Saturday, July 21, 2018

Sheikh Abdi Abikar Gafle Somali National Hero of Bimaal Clan who led Bimaal Revolt against the Italian Colonial Rulers 1896 to 1926

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Sheikh Abdi Abikar Gafle

Born-1852         'Armadobe, Somalia
Died-1922

Occupation-teacher, preacher, warrior, sheikh and leader

Clan: Bimaal Maxamed Xiniftire

Sheikh Abdi Abikar Gāfle or also more famously known as Gāfle (Somali: Sheekh Cabdi Abiikar "Gaafle"). A famous Bimaal ma’allin (teacher-sheikh) and warrior born in ‘Armadobe village in 1852. He was also a prominent figure in the Bimāl Revolt against the Italians. He met his end in 1922.[1]


Gāfle was a notable Bimal ma’allin. He grew up finishing his Quranic education and studies at home, which afterwards for higher Islamic education he was sent to 'Eel Gaal center close to Merca. He studied the subjects of:

1.Fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence)

2.Tafseer (Qur'anic translations and interpretations),

3.Hadith (Prophet Muhammad’s tradition, Sunnah).[2]


Sheikh Abdi Abikar Gāfle learned from well known sheikhs at that time like Sheikh Usman Sheikh Hassan and Sheikh Muhammad Abdalla, also known as 'Baarmawaaye'. Gaafle continued to become a well-known individual in the Bimal community. In 1888, Gaafle started to travel increasingly all over the Shabelle Valley preaching his ideology, teaching and warning the public and his brethren about the menace that is, the Italian colonizers.[3



The Bimal Revolt


Sheikh Abdi Abikar Gāfle contributed heavily to the Bimal efforts and resistance against the Italians. He took part in the Igalle shir(clan council) in June 1896 and was the one to lead an army against the Italians, of which the famous attack on Igalle in 1905 after it was occupied by the Italians. Gāfle was the pioneer behind the alliance with the Dervishes and their leader Sayid Mohamed although the Dervishes did support Gāfle with firearms they would not fight with Gāfle. Gāfle is said to have continued his resistance til 1908[4][5]


For more about the Bimal resistance or revolt visit the following:


References


^ Mukhtar, Mohamed Haji (2003-02-25). Historical Dictionary of Somalia. Scarecrow Press. p. 199. ISBN 9780810866041.

2. Mukhtar, Mohamed Haji (2003-02-25). Historical Dictionary of Somalia. Scarecrow Press. p. 199. ISBN 9780810866041. "SHEIKH ABDI ABIIKAR “GAAFLE”"

3. Ahmed, Ali Jimale (1995-01-01). The Invention of Somalia. The Red Sea Press. p. 199. ISBN 9780932415998.

4. Kusow, Abdi (2004-01-01). Putting the cart before the horse: contested nationalism and the crisis of the nation-state in Somalia. Red Sea Press. ISBN 9781569022023.

5. Ahmed, Ali Jimale (1995-01-01). The Invention of Somalia. The Red Sea Press. p. 199. ISBN 9780932415998.




Bīmāl Revolt


The Bimal Revolt, Bimal Resistance, Merca Revolt or Banadir Resistance was a guerrilla war against the Italian Somaliland in southern Somalia. It was fought from 1896 to 1926 and largely concentrated in Lower Shebelle, Banadir and Middle Shebelle.


It is compared to the war of the Mad Mullah in northern Somalia.[1][2] Named after the Bimal clan since they were the major element in the resistance.[3]


History


In the 1890's Italy occupied Marka the center of the Bimal culture. This sparked the beginning and outrage among the Bimal clan, many of them joined the Bimal resistance.


An Italian resident of the city was assassinated in 1904 , his name was Giacomo Trevis. In response Italy occupied the port town of Jazira about 30 miles south of Mogadishu[4]


^ Ciisa-Salwe, Cabdisalaam M. (1996-01-01). The collapse of the Somali state: the impact of the colonial legacy. HAAN. p. 19. ISBN 9781874209270.

2. Kusow, Abdi (2004-01-01). Putting the cart before the horse: contested nationalism and the crisis of the nation-state in Somalia. Red Sea Press. p. 82. ISBN 9781569022023.

3. Kusow, Abdi (2004-01-01). Putting the cart before the horse: contested nationalism and the crisis of the nation-state in Somalia. Red Sea Press. p. 86. ISBN 9781569022023. "the Bimal clan was the major element in the resistance. See: Gherardo Pantano, Nel Benadir: La Citta di Merca e la Regione Bimal,"

4. Kusow, Abdi (2004). Putting the cart before the horse: contested nationalism and the crisis of the nation-state in Somalia. Red Sea Press. ISBN 9781569022023.

