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Ayr (Somali: Cayr or Ceyr) is a Somali clan that is part of the larger Habar Gidir Hawiye clan. The Ayr clan is the eldest Habargidir sub-clan and is the largest Habargidir sub-clan in population.^[1] The Ayr clan have a rich history in Somali society and has played an important role in shaping Somali history and national politics. Members of the clan reside in 6 out of the total 18 regions of Somalia but are primarily found in the central region of Somalia - Galgaduud region which they hold a monopoly over and is considered their heartlands. They are considered the most powerful sub-clan in central and southern Somalia controlling important sections of the country and greatly influencing the nation's capital Mogadishu, holding the 1st mayorship position in the post-independence era.^[2] The Ayr are regarded as being very large in numbers because they are spread throughout numerous regions in Somalia and are significant to the country's political, economic, social, and military sectors.^[3]

The progenitor of the Ayr clan had 2 sons, Mu'le(Mucle) Mohamed and Wa'e(Wace) Mohamed but is divided into 10 sub-clans also known as diya groups.^[4] The clan undertakes the traditional rural lifestyle of the nomadic Somali culture of herding camel and other livestock. However, they are also urban today and have exclusive urban towns in Somalia such as; Guriel which is considered the business district of Galmudug regional state,^[5] Dusmareb^[6] the capital city of the regional state Galmudug, and Mataban District in Hiiraan region among many others. Additionally, they migrated and settled in great numbers in the nation's capital city Mogadishu, They own several large banks around the nation, including premier bank and mybank and are considered to be very business savvy people as they own most of the businesses in the capital. They are the deputy commissioners of 3 other districts in the capital namely: Deynile District, Howlwadag District & Yaqshid District.

The Ayr clan derive their name from the Somali word Cayr/Caydh, which means welfare. The name comes from a historical incident involving Muhammad and his siblings following the death of their father. The oldest brother, Muhammad, was responsible for allocating his father's fortune to his siblings. Muhammad, who was considerably older than his three other brothers, didn't need his father's fortune because he was already well-established and wealthy on his own. He gave his three younger brothers his share of their father's wealth along with an ultimatum that he would periodically take a portion of their wealth to make up for the portion of the father's wealth that was rightfully his that he added to theirs making him a welfare collector by Somali cultural standards.

The clan's traditional leadership system is the Ugaas system and has had 10 traditional leaders since the inception of the first Ugaas. The first Ugaas of the clan was Ugaas Kooshin Ugaas Caalin who is separated 8 generations from the progenitor of the clan, Muhamad Madarkicis. It is said by the elders of the clan that Ugaas Kooshin's right to leadership was known generations before his birth as his ancestor Abti-edge had willed that the leadership of the Ayr clan comes from his son Dhowrakace Abti-idig (See the clan tree section). A few generations later Ugaas Caalin Caroole was born with a bright mark on his hand and he was made the first Ugaas of the clan despite not ruling all the Ayr during his leadership. The first true Ugaas who led all the Ayr was Ugaas Kooshin Ugaas Caalin. The current Ugaas of the clan is Ugaas Hassan Ugaas Mohamed Ugaas Nuur.^[7]

The Ayr clan has produced 1 president, Abdiqasim Salad Hassan, out of 9 presidents Somalia has had. They have played an important role in national politics since the 1960s, producing various ministers and high-ranking military officials, but more so in the last 30 years. The clan were staunch anti-colonialist at the onset of Italian and British colonialism in Somalia. They played a crucial role in the Elbur revolt that had the Italian commissioner for El Buur killed, Franco Carolei.^[8] Similarly, they were part of the Dervishes which was an anti-colonialist group that operated mainly in northern Somalia and later on in the Hiiraan region.

