# Begedi (Bagadi, Digil, Rahanweyn)

> The Begedi (Bagadi) of the Digil and Rahanweyn: family tree, where they live in Lower Shabelle around Awdheegle and Afgoye, and what records say.

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

## Name and family tree

The Begedi are a Somali clan, also written Bagadi. Most sources place them in the [Digil](/en/society/digil/) branch of the [Rahanweyn](/en/society/rahanweyn/).

| Source | Line it gives |
|---|---|
| EUAA 2025 | "Begedi and Geledi are part of Rahanweyn/Digil" ([EUAA Country Focus 2025, section 1.4.3](https://coi.euaa.europa.eu/administration/easo/PLib/2025_05_EUAA_COI_Report_Somalia_Country_Focus.pdf)) |
| ACCORD 2009 | "The Bagadi / Iroole are part of Digil / Rahanweyn in Lower Shabelle" ([ACCORD, *Clans in Somalia*, 2009, p. 20](https://www.ecoi.net/en/file/local/1193130/90_1261130976_accord-report-clans-in-somaliarevised-edition-20091215.pdf)) |
| ACLED 2025 | Rahanweyn > Digil > Bagadi, with older names Begedi and Digil-Bagari ([ACLED clan actor list, September 2025](https://acleddata.com/system/files/2025-10/Somalia-clan-actor-old-to-new-list_16-September-2025.xlsx)) |
| World Bank 2005 (CRD chart) | Digil: Geledi, Tunni, Garre, Jiiddo, Begedi and Shanta-Alen ([World Bank, *Conflict in Somalia: Drivers and Dynamics*, 2005, Appendix 2](https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/entities/publication/b2109b26-2d10-5ac6-85c2-dbfa820c5f6e)) |
| Abbink 2009 | Lists Irole under Digil ([Abbink, *The Total Somali Clan Genealogy*, 2009, p. 11](https://hdl.handle.net/1887/14007)) |
| Somali Wikipedia (backup) | Descended from Aw Digil ([Somali Wikipedia, Begedi, backup](https://so.wikipedia.org/wiki/Begedi)) |

ACCORD treats Bagadi and Iroole as one name pair. Abbink lists Irole but not Begedi. See [the Rahanweyn and Digil tree](/en/society/somali-clan-tree-rahanweyn/).

## Main branches

Somali Wikipedia says the Begedi have 12 clans in four lineages ([Somali Wikipedia, Begedi, backup](https://so.wikipedia.org/wiki/Begedi)). It adds that some Begedi lineages joined the [Eelay](/en/society/eelay/), [Geledi](/en/history/geledi-sultanate/), [Garre](/en/society/garre/) and [Tunni](/en/society/tunni/) over time (same source).

ACLED codes one Bagadi group without sub-clans (ACLED, September 2025). The EUAA and ACCORD name no Begedi sub-clans.

## 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 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 |
|---|---|
| Lower Shabelle, around Afgoye | "Geledi and Begedi typically reside in Lower Shabelle region, especially in and around Afgoye" (EUAA 2025, section 1.4.3) |
| Lower Shabelle, long-term groups | The EASO lists Bagadi among the long-term indigenous sub-clans of Lower Shabelle, with Tunni, Eelay, Garre, Geledi and Jiddu ([EASO, *Somalia: Security situation*, 2021](https://coi.euaa.europa.eu/administration/easo/PLib/2021_09_EASO_COI_Report_Somalia_Security_situation.pdf)) |
| Awdheegle district | Somali Wikipedia calls it their main home ([Somali Wikipedia, backup](https://so.wikipedia.org/wiki/Begedi)) |
| Other towns | Somali Wikipedia adds Buurhakaba, Afgooye, Qoryooley, Marka, Baraawe, Sablaale, Kunturwaarey, Janaale, Baardheere, Jowhar, Mogadishu and Baydhabo (same source) |

The EUAA says they "are usually farmers and/or traders" (EUAA 2025, section 1.4.3). Somali Wikipedia adds herding. See [Lower Shabelle](/en/regions/lower-shabelle/).

## History on record

- **1991 onward.** The EUAA writes about the civil war years. It says "Geledi and Begedi were overrun and exploited especially by Hawiye clan militias who took control of their homeland" (EUAA 2025, section 1.4.3).
- **2000s.** ACCORD writes that the Digil were "suppressed by the Hawiye". It says al-Shabaab moved into [Lower Shabelle](/en/infrastructure/k50-airstrip/) "on the basis of supporting the Digil and the Biymaal" (ACCORD 2009, p. 20).
- **Early 2025.** The EUAA says the Rahanweyn "are not considered a minority group anymore". It adds that Begedi and Geledi are still "often considered to be part of the [Benadiri](/en/society/minority-communities/) minority groups" (EUAA 2025, section 1.4.3).

## 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)). The sources used here name no Begedi titled elder. See [xeer, Somali customary law](/en/society/xeer-customary-law/).

## In recent conflict records

The EUAA conflict list for April 2023 to March 2025 does not name the Begedi or Bagadi ([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)). See [clan conflicts, district by district](/en/society/clan-conflicts/).

## Where sources differ

- **Majority or minority.** The EUAA and ACCORD place the Begedi in the Digil. The EUAA also notes they are often counted with the Benadiri minority groups.
- **Name.** ACCORD pairs Bagadi with Iroole. Abbink lists Irole under Digil but does not name the Begedi.
- **Lineages.** Somali Wikipedia gives 12 clans in four lineages. The other sources here name no sub-clans.

## Read more

- [Rahanweyn](/en/society/rahanweyn/)
- [The Rahanweyn and Digil tree](/en/society/somali-clan-tree-rahanweyn/)
- [Lower Shabelle](/en/regions/lower-shabelle/)

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