Somali aristocratic and court titles
This is a list of Somali aristocratic and court titles that were historically used by the Somali people's various sultanates, kingdoms and empires. Also included are the honorifics reserved for Islamic notables as well as traditional leaders and officials within Somali customary law (xeer), in addition to the nobiliary particles set aside for distinguished individuals.
Monarchs and aristocrats
Below is a list of the
titles historically retained by the Somali monarchies and aristocracies
.
Male titles
Kings or Rulers
- Suldaan: From the Geledi Sultanate. The title, Suldaan was used by the influential Ajuran Sultanate that ruled large parts of East Africa form14th-century to 17th. The Ajuran Sultanate center of power was the House of Garen. Suldaan Olol Dinle was the last of Ajuran Dynasty that ruled the Shabelle Zone.
- Ugaas: Authentic Somali term for "Sultan". Used throughout the northern and western Somali territories; particularly in the Somali region of Ethiopia and Somaliland, but also in central Somalia, southern and northeastern Somalia.[1][3] The Gadabursi, Gaalje'el and Deshiishe[4][5] gave their sultan the title of "Ugaas" romanized as "Ughaz".[6][7][8]
- Boqor: Literally denotes Osman Mahamuud, who governed the Majeerteen Sultanate (Majeerteenia) during its 19th-century heyday. Also used among the Gadabuursi as the law of the King and the 100 men' (heerka boqorka iyo boqolka nin).[14]
- Silt'e languages respectively.[15]
- Yacquub who led the Inmate Of hiraab is one of famous imam in Horn of Africa.
- Emir: Used by leaders in the Adal Sultanate. Also employed by commanders in the Ajuran Sultanate's armed forces and navy. Prominent Emirs include Nur ibn Mujahid, the Emir of Harar who built the great wall (Jugol) around the city.
Royal family
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- Amiir: Rer Ainanshe, the son and heir of Sultan Nur Ahmed Aman.[18]
- Ina Boqor: Alternate court style for the Prince.Ajuran Empire and a powerful Ajuran princess called Faduma Sarjelle
Court officials
- Barbara origin, who had a retinue of wazirs, legal experts, commanders, royal eunuchs, and other officials at his service.[19] Other notable wazirs include the maternal grandfather of the Somali General Abdullahi Ahmed Irro, who was part of the Sultanate of Hobyo's aristocratic contingent in the southern town of Kismayo.[20]
- Boqortiishe: Ajuran Empire
- Wakiil-Boqor: Alternate court title designating a Viceroy.[21]
- Borama script for the Somali language.[23]
Female titles
Consorts
- Boqorad: Literally translates as "Queen". Title mainly reserved for the queen consort of the King (Boqor).[24]
Royal family
- Amiirad: Princess. Honorific set aside for the hereditary daughter of the King or Sultan.[17]
- Ina Boqor: Alternate court style for the Prince or Princess.[17]
Religious leaders
Islamic leaders within Somali society were often drawn from or elevated to the noble ranks. Below is a list of the titles most often used historically by the clergymen (ulama):
- Abd Al-Rahman bin Ahmad al-Zayla'i, scholar who played a crucial role in the spread of the Qadiriyya movement in Somalia and East Africa; Shaykh Sufi, 19th-century scholar, poet, reformist and astrologist who authored Shadjarat al-Yakim ("The Tree of Certitude"); Abdallah al-Qutbi, polemicist, theologian and philosopher best known for his five-part Al-Majmu'at al-mubaraka ("The Blessed Collection"); and Muhammad As-Sūmālī, teacher in the Masjid al-Haram in Mecca who influenced many of the prominent Islamic scholars of today.[26]
- Mohammed Abdullah Hassan ("Mad Mullah").[28]
- Shariif (pl. Ashraaf[29]): Historically used to distinguish descendants of Hassan 'Ali Abuu Taalib (Hasan ibn Ali).[29] Often reserved for early Islamic leaders such as Sharif Yusuf Barkhadle (popularly known as Aw Barkhadle or the "Blessed Father"),[30] a man described as "the most outstanding saint in northern Somalia".[31] Sharif Aydurus was also a notable Sharif and Somali scholar from Mogadishu.[32]
- Xaaji: Honorific reserved for distinguished individuals who have performed the hajj, or pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca.[25]
Traditional leaders and officials
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Below is a list of the titles traditionally employed by leaders and officials within the Somali customary law or xeer.
Leaders
- Islan: Clan chief.Harti confederation that dominated the northeastern Horn region since at least the 14th century. A general process of decentralization ensued, with new leaders known as Islaan assuming at the local level some of the power that was previously solely commanded by the Sultan of Majeerteenia, the titular head of the entire confederation. Although they nominally asserted independence from the sultanate, Islaan's mainly wielded religious rather than political authority.[34]
- Malakh: Signifies "War Leader". Historically used mainly by the Rahanweyn clan that today forms one of the largest constituencies in southern Somalia, in addition to a few sympatric clans. Usually assigned to the Herabow sub-lineage, from which two male constituents were selected to manage the group's military affairs.[35]
- Akil: From the Arabic for "wise man".[1] A common title for male elders, who are the traditional clan chiefs. Used particularly in Somaliland.[36]
Officials
- Oday (pl. Odayaal): Literally "elder". The most common title for advisors to the clan head or judges in xeer hearings. Used throughout the Somali territories.[37][38]
- Heer begti or Heer boggeyal: Jurists or legal experts in xeer.[38][39]
- Gurtiyal: Detectives.[38]
- Garhajiyal: Attorneys in xeer cases.[38]
- Murkhatiyal: Witnesses in official xeer proceedings.[38]
- Waranle: Police officers to enforce the customary law.[38]
Nobiliary particles
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