The Ayr clan is distributed all over the Somali peninsula but is found primarily in 7 regions out of the Somali nations total 18 regions. The Ayr clan is primarily settled in the region of; Galgaduud which is their heartland and the region they dominate, as well as Mudug, Hiiraan, Sool, Lower Shabelle, Togdheer and the capital region of the nation Banaadir. Historically they only inhabited the central regions of Somalia, Galgaduud, Hiiraan and Mudug, and 1 northern region, Sool. But After the civil war, they managed to expand. They exerted extensive influence in the mentioned regions and played an important role in the politics of those regions. They are also found in Ethiopia in the occupied Somali region specifically in the regions of Qorahe and Shabelle Zone in great numbers. The clan traditionally settles until the Ethio-Somali border near the towns of Abudwak and Balanbale extending out into the Shilabo district of the Qorahe and Shabelle Zone inside Ethiopia, an estimated 350 km from the coast to the interior of Ethiopia. They also settle on the main road of Somalia between the town of Godinlabe and the town of Mataban District in Hiiraan. The clan inhabits approximately 45,000 km² worth of land that has prime grazing and as a result, has many livestock that graze throughout that corridor. The land also hosts the clan's urban towns and cities, such as Guriceel and Dhusamareb.

During the medieval period, the Ayr clan, though relatively young and modest in size, was part of the Ajuran Sultanate. The Ajuran Sultanate was a formidable Muslim Somali empire that ruled over the Hawiye clan, which the Ajuran is part of, and was a dominant force in the Indian Ocean trade during the Middle Ages.

As the Ajuran Sultanate faced its decline, the Ayr clan actively engaged in both the overthrow^[9] and defence of this once-powerful empire under the united banner of the wider Habargidir and Hiraab forces who had planned to defeat the empire due to injustices. Notably, various sections of the Ayr, such as the Yabadhaale and a few segments of the Mu'le(Mucle/Tolweyne), dedicated significant military efforts to prevent the Sultanate from falling.^[10] Despite the efforts, the Ajuran empire was eventually defeated and was replaced by the Hiraab Imamate and other smaller Sultanates.

The Ayr who are part of the Hiraab later joined the Hiraab Imamate that ruled the lands of the Hawiye for another 300 years. During this time they had established their own sub-leadership that came under the Hiraab imamate called the Ayr Ugaasate. The Hiraab Imamate spanned across Mogadishu and the port town of Hobyo. The Imamate engaged in various battles with foreign forces such as the French, Portuguese and Arabs on various occasions which they successfully repelled.

The inception of the Ayr Ugaas dates back approximately 400–500 years. The inaugural Ugaas, Aalin Arole, also known as Caalin Caroole, ascended to leadership as foretold by his forebear Abti-idig. The prediction foresaw the Ugaas emerging from Abti-idig's son, Dhowrakace Abti-idig, marked by a distinct brightness on his body (Calaamo). This forecast was made because Abti-idig understood constellations and was knowledgeable about astronomy.^[11]

Islaaleed or Habar Islaaleed and Ajiyeey or Habar Aji were the two wives of Abti-Idig and they bore him 4 sons in total each wife birthing 2 twin sons.

The first of the two wives, Habar Islaaleed, was a wealthy woman who had a life akin to a royal, but it was also rumoured that she harboured protective jealousy towards her husband. She owned numerous animals, an opulent Somali home, and pricey possessions. Habar Aji, on the other hand, was a younger woman who used to assist Habar Islaaleed by helping to tend to household chores. Habar Islaaleed was unable to conceive when Abti-idig tried to have a child with her. His wife informed him that she would only be able to have children if he married HabarAji, the helper girl. Following the advice, Abti-Idig wed Habaraji.

Not long after, Habaraji and his first wife both became simultaneously pregnant and gave birth to children. Both women went into labour at almost the same moment. Abti-Idig decided to divide his wives based on the places where they would give birth after realising that his first wife was a jealous woman. He led HabarAji to a place far from the area around Habar Islaaleed, where he gave her seven cows with calves and instructed her to give birth under a large tree he had prepared for her. Between his two women, Abti-idig would frequently enquire as to which had given birth. They both went into full labour at dusk, and Abti-Idig started moving more frequently between them.

Abti-Idig went to HabarAji, where she gave birth to Warwaaq, the first son. After that, he went to see Habar Islaaleed, who had also given birth to a son they had named Dhowrakace because they had assumed she would miscarry during her pregnancy.^[12] He returned to Habaraji, where she unexpectedly gave birth to a second son who would be named Qoorcas, or redneck in English. When he returned to see how Habar Islaaleed was doing, he discovered that she had another son, Daaud, whom they had given the nickname Sabuh because he was born in June, the month of Sabuh. Once everything was finished, both wives claimed that their firstborn was the eldest son. Abti-idig called the family together and declared that he should make his will known, stating that he didn't think he would have any more children. He declared Warwaaq was his eldest son, and he declared that he would maintain the family's firstborn title. He went on to say that his second son Dhowrakace would have the progeny that led all the Ayr because his mother had royal characteristics and that the leadership of the Ayr be left to him. The progeny would be identified as the long-awaited ruler by a prominent birthmark or bright mark on his arm.

