Somali

Somali is an ethnic group native to the Horn of Africa. They are predominantly found in Somalia, where they form a large majority of the population, but also reside in Ethiopia, Djibouti, and Kenya. The Somali people share a common language, Somali, and most are adherents of Islam.

History

The Somali people trace their ancestry to the Irir Samaale, the oldest common ancestor of several Somali clans. Historical evidence suggests that the Somali people have inhabited the Horn of Africa for at least 2,000 years. During the Middle Ages, several powerful Somali empires dominated the regional trade including the Ajuran Sultanate, which excelled in hydraulic engineering and fortress building, the Adal Sultanate, whose general Ahmad ibn Ibrihim al-Ghazi led a military campaign during the Conquest of Abyssinia, and the Warsangali Sultanate.

Culture

Somali culture is a fusion of traditions developed independently and through interaction with neighboring and far away civilizations, such as other African, Persian, Arabian, and Indian cultures. The Somali language is the official language of Somalia. It is a member of the Cushitic branch of the Afro-Asiatic family, and its nearest relatives are the Afar and Oromo languages. Somali art is the artistic culture of the Somali people, both historic and contemporary. These include artistic traditions in pottery, music, architecture, wood carving and other genres.

Religion

The majority of Somalis are Sunni Muslim, adhering to the Shafi'i school. The religion has been a major influence in Somali society and politics. Notable Somali religious figures include Sheikh Abdurahman bin Isma'il al-Jabarti, an early Muslim scholar, and Abd al-Rahman al-Jabarti, a prominent 18th-century scholar and historian.

Demographics

The Somali people are one of the largest ethnic groups in Africa. The total population is estimated to be between 16 and 20 million. The largest concentration of Somalis is in Somalia (approximately 9 million), followed by Ethiopia (4.6 million), Kenya (2.8 million), and Djibouti (534,000).

See also

• History of Somalia
• Culture of Somalia
• Religion in Somalia
• Demographics of Somalia