Reerow-Xassan
The Reer Aw-Xassan is a Somali clan based in the Hiiraan region of Somalia and along the border between Ethiopia and Somalia. They live in towns like Buurukur, Feerfeer, Abaaley and Balaanbiley. Some Reero-Xassan members are also found in parts of Kenya (Mandheera) and Southern Somalia (Kismayo). The Reero-Xassan tribe is neither Hawiye nor Darood (major Somali clans). The tribe traces its genealogy to Aw Xassan Kalweyne, who traces his genealogy back to the companion of the prophet (Abuubakar) or the prophet himself. Thus they are called Ahlul-Beyt meaning "people of the house of the prophet".
The Clan is mainly divided into Two main sub-clans, Saacid and Nuure :
Social Status
Reero-xassan are well respected community in Somalia. they are well known for their knowledge and their adherence to the religion of Islam. Most of them are Islamic scholars and they are credited for spreading Islam in Somalia. When the civil-war started, there are no evidences showing that Reero Xassan has been part of the Somali civil-war. They remained peaceful through out the years unless otherwise provoked to a great extent. From their knowledge of religion they knew that [...] fellow Muslims (or humans) is a great sin and war should be avoided as much as possible. They are also known as business people and farmers. They use to own trucks that go between Hawiye and Darood greenlines peacefully delivering much needed food and goods to fellow Somalis. Also, one of the stories says that, some individuals that were scared to be targeted in the civil-war use to claim that they are from Reero-Xassan or Asharaaf tribe and they have more chances of being let go, then if they claimed Darood or Hawiye. That is the level of honor and admiration this tribe earned.
Are Sheeqaal and Reero-Aw-Xassan Related?
This is one of the most controversial question and most misunderstood issue AbOUT Reero Xassan. The Sheeqaal tribe believe that Reero-Xassan is an independent subclan of greater Sheeqaal family or May Be closely related to them. However, most Reero-Xassan believe that this isn't true. Although they share some similarities with Sheeqals there are no evidence or historic proof to support this idea. The Sheeqals took part in the civil-war and even affiliate themselves with some Tribes of Hawiye or Darood. But people should not take this, as Reero Xassan is rejecting the brotherhood of fellow Somalis.
Role of Reer-Aw-xassan in Somalia
They were mainly teachers, who teach and give advice about religion topics and taught Arabic. they were also sheikhs, judges (Qaali) in weeding sermonies and mediatators in interclan fighting. They mainly intermarried each other and that is how along tradition of learning and oratory passed from genetation to generations. while majority of the somalis practise nomadic pastoralism, Reerow Xassan practised farming. intermarriage with in themselves and farming has both negative and positive effects on Reerow Xassan. In away they preserved their culture and way of living and they also maintained a source of food for their families. but it also isolated them in away and kept them to remain minority.