Family and clan
Meheri (Carab Saalax)
The Meheri, also called Carab Saalax, are a Somali group that Somali Wikipedia describes as having a long history in trade. It places them across Puntland, with others in Galmudug, Jubaland and the Somali Region of Ethiopia. Its listed sub-clans include Cumar Muuse, Xasan Saalax, Maxamuud Saalax, Reer Jidxi, Reer Cantuun and Yaxye Saalax.
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).
| Source | What it records |
|---|---|
| Somali Wikipedia (backup) | "A Somali clan with a long history in trade and commerce". Its infobox lists the Isaaq as a related group (Somali Wikipedia, backup) |
| Somali Wikipedia, Carab Saalax (backup) | "Meheri, also known as Carab Saalax, is a Somali clan" (Somali Wikipedia, Carab Saalax, backup) |
| ACLED 2025 | Codes an "Arab Salah" under the Isaaq (ACLED clan actor list, September 2025) |
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). See the Somali clan tree.
Main branches
Somali Wikipedia lists these sub-clans (Somali Wikipedia, backup):
| 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.
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).
Somali Wikipedia says the Meheri live across Puntland. It adds that they also live in Galmudug, Jubaland and the Somali Region of Ethiopia (Somali Wikipedia, backup). Its list of notable people places many in Galkacyo, Bosaso 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).
It names these people, among many others (same source):
- Xaliimo Maxamed Yuusuf (Xaliimo Godane), a member of the Somali Youth League. See the Somali Youth League.
- General Cabdullaahi Cali Cumar, listed as chief of the Somali armed forces from February 1977.
- General Maxamed Axmed Jaamac (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).
Somali Wikipedia lists Meheri traditional leaders, including Suldaan Cabdiqaadir Faarax Shabeel, Suldaan Xasan Suldaan Carabduur and Amiir Cismaan Salaad-Weyne. It also names many nabadoon (peace elders) and an caaqil (Somali Wikipedia, backup). See xeer, Somali 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). See clan conflicts, district by district.
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
Sources
- Somali Wikipedia, Meheri, backup · so.wikipedia.org
- Somali Wikipedia, Carab Saalax, backup · so.wikipedia.org
- ACLED clan actor list, September 2025 · acleddata.com
- Abbink, The Total Somali Clan Genealogy, 2009 · hdl.handle.net
- ACCORD, Clans in Somalia, 2009, p. 11 · ecoi.net
- UK Home Office, CPIN Somalia: clans, 2019, quoting EASO 2014 · ecoi.net
- EUAA Country Focus 2025, section 1.5.1 · coi.euaa.europa.eu
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Where this matters
Same era
- Australia18,401 people of Somali ancestry and 8,101 born in Somalia lived in Australia at the 2021 Census, more than half in Victoria. History, work, issues.
- Birmingham (Somali diaspora)About 17,000 to 21,600 Somalis live in Birmingham (Census 2021), mostly in Nechells, Newtown, Small Heath and Alum Rock. History, work, health and ties home.
- Bristol (Somali diaspora)9,167 people in Bristol identified as Somali or Somalilander in Census 2021, the city's largest minority group. Where they live, work, housing, leaders and ties home.
- Calgary, Alberta, Canada2,845 people of Somali origin lived in Calgary at the 2021 Census, plus 890 in Brooks. How they came, who serves them and what they face.
- Denmark (Somali diaspora)21,885 people of Somali origin lived in Denmark in 2026, half born there. Numbers, history, work, permit reviews, and ties home.
- DjiboutiAbout 13,900 refugees from Somalia live in Djibouti (Aug 2026): numbers since 1990, Ali Addeh, Holl-Holl, the 2017 refugee law, Arta 2000 and 2025 returns.
Keep reading
- Somali clan tree: DarodEvery Darod clan, sub-clan and lineage in Abbink 2009 and ACLED 2025, level by level, as one part of the Somali clan tree.
- Somali clan tree: DirEvery Dir clan, sub-clan and lineage in Abbink 2009 and ACLED 2025, level by level, as one part of the Somali clan tree.
- Somali clan tree: every clan, sub-clan and lineageThe full Somali clan tree, family by family down to diya-paying groups, from Abbink 2009, ACLED 2025 and the World Bank, with a download.
- Somali clan tree: groups outside the clan familiesGroups Abbink places outside the Somali clan families, and the Somali Bantu groups in ACLED 2025: part of the Somali clan tree.
- Somali clan tree: HawiyeEvery Hawiye clan, sub-clan and lineage in Abbink 2009 and ACLED 2025, level by level, as one part of the Somali clan tree.
- Somali clan tree: IsaaqEvery Isaaq clan, sub-clan and lineage in Abbink 2009 and ACLED 2025, level by level, as one part of the Somali clan tree.