Borama (Sunatimes) This is an abstract from “A pastoral democracy:a
study of pastoralism & politics among the norther…..” A book by I.M Lewis
The pastoral Somali
have few large ceremonies and little ritual. for its interest, therefore I
reproduce here a summary of a very full account of traditional Gadabuursi
installation ceremony given me by ‘Abdurahmaan sheikh nuur, the present
governor Kadi of Borama. Clansmen gather for the ceremony in well wooded and
watered place. There is singing and dancing, then stock are slaughtered for
feasting and sacrifice. The stars are carefully watched to determine a
propitious time and then future ugaas is chosen by divination. Candidates must
be sons or brothers of the former ugaas and the issue of woman who has been
only married once. She should not be a women who has been divorced or a widow.
Early on a Monday
morning a man of the reer nuur (the laandeer of the gadabuursi) plucks a flower
or leaf and throws it upon the ugaas. Everyone else then follows his example.
The man who starts the ‘aleemasaar acclamation must be a man rich in lifestock,
with four wives and many sons.
Men of the Mahad
Muuse lineage then brings four vessels of milk. One contains camels’ milk, one
cows’ milk, one sheeps’ milk and the last goats’ milk. These are offered to the
Ugaas who selects one and drinks a little from it. If he drinks the camels’
milk, camels will be blessed and prosper, if he drinks the goats’ milk, goats
will prosper, and so on. After this, a large four-year-old ram is slaughtered
infront of him. His hair is cut by a man of the Gadabuursi and he casts off his
old clothes and dons new clothes as Ugaas.
A man of Reer Yuunis
puts a white turban round his head and his old clothes are carried off by men
of the jibra’iin.
The ugaas then
mounts his best horse and rides to a well called bugay, near garis, towards the
coast. The well contains deliciously fresh water. Above the well are white
pebbles and on these he sits. He is washed by a brother or other close kinsman
as he sits on top of the stones. Then he returns to the assembled people and is
again acclaimed and crowned with leaves. dancing and feasting recommence. The ugaas
makes a speech in which he blesses his people and asks god to grant peace,
abundant milk and rain- all symbols of peace and prosperity (nabad iyo caano).
If rain falls after this , people will know that his reign will be prosperous.
That the ceremony is
customarily performed during the karan rainy season makes this all more likely.
The ugaas is given a new house with entirely new effects and furnishings and a
bride is sought for him. She must be of good family, and the child of a woman
who has had only one husband. Her bride-wealth is paid by all the Gadabuursi
collectively, as they thus ensure for themselves successors to the title.
Rifles or other fire-arms are not included in the bride-wealth. Everything
connected with accession must be peaceful
By Abdisalan Alasow
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Somalia: Crowning of Gadabursi Ugaas
A man of Reer Yuunis puts a white turban round his head