# Meheri (Carab Saalax)

> The Meheri (Carab Saalax): what sources say on their lineage, sub-clans, where they live in Puntland and beyond, their elders and notable people.

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

## Name and family tree

Somali Wikipedia gives two names for one group: "Carab Saalax ama Meheri", meaning "Carab Saalax or Meheri" ([Somali Wikipedia, Meheri, backup](https://so.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meheri)).

| Source | What it records |
|---|---|
| Somali Wikipedia (backup) | "A Somali clan with a long history in trade and commerce". Its infobox lists the [Isaaq](/en/society/isaaq/) as a related group ([Somali Wikipedia, backup](https://so.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meheri)) |
| Somali Wikipedia, Carab Saalax (backup) | "Meheri, also known as Carab Saalax, is a Somali clan" ([Somali Wikipedia, Carab Saalax, backup](https://so.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carab_Saalax)) |
| ACLED 2025 | Codes an "Arab Salah" under the Isaaq ([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's genealogy, the EUAA and the EASO reports used on this site do not name the Meheri ([Abbink, *The Total Somali Clan Genealogy*, 2009](https://hdl.handle.net/1887/14007)). See [the Somali clan tree](/en/society/somali-clan-tree/).

## Main branches

Somali Wikipedia lists these sub-clans ([Somali Wikipedia, backup](https://so.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meheri)):

| Sub-clan | Lines it names |
|---|---|
| Cumar Muuse | none given |
| Xasan Saalax | Xildiid, with Samakaab Xildiid and Rooble Xildiid |
| Maxamuud Saalax | Ismaaciil, Cali, Xirsi (Naaleeye), Faahiye, Muuse and Cumar Maxamuud |
| Reer Jidxi | Reer Cawad and Reer Taabid |
| Reer Cantuun | none given |
| Yaxye Saalax Binnimir | none given |

These groups are also on [the Somali clan tree](/en/society/somali-clan-tree/).

## 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)).

Somali Wikipedia says the Meheri live across [Puntland](/en/states/puntland/). It adds that they also live in [Galmudug](/en/states/galmudug/), [Jubaland](/en/states/jubaland/) and the Somali Region of Ethiopia ([Somali Wikipedia, backup](https://so.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meheri)). Its list of notable people places many in [Galkacyo](/en/regions/mudug/), [Bosaso](/en/regions/bari/) and Qardho (same source).

## History on record

Somali Wikipedia says the Meheri have long been traders, linking Somalia with Arab countries and with East and Central Africa. It says they took part in resistance to Italian colonial rule ([Somali Wikipedia, backup](https://so.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meheri)).

It names these people, among many others (same source):

- **[Xaliimo Maxamed Yuusuf](/en/people/halima-godane/) (Xaliimo Godane),** a member of the Somali Youth League. See [the Somali Youth League](/en/history/somali-youth-league/).
- **General Cabdullaahi Cali Cumar,** listed as chief of the Somali armed forces from February 1977.
- **General [Maxamed Axmed Jaamac](/en/people/mohammed-ahamed/) (Shaalle),** a commander in the 1977 war and later a Puntland presidential candidate.
- **Maryam Cabdi Xuseen,** elected to the Norwegian parliament in 2019.
- **Sacdiyo Salaad Xaaji Samatar,** a federal MP and first deputy speaker from 2022.

## 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 lists Meheri traditional leaders, including Suldaan Cabdiqaadir Faarax Shabeel, [Suldaan Xasan](/en/people/suldan-hassan/) Suldaan Carabduur and Amiir Cismaan Salaad-Weyne. It also names many *nabadoon* (peace elders) and an *caaqil* ([Somali Wikipedia, backup](https://so.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meheri)). 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 Meheri or Carab Saalax ([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)). See [clan conflicts, district by district](/en/society/clan-conflicts/).

## Where sources differ

- **Family.** Somali Wikipedia lists the Isaaq as related and names no clan family. ACLED codes an "Arab Salah" under the Isaaq.
- **Sources.** Almost everything on this page comes from Somali Wikipedia, a backup source with very few citations.

## Read more

- [Isaaq](/en/society/isaaq/)
- [The Somali clan tree: every clan and sub-clan](/en/society/somali-clan-tree/)
- [Puntland](/en/states/puntland/)

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