Midgan

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Ethnic groups in Somalia

The Midgan (also: Midgaan ) or Madhibaan are a minority group within the Somali- inhabited area in the Horn of Africa . They live in small numbers all over this area, but most of them live in the northern part of Somalia ( Somaliland and Puntland ). From the perspective of the Somali majority, they are traditionally considered impure and, as a kind of caste of outsiders, are restricted to jobs of low status. Most of them have joined the dominant Somali clans as "clients" .

Terms and designations

The terms “Midgan” and “Madhibaan” are used differently, with “Midgan” for “outsiders” (English. Outcaste ) being pejorative and those affected now increasingly prefer the term “Madhibaan”. Both words denote on the one hand one - the largest - of the minority groups within the Somali region limited to low professions and on the other hand are used as collective names for all of these groups , i.e. also for Yibir , Tumaal and others. There are partly contradicting statements about which of these groups belongs to which subgroup or subclan. In Northern Somalia / Somaliland, Gaboye or Gabooye is used as a collective term for these groups.

Subclans

The Gaboye clan has at least five subclans: Madhibaan, Muse Dhariye, Tumaan, Anas, Yibr.

history

The origin of these groups has not yet been clarified. Some Gaboye members consider themselves to be descendants of an indigenous population in the region prior to the arrival of the Somali. Their traditions refer to the areas of Mudug and Nugaal as the area of ​​origin. The reason for their current unclean and subordinate status is often given that their ancestors once broke food taboos and then did not perform a cleansing ritual.

Today most of them are associated as clients with the Somali clans in whose territories they live. For them, they perform various activities that are regarded as low and impure, for example as leather craftsmen, shoemakers, barbers - who perform circumcisions - hunters, midwives and circumcisers. The Tumaal specialize in blacksmithing. Within the respective clans, they are each a separate group with which the Somali do not marry and which does not enjoy the same protection as the Somali clan members. They are also feared for their ascribed magical abilities.

Under the Siad Barres government (1969–1991), client status and discrimination based on clan membership were banned, from which the Midgan / Madhibaan benefited to a limited extent. Some Midgan / Madhibaan were raised to positions in the state security apparatus and used to take action against the opposition from various Somali clans. This brought them the charge of being favorites and supporters of the Barres dictatorship . After the fall of the Barre government and the start of the Somali civil war , they were particularly hard hit by violent attacks, some of which were committed as acts of revenge against them.

The tens of thousands of Gaboye in the de facto independent Somaliland are hardly represented in Somaliland's politics . In Somalia's transitional parliament , a total of 31 seats have been reserved for minorities, including the Midgan / Madhibaan. Discrimination against these groups remains widespread in Somali areas as well as in Somali communities in exile.

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