Despite this destined path, Ugaas Caalin faced initial resistance from some Ayr sub-clans, notably the Yabadhaale and Sabuh. Ugaas Caalin's authority eventually took root, primarily governing the Dhowrakace section of the Ayr. Subsequently, he relinquished his title to his eldest son, Ugaas Kooshin, who marked the dawn of comprehensive leadership over the entire Ayr community. Ugaas Koshin Ugaas Caalin undertook the formidable task of unifying all Ayr sub-clans under his rule. While the Sabuh and Yabadhaale readily embraced his leadership, he encountered opposition from the Habaraji. The HabarAji, the oldest clan within the Ayr, staunchly believed in the idea that governance should be entrusted to their authority, advocating for the transformation of the Ayr's political structure into a monarchy. After prolonged negotiations, a pivotal meeting between the Ayr and HabarAji led to the persuasive acceptance of Ugaas Koshin's leadership by the Habaraji, solidifying his reign over the entire Ayr clan. His rule was fair and he took an oath to defend the Ayr's land which he did greatly, against neighbouring clans that hoped to expand.

The current Ugaas is not a direct descendant of Ugaas Kooshin despite the Ugaas leadership system being a hereditary one. The reason for this is due to a major dispute that had ensued among the Ayr in the 1900s regarding leadership. The Ugaas at the time was Ugaas Jima'le Ugaas Faarah but many Ayr sub-clans were dissatisfied with his leadership and complained about him regularly. After much dispute and discussion, the clan had agreed to hand over the Ugaas title to his cousin, Ugaas Nuur, who is the grandfather of the current Ugaas. The current Ugaas is a descendant of Ugaas Koshin Ugaas Caalin's brother, Cabdi Ugaas Caalin. Ugaas Koshin's line of rule only ruled for 4 generations before it was transferred to the lineage of his brother Cabdi Ugaas.

Ali Jimale Ahmed outlines the Hawiye clan genealogical tree in The Invention of Somalia:^[13]

• Samaale
  • Irir
    • Hawiye
      • Gorgate
        • Mohamud
          • Daame
            • Hiraab
              • Madarkicis (Habar Gidir)
                • Mahamed (Ayr)
                  • Wa'e/Wace Mahamed(Yabadhaale)
                    • Sunad-Nabi Wa'e
                      • Caaldheere
                      • Hiraabay
                    • Sabuh Wa'e
                      • Nebiyaal Sabuh
                      • Mahamed Sabuh
                  • Mu'le/Mucle Mahamed(Tolweyne)
                    • Abti-idig Mucle
                      • Warwaaq Abti-idig(HabarAji)
                      • Xaryanle Abti-idig(HabarAji)
                      • Daaud(Sabuuh) Abti-idig(Habar-Islaaleed)
                      • Dhowrakace Abti-idig(Habar Islaaleed)
                        • Bilaal Dhowrakace(Yabardhowrakace)
                        • Dhalow Dhowrakace
                        • Madahdiir Dhowrakace
                        • Dangub Dhowrakace
                        • Samadoor Dhowrakace
                          • Hassan Samadoorte
                          • Ahmed Samadoorte
                            • Caroole Ahmed
                              • Bah Ina-Hassan
                                • Abgaal Caroole
                                • Suubiye Caroole
                                • Ayaanle Caroole
                              • Bah Ina Suufi Kobdheer
                                • Caalin Caroole(Reer Ugaas)
                                • Cabsiiye Caroole

The Ayr clan is divided into 10 major subgroups that are similar in size and ability to pay diya. They are:

• 1-HabarAji(Warwaaq+Xaryanle)
• 2-Ayaanle
• 2-Absiye(Cabsiiye)
• 4-Yabardhowrakace(All descendants of Dhowrakace excluding Samadoor Dhowrakace)
• 5-Yabadhaale
• 6-Babaanshe
• 7-Sabuuh
• 8-Hassan Samadoorte
• 9-Caalin Ugaas
• 10-Suubiye Caroole

