Ughaz 'Elmi Warfa

Ughaz 'Elmi Roble Warfa or Ughaz 'Elmi Roble Warfa (Somali: Ugaas Cilmi Rooble Warfaa. Cilmi Dheere , Arabic: سلطان علمي روبل ورفا ‎‎ ) also known as 'Elmi Warfa, his other nicknames were His 'Elmi Dheire "'Elmi the Tall" and Kun ‘Iil "A Thousand Sorrows". was a Gadabursi King.^[1]

History

The 13th in line of the Gadabursi Sultanate or Ughasate. The term Ughaz is an authentic Somali term for Sultan, the paramount leader.^[2]

In the late 1890s, Elmi the Tall "Elmi Dheire" in favour with the British at that time was appointed the Sultan or Ughaz of all the Gadabuursi in the British Protectorate. 'Elmi the tall thus supplanted the traditional line that has been in place since the 16th century, the traditional line of Ughaz Nur II and his successor, Ugas Roble II, who had fallen out of favor with the British.^[1]

Ughaz 'Elmi's authority was recognized in an installation ceremony in 1917 in Zeila, the ancient port city. However the traditional successor of Ughaz Nur II, Ughaz Robleh II, remained the Sultan of the Gadabuursi's in the borders of Ethiopia.^[1]

'Elmi the Tall belonging to one of the Gadabuursi elders was a member of the delegation of Ughaz Nur II that had accompanied his visit to Egypt in late 1870's and he was one of the elders who signed the treaty with the British at Zeila in 1884.^[1]

'Elmi the talls usurpation of the traditional Gadabuursi succession provoked other sub-clans and caused a lot of controversy. Many sub-clans, especially the rer Yunus or the Yunus branch felt it was their turn to vie for the Ughaz-ship. This sparked a conflict which was also conducted in poetic duels. These poems were rich imagery and symbolism. 2 of which were considered of the best were "Dhega Taag” (A Battle-Cry) by 'Elmi the Tall or 'Elmi Dheire' and the other called "Aabudle" (A Declaration of Faith) by Farid, Dabi-Hay 'Fariid Dhabi-Haye','Elmi's rival of the Yoonis branch.

Eventually, the rer Yonis succeeded Ughaz 'Elmi Roble Warfa at the end of his reign.^[1]

References