Gharri History
By Isaac Omar
INTRODUCTION: The Gharri people
are also known as Gurreh, Garre, or Garri, by the Colonialist and they are
located in Horn of Africa, (Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia)
Background:
Gharri
people are believed to be from Arab descent. Like many other African Muslims,
they trace their genealogy to the family of the prophet Mohammed (PBUH)
“Qurash” They are divided into two major sub clans, Tuf and Quran (Quranyowa.)
According to The Gharri oral traditions, almost all of the Gharri elders agree
including Sheikh Abdiwahid, one of the well-respected Gharri elders from Gharri
Konfur, Gharri was an arab
immigrant who came from the Golf of Aden or possibly from “Yeman” He had two
sons, Mohamed and Tuf. Mohamed died after he had one son Quran (quranyow).
Quran was raised by his uncle Mr. Tuf. Later on he married Mako who is Tuf’s daughter and Quran’s
first cousin. Then he (Quran) fathered two sons, Furkesha and Assaree. Assarree
had two sons, Bana and Kiliya.
Furkesha,
the brother of Assarre, had seven sons, they were Hodkoya, Birkaya, Hoytra,
Darawa, Kalwesha, Hurdeq and “SUBUKITRE”. See below chart
The
Tuf’s second son Ali had three SONS; their names were Kalula, Tawulle and
Sabdhawa. So, today almost every Gharri person is belonging to one of the above
mentioned and below figure listed group of the sub clans of the Gharri people.
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Gharri Tribal Leaders of 18, & 19 Century
Gababa Mohamed: Chief of the Gharri. Eventhough he lost
one of his eye, he was described as “A man of few words but a great leader in
battle.”
Mahad Hussein: He was Chief Gababa’s spokesperson and a man of wisdom.
Abdille Alio: Chief of
the Gharri on the side of British Colony and he was said to be a pleasant old
man and generous who seldom leaves his own village. But, he did not provide
that much help to the British imperial army as chief.
Adowa Militia: Chief of
the Oitera section. He succeeded his brother Hussein Militia. He was said to be
non-cooperative to British army in regard to collecting tributes.they described
him as a “full of fetina.” .
Amin Aden: Eldest son
of the late Aden Shaba, he inherited chieftainship from his father as a Gharri
Chief. He was described as thought of pleasant manners and good intentions. But,
was not giving them that much help collecting tributes for them,
Diad Ibrahim: Chief of
the Darawa section, but did not get along with Abdille Alio. Also, he was
described as “very pro Somali”
Adan Emoi, Banna: Was
made a headman by Captain Legg after all the other headsmen went to Ethiopia
aka Abyssinia, but he was not of much help.
Hussein Shuno, Banna: Was
put in at the same time as Adan Emoi and for the same reason. The British
Colonial imperialist described him as “very
dishonest and a great talker.”
Aden Biloka, Banna: Was
made a chief along with Adan Emoi, and Hussein Shuno after previous Gharri
tribal leaders went to Ethiopia (Abyssinia).
Mahad Mohamed, Darawa:
Lives at El Wak. A youngish man and he was hired as a tax collector or tributes.
Sheik Omar Abdi, Tuff
Subdawa: Lives at El Wak. He was described
as “A young and energetic man better educated than most. Speaks Swahili.
A good worker and says what he things, even then it is the truth; consequently
he is disliked by the other headmen.”
Hassano Rago, Tuff Kalwein:
Lives at El Wak. He was described as “A man of much influence and common sense.
Is reliable and of few words.”
Hassan Kulu, Tuff
Kalmansa: “An ambitious gentleman who would like to be a chief.”
Hassan Gababa: Headman of
the Kilia section. He was a resident of El Wak.
Abdi Isak Ntello: He was described as “Has filled many offices. Was syce to Major Miles. Later he was a Tribal
Retainer, but was discharged for theft. Took a fairly prominent part in the
Gurreh raids of 1927.”
Sheik Webo: “Lives
around Takaba. Attends most of the barazas and has influence, but says little.
Is very holy.”
Shiek Ali Mohamed: “Brother of
Gababa and squints. Was formerly Kadi, but knows little of the Islamic laws and
takes bribes. An
ineffective man. Lives at Mandera.”
Aden Ibrahim, Banna: “Commonly
known as Jilbe. A cousin of Amin Aden. A youngish man who took a prominent part
in the Gurreh raids of 1927. He dislikes the other Banna headmen exceedingly.”
Ali Yeri, Oitera: “A young and pushing fellow. An inveterate
murderer and a proficient liar.”
Ali Buke, Tuff
Kalwena: “Raised a force of 30 Abyssinians about 14 years ago and drove the
Degodia out of Takaba. That year was still talked of as Ali Buke’s year.”
Ahamed Kiti, Banna: “An
elderly man of Semitic appearance, who has considerable influence in the tribe
and a great knowledge of Gurreh tradition. Mr. Pease obtained from him a large
part of his data for his ethnological treaties.”
Sheik Ali Abdurhamman, Darawa: “A very holy man, the holiest in
all Gurreh. Was living at Wajir, whence he went to Mecca and Cairo, and is now
reported to be on his way back to Gurreh.”
Abdille Bala, Subdawa: “Chief
of the Italian Gurreh at El Wak. Likes to interfere with matters on this side
and is full of fetina.”
The Gharri region is one of the
richest regions in East Africa, regarding gold, cooper, salt, clay and other
mineral resources.
The Gharri people were ruled and occupied
by ruthless and inhuman monarchs and dictator of Ethiopia. Menelik
subjected the Gharri people to painful political and economical repression.
He was the
member of the first Haile Selassie’s parliament. He was killed by Haile Selassie
1960.
A collaborative
resistance from the Gharri people and many other ethnic groups succeeded in
toppling the Haile Selassie monarchy in 1974.
The Gharri people, who helped to overthrow the monarchy, were denied the right of self-rule and regional autonomy. A military dictator who was the worst and crueler than the monarchy administration ruled the country and committed genocide against the Gharri people. Between 1958 and 1966, the Haile Selassie government slaughtered 600,000 Gharri civilians.
