# Abgaal (Abgal, Hawiye clan)

> The Abgaal (Abgal) clan of the Hawiye: family tree, branches, where they live, history and recent conflict records, from EUAA, ACLED and Abbink.

Source page: https://calankii.com/en/society/abgaal/
Last checked: 2026-11-12
Publisher: Calankii (https://calankii.com)

## Name and family tree

The Abgaal are a clan of the Hawiye, one of the five large Somali clan families ([EUAA Country Guidance, 2025](https://euaa.europa.eu/country-guidance-somalia/1-general-remarks)). The name is spelled Abgaal in standard Somali and often Abgal in English.

Sources place the Abgaal differently within the Hawiye:

| Source | Line it gives |
|---|---|
| Abbink 2009 | Hawiye > Bah Girei > Gurgate > Abgal ([Abbink, *The Total Somali Clan Genealogy*, 2009, p. 26](https://hdl.handle.net/1887/14007)) |
| World Bank 2005, south-central chart | Hawiye > Gorgate > Abgal ([World Bank, *Conflict in Somalia*, 2005, Appendix 2](https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/entities/publication/b2109b26-2d10-5ac6-85c2-dbfa820c5f6e)) |
| ACLED 2025 | Hawiye > Abgal ([ACLED clan actor list, September 2025](https://acleddata.com/system/files/2025-10/Somalia-clan-actor-old-to-new-list_16-September-2025.xlsx)) |
| EASO 2021 | The "Abgaal Mudulood clan group" ([EASO, *Somalia: Security situation*, 2021](https://coi.euaa.europa.eu/administration/easo/PLib/2021_09_EASO_COI_Report_Somalia_Security_situation.pdf)) |
| Wikipedia (backup) | Hawiye > Hiraab > Mudulood > Abgaal ([Wikipedia, Abgaal, backup](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abgaal)) |

Wikipedia says the Mudulood also include the Wacdaan, Moobleen, Hiilibi and [Udeejeen](/en/society/udeejeen/) (same source). Abbink places Mudulood under Hirab, beside [Habr Gidir](/en/society/habar-gidir/) and [Duduble](/en/society/duduble/) ([Abbink 2009, p. 27](https://hdl.handle.net/1887/14007)).

The Italian scholar Enrico Cerulli recorded a tradition on the founder. Abgaal's father was Osman Darandoolle and his mother Faduma Sarjeele, of the Ajuran house of Gareen. Cerulli read the story as a memory of old fights between Abgaal herders and the Ajuran ([Wikipedia, Abgaal, backup, quoting Cerulli](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abgaal)).

## Main branches

Wikipedia gives three main branches: Harti (the eldest), Wacbuudhan and Waceysle, the youngest ([Wikipedia, Abgaal, backup](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abgaal)).

Abbink lists these Abgal groups ([Abbink 2009, p. 26](https://hdl.handle.net/1887/14007)):

- Sul Harti
- Wa'Aysle
- Eli Omar
- Matan
- Yusuf
- [Warsengeli](/en/society/warsangali/)
- Wa'abudan, with Da'ud
- Se'ile
- Agon-yare
- Mobileen (see [Moobleen](/en/society/moobleen/))

ACLED's 2025 list codes these Abgal groups ([ACLED, September 2025](https://acleddata.com/system/files/2025-10/Somalia-clan-actor-old-to-new-list_16-September-2025.xlsx)):

- Abdalla Arone (also Cabdale Caroone), and under Abdalla: Agonyar and Galmaah
- Abukar, Abukar Gabane, Agonyar, Agoonyar [Gaabane](/en/society/saleebaan-habar-gidir/), Gaabane Mohamed
- Celi (Eli), Cosoble Ali, Daud, Galmaax Yoonis, Galmah, Habar [Nugal](/en/regions/nugaal/)
- Harti Abgal, Hassan Gaab, Kabaale, Matan Abdulle, Reer Matan, Warsangeli
- Mohamed Muse, with Dhiblabe Turyare and Suubiye Turyare
- Wabudhan, with Mataan Muse and Mohamed Muse
- Wacaysle, and Wacaysle Ali Gaaf

The EUAA names Mohamed Muse as part of "Wa'budhan/Abgaal" ([EUAA Country Focus 2025, section 1.5.1](https://coi.euaa.europa.eu/administration/easo/PLib/2025_05_EUAA_COI_Report_Somalia_Country_Focus.pdf)). All the groups above are also on [the Somali clan tree](/en/society/somali-clan-tree/).

