Oldest Photographs of Somalis

[ZubeirAwal]

These photographs were taken by Roland Bonaparte over 100 years ago, mainly centered around northern somali inhabited areas, interestingly it shows Somalis presenting themselves differently than they do today, they resemble the indigenous Afar nomads of ethiopia in their hair and dress. The object worn around the neck is called 'Qardhasso' , it has a inscription of the Qur'an and nomads wear it for protection to ward off the evil eye and negative spirits.

The names of the clans and age were also mentioned,

'Igge Karbaashe, Isaaq, Habar Awal, Sa'ad Muuse, 21 yrs.



Hamdule 'Abdi, Midgaan, Toumaal (Blacksmith), 20 yrs. The Midgaan are a gypsy clan among the Somalis, sadly up until this day the major Somali clans (Isaaq, Darood, Hawiye) have a policy that they do not marry from the Tumaal, Midgaan. In fact the members of the Isaaq clan used to pay a Midgaan money when a boy was born, because they believed if they did not then the Midgaan would curse them.



Tariq Ahmed, Midgaan (Shoe-maker), Madhibaan, 40 yrs.



Ahmed Amar, Isaaq, Habar Awal, 'Isa Muuse, 25 yrs.



Bakri Ob'hali, Isaaq ,Habar Awal, 'Isa Musee, 28 yrs.



Tariq Aden, 20 yrs, Isaaq, Habar Yonis, 'Abdallah Isaaq.



Ali Gaboose, Isaaq, Habar Awal, Sa'ad Muuse, 20 yrs.



Warsame Yonis, 24 yrs, Isaaq, Habar Awal, Sa'ad Muuse.



Taraad Muuse, Midgaan (Shoe-maker) Madhibaan, 20 yrs.



Hassan Muhammed, 21 yrs, Isaaq, Habar Awal, Sa'ad Muuse.



Muhammed 'Hirsi, Isaaq, Habar Yoonis, 'Abdallah Isaaq, 18 yrs.



Cigaal Mohammed, Midgaan, Toumal (Blacksmiths), 20 yrs.



Ibrahim Tariq, Isaaq, Habar Yoonis, Reer 'Hamoud, 23 yrs.



Du'aale Abdi, Isaaq, Tol-Je'lo, Mousse Abu-bokor, 28 yrs.



Ahmed 'Hirsi, Isaaq, Habar Yoonis, 'Abdallah Isaaq, 13 yrs.



Neriib Muhammed, 'Isa clan of Djibouti, 22 yrs.



Hassan Yusuf, 20 yrs, Habar Awal, Sa'ad Muuse. Strangely enough, looks like a female, I wonder if the photographer got the names wrong?



Okay thats the end of the Photographs from Rolande Bonaparte, here are some other very old photographs.

A young woman from Mogadishu, Italian Somaliland



Berbera locals converse with Italian troops after Italy takes control of Berbera from the British Empire.



Majeerteen Nomads travelling near 'Eyl looking for a water well to quench the thirst of their camels,

[blizzard90]

how come none of them have bidaar.? i noticed all the olden Somalis never had it

[ZubeirAwal]

Bidaar can be a result of poor dieting and living in a bad environment, these Somalis lived the puritanical nomadic lifestyle, quit the opposite to our modern dieting that consists of industrial farming and processed foods.

[Reacher]

Good looking Somalis. Specially the "Midgaan" somali, he is the best looking of all.


Compare them to these modern Somalis below: Not much changed I think. Except the hairstyle.

[Reacher]

And Hargeiysa team got their ass whipped "Hopefully" in that game LOL.

[Reacher]

Females too, somewhere in south Somalia back in Colonial days.

[ZubeirAwal]

Don't transform this thread into bitter rivalry between certain groups.

[Reacher]

Don't transform this thread into bitter rivalry between certain groups.

I didn't, the picture mentioned the clans. It should have been sufficient to mention that they were Somalis only, so, it is not my issue to be honest. Go back and edit the clan names.


If you meant Hargeisa team comment though, I am not sure anyone will be offended by that. Will address it when it comes up, if it comes up at all.

[ZubeirAwal]

Why are you hostile against clans? they exist and they will continue to exist, the photographer identified the individuals by clan, name and age. I intend to post the photographs how they were originally presented, you injected you're emotional post of ' the midgaan looked the best' , how is that relevant?

[Reacher]

Why are you hostile against clans? they exist and they will continue to exist, the photographer identified the individuals by clan, name and age.

Well, it is a Somali issue since they personalize clan lineage. It is better to avoid mentioning the clans if one wants to have a meaningful discussion. It would have been better if the clan names weren't mentioned. It was not necessary.

[ZubeirAwal]

It is a meaningful discussion, I personally have nothing wrong with tribes, tribal-ISM, is a different thing. To neglect tribes completly is to throw out a piece of somali culture and heritage, simply because of internet fadhi ku dirir and clan-on-clan violence in some areas within Somalia. The photographs were presented in a manner to inform us with positive identification, you should not be complaining about the mentioning of tribes, and it was 100% necessary and relevant as this was the manner in which the photographs were presented.

Calaacal badana, ya ilaahi yaqaan, comment on the thread without injecting emotional elements due to your opioniated views on clans, I frankly don't care about them. This thread is about the oldest known portraits taken of Somalis, and their names, tribes, and age were all presented, if you don't like, chew it and digest it how you want but don't derail the thread with your " the midgaan looks the best" BS.

[Reacher]

Why are you hostile against clans? they exist and they will continue to exist, the photographer identified the individuals by clan, name and age. I intend to post the photographs how they were originally presented, you injected you're emotional post of ' the midgaan looked the best' , how is that relevant?

Btw, the name "Midgaan" is derisive and offensive. And I wish I knew what the original clan name of these Somalis were before they were called as such.

[ZubeirAwal]

Midgaan, Madhibaan, Tumaal, are the names of these tribes, Midgaan being the clan and Madhibaan and Tumaal being the sub-tribes. What is offensive about it? You're blowing things out of proportion.

[Reacher]

Midgaan, Madhibaan, Tumaal, are the names of these tribes, Midgaan being the clan and Madhibaan and Tumaal being the sub-tribes. What is offensive about it? You're blowing things out of proportion.

Obviously, you need history lesson when it comes to these clans. Ask your elders to tell you why are these clans called these names. Hear the stupid story that justified of the mistreatment, isolation and the disregard for blood ties the rest of Somalis engaged throughout history when it came to these brothers of theirs. Their story is a history of injustice and mistreatment. The names are very offensive to these Somalis and the history that comes with it.


I personally view the so called nasab tribes to be the lowest scums on earth. I don't see anything that makes them better Somalis than the Somalis they despise and insult on a daily basis.

[barbarossa]

So much for the theory Somalis are descendent from Arabs. Those guys look infinitely African as ever was, though definitely wilder and fiercer..