Somalia
Capital: Mogadishu · East Africa & Horn
A nation of poets and mariners — clans bound by oral law (xeer), medieval sultanates of Mogadishu and Adal, and the ancient incense lands of Punt.
Ethnic communities
- Somali clans (Darod, Hawiye, Isaaq, Dir, Rahanweyn)Pastoral democracy under xeer customary law
- BenadiriCoastal urban traders of Mogadishu, Merca, Barawa
- Somali Bantu (Jareer)Riverine farming communities of the Jubba/Shabelle
More communities of Somalia
- Darod — Great clan-family of the north and Jubba
- Hawiye — Central clans of Mogadishu's hinterland
- Isaaq — Somaliland's trading and poetry heartland
- Dir — Ancient clan-family of the northwest
- Rahanweyn — Inter-river farmers of Maay speech
- Bajuni — Island fisher-sailors of the far south
- Bravanese — Barawa's stone-town Chimini speakers
- Gaboye craft groups — Leather, iron and barber guild communities
- Sheekhaal — Clerical lineage of religious standing
- Ashraf — Prophet-descended families of the towns
- Warsangali & Majeerteen — Northeastern sultanate heritage clans
- Ogaden & Marehan — Jubba-basin pastoral powers
- Abgaal & Habar Gidir — Central coast and plateau lineages
Languages
Major languages: Somali, Arabic
Language families: Afro-Asiatic (Cushitic)
Historical kingdoms & states
- • Land of Punt (associated)
- • Sultanate of Mogadishu
- • Ajuran Empire
- • Adal Sultanate
- • Majeerteen & Geledi sultanates
Heritage sites
- • Mogadishu old town (Hamar Weyne)
- • Laas Geel rock art (in Somaliland-administered territory)
- • Zeila / Saylac ruins (in Somaliland-administered territory)
- • Cal Madow frankincense highlands (Puntland)
Cultural highlights
Gabay oral poetry ('nation of bards')Dhaanto danceCamel culture