Yibir
The Yibir are an estimated 25,000 people comprehensive minority group within the society of the Somalis at the Horn of Africa .
They mainly live in the northern part of the Somali region ( Somaliland ), but there are also Yibir in parts further south. Like the Midgan / Madhibaan and Tumaal , they have a separate and discriminated status in the Somali clan system and are traditionally restricted to professions with a low status such as blacksmith or shoemaker. They also live from a widespread popular belief that it is lucky to give a Yibir in exchange for an amulet after the birth of a child.
The Yahar working as weavers in southern Somalia are named in some sources as a subgroup of the Yibir.
The origins of the Yibir are unknown. The Somali people believe that they are (descendants of) Jews , which contributes to the discrimination of this group; Yibir means " Hebrew ". The Yibir have been Muslims for centuries at least . According to their own traditions, they came to Somali as Arabic-speaking teachers about a millennium ago . There are no relations with the Ethiopian Jews .
In Somalia's interim parliament , one of the 275 seats is reserved for the Yibir.