Dervish Armed Resistance in Somalia

Dervish Armed Resistance in Somalia

Introduction

The Dervish resistance movement was a revolutionary group in Somali between 1899 and 1920 that was spearheaded by Muhammad Abdullah Hassan, who acted a militant and Sullihiyya Suffi Muslim. The objective of the militant leader Sayyid Hassan was to remove the colonial powers and further accelerate the growth of the Islamic state in the region. Furthermore, it can be indicated that within the area, Sayyid’s movement joined with the Ottoman empire of Muhammad Ali to facilitate national liberation throughout the Horn of Africa region. The armed resistance was formulated through the use of youths as agents to defeat the colonial masters. Sayyid managed to attract more than 6,000 youths that were equipped with firearms obtained through trading with Arabs. It was organized within the region of Jigjiga[1]. The movement was dependent on the guerilla tactics to attack the Europeans. Therefore, it was apparent that the Dervish movement contributed towards the division of Somali to form a state that was mobile and had temporary boundaries. The fluid nature of the borders was meant to benefit the guerilla worriers that majored in retreating to the regions that were sparsely populated.

Organization of the Dervish Resistance

It is correct to indicate that the Dervish movement was organized by Hassan Muhammad, who had the support of several commanders from diverse groups. The commanders belonged to the Dervish council. They maintained the military troops that were highly trained and equipped[2]. Moreover, the state of Somali was composed of judicial judges that were responsible for the settling of disputes within the region. The fact that the movement was facilitated to end the political revolution to eliminate the white colonizers, the leaders of the movement were further focused on the ending of the Ethiopian troop’s entry within Somali. The troops were organized in groups that wore white turbans and had acquired horses from trading. The oath of loyalty was extreme, and the clans that were disloyal to the movement were assassinated. Furthermore, it can be established that the Dervish soldiers from the region highly engaged in the use of dance songs within the Somali tradition for motivation purposes to fight against the colonialists. Their able leader Sayyid Hassan could ensure that members of the movement portrayed religious characteristics that were faithfully committed to the movement. Hassan further organized the movement in a manner that warriors from the different clans were united and had the opportunity to perceive themselves as the Dervish.

Fights against the British Conquest

The Dervish movement led by Sayyid Hassan made tremendous achievements over the British conquest in Somali in 1898. In this period, Hassan had managed to conquer Burao, which was very significant to the colonial masters. Muhammad had a greater advantage over the British as he managed to control the watering points in the city[3]. The region of Burao enabled him to associate with the locals and urge them to join the Dervish movement in the removal of the forces within Somali. The numbers of the army expanded with time hence, leading to the overpowering of the British forces in certain regions. Hassan further focused on accelerating the defeats through acquiring firearms and expanding the guerilla tactics all over the region.

Further achievements of the Dervish movement were obtained in 1900 when Sayyid’s army managed to accelerate the conquest against the Ethiopian in the region of Jijiga. The Ethiopian post-conquest was meant to be motivation for the forces as they wanted to proceed with their conquest. Even though the British and other western tend to view Sayyid as being promoted to pursue the conquest through religious factors, it is correct to depict that Sayyid was a natural militant. However, the conquest of the Jijiga region became a significant loss to the Dervishes. Hassan lost more than 2800 warriors. The Ethiopians had emerged to conquer the Somali, thus making Captain Malcolm McNeil report the loss of the Somalis. However, Hassan still seemed determined to throw out the British colonial masters out of the region as he kept to organize further conquests.

The efforts and determination of Hassan propelled him to attain more than expected by the 1900s. It is indicated that in June 1900, Hassan had become so influential among the southerners in the region of Somali. Despite the consecutive defeats that existed among the Dervish forces, Hassan never ceased from attacking both the British and Somali forces. Sayyid had accommodated and control more than the whole of the southern British protectorate within the region of Somali. The continued pursuit of the British by the Dervish forces resulted in searching for support in 1901 by the British forces from the Ethiopian and Italian troops[4]. The colonialists further engaging in the conduct of eliminating the Jihad forces in the area to retain their glory within the region. However, the key point to indicate that propelled the Dervish enhancement in the region is the fact that the British were not adapted to the state of conditions. For instance, the fact that Hassan had managed to capture the region of Burao, and controlled the water sources, denied the British access to the resource. Moreover, with time, it became apparent that the forces had difficulty to sustain in the terrain. The guerillas were advantaged in the region as they could survive by drinking water from the remains of the animal that had succumbed.

The superiority of the Dervishes proceeded in 1905 to the extent that they could overpower the Anglo-Ethiopian forces. Sayyid Hassan’s tactics managed to defeat them despite their ability to gain access to superior firearms. The British started to get disappointed with the efforts of the Sayyid and therefore resorted to organizing assaults to kill him. The elusive nature of Hassan allowed him to escape the capture from the British between 1913 and 1920. The British in 1920, therefore, focused on developing a campaign to indicate the 12 Airco DH, which succeeded in capturing the capital city within the Dervish state. However, Hassan still eloped and retreated towards the western part of the Somali state.

