# Eelay (Elay, Helai, Mirifle, Rahanweyn)

> The Eelay (Elay, Helai) of the Mirifle and Rahanweyn: Borohad, Nassiye, Gedafade and other lines, Bay and Lower Shabelle, and records, with sources.

Source page: https://calankii.com/en/society/eelay/
Last checked: 2026-11-13
Publisher: Calankii (https://calankii.com)

## Name and family tree

The Eelay are a clan of the [Mirifle](/en/society/mirifle/), part of the [Rahanweyn](/en/society/rahanweyn/). The name is also written Elay, Eelaay and Helai.

| Source | Line it gives |
|---|---|
| Abbink 2009 | Rahanwen > Mirifle Siyeed > Medovo > Helai (Elay) ([Abbink, *The Total Somali Clan Genealogy*, 2009](https://hdl.handle.net/1887/14007)) |
| EASO 2021 | Named among the "super clans" of the Mirifle ([EASO, *Somalia: Security situation*, 2021](https://coi.euaa.europa.eu/administration/easo/PLib/2021_09_EASO_COI_Report_Somalia_Security_situation.pdf)) |
| ACLED 2025 | Rahanweyn > Mirifle > Elay, and a separate Elidhere group ([ACLED clan actor list, September 2025](https://acleddata.com/system/files/2025-10/Somalia-clan-actor-old-to-new-list_16-September-2025.xlsx)) |

Abbink also lists a "Helai" among groups outside the clan framework (Abbink 2009, section 4). See [the Rahanweyn tree](/en/society/somali-clan-tree-rahanweyn/).

## Main branches

Abbink lists six Eelay lines (Abbink 2009, Rahanwen chart):

| Line | Groups named under it |
|---|---|
| Borohad | Barre and Lelle |
| Nassiye | Alemo and Madweyne |
| Gedafade | Reer Weyne, Warasilay, Yarre and Rawallan |
| Other lines | Da'ud, Jembalul and Gurballabo |

ACLED codes Elay and Elidhere under the Mirifle. It codes a Jambaluul group under the [Digil](/en/society/digil/) (ACLED 2025). Abbink's Jembalul sits under Eelay.

## 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 |
|---|---|
| Lower Shabelle | The EASO lists Eelay among "the largest" Digil-Mirifle groups of the region's long-settled population (EASO 2021) |
| Bay | ACLED data cited by the EUAA record incidents "between members of Rahanweyn-Elay Sub-Clan Militia" in Bay ([EUAA 2025, Bay](https://www.euaa.europa.eu/coi/somalia/2025/security-situation/22-south-west/222-bay)) |
| Bay and Bakool | The EASO says the Mirifle live mainly in Bakool and northern Bay (EASO 2021) |

See [Bay](/en/regions/bay/), [Lower Shabelle](/en/regions/lower-shabelle/) and [South West State](/en/states/south-west-state/).

## History on record

- **Before 1900.** The EASO counts the Eelay among [Lower Shabelle](/en/infrastructure/k50-airstrip/)'s "long-term indigenous populations (clans inhabiting the region in pre-colonial era)" (EASO 2021).
- **2021.** The EASO says "other super clans of the group are Hadama and Eelay", after the [Hariin](/en/society/hariin/) and Laysaan (EASO 2021).
- **April 2023 to March 2025.** The EUAA cites three ACLED incidents between Eelay groups in Bay ([EUAA 2025, Bay](https://www.euaa.europa.eu/coi/somalia/2025/security-situation/22-south-west/222-bay)).

## 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)).

ACCORD says Rahanweyn elders are "more hierarchical and tightly related to the villages" ([ACCORD, *Clans in Somalia*, 2009, p. 13](https://www.ecoi.net/en/file/local/1193130/90_1261130976_accord-report-clans-in-somaliarevised-edition-20091215.pdf)). See [xeer, Somali customary law](/en/society/xeer-customary-law/).

## In recent conflict records

The EUAA's 2025 list of major clan conflicts does not name the Eelay ([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)). Its Bay section notes "three incidents" between members of Eelay groups ([EUAA 2025, Bay](https://www.euaa.europa.eu/coi/somalia/2025/security-situation/22-south-west/222-bay)). See [clan conflicts, district by district](/en/society/clan-conflicts/).

## Where sources differ

- **Mirifle or Digil.** Abbink and ACLED place the Eelay in the Mirifle. The EASO lists them with Digil-Mirifle groups of Lower Shabelle, without saying which half.
- **Jembalul.** Abbink puts Jembalul under Eelay. ACLED codes Jambaluul under the Digil.

## Read more

- [Mirifle](/en/society/mirifle/)
- [Rahanweyn](/en/society/rahanweyn/)
- [Hadame](/en/society/hadame/)
- [Leysan](/en/society/leysan/)
- [Bay](/en/regions/bay/)

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