## Where they live

No census counts Somalis by clan. ACCORD notes that Somalis often claim more members than their groups have, "in order to demonstrate strength" ([ACCORD, *Clans in Somalia*, 2009, p. 11](https://www.ecoi.net/en/file/local/1193130/90_1261130976_accord-report-clans-in-somaliarevised-edition-20091215.pdf)).

| Place | What the sources record |
|---|---|
| Middle Shabelle | "The dominant clan in Middle Shabelle is the Abgal clan" ([EUAA 2025, Middle Shabelle](https://euaa.europa.eu/coi/somalia/2025/security-situation/24-hirshabelle/242-middle-shabelle)) |
| Mogadishu | "Mogadishu is inhabited largely by Hawiye from the clans Abgaal, Habar Gedir and Murosade" ([EUAA Country Focus 2025, Mogadishu](https://coi.euaa.europa.eu/administration/easo/PLib/2025_05_EUAA_COI_Report_Somalia_Country_Focus.pdf)) |
| Galgaduud | Abgaal clan militias supported the security forces in Ceel Dheer district in 2023 and 2024 ([EUAA 2025, Galgaduud](https://euaa.europa.eu/coi/somalia/2025/security-situation/25-galmudug/251-galgaduud)) |
| Hiraan border | Abgal and Hawadle groups share grazing land along the Hiraan and Middle Shabelle border ([EUAA 2025, Middle Shabelle](https://euaa.europa.eu/coi/somalia/2025/security-situation/24-hirshabelle/242-middle-shabelle)) |
| Lower Shabelle | The EASO lists the Abgal among Hawiye clans in the east of the region ([EASO 2021](https://coi.euaa.europa.eu/administration/easo/PLib/2021_09_EASO_COI_Report_Somalia_Security_situation.pdf)) |

The EASO quotes a source saying the Abgaal see Mogadishu and Middle [Shabelle](/en/economy/farming-and-harvests/) as "the same and one" ([EASO 2021](https://coi.euaa.europa.eu/administration/easo/PLib/2021_09_EASO_COI_Report_Somalia_Security_situation.pdf)). Wikipedia says Mogadishu is the traditional land of the Reer Mataan sub-clan ([Wikipedia, Abgaal, backup](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abgaal)).

## History on record

- **1500s.** Clan traditions say the Abgaal Darandoolle reached the land behind Mogadishu in the 1500s. Abgaal names then appear in the town's family records ([Wikipedia, Abgaal, backup](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abgaal)).
- **Late 1600s to 1700s.** Wikipedia says the Yaaquub, an Abgaal imam's lineage, came to control Shangaani and most of Mogadishu (same source).
- **1700s onward.** The historian Lee Cassanelli describes a Hiraab imamate, an alliance under the Gorgaarte. The imam came from the Mudulood (same source, quoting Cassanelli). See [medieval and early modern polities](/en/history/medieval-and-early-modern-polities-1300s-1700s/).
- **1991.** The [United Somali Congress](/en/institutions/united-somali-congress/) was "internally divided between the two principal Hawiye clans, the Abgaal and Habar Gidir". Interim president [Ali Mahdi Muhammad](/en/people/ali-mahdi-muhammad/) "emerged as the most prominent Abgaal leader" ([Library of Congress](http://countrystudies.us/somalia/76.htm)). See [rebuilding, 1991 to 1999](/en/history/rebuilding-1991-1999/).
- **Since 2000.** Wikipedia names [Sharif Sheikh Ahmed](/en/people/sharif-sheikh-ahmed/) and [Hassan Sheikh Mohamud](/en/people/hassan-sheikh-mohamud/) as Abgaal presidents ([Wikipedia, Abgaal, backup](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abgaal)).
- **November 2020.** Ali Gudlawe, recorded by the EASO as Abgal, was elected president of [Hirshabelle](/en/states/hirshabelle/) ([EASO 2021](https://coi.euaa.europa.eu/administration/easo/PLib/2021_09_EASO_COI_Report_Somalia_Security_situation.pdf)).