British and Somali Views Muhammad Hassan

Somaliland had become a British protectorate in 1885. The rise of Sayyid Hassan was controversial in the region, as the British perceived him as to have been motivated by religious factors. They portrayed Muhammad to be significantly connected with the Muslim state that had strict consequences on the individuals who turned their backs to the fights. Moreover, the British believed that the warriors were significantly connected oath of allegiance as defined by the Jihad policy. Therefore, religious factors had pushed Muhammad to propel warfare. The British views thus propagated to the efforts of depriving him the Muslim religion support. The Islamic State was, therefore, connected with the confiscation of cattle in Somalia as a mean of downplaying the effectiveness of the religion[5]. The view enabled the British officials to portray the Muslim religion as a form of motivation that only meant the Dervish movement proceeds to propel their conquests.

However, the Somali people had diverse views about the Muslim religion. They perceived it as a way that enabled Muhammad to organize them in a unified manner. Moreover, Sayyid was seen as a factor that allowed the resistance within the region to develop[6]. They had positivity and efforts to work towards defeating the forces. The forces, despite having experienced immense losses through the tremendous number of individuals who succumbed during the war, they managed to expand their penetration within the land. Thus, Sayyid was a militant leader, according to them who would propel their efforts towards deriving the British out of Somalia territory.

Significance of the Dervish Armed Movement

It is apparent to indicate that the Dervish armed movement is relevant in African history as it expands on the history of the conquests of the European explorations. Moreover, it reveals the importance of the leaders that spearheaded the movements within the African continent. The Dervish movement also expounds on the role that religion played towards combating warriors to fight against the British. The history of the conquest in Somali land is crucial in the discovering of the connection that exists between Jihad religion and the European conquest[7]. It also adds to the African historical concepts on how they managed to develop independence in their prospective states. It is significant to depict that the topic further indicates the role Sayyid Hassan played in the Dervish movement.

The topic develops through the expounding on the organization of the Dervish movement during the conquests. It seeks to enable one to develop a clear picture of Hassan and how he managed to apply the guerilla tactics towards the pushing of Guerilla warfare. It can be indicated that the topic changes to expound on the conquest that took place from 1899 to 1920, led by the famous Sayyid. The attempt to take control over the southern part of the region is later revealed and the reasons that spearheaded the capacity to attack them revealed.

Influence of The Dervish Movement

The Dervish armed movement was significant towards the liberation of various states within Africa. The history of the Muslim religion was also initiated and promoted as the Dervish movement became popular. The states that were conquered by the British in the region were able to liberate themselves and apply the tactics that were used by the Somali forces to combat them. Moreover, it indicates the power of Sayyid towards influencing the growth of the Ottoman empire. Sayyid was focused on making the region resistant to Christianity. Hence, the study on the Dervish revolution helps in making it apparent that the growth of the Islamic state existed even during the colonial conquests.

The events of the Dervish movement influence the topic as it enables us to develop a clear picture of the time to time proceedings of the war. For instance, in terms of the social perspective, the war that was conducted by the Dervish forces helped in unifying everyone within the Somali region as they perceived each other as Dervish[8]. Moreover, in terms of economic views, it can be indicating that the trade was affected; however, in some parts, it expanded as a result of the extreme demand for firearms. Politically, it showcases the leadership within the Ottoman empire and how it worked towards improving the control of Sayyid Muhammad.

Importance of the Topic

The topic is essential as it creates viewpoints concerning how the British perceived Sayyid Hassan. Moreover, it goes into detail to develop the relationship among the British, Italian, and Ethiopian forces towards fighting the Dervish forces. It historically creates a link that helps people to discover the role Hassan played in Somali and his contribution to independence. It can also be indicated that the Dervish movement help in developing the origin of the guerilla tactics that were applied by Muhammad towards eliminating the British.

[1] Lewis, H. Modern History of Somalia, Nation, and State in the Horn of Africa. By I. M. Lewis. London: Longman, 1980. ix, 279 p., index, maps, table. £4.50. 1981

[2] Turton, E. R. Somali Resistance to Colonial Rule, and the Development of Somali Political Activity in Kenya 1893-1960. The Journal of African History, Vol 13(1), pp 119-143. Doi: 10.1017/S0021853700000293

[3] Turton, E. R. Somali Resistance to Colonial Rule, and the Development of Somali Political Activity in Kenya 1893-1960. The Journal of African History, Vol 13(1), pp 119-143. Doi: 10.1017/S0021853700000293

[4] Turton, E. R. Somali Resistance to Colonial Rule, and the Development of Somali Political Activity in Kenya 1893-1960. The Journal of African History, Vol 13(1), pp 119-143. Doi: 10.1017/S0021853700000293.

[5] Slight, J. P. British, and Somali Views of Muhammad Abdullah Hassan’s Jihad, 1899–1920. Bildhaan: An International Journal of Somali Studies 10.1 (2011). 7

[6] Lewis, H. Modern History of Somalia, Nation, and State in the Horn of Africa. By I. M. Lewis. London: Longman, 1980. ix, 279 p., index, maps, table. £4.50. (1981).

[7]  Turton, E. R. Somali Resistance to Colonial Rule, and the Development of Somali Political Activity in Kenya 1893-1960. The Journal of African History, Vol 13(1), pp 119-143. Doi: 10.1017/S0021853700000293

[8] Samatar, S. S.  Maxamad Cardille Xasan of Somalia: The Search for The Real Mullah. Northeast African Studies Volume 1, Pp. 60-76. (1979).