# Osman Mahamoud (Cismaan Maxamuud, Majeerteen) > The Osman Mahamoud (Cismaan Maxamuud) of the Majeerteen: family line, Bari, Boosaaso and Qardho, the Majeerteen and Hobyo sultanates, and records. Source page: https://calankii.com/en/society/osman-mahamoud/ Last checked: 2026-11-13 Publisher: Calankii (https://calankii.com) ## Name and family tree The Osman Mahamoud are a line of the [Majeerteen](/en/society/majeerteen/), part of the [Harti](/en/society/harti/) and [Darod](/en/society/darod/). In Somali the name is Cismaan Maxamuud. | Source | Line it gives | |---|---| | Abbink 2009 | Darod > Kombe-Harti > Majerteen > Mahmood > Osman Mahmoud ([Abbink, *The Total Somali Clan Genealogy*, 2009](https://hdl.handle.net/1887/14007)) | | EASO 2021 | "The Osman Mahmud, still of the Majeerteen macro clan, of the Darood-Harti clan group" ([EASO, *Somalia: Security situation*, 2021](https://coi.euaa.europa.eu/administration/easo/PLib/2021_09_EASO_COI_Report_Somalia_Security_situation.pdf)) | | ACLED 2025 | Codes an Osman Mahmud Bahdhulbahante group under the Majeerteen ([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 sub-clan of the Majeerteen, linked to the Majeerteen Sultanate and the Sultanate of Hobyo ([Wikipedia, Osman Mahmoud, backup](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osman_Mohamoud_(clan))) | See [the Darod tree](/en/society/somali-clan-tree-darod/). ## Main branches Abbink places Osman Mahmoud beside Isa Mahmoud and [Omar Mahmoud](/en/society/omar-mahamoud/) under the Mahmood line of the Majerteen (Abbink 2009). Wikipedia says these three together form the Mahamoud Saleebaan ([Wikipedia, Majeerteen, backup](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Majeerteen)). ACLED codes an "Osman Mahmud Bahdhulbahante" group under the Majeerteen (ACLED 2025). ACLED also codes a separate Osman Mohamoud group under the Dhulbahante. Wikipedia names Bah-Gareen as one Osman Mahamoud line ([Wikipedia, Osman Mahmoud, backup](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osman_Mohamoud_(clan))). See [Isse Mahamoud](/en/society/isse-mahamoud/) and [Dhulbahante](/en/society/dhulbahante/). ## 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 | |---|---| | Bari | "The region's main clan is the Osman Mahmud sub-clan of the Majerteen clan" ([EUAA 2025, Bari](https://www.euaa.europa.eu/coi/somalia/2025/security-situation/26-puntland/262-bari)) | | Bari | "The dominant clan in the Bari region is the Osman Mahmud" (EASO 2021) | | Boosaaso and Qardho | Wikipedia calls both cities "heavily populated by Osman Mahamud" ([Wikipedia, Osman Mahmoud, backup](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osman_Mohamoud_(clan))) | | Garowe | The EUAA lists Osman Mahamoud among Majeerteen lines living in Garowe ([EUAA Country Focus 2025, Garowe](https://coi.euaa.europa.eu/administration/easo/PLib/2025_05_EUAA_COI_Report_Somalia_Country_Focus.pdf)) | | Gulf states | Wikipedia records communities in Oman, Yemen and other Gulf countries ([Wikipedia, Osman Mahmoud, backup](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osman_Mohamoud_(clan))) | See [Bari](/en/regions/bari/) and [Puntland](/en/states/puntland/). ## History on record - **Before the 1800s.** Wikipedia says Boosaaso was first settled by the Dishiishe. It says the Osman Mahamoud later took the town after disputes with them ([Wikipedia, Osman Mahmoud, backup](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osman_Mohamoud_(clan))). See [Dishiishe](/en/society/dishiishe/). - **1800s.** Boqor Osman Mahamud ruled the Majeerteen Sultanate from [Aluula](/en/regions/caluula/) and [Bargaal](/en/regions/bargaal/). See [Boqor Osman Mahamud](/en/people/boqor-osman-mahamud/) and [the Majeerteen and Hobyo sultanates](/en/history/majeerteen-and-hobyo-sultanates/). - **1878.** Yusuf Ali Kenadid, of the same line, founded the Sultanate of Hobyo (same Wikipedia source). See [the sultans of Majeerteen and Hobyo](/en/institutions/sultans-of-majeerteen-and-hobyo/). - **1888 to 1889.** Both rulers signed protectorate treaties with Italy (same Wikipedia source). - **1920s.** Osman Yusuf Kenadid, a son of the Hobyo sultan, created the Osmanya script for Somali. See [Osman Yusuf Kenadid](/en/people/osman-yusuf-kenadid/). ## 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)). Wikipedia says this *Boqor* line "has traditionally served as a nominal leadership line within the broader Darod clan" ([Wikipedia, Osman Mahmoud, backup](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osman_Mohamoud_(clan))). See [xeer, Somali customary law](/en/society/xeer-customary-law/). ## In recent conflict records The EASO lists "the Osman Mohamud (Majeerteen) vs Ugaadh [Saleban](/en/society/saleebaan-habar-gidir/) (Majeerteen)" in Bari. It says "these two clans dispute historically over land issues and access to pastural land in the Iskushuban district" ([EASO, *Somalia: Security situation*, 2021](https://coi.euaa.europa.eu/administration/easo/PLib/2021_09_EASO_COI_Report_Somalia_Security_situation.pdf)). The EUAA's 2025 list does not name the Osman Mahamoud separately. It does list Majeerteen sub-clans against each other in Kismayo, "currently dormant" ([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 - **Founding of Boosaaso.** Wikipedia gives a story of the Dishiishe settling first. Other sources used here do not cover it. - **Hobyo founder's name.** Wikipedia's Osman Mahmoud article names him Ali Yusuf Kenadid in one place. Other sources and our history pages name him Yusuf Ali Kenadid. ## Read more - [Majeerteen](/en/society/majeerteen/) - [Isse Mahamoud](/en/society/isse-mahamoud/) - [Harti](/en/society/harti/) - [Darod](/en/society/darod/) - [Bari](/en/regions/bari/) --- I want to help with this: email hello@calankii.com. Fix this page: email hello@calankii.com with the page link and your source.