, 2010 6:47 pm

1. UGAAS CALI MAKAAHIIL
2. UGAAS CABDI UGAAS CALI
3. UGAAS XUSEEN (UGAADH) UGAAS CABDI
4. UGAAS CABDILLE UGAAS CABDI
5. UGAAS NUUR UGAAS CABDI
6. UGAAS HIRAAB UGAAS NUUR
7. UGAAS SHIRDOON UGAAS NUUR
8. UGAAS SAMATAR UGAAS SHIRDOON
9. UGAAS GUULLEED UGAAS SAMATAR
10. UGAAS ROOBLE UGAAS SAMATAR
11. UGAAS NUUR UGAAS ROOBLE
12. UGAAS ROOBLE UGAAS NUUR
13. UGAAS CILMI-WARFAA UGAAS ROOBLE UGAAS SAMATAR (CILMI-DHEERE)
14. UGAAS CABDI UGAAS ROOBLE UGAAS NUUR
15. UGAAS DOODI
16. UGAAS ROOBLE UGAAS DOODI
17. UGAAS JAAMAC MUXUMAD
18. UGAAS CABDILRASHIID UGAAS ROOBLE


1. UGAAS CABDIRRASHID (now he is the Gadabuursi Ugaas)
2. UGAAS ROOBLE
3. UGAAS DOODI
4. UGAAS CABDI
5. UGAAS ROOBLE
6. UGAAS NUUR
7. UGAAS ROOBLE
8. UGAAS SAMATAR
9. UGAAS SHIRDOON
10. UGAAS NUUR
11. UGAAS CABDI
12. UGAAS CALI
13. MAKAHIIL (Dheere)
14. MUUSE (Derri)
15. MAKAAHIIL
16. MAKADOOR
17. MAXMUUD (SAMAROON)
18. SICIID
19. DAA'UUD
20. XASAN
21. CUMAR
22. CALI (GEDO-BIIRSI)
23. MADALUUG
burdi Posts: 6Joined: Wed Mar 17, 2010 10:45 pm
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Re: Gudabursi...

by James Dahl on Mon Aug 09, 2010 7:44 pm

Thank you burdi, I have added the information.

The 17th Ugaas, Jaamac Muxumad, do you know what his abtiris was?
James DahlSite Admin Posts: 88Joined: Mon Oct 06, 2008 5:19 am
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Re: Gudabursi...

by burdi on Tue Oct 05, 2010 2:01 pm



James Dahl wrote:Thank you burdi, I have added the information.

The 17th Ugaas, Jaamac Muxumad, do you know what his abtiris was?


you are welcome

about ugaas Muxumed i'm not sure about his abtirsi but i'll search it.

one thing else GADABUURSI or MADALUUG in general are not part of MAHE DIRR, they are descent from DIRR directly some poeple says it is MADALUUG DIRR (MADALUUG is son of DIRR) while other says no it is MADALUUG AHMED DIRR (MADALUUG is grandson of DIRR) only ALLAH knows. so please correct your data..

MAHE DIRR is SURRE, GAADSAN, MIYOMAAL, and ISAAQ









Re: Gudabursi...

by burdi on Tue Oct 05, 2010 2:01 pm



James Dahl wrote:Thank you burdi, I have added the information.

The 17th Ugaas, Jaamac Muxumad, do you know what his abtiris was?


you are welcome

about ugaas Muxumed i'm not sure about his abtirsi but i'll search it.

one thing else GADABUURSI or MADALUUG in general are not part of MAHE DIRR, they are descent from DIRR directly some poeple says it is MADALUUG DIRR (MADALUUG is son of DIRR) while other says no it is MADALUUG AHMED DIRR (MADALUUG is grandson of DIRR) only ALLAH knows. so please correct your data..

MAHE DIRR is SURRE, GAADSAN, MIYOMAAL, and ISAAQburdi Posts: 6Joined: Wed Mar 17, 2010 10:45 pm
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Re: Gudabursi...

by James Dahl on Fri Oct 08, 2010 6:30 am

My dear burdi,

The biggest issue for me is that the abtiris for Gadabursi seems too short if Madaluug is a son of Dir. Sheikh Samaroon is alive when the Ethiopian Army invaded Ifat in 1415, and Dir is a contemporary of Darood who, judging from the length of the Abtirsi amongst Darood, lived around the year 1000.

The Sons of Dir, for instance, are given as Madahweyne, Madaluug, Madoobe and Mahe. If the abtirsi of Sheikh Samaroon traces Maxamuud Saciid Daa'uud Xassan Cumar Cali Madaluug Dir, then that means the 400 years seperating Dir from Sheikh Samaroon would be 50 years per generation! This is not possible. Perhaps for one generation or two it would be 50 years, but that would be averaged out by the very short generations of 20 years and the average ones of 30 years to end up at about 32 years per generation, which is the average period between generations.

However, there is a tradition that exists that Madaluug is not a SON of Dir, but rather a great-grandson, via Maahe. This tradition states that Madaluug traces his abtirsi thusly: Madaluug Maxamed Xanaftire Maahe Dir.

If we run with this alternate tradition, Sheikh Samaroon traces Maxamuud Saciid Daa'uud Xassan Cumar Cali Madaluug Maxamed Xanaftire Maahe Dir, which is 11 generations. This results in 36 years per generation, which are long generations but much more plausible than the 50 years per generation.