## Elders and customary law

Senior Somali clan leaders carry titles such as *suldaan*, *ugaas* or *issim*. Their role is "mainly judicial and representative" ([UK Home Office, CPIN Somalia: clans, 2019, quoting EASO 2014](https://www.ecoi.net/en/file/local/2002542/Somalia_-_Clans_-_CPIN_V3.0e.pdf)). Wikipedia says the Abgaal imam, who is also imam of the Hiraab, comes from the Owbakar sub-clan. It says the ugaas comes from the [Reer Ugaas](/en/society/gadabuursi/) and is ugaas of the Mudulood ([Wikipedia, Abgaal, backup](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abgaal)). See [xeer, Somali customary law](/en/society/xeer-customary-law/).

In January 2021 two Abgaal sub-clans, Abdalla Aroni and Eli Oumar, settled a land dispute. They agreed to pay compensation and release detained people ([EASO 2021](https://coi.euaa.europa.eu/administration/easo/PLib/2021_09_EASO_COI_Report_Somalia_Security_situation.pdf)). The Abgaal seats in parliament are part of the Hawiye share; see [the Federal Parliament](/en/institutions/federal-parliament/).

## In recent conflict records

The EUAA lists clan conflicts from April 2023 to March 2025, using ACLED data ([EUAA Country Focus 2025, section 1.5.1](https://coi.euaa.europa.eu/administration/easo/PLib/2025_05_EUAA_COI_Report_Somalia_Country_Focus.pdf)). Examples involving Abgaal groups:

- Abgaal against Hawadle (Hawiye), in Jalalaqsi district and El Baraf district.
- Abdalle Arone against Agoonyar Gabane and Obakar Gabane (Mohamed Muse), in Adale district.
- Adan Dhiblabe Turyare against Suubiye Dhiblabe Turyare, both Mohamed Muse, in Jowhar district.
- Ili Omar and Reer Mataan, in [Warsheikh](/en/regions/warsheikh/) district.
- [Gaaljeel](/en/society/gaaljecel/) (Hawiye) against Abgal, between [Afgoye](/en/regions/lower-shabelle/) and Wanlaweyne districts.

The EUAA adds that conflict between Abdalle Arone and Mohamed Muse in July 2023 was "reportedly resolved through a peace agreement in August 2024". ACLED recorded 23 incidents in Middle Shabelle involving both Abgal and Hawadle militias ([EUAA 2025, Middle Shabelle](https://euaa.europa.eu/coi/somalia/2025/security-situation/24-hirshabelle/242-middle-shabelle)). The EASO also recorded tensions between the Abgal and the Shiidle (Bantu) along the river ([EASO 2021](https://coi.euaa.europa.eu/administration/easo/PLib/2021_09_EASO_COI_Report_Somalia_Security_situation.pdf)). See [clan conflicts, district by district](/en/society/clan-conflicts/).

## Where sources differ

- **Place in the Hawiye tree.** Abbink and the World Bank place the Abgaal directly under Gurgate (Gorgate). The EASO and Wikipedia place them under Mudulood, and Wikipedia adds Hiraab above.
- **Branch names.** Abbink, ACLED and Wikipedia list the branches differently and spell them differently, for example Wa'Aysle, Wacaysle and Waceysle.
- **Early history.** The Mogadishu history comes from clan traditions and manuscripts quoted on Wikipedia, a backup source.
- **Strength.** ACCORD calls the Abgaal "one of the most dominant and strongest clans" ([ACCORD 2009, p. 20](https://www.ecoi.net/en/file/local/1193130/90_1261130976_accord-report-clans-in-somaliarevised-edition-20091215.pdf)). No count of members exists.

## Read more

- [Hawiye](/en/society/hawiye/), the family the Abgaal belong to
- [Wacbuudhan](/en/society/wacbuudhan/), one of the three main Abgaal branches
- [The Somali clan tree: every clan and sub-clan](/en/society/somali-clan-tree/)
- [Somali clans and lineage: how the system works](/en/society/clans-and-lineage/)
- [Middle Shabelle](/en/regions/middle-shabelle/) and [Mogadishu](/en/regions/mogadishu/)

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