The Gharri people, who helped to overthrow the monarchy, were denied the right of self-rule and regional autonomy. A military dictator who was the worst and crueler than the monarchy administration ruled the country and committed genocide against the Gharri people. Between 1958 and 1966, the Haile Selassie government slaughtered 600,000 Gharri civilians.
Figure 1: Robow Haji Hassan Gababa
The Gharri leaders and elders including the Gharri’s supreme leader Sultan Robow Haji Hassan Gababa were slaughtered. The entire population of Wachile town were cleansed and the city was destroyed. Below is what left of once vibrant and business trading capital
Figure 2: Wachile
Also, between 1974
and 1991 the Dictator Mengistu Haile Mariam’s government murdered 8000 Gharri civilians.
The Gharri land was taken away and Gharri
people were subjected to untold and undocumented hate crimes, which were
committed by various factions in Ethiopia. The dictator Mengistu Haile Mariam
portrayed the Gharri people as foreign terrorist and authorized animosity and
terrorist acts either openly
or covertly against the Gharri people. Because of that I lost my own father,
uncles, nephews and over 400 of my extended family one day in 1966. In the city
of Wachilles, homes and mosques were raided by the dictators military junta and
Gharri males were murdered execution style. In one instance, 60 men between 16
and 32 were tied up together and executed in cold blood. Each one of the men
was shot at least 25 times. Miraculously, one man survived after being shot 28
times. Many other Gharri men were killed by hanging and their bodies were
displayed in the main city square for several days. People were forced out of
their houses to go and watch the deceased tortured bodies.
In 1968, one Gharri man was accused of
planting land mines and other terrorist acts against the Ethiopian government.
He was tied up on the military jeep back bumper, and driven around the city
blocks and tortured to death. His flesh was displayed on designated areas on
the main street for several days before the family could pick the body up and
bury him. During both administrations (Haile Selassie and Mengistu Haile
Mariam), the Gharri people were hunted under the label of Muslim extremist and
Somali terrorist.
Again in 1991-92 various opposition groups
from different ethnic backgrounds including the Gharri people managed to
overthrow the Dictator Mengistu Haile Mariam’s government. Still
the Gharri people have been denied the opportunity to participate in the newly
established transitional government of Ethiopia. Instead, the O.L.F. (Oromo
Liberation Front) representing the largest ethnic group and holding majority in
parliamentary seats made it impossible for the Gharri people to have their
regional autonomy. The O.L.F. claimed the Gharri region as a part of their territory.
The O.L.F. waged a campaign against the Gharri people, stating that the Gharri
people are Somalian, therefore, they have no right to claim any region in so
called Ethiopia.
They viewed the Gharri people as foreigners
and occupying forces in the Oromo land. History proves that the Gharri people
never claimed themselves as Ethiopian nor did they accept any Ethiopian
administration prior to current government. The Gharri have been fighting
against Abyssinian colonialist since 1889 when Menelike invaded the Gharri
kingdom in the 1800s with the help of Germany and British. Since the European
settlers came to east Africa, particularly British, Italian and the French, the
Gharri people were divided into three parts. British occupied the Gharri lands
on the southwest, the Italians occupied the east, and the Ethiopian occupied in
the northwest.
The Gharri land was named after the Borana
clan because the Borana clan were pagans, who were believed to be easily
converted to Christianity. They were non-militant and they are amongst the
group of nomads that did not participate in a campaign against the black
imperialist Ethiopia.
In contrast both the British and the Ethiopia
imperialist viewed the Gharri people as always unruly and troublesome tribe.
In 1895, the Gharri were defeated by the British
and the Ethiopian empire. Mr. Ali Abdi the Gharri's leader went to the Italian
frontier in Somali land and asked for military assistance, in return, the Gharri
would grant the Italian government the right of passage in to Ethiopia. Italy
agreed and gave military equipment to the Gharri and the Ethiopian army was
defeated.
The Gharri gained control of its region.
In 1913, the Ethiopia and British made a joint military campaign against the Gharri people and invaded the Gharri land. They committed genocide against the Gharri people. Therefore, the Gharri people endured a heart breaking situation due to centuries of colonialization by the British and Ethiopian.
The British occupied the Gharri country for 61 years. During that 61 years of occupation, the British government practically robbed the Gharri of their live stocks and destroyed wild animals such as Rhino, Elephants, Buffalo, and Tigers.
In 1913, the Ethiopia and British made a joint military campaign against the Gharri people and invaded the Gharri land. They committed genocide against the Gharri people. Therefore, the Gharri people endured a heart breaking situation due to centuries of colonialization by the British and Ethiopian.
The British occupied the Gharri country for 61 years. During that 61 years of occupation, the British government practically robbed the Gharri of their live stocks and destroyed wild animals such as Rhino, Elephants, Buffalo, and Tigers.
The British and Ethiopian imperialists
collected cattle as form of tribute and taxes. In some cases they raided the Gharri
villages and looted their herds. They justified the raid by stating that they
are enforcing the law to collect taxes from those gharri "gangs" who
defied the law.
The British also helped the Ethiopians to
occupy the Gharri country in order to stop the Gharri people from moving and
keeping their resources to far northern Gharri, what is known today as the
southern Ethiopia.
The Gharri leaders were captured and many
others were murdered. Gababa Mahad, his son Hassan Gababa, and Ali Abdi were
amongst the leaders that were captured by British occupying forces. Gababa
Mahad was arrested in Nairobi for 10 years. He was tortured in prison and later
released. However, he died later from trauma and head injury.
His son Hajj Hassan Gababa also was
captured and kept under house arrest in Marsabit. The British occupying forces
considered him as militant, unruly, and anti-British colonialist. Therefore, he
was detained under British military (defense) regulation of 1939 section number
23 and 24.
He was kept in Marsabit from December 1942
to 1950. He later escaped to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and declared war against British
colonial forces, but, he was later killed by Emperor Haile Selassie in 1964.
The
traditional Gharri folktales /history
According to the Gharri’s oral traditional
history and British colonial era records based on interview they had with then
Gharri elders, regarding the origin of the Gharri people, the Gharri people
came from red sea coast and settled at “Serar”, what is now known as Arusi
province of Ethiopia, They build mosques and homes made
of stones. Then during the 1600th exodus of people’s movement, from the north
reached the Gharri kingdom and fighting ensued because the enemies started
looting the Gharri properties and herds. The Gharri were outnumbered and they
were forced to immigrate toward southwest, and settled around Filtu and Wachile
areas.
