Somaliland chief remembers start of Queen’s reign

[Aristocat]

Somaliland chief remembers start of Queen’s reign

Haji Abdi Hussein Yusuf sends the House of Elders’ congratulations and felicitations to the Queen (BBC)

Somaliland’s chief of chiefs became a tribal leader 12 years before Queen Elizabeth II assumed the throne and he has clear memories of the day she was crowned.

My name is Haji Abdi Hussein Yusuf also known as Haji Warabe. I am 115 years old. I don’t know the exact year I was born, and I cannot read or write, but I know for sure that I am that age.

I remember the Queen’s coronation extremely well. In fact, I remember the coronation of her father King George VI [in 1937]. My uncle attended the ceremony in London.

During the coronation of Queen Elizabeth there was a huge celebration in Hargeisa. The whole town was practically shut down and lots of congratulatory telegrams were sent.

I still remember that wonderful day. I have been to London twice but unfortunately I didn’t meet the Queen on either occasion.

I first became a chief when Somaliland was a British protectorate. I worked closely with the British colonial officials, and was selected by them as the chief of chiefs. I worked very well with them for 20 years until independence in 1960.

I liked the British a lot, mainly because they brought peace to our land. When they first arrived, the clans were at each other’s throats. We were killing and fighting each other, and the British put a stop to it.

To be honest, things didn’t change much for me after independence. My chiefly powers stayed pretty much the same, as both the British and the Somali politicians wanted the same thing from me – advice.

I was born outside Hargeisa, the capital of Somaliland, in the area where the airport now is. At the time it wasn’t a town at all – it was wilderness.

I have been a nomad since the day I was born and I have been a chief for more than 70 years, since 1940 to be precise.

I am now the chief of chiefs, the elder of elders. The most senior traditional leader in the whole of Somaliland. My nickname is Warabe which means hyena.

Nomadic life

When I was four years old, I started looking after baby sheep and goats. When I was a bit older, my job was to herd young camels into their pens. Then I graduated to herding the mature camels, the most magnificent of all Somali beasts.

Even though I am now too old to actively herd my livestock, I still consider myself first and foremost a nomad, and I visit my herds whenever I can.


George VI's and Elizabeth II's coronations were days of celebration
Nomadic life has changed dramatically over the decades. It used to be just us, our animals and the wilderness.

Now villages, roads and vehicles get in the way of everything. People are ruining the environment by cutting down all the trees for charcoal.

I will never retire as elder of the elders. I want to continue for as long as I can – for as long as my brain functions properly. People continue to respect me and I respect them.

Please will you pass our felicitations, congratulations and heartfelt blessings to her majesty, in particular from the House of Elders here in Somaliland.

Haji Abdi Hussein Yusuf was interviewed by BBC Somalia analyst Mary Harper. It aired on BBC World Service’s Newshour programme as part of series marking Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee. The series from 26 May to 1 June featured seven people from across the world who are over 60 and still working in their professions.

[CaliBurco]

We have really hurt you, this is evident in all your posts revolving around the same subject matter. Try ans find something more constructive to do.

[SecretAgent]

He's a big liar his real age is 93 to 97 years old max loooool idk my age but am 115 wtf ders no somali person livin ova da age of 100 look @da world record age 113 lady in japan u can barely see her face n dis abdi guy his face looks normal

[Thuganomics]

That's old,still he sounds like he still has all his faculties about him

[Aristocat]

We have really hurt you, this is evident in all your posts revolving around the same subject matter. Try ans find something more constructive to do.

Check this camp fruitcake out! Most if not all of my post are replies to the hate u and your folk peddle. Horta how did your maternity go. Last we spoke is before you took the time off to nurse

[Hawdian]

This is old old olddddddddd news and should be deleted. It's from as far back as 2010 and we are mid-way 2013. Some people are just slow. May Allah help them.

[Thuganomics]

^
He didn't post it for the sake of news dee.He posted it as "diss".Yacni connecting Idoor to the Queen.A man who lived in the colonial times is asked to reminisce about that time,and in particular the coronation.And now it's suppose to be a derogatory thing to do.He replied politely and cautiously to questions posed to him What's he suppose to say.

[Aristocat]

Now actually it from was June 2012 http://m.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-18150302. I just came across the article and I disgusted by his infantile praise for British and for crediting they it civilising the natives.

[Aristocat]

"During the coronation of Queen Elizabeth there was a huge celebration in Hargeisa. The whole town was practically shut down and lots of congratulatory telegrams were sent."