• Abdiqasim Salad Hassan, president of Somalia from 2000 to 2004 and held 7 ministerial posts in the Siad Barre government.
• General Galal, who was a Major General and former Deputy defence minister who prepared and led the Ogaden War 1977 one of the leaders of the Ethiopian war in 1977.
• Xaashi ali rooble, who was a Major General and one of the leaders of the Ethiopian war in 1977 and who were the general who participated in the liberation of Somalia.
• Ahmed Abdisalam Adan a Somali radio journalist, media founder and politician. He is a co-founder of HornAfrik Media Inc. based in Mogadishu. In the 2000s, he also served as a Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Security in the former Transitional Federal Government
• Jibriil Hassan Owner and chairman of Premier Bank the largest and most successful Islamic bank in East Africa and most successful mobile money service in Somalia.
• Haji Mohamed Ahmed Liibaan 'Axyaa Wadani' Somali poet who recited over 500 poems from Harardhere and an SYL activist.
• Mohamed Sheikh Osman, Leader of the Somali African Union Party that played a role in gaining independence for the Somali nation. They party was the second most popular party in Colonial Somalia after the Somali Youth League. He was also the first politician of the Ayr clan and was the representative for Italian-Somaliland consulate in India in the year 1925 and a UN representative in 1940.
• Salad Elmi Durwa, the first Ayr MP elected in Beledweyne 1960, he also served as the deputy head of the council of ministers in the first Somali government.
• Mahamud Ghelle Elmi 'Durwa', Former industrial and commerce minister who built the major Somali road network, Stadium Mogadishu and Banadir Hospital.
• Salad Osman Roble politician, Somali National Youth Leader
• Abdirahman Abdishakur WarsameThe leader of the Wadajir Party, former Minister of planning and a member of the Somalia Federal Parliament.
• Abdisamad Malin Mahamud former foreign minister of Somalia and Member of Parliament.
• Colonel Hassan Dahir Aweys, Somali Colonel, head of the 90-member Shura council of the Islamic Courts Union, Leader Hizbul Islam
• Mahad Mohamed Salad, State Minister for Presidential Palace and the current director of the Somali national Security Intelligence agency, NISA.
• Yusuf Garaad Omar, most renowned Somali journalist for BBC Somalia, diplomat and politician, Somali Minister of Foreign Affairs
• General Abdulqadir Ali Dirie 'Subhanyo' a high-ranking Somali General that played a crucial role in the Ogaden War of 1977 and was one of the generals that captured the town of Dire Dawa.
• Yusuf Mohammed Siad Inda'ade, head of security affairs for the Islamic Courts Union, Somali defence minister (TFG).
• Colonel Mahmud Shabeel, a high ranking and well renowned Somali colonel that took part in the Ogaden war. He was more famously known for his efforts in the Somali rebel group United Somali Congress that ousted President Siad Barre. He was the lead colonel in repelling Siad barres attempt to retake power in 1991 in the battle of Xadka iyo Xawaaraha of Agooye.
• Abdi Shakur Sheikh Hassan He served as the Minister of Interior Affairs and National Security in the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia.
• Yusuf Mire Seeraar a Somali Colonel and founder of the Juba-Valley alliance
• General Goobaale, High-ranking military general that was one of the founder of the Jubba-Valley alliance during the Somali civil war.
• Malin Mahamud was the founder of the paramilitary group Ahlu Sunna Waljama'a that played a crucial in defeating Al-shabab extremist group in central Somalia.
• Abdihakim Malin is a Somali Senator in the Upper house of parliament and a representing member of Somalia in the Pan-African Parliament.
• Hasan Adan Samatar, one of the most famous Somali singers of classical Somali music, guitarist and theatrical performer. He is a renowned singer across the Somali Peninsula and had many hits in the 80s.
• Magool, similar to Hasan Adan Samatar was a famous classical Somali singer. She is a renowned singer across the Somali Peninsula and was the opening singer of the African Union convention meeting of 1980.
• Aden Hashi Farah, former leader of al-Shabaab, the youth movement of the Islamic Courts Union.