The Gharri traditional historians state that the Gharri lived there for period of about 60 years without any disturbances. During that time they build stone houses and mosques around filtu and wachile especially around the dawa riverbanks in around fifty miles corridors from Malka Mari through Malka Dirir area.as it were a standard way of building houses. Then later on the exodous of the Borana reached there. It was believed that was the first time they came in contact with the Borana
The Gharri traditional historians state that the Gharri lived there for period of about 60 years without any disturbances. During that time they build stone houses and mosques around filtu and wachile especially around the dawa riverbanks in around fifty miles corridors from Malka Mari through Malka Dirir area.as it were a standard way of building houses. Then later on the exodous of the Borana reached there. It was believed that was the first time they came in contact with the Borana
So, during late 1600 and early 1700, they lived with the
Borana. Later on, things changed, and the Gharri were outnumbered by the Boran
and the Borana tried to make them subjects and demand tribute. So, the Gharri
decided to move back to their previous region of Confur through Juba land. One
of the Gharri leaders Sheikh Bule Hussein set out with one of his slave to
search for a new country. He traveled down the juba through Rahanwein to Confur
and decided that it was a good country. On his return he came out with
excellent strategy, that he told the Gharri people to spread the rumors among
the Boran that he had acquired a terrible disease on his travels. He and his
slaves went to a big baraza of the Borana, but first he prepared a blood like red drink by
boiling the bark of a thorn tree; just before the Barraza they drank bowls of
it. As soon as they sat down, the slaves’ acted purposely as if they were sick
and began vomiting red blood like substance at the Barraza. A moment later
Sheikh Bule Hussein himself acted sick and the Borana got up in shock and fled.
The Sheikh Bule Hussein and his slaves dug up two graves
and set up tombstones (gravestones.) Upon returning, the Borana witnessed what
appeared to be two graves concluded that the new disease was indeed fatal and
moved out westward far
away from the Gharri area. Then sheikh Bule seized the opportunity and led his
tribe away to the east through the desert country of northern juba land.
Three sections of the sub tribes were left behind; including Bana, Darawa and Abtugai, they became what are now known as the Gabbra and the Rendille. The Gabras consisting of Bana and Darawa while the Rendille was believed to be Abtugai. The Gabbra had many camels and could not take them all in their journey across the desert. They saw, it was a choice between their camels and the Gharri and said, “We can live without the Gharri but not without camels” So they stayed behind with the Boran. The Rendille were also a group of camel owners who had pushed into the bush further south and did not get the news of the evacuation in time; the name, Rendille by tradition, is derived from the “Rer Did” people who would not accept”
They were bush dwellers and always refused to live in or near the Gharri villages so, they lost their chance. According to information received from Gharri elders, the Rendille’s elders still recognize their Gharri origin and say “We were lost on Sheikh Bule Hussein’s day” Meanwhile the Gharri fled eastwards through Juba land and both the people and the stocks were perished from thirst by the time they reached Afmadu.
The Sheikh then dreamed that if a girl of the Oordeq section named Afmadu, were to strike the ground with a piece of Iron, water would come up and she would die. He explained this and the girl said “I am ready to die for my tribe”, the dream was fulfilled and the girl’s grave is near the Afmadu well.
The Gharri reached the Juba River short of food and still fearing pursuit: and appeared that they were lost, miraculous things happened, and that four (4) sheikhs rose to the occasion.
1) Abdi Omar Musa also known as abbey Umur Muddow Musa, made the 5 days old moon to stand still all night.
2) Sheikh Omar “Bahar” meaning the river, hit the river with his blessing and divided the water in half and they crossed over to the dry bed.
3) Abubakar Mashere turned the sand of the river into white mtama.(Sorghum) in which they used it as feast.
4) Aunabe Durr made the 3-year-old camel heifers, which never calved (never gave birth) give milk.
Subsequently all got safely across the Juba and reached Confur Gharri country where they settled around their principal towns of Shan and Mosser on the Awdegli, .i.e. the lower reaches of the Shebelle River where it runs parallel and close to the sea coast between Mogadisho and Merka
Three sections of the sub tribes were left behind; including Bana, Darawa and Abtugai, they became what are now known as the Gabbra and the Rendille. The Gabras consisting of Bana and Darawa while the Rendille was believed to be Abtugai. The Gabbra had many camels and could not take them all in their journey across the desert. They saw, it was a choice between their camels and the Gharri and said, “We can live without the Gharri but not without camels” So they stayed behind with the Boran. The Rendille were also a group of camel owners who had pushed into the bush further south and did not get the news of the evacuation in time; the name, Rendille by tradition, is derived from the “Rer Did” people who would not accept”
They were bush dwellers and always refused to live in or near the Gharri villages so, they lost their chance. According to information received from Gharri elders, the Rendille’s elders still recognize their Gharri origin and say “We were lost on Sheikh Bule Hussein’s day” Meanwhile the Gharri fled eastwards through Juba land and both the people and the stocks were perished from thirst by the time they reached Afmadu.
The Sheikh then dreamed that if a girl of the Oordeq section named Afmadu, were to strike the ground with a piece of Iron, water would come up and she would die. He explained this and the girl said “I am ready to die for my tribe”, the dream was fulfilled and the girl’s grave is near the Afmadu well.
The Gharri reached the Juba River short of food and still fearing pursuit: and appeared that they were lost, miraculous things happened, and that four (4) sheikhs rose to the occasion.
1) Abdi Omar Musa also known as abbey Umur Muddow Musa, made the 5 days old moon to stand still all night.
2) Sheikh Omar “Bahar” meaning the river, hit the river with his blessing and divided the water in half and they crossed over to the dry bed.
3) Abubakar Mashere turned the sand of the river into white mtama.(Sorghum) in which they used it as feast.
4) Aunabe Durr made the 3-year-old camel heifers, which never calved (never gave birth) give milk.