" I liked the British a lot, mainly because they brought peace to our land. When they first arrived, the clans were at each other’s throats. We were killing and fighting each other, and the British put a stop to it"

"George VI's and Elizabeth II's coronations were days of celebration"

Thuganomics don't you find those comments derogatory, demeaning and servile ?

[Thuganomics]

Not really,those are the ramblings of an old man who''s in his twilight years.This is more demeaning and definitely without a doubt servile

[Aristocat]

This is the treaty your tribe signed with British

ART. I. The Habr-Awal tribe do hereby declare that
they are pledged and bound never to cede, sell,
mortgage, or otherwise give for occupation, save to
the British Government, any portion of the territory
presently inhabited by them, or being under their
control.

ART. II. All vessels under the British flag shall have
free permission to trade at the ports of Berbera,
Bulhar, and other places in the territories of the
Habr-Awal tribe

ART. III. All British subjects residing in or visiting
the territories of the Habr-Awal shall enjoy perfect
safety and protection, and shall be entitled to travel
all over the said limits under the safe-conduct of the
Elders of the tribe
......

In token of the conclusion of this lawful and
honourable bond, Abdellah Liban, ........and Major Frederick Mercer
Hunter, the officiating Political Resident of Aden,
the former for themselves, their heirs and successors,
and the latter on behalf of the British Government, do
each and all, in the presence of witnesses, affix
their signatures, marks, and seals, at Berbera, on the
21st day Ramdhan, 1301, corresponding with the 14th
July, 1884

F. M. Hunter, Major,
Officiating Political Resident, Aden.


Agreement with Habr-Awal, _____ _________ _________ _________ _

And this the treaty the sultan Cali shire signed with British

TREATIES, &c., between the Warsangalis (British
Protection; Slave Trade; Wrecks: &c.). - January 27,
1886

THE British Government and the Elders of the
Warsangali tribe who have signed this Agreement being
desirous of maintaining and strengthening the
relations of peace and friendship existing between
them;

The British Government have named and appointed
Major Frederick Mercer Hunter, C.S.I., Political Agent
and Consul for the Somali Coast, to conclude a Treaty
for this purpose.

The said Major F. M. Hunter, C.S.I., Political
Agent and Consul for the Somali Coast, and the said
Elders of the Warsangali, have agreed upon and
concluded the following articles:-

ART. I. The British government, in compliance with the
wish of the undersigned Elders of the Warsangali,
undertakes to extend to them and to the territories
under their authorities and jurisdiction the gracious
favour and protection of Her Majesty the
Queen-Empress.

II. The said Elders of the Warsangali agree and
promise to refrain from entering into any
correspondence, Agreement, or Treaty with any foreign
nation or Power, except with the knowledge and
sanction of Her Majesty's Government.

III. The Warsnagali are bound to render assistance to
any vessel, whether British or belonging to any other
nation, that may be wrecked on the shores under their
jurisdiction and control , and to protect the crew,
passengers, and cargo of such vessels, giving speedy
intimation to the Resident at Aden of the
circumstances; for which act of friendship and
good-will a suitable reward will be given by the
British Government.

IV. The Traffic in slaves throughout the territories
of the Warsangali shall cease for ever, and the
Commander of any of Her Majesty's vessels, or any
other British officer duly authorized, shall have the
power of requiring the surrender of any slave, and of
supporting the demand by force of arms by land and
sea.

V. The British Government shall have the power to
appoint an Agent or Agents to reside in the
territories of the Warsangali, and every such Agent
shall be treated with respect and consideration, and
be entitled to have for this protection such guard as
the British Government deem sufficient.

VI. The Warsangali hereby engage to assist all British
officers in the execution of such duties as may be
assigned to them, and further to act upon their advice
in matters relating to the administration of justice,
the development of the resources of the country, the
interests of commerce, or in any other matter in
relation to peace , order, and good government, and
the general progress of civilization.

VII. This Treaty to come into operation from the 27th
day of January, 1886, on which date it was signed at
Bunder Gori by the Undermentioned.

Now which one of those treaties is servile?

[Thuganomics]

This is your kinsman serving tea for the British this is the personification of servitude

[Hawdian]

Out dated, childish topic. Some kid trying to score some tribal cyber scores. Can someone give the kid a token?

Keep things relevant and up to date guys...

That's more enlightening.

My tribe served tea...my tribe picked a leaf from the floor ohh noo...your tribe caught her hat ohh noo

[Corruption1]

This is your kinsman serving tea for the British this is the personification of servitude

OWNED