Ajuran (clan)


The Ajuran is a Somali clan, belonging to the Samaale family of Somalis, thus are related to the major clan families of Dir, Hawiye, Hawadle, Gardhere. The Ajuran members largely inhabit Kenya as well as southern east Ethiopia; considerable numbers are also found in Somalia.

Overview

The Ajuran clan's origins are found in the Ajuran Sultante, a Somali Muslim sultanate that ruled over large parts of the Horn of Africa in the Middle Ages. Today they largely live in Kenya, the North Eastern Province and the Somali region of Ethiopia, but also in Somalia. The Ajuraan largely speak the Somali language, but a big portion also speak the Borana language. The Ajuran are descendants of Alama who in turn is a son of Bal'ad who traces descent from an Arab settler named Harmalle Samaale

History

The Ajuran clan established the Garen Dynasty that ruled both Mogadishu Sultanate and Ajuran Empire during the Middle Ages. During the early modern period, the Garen Dynasty survived from the Ajuran state disintegrated and established the Kelafo Sultanate that ruled large parts of the Somali region the arid, inhospitable southern east desert land of Ethiopia. They were eventually weakened due to their continues claims to lands belonging to the Ethiopian Empire and harassment from the Italian Empire. They were later driven out by the encroaching Ogaden tribe and the survivors fled to Kenya.

Clan Tree

This Clan Tree is based on "Identities on the Move: Clanship and Pastoralism in Northern Kenya" by Gunther Schlee.
-Samaale