Subsequently all got safely across the Juba and reached Confur Gharri country where they settled around their principal towns of Shan and Mosser on the Awdegli, .i.e. the lower reaches of the Shebelle River where it runs parallel and close to the sea coast between Mogadisho and Merka
LANGUAGE:
The
gharri people speak multiple languages. They speak Gharri Koffar, Somali, Swahili,
Arabic, Affan Gharri, and Amharic. Many of these languages were learned through
geographical cohabitation with others. The others were imposed on to them by
colonialists.
RELIGION:
The Gharri are 100% Muslims.
AGRICULTURE:
The Gharri depend upon life stocks and life stocks products. In the past, they have had abundant live stocks and wild animals.
The
gharri people lost their livelihood due to looting and famine. Their livestock
were looted by the emperor Haile Selassie and by the Dictator Mengistu Haile
Mariam government's soldiers.
Tradition: The Gharri people are peace loving, god fearing people with traditions and customs peculiar to themselves.
Wedding: The
Gharri people practice arranged marriages. First, the parents of a groom send
about a pound of coffee, tea and sugar, tied to the corner of small white
sheet, possibly about two yards as a proposal to mary their daughter. If the
family accepts the offer, they (bride family) respond by saying we heard you
(la issan dhageene)
Barchuma Naqachu: (engagement)
Few
months later, the groom’s family follow up with something a little bit bigger
to the mother of the bride as a gift to complete the engagement. Then the
bride’s family says, “barchuma La Issani Dhabnee or kennine” (meaning we
agreed for your son to marry our daughter) Depending on the season, soon after,
the family of the groom will ask the bride’s family when they want to set a
wedding date. At this point they either ACCEPTS the date or request to change
the date to WHATEVER date that is convenient for them. On the wedding ceremony
day, women from both side, the bride and the groom’s family supporters sing
songs called “Isso Allima”, they sing about the bride’s family or clan
usually a form of praising their son and daughter or TEASING ONE another, they
sing a song about their son’s strengths and
values.
Male and female
traditional songs,
The
Gharri young boys sing songs about beautiful girls, as well as teasing songs
that includes an insult and is embarrassments.
It’s
called “arrab ilman dhira.” in addition, the gharri young men plays
gonni, sarki, and Obbee tabachu. Gonni is a tagging game, or playing
tag. Sarki is a form of dancing and show of stregnth for young men. it
also, involves some form of wrsttling. Obbee tabachis is target shooting
with sharp sticks (Lawe) while Obbee, (an circular object) is ROLLING
FASTER
The
Gharri young girls sing SONGS CALLED “Erre-rerre.” They sing about their handsome brothers and
beautiful sisters, as well as about their particular sub clan. Also they sing songs
to tease fellow girls.
Having a baby boy:
Every
Gharri household sacrifices ANIMALS AND has a feast to pray for their newborn
sons and also gives the newborn an animal usually a calf or a heifer. In
addition, they give their son an animal at the time of circumcision, if he does
not cry during the circumcision as a gift for his courage.
Fortunetellers. The
Gharri people do have Fortunetellers. Tools needed to perform are as follows: Funno,
(rope) Sandy ground for Faal, and Kopee (shoes). Funno is a short
rope, approximately, about two yards long and it is performed mostly by middle
age women. MEN PERFORM KOPEE AND FAAL. However some women can perform Faal too.
It is used mostly during war time to predict numbers of casualties as well as
successful operation. Also it is used to locate lost herds, and or to predict a
future event or events.
Gharri’s
Inventions and Discovery:
Inventions:
Among
many inventions, Gharri INVETED ELEGANT Dasse, and Uttuba, (roofing and home
building materials), Qorri, (wood Plat) muduna, (Wooden Cup) Moqa, (wooden
Spoon) Garbisar, (Scarf) Borrati (Pillow), Sirre, Alluu,(red Paint)
Uchum,(match), kokeed (wood shoes), Kopee Goga (lether shoes), , and many more.
DISCOVERY:
HAWACHOW,
(antibiotic) is used primarily
to treat Gonorrhea and tape worms. Also, is used to treat a broad range of
infections, muscle spasms, and backheach.
Warra (detergant) is used to wash garments.
Ollombo:
((Anti inflammation) is
used primarily to treat infected skins and to relief of pain and inflammation
for both human and animals.
Urr:is
used to treat infectious disease caused by insects bits (for ANIMALS) ONLY.
Salmac:
(laxative) is used to treat
constipation
Qol
Sotowesa: is used to treat hepatitis and Jaundice.
Ampee
qumbi: is used to make INKS (Anqasti) FOR quranic writing, cast and
incense
Dharkeen: is used primarily to
treat fungus infections.
Qol
Agarsu: is used as alternative tea and to make red paints for uttuba.
Anan
Dana: is used primarily to treat eczema (Robbi)
POPULATIONS:
The Gharri population is about 1.9 million
today.
Between 1950's and 1979, the Gharri was
reduced from 6 million to 1.89 million.
This period begins with Emperor Haile Selassie
and ends with his successor dictator Mengistu Haile Mariam, who continued to
threaten the Gharri people with cruelties, genocide, looting of their life
stocks, and their mineral resources.
The Ethiopian monarchies and dictator
governments were using the Borana clansmen as a form of cannon or trained dog
to locate the Gharri’s hideouts. They created ethnic conflicts, where it's
impossible for the two indigenous people or clans to live together in harmony.
During the 1980s to present day, the Ethiopian government succeeded pushing the
Gharri people out of their homelands and cities to unsaturated desert area,
exactly the same way the white south African did to the majority of the black
south Africans during the apartheid era. Often, they go and camp around the
water wells, and block the innocent Gharri civilian from getting water for
their families and for their herds.
The people appeared on this picture lost
their herds. Even though they survived the war, most of them have died from
starvation because, their herds that their livelihoods depends on were looted
by government supported clans and military personals.
Therefore,
they looted as many herds as they wanted and murdered as many people they wish
to murder.
They
committed horrendous crimes and genocide against the Gharri people.
The
ethnic cleansing that was talked about in the 90s, was practiced by the Ethiopian
government against the Gharri people. The Ethiopian government recruited the Borana
clansmen in to their military, for the purpose of eradicating the Gharri
people. The government officials knew that this group of Gallas or Borana
clansmen are non-religious pagans and with cannibalistic behavior, in which
killing and mutilation are parts of their social and ritual practices. So, all
of the recruits were sent to station in the Gharri region. Therefore, those military personnel's
continued practicing the same rituals as their counter parts. Their members who
did not murder and mutilate a male person's genitals including the unborn child
is considered as have been failed to demonstrate his manhood sufficiently, and
look down upon him and see him as unfits to participate in a social events both
for the purpose of having a girlfriend and as well as for marriage.
