Makayl-Dheere

The Makayl-Dheere are one of the biggest sub-divisions of the Gadabuursi clan family. Historically, they occupy the buffer zones between the Gadabuursi and Issa clans in Ethiopia. They also border the Jarso, Geri and the Oromo people.[2]

The territory of the Makayl-Dheere is almost exclusively in Ethiopia, however they also do reside in Somalia and Djibouti.

Within Ethiopia, the Makayl-Dheere reside in both the Somali Region and Oromo Region. In the Somali Region, they specifically reside in the Awbare district and make up the majority of the clans which reside in the Dembel district.[3][4] They make up the largest clan inhabiting the famous Harrawa Valley in the Gadabuursi country which strides both the Awbare and Dembel districts.[5] In the Oromo Region, the Makayl-Dheere reside in Metehara[6][7] and Chinhahsan.[8][9] They also inhabit rural areas east of Dire Dawa and in the immediate vicinity of Harar.[10][11][12][13][14]

Within Djibouti, the Makayl-Dheere reside in Quarter 4 and 5 of Djibouti (city).[15][16]

Within Somaliland, the Makayl-Dheere reside in the Awdal region and specifically inhabit the Borama District.[17]

As a member of the Dir clan, the Makayl-Dheere come under the Makahiil branch of the Gadabuursi. As a member of the Dir clan, the Makayl-Dheere were a part of the Sultanate of Ifat and the Adal Sultanate.[18] These sultanates were ran by the Walashma dynasty, who were originated by the famous Yusuf bin Ahmad al-Kawneyn.

The Makayl-Dheere also reside in some of the oldest towns of these sultanates such as Awbare which is considered an important historical area and home to many Somali saints.[19][20]

The royal family of the Gadabuursi, the Ugasate, evolved from and is a successor kingdom to the Sultanate of Harar.[21] The first Ugaas of this break away and successor kingdom, Ali Makail Dera (Cali Makayl-Dheere) was the son of the progenitor of the Makayl-Dheere.[22] The matrilineal founder who established the Kingdom was Lady Khadija Sheikh Abba Yonis Hasan, from the Geri Koombe clan of the Darod clan.[23]

According to a Max Planck research paper, one branch of the Reer Ugaas of the Makayl-Dheere on the borders of Ethiopia rose to the rank of dejazmach (ደጃዝማች ), (‘Commander of the Gate’).[24] A military title meaning commander of the central body of a traditional Ethiopian armed force composed of a vanguard, main body, left and right wings and a rear body.^[4]

The Adal Sultanate which was largely on part of the Gadabursi territory and the conquest of Abyssinia which they contributed to.

The Horyaal Democratic Front was a Gadabuursi paramilitary organization that was active in the Somali Region of Ethiopia, the bulk of which whom were from the Makayl-Dheere.[25] Their area of influence straddled the Somaliland border and incorporated the Dire Dawa, Jijiga, Chinhahsan, Tuliguled, Harar, Ejersa Goro and the Awbare zones. The centre of this rebel movement was the mountains between Chinhahsan and Dire Dawa.[26]

The Makayl-Dheere claim descent from Dir through Gadabursi.[27] The lineage is listed below.

• Gadabursi
• Habar Makadur (Makadoor)
  • Makahil
    • Muse
      • Makail Dera Makayl-Dheere.

The sub divisions of the Makayl-Dheere:

• Makail Dera (Makayl-Dheere)[28]
  • Abokor
    • Reer Galaangal
    • Reer Abdi Abokor
  • Ugaas
    • Ugaas Cabdille
    • Ugaas Samatar