# Habar Gidir

The Habar Gidir (Somali: Habar Gidir, Arabic: هبر جدر) is a major subclan of the Hawiye. The clan has produced some prominent Somali figures, including the first Prime Minister of Somalia Abdullahi Issa Mohamud, and Somalia's fifth President Abdiqasim Salad Hassan.

## Overview

The Habar Gidir are part of the Hiraab clans. The Hiraab consists of the Habar Gidir, Sheekhaal, Mudulood and Duduble. The Habar Gidir are also a sub-clan of the larger Hawiye and are one of the most important sub-clans amongst the Hawiye. This gives the Habar Gidir immediate lineal ties with the other Hawiye sub-clans. The Hawiye descend from Irir Samaale who was one of the sons of Samaale. Due to this the Habar Gidir also have kinship with other Samaale clans.
The Habar Gidir are one of the largest Somali clan families and inhabit a vast portion of the Somali nation and Somali peninsula at large. The Habargidir mainly reside in the central regions of Somalia, where they predominate, and are frequently associated with the region itself. The Habargidir as a clan break into 5 clan families made up of the Cayr, Sacad, Saleebaan, sifaadle and Saruur who are all descended from Madarki’is (Madarkicis Hiraab).

## Etymology

The Habar Gidir are a Hiraab sub-clan. The forefather of the clan is Madarkicis Hiraab and Habar Gidir is the name of their Mother. Madarkicis is part of the Hiraab section of Hawiye. Madarkicis translates to "gathering causer'' or ''The one who rouses meetings" in the Somali language. The name Habar gidir is derived from Madarkicis' appreciation to Raarey Gidir, who gave birth to two of his sons out of a total of five and nurtured all of his children, Madarkicis afterwards made the prayer that Raarey Gidir's name surpasses his to convey his thanks for her care.

## Distribution

The Habar Gidir primarily live in the central regions of Mudug and Galgaduud in Galmudug state of Somalia. The Habargidir also live in the capital of Somalia Mogadishu, where they are great stakeholders in the city and are the cities biggest financial and political stakeholders as well as producing the first Mayor of the city post-Independence.
The clan also lives in the Somali Region of Ethiopia in particular the areas neighbouring Galmudug state such as the regions of Korahe Zone, Shabelle Zone and Dollo but can also be found in sizeable numbers in other parts of the region. In addition to this the Habar Gidir can also be found in northern Somalia where they have established settlements and are important stakeholders within the region, some of the regions they primarily inhabit in northern Somalia include the regions of Sool and Togdheer. The Habargidir in general can be found in fair numbers in every Somali city and region and are one of the few clans who are well spread. Finally, the Habargidir can be found in the expatriate communities of the Somali diaspora in great numbers.

## Role and influence in Somalia

The Habar Gidir clan has produced prominent figures such as the first Prime Minister of Somalia Abdullahi Issa Mohamud, who hailed from the Sa'ad subclan; Reer Nima'ale. Abdullahi Issa played one of the most important roles if not the most important role in bringing independence for the Somali nation. He stood firm in his beliefs against the occupying Italians and ensured to get them out of the country legally and bring Somalis freedom in which he was victorious.
Somalia's fifth president Abdiqasim Salad Hassan also hails from the Habargidir, Ayr, Absiiye. The president was elected at a time where Somalia had not seen governance for nearly a decade and was elected in the town of Arta in Djibouti by Somali delegates representing the various Somali clans and factions. His government faced great challenges despite his will to restore the Somali nation to its better past. He was also a very important figure in Mohamed Siyad Barres Regime and held 7 ministerial posts in the span of the regimes rule.
General Mohamed Farah Aydid, also from the Habargidir, is regarded as the most influential general in modern Somali political history. Mohamed Farah Aydid was a Major General who was instrumental in the 1977 war against Ethiopia to liberate the unlawfully occupied Somali Region. After other Somali clans failed to overthrow President Mohamed Siyad Barre's totalitarian rule, the General played the most essential role in overthrowing the regime. General Aydid was the Chairman and Leader of the United Somali Congress faction, which ousted Mohamed Siyad Barre.

## Clan tree and lineage

The following is a full genealogical list starting with Samaale, the forefather of the Somali clans; some names are, however, omitted.
* Samaale
** Irir
*** Hawiye
**** Gorgaarte
***** Hiraab
****** Madarki'is (Habar Gidir)
******* Mohammed (Ayr) Madarkicis
******** Mu'le Mahamed (Tolweyne)
******** Wa'e Mahamed (Yabadhaale)
******* Sa'ad Madarkicis
******** Awarere Sa'ad
******** Abdalle Sa'ad
******* Sulaiman (Saleebaan) Madarkicis
******** Farah Saleebaan
******** Dashame Saleebaan
******* Ibrahim (Saruur) Madarkicis
******** Nabadwaa Saruur
******** Wacdaan Saruur
******* Sifaadle Madarkicis
******** Mariid
******** Daangaale