So,
they go and murder the Gharri citizens and mutilate their body parts. They took
home the male genitals or penis as evidence and trophies.
Many
times they kill pregnant woman for the unborn child to see if she is carrying a
boy. So, the Ethiopian government soldiers kill the Gharri males, young and old
alike, in the process, achieves recognition as heroes. Those vicious monarchs
and dictator government of Ethiopia took advantage of circumstances and
committed an untold ethnic cleansing against the Gharri people.
Still
today, the Gharri people are being preyed upon from time to times, and their
horror experiences have not been told or reported to the international
communities.
The Gharri
Massacre in Ethiopia and Kenya: in 2000
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By Isaac Omar and
GSG Member 2000
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A
VOICE OF GHARRI
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The Gharri Massacre in Ethiopia and Kenya in 2000: Reports are as follows:
As a result of an ethnic cleansing campaign
sponsored by branches of the Ethiopian and the Kenyan governments, thousands of
the Gharri people have lost their lives, many others were physically
handicapped, thousands were displaced and families dispersed. Their properties
were destroyed; millions of their animals looted. It is the duty of government
to safeguard the welfare and well-being of citizens; however, the government
has failed to fulfill its obligation to take an appropriate action. Instead,
“the authorities have managed to cover up these crimes and their ugly
consequences, making it appear a willing participant, directly or indirectly,
in the conflicts” and genocide against the Gharri people. So far, the
perpetrators have not been punished
Overwhelming
evidences shows that, both the Ethiopian
and the Kenyan local government officials and armed security officers have been
playing leading roles in the ethnic cleansing campaign that took place against
the Gharri people.
“The Ethiopian federal government, on its
part, has failed to attend to and resolve the ethnic cleansing occurred in the
Gharri region in Southern Ethiopia, thereby ignoring the responsibility
entrusted to it by Article 48 (1) of the Constitution which states,” All border
disputes shall be settled by agreement of the concerned States. Where the
concerned States fail to reach agreement, the House of the Federation shall
decide such disputes on the basis of settlement patterns and the
wishes of the peoples concerned."
We call upon the Ethiopian and the Kenyan
government to take an urgent and appropriate action to:
Bring to justice those individuals, government officials, and armed
security persons who were responsible for the ethnic cleansing that led to, the loss of many lives, and the
destruction of the Gharri property in Arero Wereda, in the Gharri region, in
Southern Ethiopia as well as the Gharri victims in Bute and Danaba, located
in the Eastern Kenya.
Also, we are
asking your help to demand that the Ethiopian and the Kenyan governments pay
compensation and rehabilitate those surviving victims and families of the
deceased. Please see the following:
Table 1. Summary of
total property lost and number of people killed on September 07, 2000.
Type of destruction
|
Size of destruction
|
|
1
|
Humans
· Killed
· Wounded
|
75
33
|
2
|
Houses destroyed
by fire
|
9
|
3
|
Domestic animals
looted
· Cattle
· Goats
· Mules
· Camels
|
570
1624
16
176
|
4
|
Looted money in
cash
|
Over 80,000 Birr
|
The details of the destructions summarised in Table 1 above are presented in Tables 2
and 3 below:
I, 83 Gharri people were killed including women, children
and the elderly. Also, 32 people were seriously injured
Table 2. Full names
and brief descriptions of the persons killed
Full name of deceased
|
Sex
|
Age
|
Brief description of circumstance
|
|
1
|
Abdi Aliyu Molu
|
Male
|
60
|
Shot and killed
and the facial skin peeled off while sheltering for safety at the wereda
council's office
|
2
|
Menur Mediker
Aliyo
|
=
|
57
|
Same as above
|
3
|
Alew Ibrahim
Hassen
|
=
|
31
|
Same as above
|
4
|
Nishow Ibren
Yisak
|
=
|
37
|
Same as above
|
5
|
Abrosh Edin
Mohammed
|
=
|
35
|
Same as above
|
6
|
Mohammed Haji
Ali?
|
=
|
64
|
Shot and killed
while sheltering for safety at the wereda council's office
|
7
|
Ibrahim Ali Yisak
|
=
|
60
|
Same as above
|
8
|
Eden Bereyohu
Mohammed
|
=
|
53
|
Set on fire while
at home
|
9
|
Abdrahman Abdo?
|
=
|
25
|
Same as above
|
10
|
Mohammed Aliyu
Abdella
|
=
|
17
|
Same as above
|
11
|
Mohammed Menur
Mediker
|
=
|
15
|
Same as above
|
12
|
Edin Geraw Yisak
|
=
|
13
|
Same as above
|
13
|
Aliyu Iya Ketelo
|
=
|
20
|
Same as above
|
14
|
Abdunur Ali Kula
|
=
|
5
|
Same as above
|
15
|
Edin Yisak
|
Male
|
6
|
Set on fire while
at home
|
16
|
Edin M/Aliyu
Ibren
|
"
|
10
|
Same as above
|
17
|
Mohammed Hassen
Mohammed
|
"
|
5
|
Same as above
|
18
|
Yisak Aliyu
Hassen
|
"
|
3
|
Same as above
|
19
|
Yisak Mohammed
Mure
|
"
|
9
|
Same as above
|
20
|
Hassen Edin
|
"
|
11
|
Same as above
|
21
|
Ali Abdilahi
Aliyu
|
"
|
5
|
Same as above
|
22
|
"
|
3
|
Same as above but
with three other family members
|
Table 2. Full names
and brief descriptions of the persons killed (cont'd)
Full name of deceased
|
Sex
|
Age
|
Brief description of circumstance
|
|
23
|
Ibrahim Aliyu
Nura
|
male
|
3
|
Set on fire while
at home
|
24
|
Aliyu Nura
M/Mustafa
|
"
|
45
|
Same as above
|
25
|
Hussein Shimoy
Hussein
|
"
|
10
|
Same as above
|
26
|
Mohammed Gerew
Yisak
|
"
|
10
|
Same as above
|
27
|
Yisak Mohammed
Buli
|
"
|
16
|
Same as above
|
28
|
Ibren Edin Jirow
|
"
|
52
|
Same as above
|
29
|
Aden Mohammed
Kunu
|
"
|
32
|
Same as above
|
30
|
Iya Ketelo Roble
|
"
|
41
|
Same as above
(wereda council executive member)
|
31
|
Guracha Abidiyu
Mohammed
|
"
|
54
|
Unknown where
killed
|
32
|
M/Husman Mohammed
Sheik
|
"
|
56
|
Same as above
|
33
|
Ismael Mohammed
Aliyu
|
"
|
25
|
Same as above
|
34
|
Hussen Hassen
Edin?
