Gadabuursi

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Main article: Somali clan

The Gadabursi is a northern Somali clan, a sub-clan of the Dir. The Gadabuursi are descendants of Sheikh Samaroon, who suffered a devastating defeat in 1432 in a war with the highlanders of Ethiopia over a dispute of payment of annual tribute and tax collection from international trade routes connecting the hinterland of Ethiopia with the ports of Somalia. Recent archaeological excavations suggest up to 50,000 homes were destroyed.^{[citation needed]} As of 2006, they live mostly in Somaliland, Ethiopia and Djibouti.

Politically they are represented by the Somali Democratic Alliance (SDA). The current President of self-declared republic of Somaliland, Dahir Rayale Kahin, is from the Gadabuursi tribe. Also the Gadabuursi are the second largest Somali ethnic group in Djibouti where the Dir Isaa (Ciise) are the majority.

The "Gadabursi Kingdom" was established more than 400 years ago and consisted of hundred elders and the King (Ugaas). The Hundred Elders used to work in four sections consisting of 25 Elders each:

• Social committee
• Defence, the forcemen were horsemen "Fardoolay" and walkingmen
• Economy and collection of taxes
• Justice committee

The chairmen of the four sections were called "Afarta Dhadhaar" and were selected for their talent and personnel capability. A constitution, Xeer Gadabursi and Isaaq, had been developed, which divided every case as to whether it is new or experienced (ugub or curad).

The Gadabursi King and the Elders opposed the arrival of the British colonial government and signed an agreement with the British. Later as the disagreement between them had increased, the British Government had established some people against the Ugaas and organized to overthrow him which later caused the collapse of the kingdom.

As one of the Dir subclans, Gadabuursi are ethnically related to the Isaa of Djibouti, the Suhurre (Abdalle and Qubeys) of Central/Southern Somalia, the Biyomaal of southern Somalia, the Gaadsan, the Gurgure and the Isaaq. Gadabuursi are also the second largest Somali group in Ethiopia.

[edit] Partial listing of sub-clans

• Habar Afaan
• Mahad Ase
• Makaahiil

[edit] Notable Gadabursi

• Dahir Riyale Kahin, third president of Somaliland