Majerteen

The Majerteen, also spelled Majeerteen, are a Somali clan within the Darood lineage. They constitute one of the major sub-clans of the Harti confederation and are historically centered in the northeastern Horn of Africa. In modern terms, their traditional homeland lies largely in the areas of northeastern Somalia that make up Puntland, with coastal towns along the Gulf of Aden such as Bossaso and Qandala and inland areas around Garowe. The Majerteen are part of the Somali-speaking, predominantly Muslim population and, as with many Somali groups, place importance on kinship, elders, and customary law (xeer).

Historically, the Majerteen established a sultanate in the 19th century, known as the Majeerteen Sultanate or Hobyo (Obbia) Sultanate, with its capital at Hobyo. The realm developed through trade and diplomacy and interacted with European powers, including Italy and Britain, during the era of coastal Somali polities. The sultanate declined in the early 20th century amid Italian colonization and the broader changes of the colonial period.

In contemporary Somalia, the Majerteen are among the prominent Darood sub-clans in the northeast. They have been active in Puntland’s regional politics, governance, and business sectors, contributing to the development and public life of the region. The Majerteen diaspora is present in the Somali communities abroad, including in North America, Europe, the Arabian Peninsula, and other parts of Africa. The clan remains an important element of Somali social and political networks, with heritage that continues to influence cultural and political discourse in the region.