Lafoole 1896: ''Axad Shiiki''

[Somaliweyn]

''With government approval, Cecchi prepared for an expedition into the interior. By November 25, he was ready to move; his caravan consisted of seventy askaris, Commander Ferdinando Maffei of the Staffetta, Commander Franscesco Mongiardini of the Volturno, and fourteen other Italians, for the most part members of the crews of the two ships. That very night their encampment at Lafolé, some twelve miles inland, was attacked. In the early morning hours, as the caravan once more got under way, it was attacked again. By eight-thirty in the morning of November 26, all but three sailors were dead or dying.''

''First Adowa, then Lafolé; the future of Italian colonialism in the Horn of Africa looked very umpromising at the end of 1896''

Italian Colonialism in Somalia, Robert L. Hess 1966.
-----------------------


This event sparked one of the longest resistance struggles in Southern Somalia (Benadir) against Italian penetration and occupation of Somalia. This long resistance is only second to the heroic great struggle of Sayyid Muhammed Abdulle Hassan and his darawish army.

What happened on that day of November 25-26th of 1896? Who was this Cecchi guy? Who were these mysterious warriors that swiftly defeated this first Italian colonial penetration of the hinterland of Benadir? Why is this event put in the same line as the humiliating defeat of the Italians by Ethiopians in Adowa? And last but not least, what were the consequences of this event in Lafole?


This episode in Somali history is perhaps the least known, although it had crucial impact on the future of Somalia. Instead, most Somalis are not aware of this event while the Italians had built a monument for Antonio Cecchi in Lafole which still stands in the bush unvisited, while throughout the Banaadir 1896 is remembered in the count of the years as Axad Shiiki, the ‘Sunday Year of Cecchi’.


To present an elaborate account of this event, we need to start with the context. Who were the main groups in the Benadir region? Who was Antonio Cecchi and what was his role in the Italian expansion into Somalia? And what were the consequences of this event both for Somali groups and Italy?

In a number of series I'll present the complete story, and show why this event and the shockwave it send throughout Benadir and Southern Somalia is still relevant to this day.

-----

1: Backrgound on Benadir region.


Benadir region constited of the four Benadir ports of: Warsheekh, Mogadishu, Merca and Baraawe. These four port-cities were inhabited by Somali groups along with arabs and people with mixed origins and traders from the Indian Ocean. The authority of Mogadishu for example was nominally under Omani rule, but the city had two real administrations, one in Xamarweyne and the other in Shangaani.

These four Benadir ports were the linkages between the hinterlands of Somalia and the Indian Ocean trade. Caravan trade flourished in these hinterlands, connecting trade centre’s of Harar and Ogadeniya to Benadir ports, through the trade towns of Lugh, Baardheere and Geledi.

In the hinterland of Benadir diverse groups existed, like Geledi, Hintire, Wacdaan, Biyamaal, Murusade, Shidle etc.

The relevant groups in this discussion of Axad Shiiki are: Geledi Sultanate, Wacdaan, Biyamaal and Murusade.

The Geledi Sultanate

The Geledi Sultanate was a sultanate that came into existence when the clans of Geledi and Wacdaan made an alliance against the Silcis group who then ruled the Shabelle Valley. After this successful revolt, the two clans lived together and linked their future which gradually led to the formation of the Geledi Sultanate.

For two centuries or so the Geledi and their Wacdaan allies had formed a small independent state, that prospered by trade, which they attempted to control, and had for a time held together a much wider clan ‘empire’.

In spite of the differences between them in way of life, language and traditions, Geledi and Wacdaan formed a close and lasting alliance. They were joined later - sometime early in the 19th century – by a section of another Hawiye clan, the Murursade. (Virginia Luling 2002)

The Wacdaan

The Wacdaan is a Mudulood group that settled in Lower Shabelle as early as the 18th century. They were allied with Geledi and Murursade, and lived between Afgoye and the coast region around Mogadishu.

The Biyamaal

The Biyamaal arrived in the Lower Shabelle around the end of 17th century and established control over Merca and the hinterlands. The Biyamaal were in constant war with the Geledi Sultanate, and even killed 2 Sultans of Geledi through out the war.

The Murursade

The Murursade joined the alliance between Wacdaan and Geledi and were granted land northeast of Geledi town, where they established four villages.

[DerbiJiiF]

I did not see Abgaal. If that is the case, Abgaal today claims to own Muqdishu and tried to force out Habargidir. My point is this:

If Abgaal came some time along the history and setteled into Muqdishu, how can they refuse Habargidir to the city. It is like Irish people refusing Italians the city of NY.


Derbi,

[Twisted_Logic]

[quote="DerbiJiiF"]I did not see Abgaal. If that is the case, Abgaal today claims to own Muqdishu and tried to force out Habargidir. My point is this:

If Abgaal came some time along the history and setteled into Muqdishu, how can they refuse Habargidir to the city. It is like Irish people refusing Italians the city of NY.


Derbi,[/quote]

Did you just come out of a Mudug hole?

[DerbiJiiF]

I am not iljeex.


Derbi,

[Twisted_Logic]

[quote="DerbiJiiF"]I am not iljeex.


