The Habr Je'lo (), , Full Name: Mūsa ibn ash-Shaykh Isḥāq ibn Aḥmad,bin Muḥammad bin al-Ḥusayn bin 'Ali bin Muhammad bin Ḥamza bin 'Abdullah bin Ayyub bin Qasim bin Ahmad bin Ali bin Isa bin Ali Akbar bin Hasan al-Askari bin Ali al-Hadi bin Muhammad al-Jawad bin Ali al-Ridha bin Musa al-Kadhim bin Ja'far al-Sadiq bin Muhammad al-Baqir bin Ali Zayn Al-Abidin bin Husayn bin Ali bin Abi Talib al-Hashimi historically known as the Habr Toljaala () is a major sub-tribe of the wider Isaaq family. Its members form the () confederation along with the Ibran, Sanbuur and Tolje’lo. The Habr Je'lo are divided into three further sub-tribes: the Mohamed Abokor, Musa Abokor, and Omar. Historically, the Mohamed Abokor were chiefly nomadic pastoralists, whereas the Musa Abokor and Omar obtained much of their wealth via their frankincense plantations in the mountainous interior adjacent to the coastline.The Habr Je'lo played a prominent role in the livestock and frankincense trade during the pre-colonial period.
The Habr Je'lo also partook in a major organised front to oppose British rule in the late 19th and early 20th centuries under the leadership of Haji Sudi, Sheikh Bashir, Haji Farah Omar, Michael Mariano and other subsequent anti-colonial leaders hailing from the same tribe. These figures represent both the intellectual and violent struggle that was staged against the colonial project of the British Empire.
Distribution
The Habr je'lo (Habarjeclo) tribes reside in eastern Togdheer, eastern Sahil, western Sanaag western Sool and Eastern Maroodi Jeex regions in Somaliland. The sub-tribe also inhabits the Somali region in Ethiopia, especially in the Degehbur zone. They also have a large settlement in Kenya where they are known as a constituent segment of the Isahakia community.
History
Antiquity
The ancient city of Mosyllum, situated at the coast of Habr Je'lo inhabited lands, has been described as the largest and most important port city of the Erythrean Sea, exporting cinnamon, frankincense and myrrh. Ralph E. Drake-Brockman states in his 1912 book British Somaliland:
Heis, another port town inhabited by the Habr Je'lo, is said to be identical with the ancient trading post of Mundus () that is described in the Periplus of the Erythraean Sea, an anonymous account by a Greek Alexandrian salesman from the 1st century CE.
A large collection of cairns of various types lie near the city. Excavations here have yielded pottery and sherds of Roman glassware from a time between the 1st and 5th centuries. Among these artefacts is high-quality millefiori glass. Dated to 0-40 CE, it features red flower disks superimposed on a green background. Additionally, an ancient fragment of a footed bowl was discovered in the surrounding area. The sherd is believed to have been made in Aswan (300-500 CE) or Lower Nubia (500-600 CE), suggesting early trading ties with kingdoms in the Nile Valley. Ancient edifices have also been found in Heis.
Arawelo
According to traditional Somali folklore, Arawelo, a legendary proto-Somali queen who is said to have established a matriarchal society, was based in lands inhabited by the Habr Je'lo, specifically a place called Murihi in the Togdheer region. Ralph E. Drake-Brockman was one of the first Western researchers to publish an account of Arawelo, in his 1912 book British Somaliland he states:The story says that thousands of years ago there lived in what is now the tract of country occupied by the Habr Toljaala tribe, a great Somali queen called Arawailo, who was greatly feared by her people owing to her eccentricities. Arawailo lived at a place called Murihi, so the story goes, for little save a huge mound of stones, under which she is said to lie buried, now marks the capital of her ancient kingdom. Towards the end of her life Arawailo began to show marked favour towards her own sex and great animosity towards her male subjects.