# Jidwaaq (Jidwaq, Absame, Darod)

> The Jidwaaq (Jidwaq) of the Absame and Darod: Abaskuul, Yabarre and Bartire, Jigjiga and Jubaland, the Adal wars of the 1500s and Garaad Wiil Waal.

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

## Name and family tree

The Jidwaaq are a clan of the [Darod](/en/society/darod/). Wikipedia places them in the Absame branch and says the name means "the path of God" ([Wikipedia, Jidwaq, backup](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jidwaq_(clan))).

| Source | Line it gives |
|---|---|
| Abbink 2009 | Darod > Kablalah > Kumade > Jid Waaq ([Abbink, *The Total Somali Clan Genealogy*, 2009](https://hdl.handle.net/1887/14007)) |
| ACLED 2025 | Codes Darod > Bartire > Jidwaaq ([ACLED clan actor list, September 2025](https://acleddata.com/system/files/2025-10/Somalia-clan-actor-old-to-new-list_16-September-2025.xlsx)) |
| Wikipedia (backup) | A major sub-clan of the Absame Darod, with three branches ([Wikipedia, Jidwaq, backup](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jidwaq_(clan))) |

See [the Darod tree](/en/society/somali-clan-tree-darod/).

## Main branches

Abbink lists five groups under Jid Waaq: Abasgul, Bartire, Yabareg, Bah Geri Kombe and Tagal Waaq (Abbink 2009, Darod chart). Under the same Kumade line he also lists Galimeris, Absame, Abaskul, 'Abdi, Yabarre, Bartire, [Balad](/en/regions/middle-shabelle/) and Weiten.

Wikipedia names three branches today ([Wikipedia, Jidwaq, backup](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jidwaq_(clan))):

| Branch | Other name |
|---|---|
| Rooble Jidwaaq | Abaskuul |
| Shahrudin Jidwaaq | Yabarre |
| Barre Jidwaaq | Bartire |

Wikipedia's Bartire article says the Habr Maqdi were an older union of the Bartire and Yabarre, now part of the Jidwaaq ([Wikipedia, Bartire, backup](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bartire)). See [Bartire](/en/society/bartire/).

## 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 |
|---|---|
| Ethiopia's Somali Region | Wikipedia places them mainly in the Jigjiga area, in Fafan Zone. It cites the UNHCR: most are agro-pastoralists who farm and keep livestock ([Wikipedia, Jidwaq, backup](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jidwaq_(clan))) |
| Middle Juba | The EASO places "a pocket of the Bartire (Darood) clan" on the river's west bank, in the Hagar area ([EASO, *Somalia: Security situation*, 2021](https://coi.euaa.europa.eu/administration/easo/PLib/2021_09_EASO_COI_Report_Somalia_Security_situation.pdf)) |
| Jubaland | Wikipedia places Jidwaaq south of Bu'aale ([Wikipedia, Jidwaq, backup](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jidwaq_(clan))) |
| Kenya | Wikipedia places them in the former North Eastern Province (same source) |

See [Somalis in Ethiopia](/en/diaspora/ethiopia/), [Middle Juba](/en/regions/middle-juba/) and [Somalis in Kenya](/en/diaspora/kenya/).

## History on record

- **1500s.** The *Futuh al-Habasha* chronicle names "the tribe of Girri" with "their chieftain Ahmad Girri" among Imam Ahmad's Somali forces. Wikipedia reads Girri as the Jidwaaq ([Wikipedia, Jidwaq, backup](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jidwaq_(clan))). See [the sultans of Ifat and Adal](/en/institutions/sultans-of-ifat-and-adal/).
- **1854 to 1855.** Richard Burton wrote that the Berteri "are estimated at 3000 shields" and "own allegiance to the Gerad Hirsi" ([Wikipedia, Bartire, backup](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bartire)).
- **1800s.** Garaad Xirsi Faarax, called Wiil Waal, led the Bartire from Jigjiga (same source). A bilingual children's book tells his story today.
- **1840s.** A *Royal Geographical Society* journal called the "Burtirrh, and Girrhi" the "two most western branches of the family of Darood" ([Wikipedia, Jidwaq, backup](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jidwaq_(clan))).

## 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 Bartire title is *Garaad*. Wikipedia says Jigjiga is traditionally the seat of the Bartire Garaad ([Wikipedia, Bartire, backup](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bartire)). 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 Jidwaaq ([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)). Elsewhere the same report lists an abduction on 25 August 2024. Eight Marehan and Bartire civilians were taken in Saakow after "crossing to the grazing land of the [Auliyan](/en/society/aulihan/) clan" (same source). See [clan conflicts, district by district](/en/society/clan-conflicts/).

## Where sources differ

- **Bartire and Jidwaaq.** Abbink and Wikipedia put the Bartire under the Jidwaaq. ACLED codes the Jidwaaq under the Bartire, and also codes a Bartire group under the Ogaden.
- **Absame.** Wikipedia places the Jidwaaq under Absame. Abbink lists Absame and Jid Waaq side by side under Kumade.

## Read more

- [Bartire](/en/society/bartire/)
- [Darod](/en/society/darod/)
- [The Darod tree](/en/society/somali-clan-tree-darod/)
- [Ogaadeen](/en/society/ogaadeen/)
- [Somalis in Ethiopia](/en/diaspora/ethiopia/)

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