Hersi Aman

Sultan Hersi Aman (Somali: Xirsi Ammaan) was the Sultan and Chief of the Habr Yunis clan.

Sultan Hersi Aman
سلطان هيرسي أمان
3rd Sultan of the Habr Yunis
PredecessorDeria Sugulleh
SuccessorNur Ahmed Aman
ReligionSunni Islam

Biography

Hersi Aman belonged to the Ba Makahil section of the Sugulle dynasty.[1] He succeeded his grandfather, Sultan Deria Sugulleh, and ruled from the mid to late 19th century. Hersi is remembered for his successful conquests and expansion of Garhajis territory in the Haud.[2] His reign was abruptly ended when he was killed in a battle against the kindred Baha Sugulleh.


Ismail Mire in his poem The Rewards of Success comments on Hersi's conquests, pride and desire to rule all Somalis.

With worldly pride Ina Ammaan gained a whole land
Let all men put the horse's bit in their mouths,
He said to himself ‘You are on top’
But he didn't expect the one who killed him and was taken by surprise
Oh men. Pride comes before a fall. Let that be known[3]


In the year 1873, Swiss explorer H.G Haggenmacher met Hersi during his travels through Somaliland and describes him as such:

I received a visit from Hersi Aman, the most powerful chieftain of the Habar Yunis... Hersi Aman is a stout man, with piercing eyes, firm language and quick Movements. He is a relative of Hersi Sultan and through personal courage has attained his current power[4]

German Map from 1874 showcasing Sultan Hersi Aman's general location

See also

References
  1. British Somaliland, by Ralph E. Drake-Brockman
  2. Andrzejewski, B.W. and I.M. Lewis, 1964, Somali Poetry: An Introduction, Oxford University Press, Oxford, p.106
  3. War and Peace: An Anthology of Somali literature, p.178
  4. G. A. Haggenmacher's Reise Im Somali-lande, 1874: Mit Einer Originalkarte By Gustav Adolf Haggenmacher, pp. 10–12
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