# Habar Caji (Habar Eji, Habar Aji, Cayr, Habar Gidir)

> The Habar Caji (Habar Eji) of the Cayr and Habar Gidir: family tree, sub-clans, where they live in Galgaduud and Hiiraan, elders and recent records.

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

## Name and family tree

The Habar Caji are a sub-clan of the [Cayr](/en/society/cayr/), part of the [Habar Gidir](/en/society/habar-gidir/) and the [Hawiye](/en/society/hawiye/). The name is also written Habar Eji, Habar Aji and Habaraji.

| Source | Line it gives |
|---|---|
| ACLED 2025 | Hawiye > Habar Gedir > Ayr > Habar Aji, also coded Habaraji Ayr and Ayr-Habanji ([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 | "Habar-aji (Ayr, Habar Gidir)" ([EASO, *Somalia: Security situation*, 2021](https://coi.euaa.europa.eu/administration/easo/PLib/2021_09_EASO_COI_Report_Somalia_Security_situation.pdf)) |
| Wikipedia (backup) | One of ten Cayr *diya* groups, made up of Warwaaq and Xaryanle, and called the eldest ([Wikipedia, Ayr clan, backup](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayr_(clan))) |
| Somali Wikipedia (backup) | "Habar-Aji waa laf kamid ah Beelweenta Cayr", the eldest of Cayr Maxamed ([Somali Wikipedia, Habar Eji, backup](https://so.wikipedia.org/wiki/Habar_eji)) |
| Abbink 2009 | Lists only Absiye and Ayanle under 'Ayr; does not name the Habar Caji ([Abbink, *The Total Somali Clan Genealogy*, 2009, p. 27](https://hdl.handle.net/1887/14007)) |

Wikipedia traces Warwaaq and Xaryanle (Qoorcas) to Abti-Idig, son of Mucle, son of Cayr Maxamed (Wikipedia, Ayr clan, backup). See [the Hawiye tree](/en/society/somali-clan-tree-hawiye/).

## Main branches

Somali Wikipedia lists these Habar Caji groups ([Somali Wikipedia, Habar Eji, backup](https://so.wikipedia.org/wiki/Habar_eji)):

1. Cabdulle Xasan
2. Gadiid Xasan
3. Aybakar Xasan
4. [Reer Maxamed](/en/society/maxamed-case/)
5. Reer Colow
6. Cigaale
7. Mahad Alle
8. Caalin Axmed
9. Xaryanle

Wikipedia names only the two founding lines, Warwaaq and Xaryanle ([Wikipedia, Ayr clan, backup](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayr_(clan))). ACLED codes one Habar Aji group without sub-clans. See [Ayaanle Cayr](/en/society/ayaanle-cayr/) for a sister Cayr group.

## 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 |
|---|---|
| Galgaduud, Hiiraan, Banaadir, Lower Shabelle and Middle Juba | Somali Wikipedia names these five regions ([Somali Wikipedia, backup](https://so.wikipedia.org/wiki/Habar_eji)) |
| Middle Shabelle | Named in a second list on the same page (same source) |
| Ethiopia and Kenya | Somali Wikipedia adds the Somali Region of Ethiopia and north-eastern Kenya (same source) |
| Hiiraan | The EASO records a Habar Caji dispute with the Cali Madaxweyne (Xawaadle) in Hiiraan (EASO 2021) |

Somali Wikipedia lists their ways of living as herding, farming, trade and fishing (same source). See [Galgaduud](/en/regions/galgaduud/) and [Hiiraan](/en/regions/hiiraan/).

## History on record

Somali Wikipedia says the Habar Caji took part in resistance to colonial rule before independence. It gives no dates or places ([Somali Wikipedia, backup](https://so.wikipedia.org/wiki/Habar_eji)).

It names many people. They include MP Cabdiraxmaan Cabdishakuur Warsame, General Yuusuf Siyaad Indhacadde and General Xaashi Cali Rooble. It also names Maxamed Dhoore, listed as Galmudug's education minister, and Cabdullaahi Maajoor, listed as an MP in 1960 (same source). See [Galmudug](/en/states/galmudug/).

## 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)).

Somali Wikipedia names Ugaas Faracadde Faarax and the late Ugaas Ciise Faracadde Faarax. It also lists *nabadoon* such as Cabdullaahi Xiireey Afrax, Nuur Geedi Waheliya and Salaad Kalajaban ([Somali Wikipedia, backup](https://so.wikipedia.org/wiki/Habar_eji)). Wikipedia lists the Cayr *ugaas* line as a separate group, Caalin Ugaas ([Wikipedia, Ayr clan, backup](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayr_(clan))). 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 Habar Caji. It names wider Cayr disputes with the Saleebaan, [Duduble](/en/society/duduble/), Murusade and [Mareexaan](/en/society/mareexaan/) ([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)).

Earlier, the EASO listed "Habar-aji (Ayr, Habar Gidir) vs Ali Madaxweyne (Hawadle)" in Hiiraan ([EASO 2021](https://coi.euaa.europa.eu/administration/easo/PLib/2021_09_EASO_COI_Report_Somalia_Security_situation.pdf)). See [Xawaadle](/en/society/xawaadle/) and [clan conflicts, district by district](/en/society/clan-conflicts/).

## Where sources differ

- **Rank.** Somali Wikipedia and Wikipedia call the Habar Caji the eldest Cayr line. Abbink does not name them.
- **Lineages.** Wikipedia names Warwaaq and Xaryanle. Somali Wikipedia lists nine groups, with Xaryanle among them.
- **Ugaas.** Somali Wikipedia lists *ugaas* names among Habar Caji people. Wikipedia places the *ugaas* line in a separate group.

## Read more

- [Cayr](/en/society/cayr/)
- [Habar Gidir](/en/society/habar-gidir/)
- [Ayaanle Cayr](/en/society/ayaanle-cayr/)
- [Hiiraan](/en/regions/hiiraan/)

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