Bīmāl Revolt
| Bimal Resistance | |||||||
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| Part of the Scramble for Africa and the First World War (1914–1918) | |||||||
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The Bimal Revolt, Bimal Resistance, Merca Revolt or Banadir Resistance (Somali : Dagaalkii Biimaal iyo Talyaaniga ), was a widely known resistance or war fought against the Italians colonists in southern Somalia , largely fought in Lower Shabelle (Somali: Shabeela Hoose) , but also in and around the current Lower Shebelle, Banadir , Middle Shabelle and for decades 1896 - 1926.
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]
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]
References
- ↑ Ciisa-Salwe, Cabdisalaam M. (1996-01-01). The collapse of the Somali state: the impact of the colonial legacy. HAAN. p. 19. ISBN 9781874209270.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ 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,
- ↑ 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.
- 1 2 Hess, Robert L. (1964-01-01). "The 'Mad Mullah' and Northern Somalia". The Journal of African History. 5 (3): 415–433, page 422.