5. to: a b Hess, Robert L. (1964-01-01). "The 'Mad Mullah' and Northern Somalia". The Journal of African History. 5 (3): 415–433, page 422. JSTOR 179976.


One of the Italian`s greatest fears was the spread of 'Dervishism' ( had come to mean revolt) in the south and the strong Bimaal tribe of Benadir whom already were at war with the Italians, while not following the religious message or adhering to the views of Muhammad Abdullah Hassan, understood greatly his goal and political tactics. The dervishes in this case were engaged in supplying arms to the Bimaal.[5]


The Italians wanted to bring in an end to the Bimaal revolt and at all cost prevent a Bimal-Dervish alliance, which lead them to use the forces of Obbia and the Mijertein as prevention.[5]

Bīmāl Revolt The Somali Bimaal Dir Clans Revolt againts Italian Colonial Rule 1896-1926

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Picture of The Sultan of Bimaal Dir Clan


Bīmāl Revolt


The Bimal Revolt, Bimal Resistance, Merca Revolt or Banadir Resistance was a guerrilla war against the Italian Somaliland in southern Somalia. It was fought from 1896 to 1926 and largely concentrated in Lower Shebelle, Banadir and Middle Shebelle.


It is compared to the war of the Mad Mullah in northern Somalia.[1][2] Named after the Bimal clan since they were the major element in the resistance.[3]


History


In the 1890's Italy occupied Marka the center of the Bimal culture. This sparked the beginning and outrage among the Bimal clan, many of them joined the Bimal resistance.


An Italian resident of the city was assassinated in 1904 , his name was Giacomo Trevis. In response Italy occupied the port town of Jazira about 30 miles south of Mogadishu[4]


^ Ciisa-Salwe, Cabdisalaam M. (1996-01-01). The collapse of the Somali state: the impact of the colonial legacy. HAAN. p. 19. ISBN 9781874209270.

2. Kusow, Abdi (2004-01-01). Putting the cart before the horse: contested nationalism and the crisis of the nation-state in Somalia. Red Sea Press. p. 82. ISBN 9781569022023.

3. Kusow, Abdi (2004-01-01). Putting the cart before the horse: contested nationalism and the crisis of the nation-state in Somalia. Red Sea Press. p. 86. ISBN 9781569022023. "the Bimal clan was the major element in the resistance. See: Gherardo Pantano, Nel Benadir: La Citta di Merca e la Regione Bimal,"

4. Kusow, Abdi (2004). Putting the cart before the horse: contested nationalism and the crisis of the nation-state in Somalia. Red Sea Press. ISBN 9781569022023.

5. to: a b Hess, Robert L. (1964-01-01). "The 'Mad Mullah' and Northern Somalia". The Journal of African History. 5 (3): 415–433, page 422. JSTOR 179976.


Brave Worriors: Biyomaal Maxammed Xiniftire Mahe Dir





While Boqor Cismaan and Keynadiid of the Majeerteen were selling Somalia to the Italians. And Isaaq, Warsangali, and Dhulbahante submitted to the British colonialist without putting up any struggles the proud Biyomaal Dir faced the enemies with bare spears and clubs the killed many and every time you see Xawo Tako and Mahammed Somali remember it was the Biyomaal.

The Biimal clan is divided into Sacad, Ismiin, Daahow and Suleyman.

The Bimaal was the only Somali clan that put up a major resistence against Italian colonialism and they have lost thousands of worriors in their struggle with the Italians.

This is know as the Biimal Resistence Movement which the Bimaala killed Captain Cecchi and thirteen Italian soldiers at place called "Lafoole" the place of bones.


Also at Turunley thousands of Biimal worriors faced an Italian regiment with primitive weapons and sustained high casualties.

Culture and customs of Somalia By Mohamed Diriye Abdullahi, P 23



The Biimaal retained their Pastoral way of life and maintained " Slaves" that is not true the Bimaal allowed freed slaves who escaped the Gelledi and other Rahanweyn groups to settle in their territories and to cultivate. They exchanged and bartered with the Bantu: the Biyomaal provided meat, Ghee (subag) and milk while the Bantu who were under their protection provided Barley, wheat and farmed cotton as early as 1890.

Infibulation: female mutilation in Islamic northeastern Africa By Esther K. Hicks P 260 Also See Muslim Brotherhoods (Biimal resistence)







Politics, language, and thought: the Somali experience By David D. Laitin





The resistance was spearheaded by Sheikh Abdi Gafle and Ma’alin Mursal Abdi Yusuf; two prominent local Islamic teachers in Marka. The resistance, albeit clan-based initially transformed in to one with a religious fervour.