It is for this reason that I have chosen to place Madaluug as a son of Maxamed Xanaftire Maahe Dir rather than Dir himself, as if not for this alternate tradition of descent, I would be looking for 3-6 missing generations in the Samaroon family tree.

However Xanaftire's two sons, Axmed and Maxamed, are terribly confused with one another in many traditions, some going so far as to say Axmed is another name for Maxamed, probably because Maxamed Xanaftire also had a son named Axmed. Perhaps the tradition that it is Madaluug Axmed Dir is a clue? I do not know. The Dir abtirsi is the most difficult for me to trace.

I hope I have explained my reasoning and why I have placed Madaluug as a son of Maxamed (possibly Axmed?) Xanaftire, it will no doubt prove to be a controversial decision and one I am not against being proven wrong on.

- James Dahl
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Re: Gudabursi...

by burdi on Fri Oct 08, 2010 12:29 pm

Dear James,

you are absolutely right about the abtirsi of Gadabuursi people being short compared to Hawiye abtirsi or even most of Darod clans abtirsi, but if you compared with northern people like Isaaq, Isse or Akishe there is no big differences. and what northern clans made their abtirsi very short compared to southern people are northern people married or used to marry older than southern people still in our days you can see 18 old boy having children in south in east or central regions people also marry at young ages but not lie south.
in west where i came from before 1940's men used to marry at very old ages between 40-50.

for example Akishe and Isse are older than Gadabuursi and they count same or less to Dirr same goes to Isaaq.
most Samaroon people counts between 18 to 22 to Samaroon. for me i count 19 to Samaroon (excluding myself) and if i add to myself it is 20 and if i calculate it 2010-1400 = is around 600 years if we divided to 22(max) is around 28 years and if divided to 16(min) we get 38 years.



sheikh Samaroon is alive when the Ethiopian Army invaded Ifat in 1415, and Dir is a contemporary of Darood who, judging from the length of the Abtirsi amongst Darood, lived around the year 1000.

yes, it is true that Samaroon live at that time according to somali history my great grandfather sh. NUUR YOONIS lived the same time Ahmed Gurey lived. and it is not true that Darod lived the year 1000 i mean it is not possible how on earth some people count less than 30 generations (which most of Darod people do) to some guy who lived 1000+ years i think dirr, darod and hawiye lived either the same time or within a century.

one thing else northern people used to say Samaroon is Madaluug Dirr, Isse is Madoobe Dirr and Isaaq is Mohamed Dirr that doesn't necessary mean Madaluug, Madoobe, and Mohamed are the sons of Dirr nor it means Samaroon is the son of Madaluug.
Last edited by burdi on Fri Oct 08, 2010 12:38 pm, edited 1 time in total.
burdi Posts: 6Joined: Wed Mar 17, 2010 10:45 pm
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Re: Gudabursi...

by burdi on Fri Oct 08, 2010 12:29 pm

D/P
burdi Posts: 6Joined: Wed Mar 17, 2010 10:45 pm
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Re: Gudabursi...

by James Dahl on Fri Oct 08, 2010 7:08 pm

My dear burdi,

You are right that Isaaq count roughly the same number of generations to Sheikh Isaaq as Samaroon count to Sheikh Samaroon, which is roughly 20 generations or a few less.

There is another chronological issue as well though with placing Madaluug as a son of Dir (3 generations back) rather than Maxamed Xanaftire that I forgot to mention previously. The mother of Habar Garxajis branch of Isaaq, Garxajis Madaluug, would be far too old to marry Sheikh Isaaq's son Ismaciil Isaaq, though perhaps I am missing a few generations there?

For instance your abtirsi, your abtirsi to Sheikh Samaroon averages 30 years (600/20), precisely the average for an abtirsi, so with the men marrying at the age of 50 there must also be several of your ancestors who married at the age of 20 and everything in between, your abtirsi says that northern abtirsi should be just as long as southern ones, with their 30 year average generations.

So then we are left with an open question, why are Dir abtirsi shorter than other Irir, or Darood, who are their contemporaries? This is a difficult question to answer. There are between 5-10 generations that are "missing". There are a few possibilities:

One possibility is that Dir's sons are not exactly his sons but descendants of his, but the generations between Dir and the next important branching of the Dir family tree are less important and thus skipped over. This happens with the Hiraab Hawiye, who often skip straght from Hiraab to Daame Gorgaate Hawiye, even though there are actually 5 generations in between Hiraab and Daame, and also with Dulbahante where they skip over a whole 9 generations between Saciid (Dulbahante) and the first branching of their family tree, which is why the Dulbahante abtirsi is famously short. If we say that there are 5 "lost" generations between Dir and Maahe for instance and we also assume that Madaluug is a son of Maxamed Xanaftire then we have found our 8 missing generations. Or, if like the Dulbahante, Madaluug is a son of Dir but there are a whole 8 missing generations between Madaluug and the first branching the Madaluug family tree.

Or of course there is the inevitable cynic's argument that Dir could be a different tribe from Hawiye entirely, and Irir is a confederation. This particular possibility could be tested with DNA genealogical testing. If true, this simply creates more questions than answers really, but the truth is often more complicated than people think.

- James Dahl
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