# Ciidagale (Eidagale, Isaaq)

> The Ciidagale (Eidagale) of the Isaaq: family tree, the Daa'uud lines, where they live, the Isaaq sultans, poets and recent records.

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

## Name and family tree

The Ciidagale are a clan of the [Isaaq](/en/society/isaaq/) family. The name is spelled Ciidagale or Ciidagalle in Somali, and Eidagale, Eidagalle or Idagalle in English sources.

| Source | Line it gives |
|---|---|
| Abbink 2009, main chart | Isaaq > Habr Magaadleh / Habr Garhaji > Habr Yunis > Da'ud ('Idagalle), drawn in the same column as Sa'ad ([Abbink, *The Total Somali Clan Genealogy*, 2009, p. 31](https://hdl.handle.net/1887/14007)) |
| Abbink 2009, individual example | Isaaq > Habr Magadleh > Isma'il (Garhaji) > Da'ud ('Idagalleh), at the same level as Si'id (Abbink 2009, p. 34) |
| ACLED 2025 | Isaaq > Cidagale, and Isaaq > Garxajis > Ciidagale ([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 (PDRC chart) | Iidagale as one of five Isaaq clans, with Habar Yoonis, Habar Awal, Habar Tol Jaalo and Habar Jaalo ([World Bank, *Conflict in Somalia: Drivers and Dynamics*, 2005, Appendix 2](https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/entities/publication/b2109b26-2d10-5ac6-85c2-dbfa820c5f6e)) |
| Wikipedia (backup) | Sheikh Ishaaq > Habar Magaadle > Ismaaciil (Garxajis) > Daa'uud (Eidagalle) ([Wikipedia, Eidagale, backup](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eidagale)) |

The EUAA names the "Isaaq/Garhajis (Eidagale and Habar Yonis)" together ([EUAA Country Focus 2025, section 2.2.1](https://coi.euaa.europa.eu/administration/easo/PLib/2025_05_EUAA_COI_Report_Somalia_Country_Focus.pdf)). See [the Somali clan tree](/en/society/somali-clan-tree/).

## Main branches

Abbink lists four lines under Da'ud ('Idagalle) ([Abbink 2009, pp. 31–32](https://hdl.handle.net/1887/14007)):

- **'Isa**
- **Bilal**
- **Mohammed:** 'Ali and Urkurag.
- **Musa:** Abokor (Hassan, Adan) and Adarahman (Yuunis, Abdulla).

Wikipedia names three sons of Daa'uud: Maxamed Daa'uud, Abokor Daa'uud and Muuse Daa'uud. It names four sub-clans: Abokor Muuse, Cabdiraxmaan Muuse, Abokor Daa'uud and Maxamed Daa'uud ([Wikipedia, Eidagale, backup](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eidagale)). Its tree gives these further lines:

- **Maxamed Daa'uud (Guuyoobe):** Cali Maxamed and Urkurag Maxamed. Under Urkurag are Ismaaciil Cali (Gadhweyn), Fiqi Sacad Cali, Maxamuud Cali and Axmed Cali.
- **Abokor Daa'uud:** Ciise Abokor and Bilaal Abokor.
- **Muuse Daa'uud:** Abokor Muuse and Cabdiraxmaan Muuse. Under Cabdiraxmaan are [Reer Yoonis](/en/society/muuse-abokor/), Ba Deelo, Cabdi Dheere, Reer Iidle and Gaashaanbuur ([Xuseen Abokor](/en/society/sacad-muuse/) Mataan).

The Wikipedia tree traces the sultans' line, Reer Guuleed, down through Gaashaanbuur to Guuleed Cabdi (same source). ACLED codes a "Cidagale Reer Guled" and a "Cidagale Reer Abdi Dheer" ([ACLED, September 2025](https://acleddata.com/system/files/2025-10/Somalia-clan-actor-old-to-new-list_16-September-2025.xlsx)).

## 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 |
|---|---|
| Woqooyi Galbeed | "The Habar Awal, Habar Yunis, and Idagalle clans make up the majority of the population" ([EUAA 2025, Wogoyi Galbeed](https://www.euaa.europa.eu/coi/somalia/2025/security-situation/28-somaliland/282-wogoyi-galbeed)) |
| Hargeisa | The Garxajis (Eidagale and Habar Yoonis) live in Maxamuud Haybe and parts of Gacan Libaax (Gacan Libaah) district, such as New Hargeisa ([EUAA Country Focus 2025, section 2.2.1](https://coi.euaa.europa.eu/administration/easo/PLib/2025_05_EUAA_COI_Report_Somalia_Country_Focus.pdf)) |
| Togdheer | "Members of the Idagalle are living in the region west of Burco" ([EUAA 2025, Togdheer](https://www.euaa.europa.eu/coi/somalia/2025/security-situation/28-somaliland/283-togdheer)) |
| Salaxley, Oodweyne | Wikipedia places them in Salaxley district, and the Guuyoobe in Oodweyne district ([Wikipedia, Eidagale, backup](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eidagale)) |
| Somali Region of Ethiopia | Wikipedia names Daroor, Awaare and Misraq Gashamo (same source) |
| Kenya | Wikipedia says they are part of the Isahakia community there (same source) |

See [Woqooyi Galbeed](/en/regions/woqooyi-galbeed/) and [Togdheer](/en/regions/togdheer/).