Derbi,[/quote]

Then you have no right speaking for them!

[DerbiJiiF]

[quote="Twisted_Logic"][quote="DerbiJiiF"]I am not iljeex.


[quote="Twisted_Logic" Derbi,[/quote]

Then you have no right speaking for them![/quote]



Then you have no right suggesting who I can speak for. Twig


Derbi,

[Somaliweyn]

2: Italian expansion into Benadir/Somalia


The Italian expansion into Somalia.

Italy was eager to join the leagues of other European imperialist nations like Britain, France and Germany. To achieve this they set their eyes on East Africa, and made their first incursion into Eritrea in which they acquired Massawa port.

Italian expansion in Somalia began in 1885, when Antonio Cecchi, an explorer led an Italian. expedition into the lower Juba region and concluded a commercial treaty with the sultan of Zanzibar. In 1889, Italy established protectorates over the eastern territories then under the nominal rule of the sultans of Obbia and of Alula; and in 1892, the sultan of Zanzibar leased concessions along the Indian Ocean coast to Italy.


Antonio Cecchi's role:


As already becomes clear, Antonio Cecchi spearheaded the Italian expansion into Somalia. He was chosen to lead the mission because of his past and reputation of been a supporter of Italian expansion into East Africa.

''The choice of Cecchi to head the mission was logical, for he had been active in the exploration of northeast Africa. In 1876 he had led an expedition from Zeila to the frontiers of Kaffa in southern Ethiopia. From that time he was an ardent partisan of Italian expansion into the horn. Cecchi was probably the first to succeed in directing Italian attention toward the Somali coast’’ (Robert L Hess)

''In his speeches there was an optimistic ring: the Cecchi mission and others would surely discover vast fertile areas awaiting peaceful cultivation and commercial penetration’’ (Robert L Hess)

After he returned from the Lower Jubba region he became obsessed with Italian expansion into Somalia.

''On the basis of his explorations and his often unfounded enthusiasm for the area, he insisted on the importance of the Juba River as the key to a much larger colonial program:

..Once we acquire with certainty the knowledge that the Juba is navigable…then it is certain that it will become the most natural artery for the exportation of the abundant coffee harvest of Kaffa and the surrounding regions…Now that our Italy has established itself at Massawa…it is possible for Italy to extend its possessions toward the south…The Juba would thus mark the extreme southern boundary of our possessions.'' (Robert L.Hess)

Italy succeeded through negotiations with the Sultan of Zanzibar to sign commercial treaties with Zanzibar, which allowed Italy to trade with the Banadir region. This initial success was followed by long negotiations in which the Italians wanted to lease the Benadir region. After a while they succeeded in this too, and set up a commercial enterprise named after the Italian trader in East Africa Filonardi. Filonardi Company was lead by Filonardi himself and received some support from Italy in order to penetrate the Benadir and Somalia economically.

''From 1893 to 1896, the Italian presence was limited to a small garrison of soldiers at Luuq on the upper Jubba River, and a few traders along the coast. The Italian outpost at Luuq had been established in 1895 to gather information on Somali trade in the region and to protect Italian interests in the face of Ethiopian claims to the area.’’ ( Lee V. Cassanelli)

This insignificant presence of Italian commercial interests in Benadir can hardly be called ‘colonization’. There were a few Italian residents, and the police (askaris) were still Arab who did not went further then their garrisons. Because of this situation, most Somali groups were not pressed to fight this initial penetration since the intentions of Italians were still vague.

''Perhaps because of the Filonardi Company’s limited intervention in Somali affaires, there was only one notable incident of Somali hostility between 1893 and 1896. That occurred on 11 October 1893, the day the Italian flag was first raised over the garesa in Marka. A Somali attacked and killed an Italian soldier; he in turn was killed with three shots from a ‘Wetterly’’ gun.’’ ( Lee V. Cassanelli)


This was the setting in Somalia and Benadir, before Cecchi became dominant in convincing the Italian government to penetrate further into Somalia as he returned to Italy.

''On his return to Italy, however, Cecchi continued to pressure the government to tap the ‘’rich commercial resources’’ of Somalia (Cecchi, Pesaro, to foreign Minister C.F Nicolis di Robilant, August 27, 1886)


Antonio Cecchi was an ardent expansionist who for some time had been urging the Italian government to take over the Benaadir concessions. In seeking to promote his own version of Italian power in Somalia, Cecchi upset the fragile commercial arrangements that Filonardi had constructed. He replaced Filonardi’s influential Hadrami interpreter with Arabs of his own choosing, returned an unpopular Italian resident to Marka, and sent soldiers to the lower Jubba area to try to force Somali caravaneers to unload their wares at Baraawe rather than at the British-held ports of Kismaanyo and Goobweyn. (Lee V. Cassanelli)


Cecchi’s presence also resurrected Somali fears of territorial dispossession … Thus it did not escape public attention when a cousin of Cecchi visited the Benaadir in 1895 to investigate the possibilities for commercial agriculture. There soon followed talk of growing cotton on Italian plantations along the Shabeelle. This cousin was Giorgio Mylius, a wealty Milanese industrialist. The Industrialist was particularly interested in the possibility of growing cotton in Somalia.

