Geledi sultanate

Geledi sultanate Saldanadda Geledi سلالة غوبرون
← late 17th century–late 19th century
Capital		Afgooye
Languages		Somali · Arabic
Religion		Islam
Government		Monarchy
Sultan Imam Shaykh
-	late 17th century–mid 18th century	Ibrahim Adeer
-	1878 – late 19th century	Osman Ahmed
History
-	Established	late 17th century
-	Disestablished	late 19th century

The Geledi sultanate (Somali: Saldanadda Geledi, Arabic: سلطنة غلدي ‎) was a Somali Sultanate that ruled parts of the Horn of Africa during the 18th and 19th centuries. The Sultanate was governed by the Gobroon Dynasty. It was established by the Geledi soldier Ibrahim Adeer, who had defeated various vassals of the Ajuuraan Empire and founded the House of Gobroon. The dynasty reached its apex under the successive reigns of Sultan Yusuf Mahamud Ibrahim, who successfully consolidated Geledi power during the Bardera wars, and Sultan Ahmed Yusuf, who forced regional powers such as the Omani Empire to submit tribute.

Origins

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Main article: Somali aristocratic and court titles

At the end of the 17th century, the Ajuuraan Sultanate was on its decline, and various vassals were now breaking free or being absorbed by new Somali powers. One of these powers was the Silci Kingdom, which began consolidating its rule over the Afgooye region. Ibrahim Adeer led the revolt against the Silci ruler Umar Abroone and his oppressive daughter, Princess Fay. After his victory over the Silcis, Ibrahim then proclaimed himself Sultan and subsequently started the Gobroon dynasty.

Ibrahim and the other Gobroon nobles were descended from Cumar Diine, an early Muslim leader who had arrived with four of his brothers from the Arabian peninsula. Among this group of siblings, all of whom were Islamic clerics, was Fakr ad-Din, the first Sultan of the Mogadishu Sultanate (fl. 13th century). The other two brothers are referred to variously as Shamse Diine (Shams-ad-diin), Umudi Diine, Alahi Diine and Axmed Diine. Cumar Diine is said have taken residence in Harar. Some traditions also associate him with that city-state's sixteenth century Sultan, Umar Din.

Military

The Geledi army numbered 20,000 men in times of peace, and could be raised to 50,000 troops in times of war. The supreme commanders of the army were the Sultan and his brother, who in turn had Malaakhs and Garads under them. The military was supplied with rifles and cannonfire by Somali traders of the coastal regions that controlled the East African arms trade.

Rulers

Rulers of the Geledi sultanate:

#	Sultan	Reign	Notes
1	Ibrahim Adeer	late 17th century–mid 18th century	Established the Geledi sultanate in the late 17th century. First ruler in the Gobroon Dynasty.
2	Mahamud Ibrahim	mid 18th century–1798	Inherited throne from father. Bequeathed it to son.
3	Yusuf Mahamud Ibrahim	1798–1848	Rule marked the start of the golden age of the Geledis.
4	Ahmed Yusuf	1848–1878	Exacted tribute from the Omanis south of Lamu. Regularly extended support to East African sultanates fighting the Zanzibaris.
5	Osman Ahmed	1878–late 19th century	Inherited throne from father. Reign marked the beginning of the decline of the Geledi sultanate.

See also

• Walashma dynasty
• Mudaito dynasty
• List of Sunni Muslim dynasties

References

• Luling, Virginia (2002). Somali Sultanate: the Geledi city-state over 150 years. Transaction Publishers. ISBN 0-7658-0914-1. 
• Luling, Virginia (1993). The Use of the Past: Variation in Historical traditions in a South Somalia community. University of Besançon. 

Further reading

• Luling, Virginia (2002). Somali Sultanate: the Geledi city-state over 150 years. Transaction Publishers. ISBN 0-7658-0914-1.