|
"
|
27
|
Same as above
|
35
|
Yisak Aliyu Ahmed
|
"
|
55
|
Same as above
|
36
|
Abdirahman
M/Hassen Abdu
|
"
|
50
|
Same as above
|
37
|
Aliyu Edin Sengar
|
"
|
23
|
Same as above
|
38
|
Edin Aliyu Bele
|
"
|
25
|
Same as above
|
39
|
Robow Mohammed
Ibren
|
"
|
45
|
Same as above
|
40
|
Hussen Shiek
Abdinur Haji
|
"
|
33
|
Same as above
|
41
|
Iray Hussen Shiek
Abdi
|
"
|
7
|
Same as above
|
42
|
Eden Hussen Shiek
Abdi
|
"
|
4
|
Same as above
|
43
|
Aliyu Ibren
Hassen
|
"
|
67
|
Same as above
|
44
|
Dayuhu Aliyu
Menur
|
"
|
30
|
Same as above
|
45
|
Alnur Mohammed
Jilo
|
"
|
22
|
Same as above
|
46
|
Musluma Somo
Mehad
|
Female
|
50
|
Shot and killed
while sheltering for safety at the wereda council's office
|
47
|
Shelela Bidi Molu
|
"
|
80
|
Same as above
|
48
|
Mina Menur Ser
|
"
|
29
|
Same as above
|
49
|
Alima Swin
Mohammed
|
"
|
23
|
Same as above
|
50
|
Abdiya Aliyo
Yishak
|
"
|
2 mos.
|
Same as above
|
51
|
Fatuma Nurow
Hassen
|
"
|
43
|
Same as above
|
52
|
Abiba Aliyo Ibren
|
"
|
9
|
Same as above
|
53
|
Alima Abdo
Hassen?
|
"
|
6
|
Same as above
|
54
|
Alima Hassen Ali
|
"
|
66
|
Same as above
|
55
|
Abiba Mohammed
Haji Ali
|
"
|
15
|
Same as above
|
56
|
Mariam Mohammed
Hassen?
|
"
|
13
|
Same as above
|
57
|
Abshire Hassen
Shebela
|
"
|
2
|
Same as above
|
58
|
Musluma Ibren Ali
|
"
|
80
|
Same as above
|
59
|
Asenay Mohammed
Yisak
|
"
|
28
|
Same as above
|
60
|
Fatu Abdliban
|
"
|
20
|
Same as above
|
61
|
Amina Abdiliban
|
"
|
12
|
Same as above
|
62
|
Fiduma Boronje
Aliyu
|
"
|
70
|
Same as above
|
63
|
Kuresh Abdulay
|
"
|
2
|
Same as above
|
64
|
Fatuma Aliyo
Shiek Hassen
|
"
|
15
|
Same as above
|
65
|
Timira Beriyuhu
Mohammed
|
"
|
15
|
Same as above
|
66
|
Neham Abdulay
Aliyu
|
"
|
7
|
Same as above
|
67
|
Amina Mohammed
Hassen
|
"
|
23
|
Same as above
|
68
|
Kediha Abdulay
Mohammed
|
"
|
5
|
Same as above
|
69
|
Robiy Shilow
|
"
|
75
|
Same as above
|
70
|
Nuriya Ali
Mohammed
|
"
|
40
|
Same as above
|
71
72
|
Imbiya Birkan
Hassen
Fatuma Birkan
Hassen
|
"
"
|
7
4
|
Two sisters set
on fire in their home
|
II. Wounded by
Gunshot and Other Traditional Weapons
Table 3 below
provides a brief description and list of the individuals who sustained various
bodily injuries as a result of ethnic cleansing, the nature and seriousness of
the injuries. The injuries sustained by those individuals listed under number
29 through 33 were serious enough to necessitate their admission to the Army
Hospital in Addis Ababa where they have bee getting medical treatment until the
time that this report was being prepared.
Table 3.
Persons who sustained various bodily injuries
Victim's full name
|
Brief
description of injury
|
|
1
|
Ato Kulu Mohammed
|
A 27-year-old
farmer was hit by a bullet on his right arm while in his house.
|
2
|
Child Abdnaser
Yesuf
|
An 8-year-old
child was stabbed on his shoulder, back and right hand.
|
3
|
Woizero Yere Issa
|
A 50-year-old and
a mother of 6. She was hit by a bullet on the leg.
|
4
|
Child Abdiya Ado
|
A child of 4 was
hit by a bullet while at home with her parents.
|
5
|
Child Aliyo
Mohammed Yisak
|
A 5-year-old son
of Woizero Alima Ketelo (see No. 16 in this Table) was hit by a bullet on the
right thigh.
|
6
|
Yisak Geraw
|
A son of Woizero
Halima Mohammed (see No. 11 in this Table) was hit by a bullet below the
knee.?
|
7
|
Child Hassen
Mohammed
|
A 9-year-old boy
is the son of Ato Mohammed Haji (see Nos. 6 & 70 in Table 2) and Woizero
Nuriya Ali. He was stabbed on the chin and back and his right hand has
sustained fractures from beatings.
|
8
|
Woizero Musluma
Shiek Alito
|
A 20-year-old
mother of 2. She was hit by a bullet on the hip while trying to escape with
her children. Her 4 and 7 year-old children were killed. (See Nos. 27 and 71
in Table 2 above)
|
9
|
Abdulahi Aliyo
|
A 4-year-old
child who was wounded by a bullet on the left arm. He is now under medical
treatment along with his grandmother, Woizero Halima Ahmed.
