SomaliNet Forums

The population of the region is mainly constituted by four clans: the population of the region
is predominantly Isaq Habaryounis in the west , Habarjeclo in the East , Issa Musa are in the
North and a mix of Habaryounis in South of Burao, an Arab sub clan are a minority in the
region, whereas the Dhulbahante of Darod are present in the Deep South east of the region(Buhoodle), the
Gabooya minority groups do not have their clan constituencies but live within other
clans territories

In the demographic structure, Habarjeclo and Habaryounis populations spread from the
vicinity of Burao and extend across the Ethiopian border. Dhulbahante are to be found in
Buhodle district and across the Ethiopian border. Issa Musa pastoralists are in constant drift
from their traditional homeland in the North southwards to the Hawd plateau.
The fact that these pastoral communities move freely across the Ethiopian border
demonstrates that they are ambivalent about their national identity; in most cases they feel
allegiance with the authorities on the Somali side rather than with Ethiopian authorities.
Two major clans (Habarjeclo and the Habaryounis) dominate the political scenery of the
region. Dhulbahante are not represented in the region’s power structure, because their
territory is not under actual control of the Somaliland government, but it is under dispute with
the Puntland authorities who also claim the area on clan-basis. Issa Musa are proportionately
represented in the region’s administrative apparatus and are more linked to the Sahel region.

Colonialism and Independence (until 1969)
Burao is the regional capital of Togdheer region, named after the river Togdheer that bisects the town
The river is usually dry but is often flooded during the rainy season. The climate of Burao is warm and dry
throughout the year. The average daytime temperatures in the summer months from June to August is
around 35 °C (95 °F), while during the rest of the year the average is 27 °C (80 °F). The city’s limited rainfall
comes in September and May.

The origins of Burao are similar to those of Hargeisa. Due to the availability of water along the dry valley,
Burao became a small inland market centre that connected the port of Berbera with the hinterland and
provided trading facilities for the nomadic population in the region. After the murder of a colonial army
commander in 1910, the British razed the place to the ground and destroyed its emerging village structures.
However, Burao was quickly revived when the Colonial administration established a garrison headquarter in
the area to fight the Derwish rebellion in the Eastern part of the Protectorate (1910 - 1920).
The village became a district capital and a number of public buildings were established in the following
years. After Hargeisa was made the Protectorate’s capital in 1941, the administrative importance of Burao
declined and its urban infrastructure remained underdeveloped. Nevertheless, with the expansion of
livestock trade in the 1950s, the city began to grow again. Serving as the most important regional market
centre, where livestock from the Eastern and South-western hinterlands was assembled and traded for
export to Saudi Arabia, Burao grew considerably and replaced Berbera as the second largest city of the
British Protectorate

the real estate market, building residential stone houses and thus contributed to the development and
expansion of the city. Moreover, as the regional capital of Togdheer region, the newly created North-eastern
region that encompassed what is nowadays Togdheer, Sool and Sanaag, Burao again became an important
administrative centr

Due to its status as a regional capital, the clan composition of Burao was quite divers. Nevertheless, the
rival clans of the Habar Yonis and the Habar Jeclo always dominated its economy and politics. The Ise
Musa, a sub-clan of the Habar Awal, was seen as third in the clan hierarchy of the city, followed by the Harti
sub-clans (Dulbahante and Warsangeli). This clan diversity has a long history in Burao and as early as in
1910, elders from four different clans had funded a public building

In general, the city is characterized by
an East-West partition, with the Habar Yonis together with the Ise Musa settling in its Western part while the
Habar Jeclo along with the Gabooye living in its Eastern part.

SSSM wrote:it is strange how we all know so much about Hargiesa , and not so much about Burco the second biggest city in Somaliland. i just know that it is Burco Boodhweyn & it is inhibited by Hj & HY...

Does any one know the history of this city ? when it was established ? and who established the city?

any thing about Burco History will be useful.

LiQaaye_TDH wrote:

SSSM wrote:it is strange how we all know so much about Hargiesa , and not so much about Burco the second biggest city in Somaliland. i just know that it is Burco Boodhweyn & it is inhibited by Hj & HY...

Does any one know the history of this city ? when it was established ? and who established the city?

any thing about Burco History will be useful.

I Guess Your Sacad Muse

Thuganomics wrote:^
Abdulla Sacad are Rer Burco too

Siciid85 wrote:Burco.

Colonialism and Independence (until 1969)
Burao is the regional capital of Togdheer region, named after the river Togdheer that bisects the town
The river is usually dry but is often flooded during the rainy season. The climate of Burao is warm and dry
throughout the year. The average daytime temperatures in the summer months from June to August is
around 35 °C (95 °F), while during the rest of the year the average is 27 °C (80 °F). The city’s limited rainfall
comes in September and May.

The origins of Burao are similar to those of Hargeisa. Due to the availability of water along the dry valley,
Burao became a small inland market centre that connected the port of Berbera with the hinterland and
provided trading facilities for the nomadic population in the region. After the murder of a colonial army
commander in 1910, the British razed the place to the ground and destroyed its emerging village structures.
However, Burao was quickly revived when the Colonial administration established a garrison headquarter in
the area to fight the Derwish rebellion in the Eastern part of the Protectorate (1910 - 1920).
The village became a district capital and a number of public buildings were established in the following
years. After Hargeisa was made the Protectorate’s capital in 1941, the administrative importance of Burao
declined and its urban infrastructure remained underdeveloped. Nevertheless, with the expansion of
livestock trade in the 1950s, the city began to grow again. Serving as the most important regional market
centre, where livestock from the Eastern and South-western hinterlands was assembled and traded for
export to Saudi Arabia, Burao grew considerably and replaced Berbera as the second largest city of the
British Protectorate

the real estate market, building residential stone houses and thus contributed to the development and
expansion of the city. Moreover, as the regional capital of Togdheer region, the newly created North-eastern
region that encompassed what is nowadays Togdheer, Sool and Sanaag, Burao again became an important
administrative centr

Due to its status as a regional capital, the clan composition of Burao was quite divers. Nevertheless, the
rival clans of the Habar Yonis and the Habar Jeclo always dominated its economy and politics. The Ise
Musa, a sub-clan of the Habar Awal, was seen as third in the clan hierarchy of the city, followed by the Harti
sub-clans (Dulbahante and Warsangeli). This clan diversity has a long history in Burao and as early as in
1910, elders from four different clans had funded a public building

In general, the city is characterized by
an East-West partition, with the Habar Yonis together with the Ise Musa settling in its Western part while the
Habar Jeclo along with the Gabooye living in its Eastern part.

CaynabaX wrote:[ Burco has a lot of potential runtii, but unfortunately even the H.J reer Burco community are investing more in Hargeysa than in Burco these days.