A local poet in Marka, at the time of the uprising, lashed out against those who failed to join the religious struggle (Jihad):

Reer Jannah waa jid galeen.
Reer Jahanama iska jooga.
Those who fight are bound for Heaven
Those who submit can stay in Hell

The first colonial governor of Italian Somaliland: Tommaso Carletti wrote on the necessity for the Italian Empire to move from the apparent nominal control of the Somali colony to a physical occupation to reap the financial rewards from the untapped resources of Somalia:

“It is necessary for the government to assert itself materially and morally over the populations surrounding the Banadir stations … and … gradually undertake the peaceful penetration of the interior and extend our direct administration to the line of the Shabelle River”.

This policy gave the colonial administration the green light to subdue the Somalis who failed to submit to colonial rule.

Marka’s anti-colonial resistance lasted from 1900 to 1908. During the resistance period — the ancient city was laid siege by the Somali forces, thereby blocking all land routes to the port. Italian garrisons in Marka barely survived the harassments and skirmishes and reinforcements from Mogadishu suffered considerable loses. This noble resistance caught the attention of Mohamed Abdulle Hassan — the charismatic Darawiish leader — who sent a lengthy message to the Biyomaal (Risaalat al-Biyomaal) in which he commended their efforts and proclaimed the necessity of waging Jihad against the colonial invaders. He attached a supplemental text entitled “Qam’ al-Mu’anidin” (Supression of the Rebellious) that clarified the tenets of Saalihiya order, for which the leader ascribed to.




When the Italians came. Zanzibar Sultanate claimed to control the Benadir coast. However, it was under the local Somali kingdoms like Hiraab Imamate, Geledi Sultanate and Bimaal State therefore making the Italian-Zanzibar agreement null and void. Even when Zanzibar Sultanate agreed Italians to annex the coast, the Somalis resisted for many years which is why Omanis were known as nominal. Only claiming the coast but not controlling it.

Read this authentic source from below. Zanzibar Sultanate (Omani Kingdom) claimed the southern Somali coast (Benadir coast). However, it was all nominal since the coast was locally ruled by Somali kingdoms such as Hiraab Imamate and Geledi Sultanate the successor state of Ajuran Empire as it says from this source below.

Bimaal were also famous for revolting against the Ajuran rulers and expelling the Ajurans from Merca equally killing the Ajuran Emir of Merca and establishing a wealthy Sultanate within Merca.

The Bimaal Sultanate centred in Merka were also famous for resisting the Geledi hegemony. The Geledi Sultanate tried to annex Merca twice and the Bimaal warriors successfully repelled them.

Geledi used to be the most powerful clan in the south and Bimaal had the balls to stand up to their bullshit.


https://www.somalispot.com/threads/the-biimal-resistance-against-italian-colonisation-1896-1926.44791/#post-1210959


 The leaders of the Bimal clans in the area surrounding Merca had offered some of the stiffest resistance to Italian power moving out of the towns. In 1896 ... we will turn to in more detail below) in British Somaliland and Italian northern Somalia.

A History of Italian Colonialism, 1860–1907: Europe’s Last Empire-By Giuseppe Finaldi

 

The Storm of the Banadir Resistance gathers strength As became ... on the 'Lafole Massacre' that the Italian government would take 'energetic ... Also, in the book 'Italian colonialism in Somalia' of Robert L Hess, ... (this policy) has persuaded the Bimal and the Somali of Mogadishu that we are not strong”.

 

 


Habkii Loo Tirtiray Magac Direed - Tariikhda Direed iyo Madaxdii Hore oo ku dardaarmay in Dir la kala ilaaliyo

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

DAAWO CALEMASARKA SULDAANKA WARAKIYO IYO BEESHA AKISHO - Shirkii Qurbo Joogta Beesha Akisho

 
 
Liiska Xubnaha Golaha Guurtida Somaliland Iyo Saami Qaybsiga Beelaha 82 Kursi ee uu Golahu Ka Kooban
 
 
 
 
 
Somaliland Beesha Akisho Kuraas u qalma ma Siin bal fiir meeshaan, Akisho maa Hal kursi Waqooyi galbeed oo dhan ka istaahisha !!!!
 
Gurgure kursaas dhan lama siin, Cabaas Muuse oo Bari dagga oo ka Dhashay Surre hal kursi lama siin maxaa ka qaldan Isaaq ?

 

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