## History on record

Most of the history below comes from Wikipedia, a backup source, which cites travellers and scholars such as I. M. Lewis.

- **1500s.** Wikipedia says the *Futuh al-Habasha* names the Habar Magaadle among the forces of the [Adal Sultanate](/en/history/imam-ahmad-and-adal-1527-1543/). Lewis suggests that two leaders called Ahmad Gurey were later merged into one figure ([Wikipedia, Eidagale, backup](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eidagale)).
- **1700s.** Wikipedia says the Isaaq Sultanate was founded by Guuleed Cabdi of the Ciidagale, after the battle of Lafaruug (same source). See [sultanates, the coast and customary law](/en/history/sultanates-the-coast-and-customary-law-1700s-1880s/).
- **1800s.** Ciidagale merchants traded in the caravan routes between Berbera and the interior. Wikipedia says they founded inland trade stops, including Hargeisa (same source).
- **1846.** A relic kept at the tomb of Aw Barkhadle was brought to Berbera "in charge of the Haber Gerhajis". Rival Isaaq groups swore peace on it (same source, quoting a 19th-century account).

Wikipedia quotes a writer who called the Ciidagale "the recognized experts in the composition of poetry" (same source). It names the poets Xasan Tarabi and [Cilmi Boodhari](/en/people/elmi-boodhari/). See [Somali poetry](/en/society/somali-poetry/).

## 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 calls the Ciidagale "the traditional holders of the Isaaq Sultanate since the 18th century". It lists these sultans ([Wikipedia, Eidagale, backup](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eidagale)):

| Sultan | Years |
|---|---|
| Guuleed Cabdi | late 1700s to 1808 |
| Faarax Guuleed | 1808 to 1845 |
| Xasan Faarax | 1845 to 1870 |
| Diiriye Xasan | 1870 to 1939 |
| Cabdillaahi Diiriye | 1939 to 1967 |
| Rashiid Cabdillaahi | 1967 to 1969 |
| Cabdiqaadir Cabdillaahi | 1969 to 1975 |
| Maxamed Cabdiqaadir | 1975 to 2021 |
| Daa'uud Maxamed | from 2021 |

Wikipedia adds that the Habar Yoonis sultanate "broke off from Eidagale tutelage" several decades after Guuleed's rule began (same source). See [xeer, Somali customary law](/en/society/xeer-customary-law/) and [Somaliland, 1991 to 2026](/en/states/somaliland-1991-to-2026/).

## In recent conflict records

The EUAA lists clan rivalries in Somaliland that "revolve around electoral competitions and did not lead to armed violence" ([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)). Two name the Ciidagale:

- Garxajis (Habar Yoonis and Idagale) against Habar [Awal](/en/society/habar-awal/), in Hargeisa.
- Sacad Muuse (Habar Awal) against Idagale and Habar Yoonis, in Hargeisa.

See [clan conflicts, district by district](/en/society/clan-conflicts/).

## Where sources differ

- **Where Da'ud sits.** Abbink's main chart draws Da'ud ('Idagalle) under the Habr Yunis. His own individual example places Da'ud beside Si'id, directly under Isma'il (Garhaji). ACLED, the EUAA and Wikipedia treat the Ciidagale and Habar Yoonis as two Garxajis clans.
- **Clan or family level.** The PDRC chart in the World Bank report lists Iidagale as one of five Isaaq clans, without a Garxajis level.
- **Size.** Wikipedia calls them "the largest sub-clan of the Isaaq". No census counts Somalis by clan, so no source can test this.
- **Sub-clans.** Abbink lists four lines under Da'ud. Wikipedia names three sons and four sub-clans, with different groupings.

## Read more

- [Isaaq](/en/society/isaaq/)
- [Abokor Muuse](/en/society/abokor-muuse/), a Ciidagale sub-clan
- [The Somali clan tree: every clan and sub-clan](/en/society/somali-clan-tree/)
- [Sultanates, the coast and customary law, 1700s to 1880s](/en/history/sultanates-the-coast-and-customary-law-1700s-1880s/)
- [Somali poetry](/en/society/somali-poetry/)
- [Habar Yoonis](/en/society/habar-yoonis/)

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