|
10
|
Child Abdiya
Yisho
|
A 5-year-old
child. Her father was killed and she was wounded by a bullet while with her
mother.
|
11
|
Youth Hadija
Aliyo
|
A young girl of
17 was wounded by a bullet on the left thigh and leg while at home.
|
12
|
Woizero Habiba
Manisak
|
A 50-year-old
mother of 5 children. She had gone to the Arero Wereda Council's office
looking for protection when she was hit by a bullet on the right leg. One of
her children was killed.
|
13
|
Woizero Halima
Seid
|
A 56-year-old
mother of 5. She had gone to the Arero Wereda Council's office looking for
protection when she was hit by a bullet on the right thigh.
|
14
|
Yisak Ibrahim
|
A 20-year-old
young man who had gone to the Arero Wereda Council's office looking for
protection when he was hit by a bullet on both thighs.
|
15
|
Woizero Habiba
Abdi
|
A 30-year-old
mother of three who had gone to the Arero Wereda Council's office looking for
protection when she was hit by a bullet on the right hand. Her child of 7,
Mohammed Hassen, was killed in front of her.
|
16
|
Woizero Alima
Ketelo Eden
|
A 66-year-old
elderly who had gone to the Arero Wereda Council's office looking for
protection when he was hit by a bullet on the left leg.
|
17
|
Woizero Halima
Mohammed
|
A 40-year-old
mother of 5 who had gone to the Arero Wereda Council's office looking for
protection when she was hit by a bullet on the left thigh. On the same day,
her two children were killed (see Nos. 6 of this Table), while two of her
other children aged 13 and 10 (see Nos. 12 and 26) were killed.
|
18
|
Woizero Halima
Ahmed
|
A 50-year-old
mother of 5 who had gone to the Arero Wereda Council's office looking for
protection when she was hit by a bullet on the right knee. Her daughter,
Woizero Alima Sowi was killed, while her child (see No 9 in this Table) was
wounded.
|
19
|
Woizero Bisharey
Ibren Kero
|
A 20-year-old
mother of 2 who had gone to the Arero Wereda Council's office looking for
protection when she was hit by a bullet on the right knee. Her daughter (see
No. 10 in this Table) was shot and wounded, while her husband (see No. 4 in
Table 2) was killed.
|
20
|
Woizero Hajira
Ubare
|
A 40-year-old
mother of 6 who had gone to the Arero Wereda Council's office looking for
protection when she was hit by a bullet on the right thigh.
|
21
|
Woizero Habiba
Hassen
|
A 22-year-old mother
of 2 who had gone to the Arero Wereda Council's office looking for protection
when she was hit by a bullet on the back. She is receiving medical treatment
while also nursing her 9-month-old child.
|
22
|
Youth Abdulahi
Mohammed
|
An 18-year-old
young man who had gone to the Arero Wereda Council's office looking for
protection when he was hit by a bullet on both legs.
|
23
|
Woizero Habiba
Ibrahim
|
A 40 year old
mother of 4 who had gone to the Arero Wereda Council's office looking for
protection when she was hit by a bullet on the cheeks. Her husband and baby
child were killed.
|
24
|
Child Momina
Nishow
|
A 12 year old
girl who had gone to the Arero Wereda Council's office looking for protection
when she was hit by a bullet on the leg. Her father was killed, while her
mother was wounded.
|
25
|
Youth Abdiya
Munir
|
A 15 year old
girl who had gone to the Arero Wereda Council's office looking for protection
when she was hit by a bullet on the left hand and right knee. Her mother was
killed.
|
26
|
Child Zara Hussen
|
A 12 year old
girl who had gone to the Arero Wereda Council's office looking for protection
when she was hit by a bullet on the right foot.
|
27
|
Youth Aliyo
Mohammed
|
A 15-year-old
young man who had gone to the Arero Wereda Council's office looking for
protection when he was hit by a bullet on the left knee.
|
28
|
Ato Abdi Mohammed
|
A young man of 22
who had gone to the Arero Wereda Council's office, along with his family,
looking for protection when he was hit by a bullet on the left hand. Both of
his parents were killed.
|
29
|
Ato Aliyo Ibren
|
An elderly man of
60 and father of 13 children. He had gone to the Arero Wereda Council's
office looking for protection when he was hit by a bullet on both legs.
Because of the seriousness of his injury he has been hospitalised at the Army
Hospital in Addis Ababa.
|
30
|
Youth Aliyo
Mohammed
|
A young man of 19
had gone to the Arero Wereda Council's office looking for protection when he
was hit by a bullet on the right leg. He is undergoing treatment at the Army
Hospital in Addis Ababa.
|
31
|
Child Yisak Ibren
|
A child of 10 who
had gone to the Arero Wereda Council's office looking for protection when he
was hit by a bullet on both legs, both hands and the chest. One of his legs
had to be amputated. At present, he is undergoing treatment at the Army
Hospital in Addis Ababa.
|
Table 3. Persons who sustained various bodily injuries (cont'd)
Victim's full name
|
Brief
description of injury
|
|
32
|
Woizero Awliya
Yisak
|
A young woman of
21 and a mother of 2. She had gone to the Arero Wereda Council's office
looking for protection when she was hit by a bullet on the left leg for which
she is undergoing treatment at the Army Hospital in Addis Ababa.
|
33
|
Woizero Habiba
Mohammed Ibren
|
A young woman of
28 and a mother of 3. She had gone to the Arero Wereda Council's office
looking for protection when she was hit by a bullet on the chest for which
she is now undergoing treatment at the Army Hospital in Addis Ababa.
|
Gharri
Massacre in Kenya: The following report was made possible by
Abdullah Korre and was edited and elaborated by By Isaac Omar
On 11/3/2000 when one Gharri man Mr.
Kalla Issak Mahad was killed brutally at GolbaDiriba in Gurar.
The boy was defaced, skinned and
mutilated, it was a horrifying and spine-chilling episode
On 27/03/2000 four Gharri. People
were killed at Danaba wells They were; Adow Hillow, Mohamed Issak
Tortore, Yusuf Shando Hussein and Maalim Mohamed. Also,three others were
seriously injured They were Diqaya Maalim Derow, Abdullahi Kontoma and Mohamed
Edin Ali.
