The Bimaal or Bimal, official name: Jamal, (Somali: Biimaal , Beesha Biimaal , Jamal or Beesha Jamal),
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Arabic: بنو جمال, بنو بيمال) is one of the sub-clans of the major Dir clan family. This clan is widely known for leading a resistance against the colonials in southern Somalia for decades which can be compared to the war of the Mad Mullah in northern Somalia. The Biimaal mainly lives in Southern Somalia, the Somali region of Ethiopia, which their Gaadsen sub-clan mainly inhabits and in the NEP region of Kenya.
Overview
The Bimal are the dominant clan in Lower Shabelle and make up the majority, but they also live in the NEP region of Kenya and especially in large numbers inhabit the Somali region of Ethiopia. The Bimal a belicose clan that was known for their struggle and long resistance against the Italians. The Bimal formed their own organization during the war, the Southern Somali National Movement (SSNM), which name is derived and inspired by the Somali National Movement, which the Bimal also gave their support and funding too. Formally allied with Aideed, the chairmain of the SSNM, Colonel Abdi Warsame in 1993 broke with General Aideed and took part of the SSNM with him when he aligned himself with Ali Mahdi.
As Dir sub-clan, the Bīmāli have immediate lineal ties with the Gadabuursi, Surre (Abdalle and Qubeys), the Issa (who the Gaadsen also belong too), the Bajimal, the Bursuk, the Madigan, the Gurgura, the Garre (the Quranyow sub-clan to be precise as they claim descent from Dir), Gurre, Gariire, other Dir sub-clans and they have lineal ties with the Hawiye (Irir), Hawadle, Ajuraan, Degoodi, Gaalje'el clan groups, who share the same ancestor Samaale.
History
Merca was established in the 7th century by the Bimaal clan. The first Somalis arrived in the city in the 6th century and gained control of the city and trade of the region. The Bimaal are pastoralists. They were also successful merchants and traders in the 19th century. The Bimaal have proved in the past to be a bellicose clan, not only against their neighbours, but also against Italian colonial encroachment. More than a century ago they had engaged in multiple wars with the Geledi clan. The Bimaal violently resisted the imposition of colonialism fought against the Italian colonialists in a twenty-year war known as the Bimaal revolt in which many of their warriors assassinated several Italian governors.
Bīmāl revolt
The Bimal Revolt or Bimal Resistance or Merca Revolt (Somali : Dagaalkii Biimaal iyo Talyaaniga ) is widely known resistance or war fought against the colonials in southern Somalia in and around the current Lower Shebelle, Banadir , Middle Shabelle (Somali: Shabeela Hoose) for decades 1996 - 1926 which can be compared to the war of the Mad Mullah in northern Somalia.
For more about the Bimal resistance or revolt visit the following:
Aw-Gaadsen
The Gaadsen or reer Aw-Gaadsan branch of the Bimaal is considered a 'priestly lineage'. The Aw Gaadsen trace themselves from holymen and sheikhs living as pastoral nomads. Such religious lineages of sheikhs and holy-men are generally referred to as 'reer aw' or 'wadaaddo' . They are nominally 'men of God' possessed of blessing by definition rather than learned. Although it doesn't necessary mean that all their lineages make religion their profession.
Clan tree
The following list is based on the People of the Horn of Africa and a paper published in March 2002 by Ambroso Guido
Bimaal (Jamal) bin Mahamed