# Gardere, Yakabur and Mayle (the 'pre-Hawiye' group)

> The 'pre-Hawiye' Gardere, Yakabur and Mayle lines in Abbink's genealogy: their branches, the Hawaadle and Garre, the term's origin, and where sources differ.

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

## Name and family tree

Gardere, Yakabur and Mayle are three lines that Abbink lists together under one heading. He calls them a "pre-Hawiya" group with "claimed descent from 'Imr, same level as [Samaale](/en/history/where-the-somalis-come-from/)" ([Abbink, *The Total Somali Clan Genealogy*, 2009](https://hdl.handle.net/1887/14007)).

Wikipedia says the "pre-Hawiye" trace descent "from an ancestor collateral to Irir", and so are "genealogically anterior to the Hawiya". It says the Italian scholar Colucci "coined the term 'Pre-Hawiya'" ([Wikipedia, Garre, backup](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garre)).

Wikipedia's Garre article also names the group "Gardhere, Saransoor, Yahabur and Mayle" (same source). See [Hawiye](/en/society/hawiye/) and [the Somali clan tree](/en/society/somali-clan-tree/).

## Main branches

Abbink lists these lines (Abbink 2009, Gardere-Yakabur-Mayle chart):

| Line | Groups named under it |
|---|---|
| Gardere | Gilale, Ormale and Hon |
| Yakabur | Daule and Hober |
| Mayle > Hawadle | 'Abdi Yusuf, Farmagge, 'Abdalle, Allagumar, Walahmooge and Abdirahman |
| Mayle > Gerra | Tuf and Kuranyo |

See [Xawaadle (Hawaadle)](/en/society/xawaadle/) and [Garre](/en/society/garre/).

## 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)).

The lines in this group live far apart today:

| Group | What the sources record |
|---|---|
| Hawaadle | The EUAA places Hawadle in Beledweyne and Jalalaqsi, Hiiraan ([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)) |
| Garre | The EASO places Garre in Ceel Waaq, Gedo, and in Lower Shabelle ([EASO, *Somalia: Security situation*, 2021](https://coi.euaa.europa.eu/administration/easo/PLib/2021_09_EASO_COI_Report_Somalia_Security_situation.pdf)) |
| Hubeer | Wikipedia says the Hubeer descend from Yahabur, and live in Bay, Lower Shabelle, Gedo and Lower Juba ([Wikipedia, Hubeer, backup](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hubeer)) |

See [Hiiraan](/en/regions/hiiraan/), [Gedo](/en/regions/gedo/) and [Lower Shabelle](/en/regions/lower-shabelle/).

## History on record

- **Before the Hawiye expansion.** Wikipedia says their traditions "show them to have preceded the Hawiya" in the move south ([Wikipedia, Garre, backup](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garre)).
- **2009.** Abbink set these three lines apart from the Hawiye in his total genealogy (Abbink 2009).

## 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)). See [xeer, Somali customary law](/en/society/xeer-customary-law/).

## In recent conflict records

The EUAA lists disputes involving the Hawadle in Hiiraan, such as Abgaal against Hawadle around Jalalaqsi ([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)). It also lists Garre against [Jiido](/en/society/jiiddu/) in [Qoryooley](/en/regions/qoryooley/) (same source). See [clan conflicts, district by district](/en/society/clan-conflicts/).

## Where sources differ

- **Hawiye or apart.** Abbink places the Hawadle under Mayle, outside the Hawiye. ACLED and the EUAA code the Hawadle as Hawiye.
- **Garre.** Abbink lists a Gerra line under Mayle, and a Garre line under the [Digil](/en/society/digil/). See [Garre](/en/society/garre/).
- **Members.** Wikipedia adds Saransoor to the group. Abbink does not use that name.

## Read more

- [Hawiye](/en/society/hawiye/)
- [Xawaadle (Hawaadle)](/en/society/xawaadle/)
- [Garre](/en/society/garre/)
- [Hubeer](/en/society/hubeer/)
- [The Somali clan tree](/en/society/somali-clan-tree/)

---
I want to help with this: email hello@calankii.com. Fix this page: email hello@calankii.com with the page link and your source.