Ismail Mire

Ismail Mire Elmi was a renowned Somali poet and one of the most senior Dervish generals.^[1] He served within the movement's governing council (Khusuusi), often responsible for intelligence operations.^[2][3][4][5] Regarding his poetry, one observer said his voice and poetic ability was "so great that he could sing his countrymen into peace or war".^[4]

Military career[]

commander-poet Ismail Mire (pictured) administered the largest infantry Shiikhyaale and Adan Ali Gurey the second-largest, Golaweyne.

Mire was born in 1862 in the vicinity of Buuhoodle. His life began in pastoralist and nomadic settings along the Haud plains which is the lifestyle he returned to towards the end of his life. Upon becoming a Darwiish, he began heading the army and military intelligence, he also supervised the maintenance of the numerous forts that were built by the Darwiish. Upon the defeat of the Darwiish, he was captured, and spent a stint in a Berbera prison.^[6] Mire is one of the most successful generals in African history, with Mire leading the charges that led to the killing of Richard Corfield and destroyed almost the entirety of his battalion, besides successful raids or annexations of territories ranging from Berbera and Las Khorey in the north, Jigjiga to the west and Beledweyne to the south, thus by 1915 domineering over an area almost the size of Germany.^[7] The first decade of offensives cost the British government 29 million pounds sterlings (not adjusted to inflation).^[8]

Ilig treaty[]

In 1905, the Ilig treaty was signed between the Darwiish and the Italians who also signed on behalf of the two other colonial powers, the British and the Abyssinians. The treaty stipulated peace between the Darwiish and the three colonial powers and designated the Darwiish as an Italian protectorate. The territory of the Darwiish was also demarcated in this treaty between the Majeerteen Sultanate at Ras Gabbe (Gabbac) and Hobyo Sultanate at Ras Garad (Garacad); further territory was assigned for grazing, namely in Halin, a few miles east of Taleh to the north, Hudin (Xudun) to the northwest, Tifafle (between Ade Adeye and Las Anod) to the west, Danot to the southwest, and Mudug to the south.^[8]

Poetry[]

Some of his notable poems include:

• Maxaa Xiga
• Guuguulayhow
• Iibsi Lacageed
• Xoogsi
• Hashii Markab
• Isma Oga
• Annagoo Taleex Naal
• Gelin Dhexe
• Galow-Kiciye

Death of Corfield[]

Prior to their encounter with Corfield, the Dervishes began a recruitment campaign in various localities in northern Somalia. For instance, in December 1912, A group of 150 Darwiish went to Ainabo wherein they tried to recruit to Dhulbahante there with promises of 100 camels for each rifleman or horseman who joined.^[8] In August 1913, upon killing Richard Corfield and his battalion, Ismail Mire composed the "Death of Corfield" poem:

Mindful of our horses we pastured them at night; Gently we hobbled them, and let them eat lush fronds; When the Triplet Stars began to set I stirred and Sang; And when I chanted my poem, the sleeping awoke; Gathering around the place where my voice sounded; And when I said the Dawn prayer, we saddled for the march; By the Ulasameed rivulet I sent out the scouts; We rumbled into battle roaring like thunder; Our camels trampled where he held the Maxim gun; The dead littered the field including the toadying Iidoor; There, Corfield and his interpreters were slain.

Somali proverbs[]

Ismail Mire is also known for contriving traditional sayings that expressed in a metaphorical sense the truths based on common sense or experience of the Nugaal region:^[9]

Ragow, kibirka waa lagu kufaa; kaa ha la ogaado (Oh men, arrogance makes you lose your footing; let that be known)

Legacy[]

in Buuhoodle is named in honour of Mire.

Autobiography book written on Ismaaciil Mire; by Ahmed Farah Ali, 1974

References[]

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