Finally, Cecchi appeared to symbolize colonial aggressiveness in the distant interior

[Shirib]

I swear we killd Cechi. I will find the shirib (gabyo for those who don't know its the same thing) about him and post it here later

Most Somali's only know the history of the north. English documented things a lot better then the useless Italians.

[quote="Somaliweyn"]The Geledi Sultanate was a sultanate that came into existence when the clans of Geledi and Wacdaan made an alliance against the Silcis group who then ruled the Shabelle Valley.[/quote]

I thouhgt Wacdaan joined after Silcis was defeated and destroyed.

Xamar was taken from the Geledi when the Italians came and should be returned to them.

[Twisted_Logic]

[quote="Shirib"]I swear we killd Cechi. I will find the shirib (gabyo for those who don't know its the same thing) about him and post it here later

Most Somali's only know the history of the north. English documented things a lot better then the useless Italians.

[quote="Somaliweyn"]The Geledi Sultanate was a sultanate that came into existence when the clans of Geledi and Wacdaan made an alliance against the Silcis group who then ruled the Shabelle Valley.[/quote]

I thouhgt Wacdaan joined after Silcis was defeated and destroyed.

Xamar was taken from the Geledi when the Italians came and should be returned to them. [/quote]

[Somaliweyn]

Shirib,

I do not want to spoil the story by already telling who the '''warrior ghosts'' were

Hang on, I'll complete the series, and present the full picture of Axad Shiiki and its consequences.


About Geledi Sultanate, The Wacdaan were from the beginning in the alliance, they even claim that Wacdaan pastoralists were the first to rise up against the tryants of Silcis, and Geledi too claim they were the first. But one thing is true: Both played a keyrole in this and both were from the beginning of this revolt allyied with each other.


I'll show also what happened with this alliance during the Italian expansion, and how reallignments were made and by whom.

[Somaliweyn]

''Obituary: Antonio Cecchi
The Geographical Journal, Vol. 9, No. 2. (Feb., 1897), p. 230.
Jstor


Antonio Cecchi.
The well-known Italian explorer, Antonio Cecchi, has, together with various
officers and men of the Italian gunboats Volturno and Stafletta, lately fallen a
victim to the treachery of the Somalis of the Benadir coast, of which he was
administrator. During a trip towards the Webi Shebeli, the party was suddenly
attacked by night, and, after expending most of its ammunition, was obliged to beat
a retreat, amidst renewed attacks by the Somalis. All the officers lost their lives,
and only three men succeeded in reaching Mogdishu. Cecchi was best known
for his journey to Abyssinia and the Galla countries between the years 1877 and
1882. The expedition, as at first constituted, was nominally under the command
of the Marquis Antinori, Cecchi being entrusted with the astronomical and meteorological
observations ; but of the five Europeans who took part in it, only Cecchi
and Dr. Chiarini proceeded beyond Shoa, the latter subsequently dying of fever,
while the former spent several years as a prisoner in the southern Galla countries
before returning to the coast. The results of this journey were published in two
octavo volumes at Rome in 1886, followed in 1887 by a third dealing with the
topographical surveys. Cecchi was afterwards for some years Italian consul at
Aden, and since 1890 had held a similar post at Zanzibar, where he was universally
respected and beloved.''

-------

The Italian expansion which culminated in their first expedition into the interior of Benadir was succesfully halted a mere 12 miles out of the city and lead to the death of the man who spearheaded Italian expansion into Somalia.

In the coming installment I'll show how the Somali groups in Benadir first viewed the slow Italian encroachment on the Benadir coast and how the Lafole event sparked the fire of resistance in Benadir and Southern Somalia.

[Shirib]

^^^^^
Good stuff man I thought Cecchi was killed but guess not just his men who were killed by the Geledi and Wacdaan. I'm not home now but when I get their I'll post the Shirib its a good one.

[Shirib]

Somaliweyn

I am surprised by how much you know about this stuff, most Somali's don't. Where did you get the sources, other then people telling you.

[Somaliweyn]

Shirib,

That bastard Cecchi was killed. Read the Obituary: Antonio Cecchi

''after expending most of its ammunition, was obliged to beat
a retreat, amidst renewed attacks by the Somalis. All the officers lost their lives,''

They fought for their lives, expending most of its ammunition . He thought this was Galla land where he could wander around freely and contemplate how to penetrate and colonize their lands.

--

My sources are books and articles in journals.

Read:
- Italian Colonialism in Somalia by Robert L. Hess. 1966
- The Shaping of Somali Society, Reconstructing the History of a Pastoral People, 1600-1900 by Lee V Cassanelli. 1982
-Somali Sultanate, The Geledi City-State over 150 years by Virginia Luling. 2002
-journals about history on Jstor.

Is this the shirib you mean:

''Shiin digow Sheikh Axmed Xaaji
Shiilki sheydaan mooho?''



I'll explain that funny shirib, in the coming installments.

[Shirib]

Thats the Shirib I was talking about. Yea I though I knew Cecchi was killed.

Isn't SHILKI SATAN.