The Somali Community of Kenya

In 1899, the Dervish rebellion was sparked by claims that a group of Somali children had been converted into Christianity and adopted by the French Catholic mission at Berbera. This, according to the consul general James Hayes Sadler, was either spread or made up by a Sultan Nur.

Abdulla is quoted to have said that the British had destroyed their religion, taken the Somalis' children and made them theirs, thus beginning the rebellion opposing Christianity.

The Mullah acquired weapons from the Ottoman empire, Sudan and other Islamic communities, put his people in charge of different parts of Somalia, and called for Somali unity and independence. He declared war on all indels (the British) and with 5000 of his followers, armed with 200 guns, he created the Dervish empire.

Ajuran Sultanate: the royals from Somali

In the midst of the vast Somali expanse during the 13th century, a great empire dwelt upon the land. Canals crisscrossed the Shebelle and the Juba rivers, and the land was lush with crops. They were a marvel of hydraulic engineering, like the land of the Pharaohs was before them. For miles around, this great kingdom was the best, and the only empire in Africa that had bent rivers to its will. Complementing its canals were wells and cisterns, which are still in use even to this day. With a centralized system of government, the Sultans at the helm, and a strong military, not even the Oromo from the west and the Portuguese from the east could measure up to its might. This was the Ajuran Dynasty.

At the peak of the European age of exploration, the European superpower Portugal was perhaps the most determined to test the strength of the Ajurans. Their conquest begun with the city-states of Mombasa, Malindi, Kilwa, Lamu and Pate. Some they plundered, while others they torched. The overzealous Tristao da Cunha went as far as daring the Ajuran Empire itself, in the battle of Barawa, but the resistance was too stiff and the defenses too strong. The Somalis from the Ajuran Empire fought fiercely and defeated the Portuguese, leaving injured Tristao nursing injuries in the Socotra islands.

This is a sisal rope, used for fastening goods on a camel when going to the market.

Clan system

The Somali were organized into clans, which were traditionally headed by religious leaders called Sultans. All clan leaders formed a council of elders, which was in charge of the day to day affairs of the community (making major clan decisions, settling disputes, maintaining law and order) and acting as the final court of appeal.

There were also community members with special responsibilities – for instance, Sheikhs and medicine men, who were highly regarded in the community. Their opinions would be sought before important decisions were made.

Men provided protection

This is a crude spear made by a local blacksmith. The shaft was shaped with a big knife, and it was used by herdsmen to fight off enemies and also lions.

Women thatched their houses

Duful is a twined mat with fringed grass attached to one side. It was made by women from owo leaves. These were carried on camels' backs and used to build houses.

The Somali lived in temporary settlements consisting of a semi-circular or circular arrangement of houses, erected around open space which was partitioned into pens for the livestock.

The houses were prefabricated and portable structures, readily erected and dismantled. Erecting and dismantling the houses was traditionally the responsibility of the women.

Incense pot

These pots were used by women, who would place hot charcoal in the burner and add some sweet smelling spices. They used this to keep their houses smelling nice. The incense burner was also placed in an oval openwork basket, on which the women would sit so that the incense would scent their clothes and bodies.

Marriage cane

This is a cane of about 18 inches long with a leather thong as a handle. The handle is covered with tan colored leather, and the lower part with closely woven string, painted yellow.

It was made by the men from goatskin, string and a metal stick from the shops. The color was obtained from the Korowtree; its stems were mixed with water and heated, then the color would be smeared on when cold.

Such canes were never sold, but made specially for marriage ceremonies. They were used to confirm the marriage, and the newly married groom would hit the bride on the back three times on the first day of marriage.

The Somali widely practiced polygamy, as Islamic laws allow a man to have as many as four wives.

Decorated aluminium ornaments

Mavasa is an oval pendant. It was made by melting down and beating out an old splay cooking pot, then decorating it with an incised pattern, worked with a small splay ended awl. It was made by a male craftsman and worn by women attached to their necklaces.

Wooden spoons

These spoons were carved by men and used for eating.

Decorated women's comb

A decorated comb made by men from wood of the Hagar tree. It was used by women to comb their hair.

Carved stool

This low stool with two legs was used by everyone. However, women traditionally used low stools, while men used the higher ones.

All men in the community knew how to carve the stools, but some specialized in the skill. Usually one or two men would make them in each homestead, using the hagar wood.

The art of basketry

This is a half-done basket, woven using an awl. The material used is from wild sisal (sansavieria), which has been cut. A hole would then have been dug in the ground, and something burned inside it to dry the sisal. The sisal leaves would then be buried in the hole for three to four weeks, after which they are ready for use. Before a Somali girl married, she had to prepare such baskets for her own home.

A defense sword

This sword was made from scrap metal by a blacksmith, and used by men as a weapon for defense, and for cutting meat.

Charm

This necklace was made by women from large colored ivory beads attached to two charms. The charms were made from horse skin, inside which was placed a letter from the Sheikh.

A sick person would have his sickness diagnosed by the Sheikh, who had referred to the Quran, and the pocket would then be prepared. These charms were used to prevent all types of sicknesses and diseases.