Isaq
Isaq, also spelled Isaaq or Ishaq in some transliterations, is a Somali clan-family in the Horn of Africa. The name is traditionally linked to Ishaq, the Arabic form of Isaac, and Isaq genealogies trace ancestry to this figure. The Isaq are one of the largest Somali clan-families, encompassing multiple sublineages and lineages that together form a distinct social group within Somali society.
Geographically, Isaq communities are concentrated in what is today Somaliland, with heartland in major towns such
Linguistically, most Isaq speak Somali, often using the Northern Somali dialect in certain areas. Arabic is
Historically, the Isaq subgroups have played a significant role in regional politics and economic life. They
Today, the Isaq are one of several Somali clan-families that shape the social and political landscape of