On 28/3/2000 two Gharri people,
Mr. Ibrahim Aliow and Mr. Issak Hassanow Edin were killed at Nanaw.
These murders were reported to the local police and other authorities, but they
chose to ignore it. So, no actions were taken.
There is a documented fact that, most of
the crimes were committed in the presence of the Government’s security
personnel, in broad day light, including the following crimes, several houses
belonging to Gharri clansmen were demolished and 3 Gharri people were also
killed, the victims were Fatuma Issak Jirow and Adow Issak Idow (wife and
husband) and Abdullahi Maalim Abdi Fille. The Government security personnel’s
failed to intervene and failed to assists the Gharri victims.
While staying at the police station seeking
for help, the Gharri victims witnessed and helplessly watched their houses
being demolished, burnt down or iron sheets looted. In total, 35 houses were
completely destroyed see the following list:
NAMES OF OWNERS No of plots No of Rooms
1. Hajji Issack
Ahmed Kiti 4 plots 12 Rooms
2. Hajji
Abdullahi Nurow 3 Plots 6 Rooms
3. Hajj Nurow
Bake 3 Plots 10 Rooms
4. Hussein Abdi
Dika 1 Plot 2 Rooms
5. Haji Salah
Mustafa 1 Plot 2
Rooms
6. Nura Mohamed
Abdi 1 Plot 4 Rooms
7. Maalim Aliow
Chiwta 1 plot 2 Rooms
8. Hassan Maalim
Moh’d 1 Plot 4 Rooms
9. Abukar
Abdullahi 2 Plots 5 Rooms
10. Aliow
Hussein Gedi 1 Plot 3 Rooms
11. Hajji Adow
Ibrahim 1 Plot 2 Rooms
12. Hassnow
Hache 1 Plot 2 Rooms
13. Salah Maalim
Issak 1 Plot 2 Rooms
14. Dayow Adan
Hassan 1 Plot 5 Rooms
15. Hajji
Mohamed Ali 1 Plot 7 Rooms
16. Abdullahi
Hache 1 Plot 12 Rooms
17. Hajji Musa
Ibrahim 1 Plot 2 Rooms
18. Edinow
Hassan Ibrahim 1 Plot 4 Rooms
19. Mohamed
Maalim Issak 1 Plot 5 Rooms
20. Maalim Issak
Adan 1 Plot 2 Rooms
21. Edaw Mohamed
Abdi 1 Plot 1 Rooms
22. 4 other plot
whose owners were not present.
Between
17/6/2000-21/6/2000, using two government vehicles “registration numbers GKZ
293 and GKZ 230,” all the Gharri at Butte police station were moved (taken
by the Kenya government personnel) to Danaba by force against their wills that
their safety at Danaba is at stake. There are only 4 police officers stationed
at Danaba, therefore, their security could not be guaranteed.
On
July 4, 2000, the Gharri people’s fears became reality.
THE
DANABA MASSACRE:
On July 4th, 2000, in broad day light and in full view of the
security agencies at around 9am about 200 heavily armed
militia surrounded Danaba, blocking all escape routes, and entered the Gharri
village with military precision opening fire against unarmed Gharri women,
children and the elderly.
The Kenyan government security agencies did
not attempt to intervene or assist the Gharri victims. Having no escape route,
many women and children ran back into their “makeshift shanties” for safety,
unfortunately, many of them were set on fire and died inside their houses
including a family of six. A 9 months
old boy, Shaban was shot while in his mother’s arms with the same bullet that
killed his mother. A mentally sick elderly lady was locked inside a house
that was later set on fire; she escaped through some opening in the wall while
her clothes were on fire. However, she was gunned down before she could go far.
The smoke screen from the fire could be seen several kilometers away.
The carnage lasted almost five hours,
without any interception by the Kenya government security personnel that was
stationed there. At the end, 22 people were murdered including 2 elderlymen,
16 women and 4 children, all these people were buried at Takaba; , this
became the Danaba massacre
On
18/10/2000, two Gharri were killed at a place
called Kharsa Sare between Danaba and Iris Teno, again. The victims were
Mohamed Ibren Ali and Kusow Sheikh Ali Gashan. The perpetrator got away with
eight donkeys and its loads of merchandises.
”On
6th April 2001 at Bute in the presence of the District
security committee including the DC Mr Fred mutsami and other security
personnel, Ajuran militias killed three Gharri people and several Gharri
houses were touched. The DC later visited one of the houses burnt belonging
to ALIO Hussein Gedi and also attended the burial ceremony of those killed,
but, No arrest were made”
Furthermore,
the Kenya government failed to take into consideration about the Gharri
grievance, that the:
Gharri
businessmen from Mandera had been robbed several times between Gurar and Danaba at
Kari-gola as armed bandits had opened a toll station in the area.
q
Gharri people have been deprived of basic rights such as access to water and
pasture at Gurar.
q
The Gharri people were denied the right to acquire identity
cards in Bute sub-district.
Gharri
people were denied representation in leadership in the area i.e chiefs and councilors out of 14 chiefs
only 1 is Gharri and out of 18 sub- chiefs only 1 is Gharri
Many Gharri people were killed, but no
arrests being made
Creation
of Butte –sub district in 1996 heightened the hatred for Gharri because of
their numbers in the area.
Despite
the Gharri people’s Grievances, the Kenyan Government has done nothing so far.
As
the above facts and reports shows, the Gharri people in Eastern Africa have
suffered, and their tragedy has not been taken seriously by any human rights
organizations or governments. As a result, those who survived the ordeals and
are disabled are facing starvation in Ethiopia, because they cannot make a
living. In addition, many others whose livelihoods were depends on their
animals, are dying daily from starvation and malnutrition, because, their herds
were looted.
The
establishment of ad hoc tribunals and the adoption of the Rome Statute
establishing a permanent International Criminal Court has worked bringing
notorious European war criminals to justice. However, the lesser-known African
war criminals, especially in Eastern Africa have been left out unnoticed.
Therefore, we are asking for your help to demand for justice for the Gharri
victims.
Sincerely
Yours:
Gharri
Support Group in North America.
