Hargeisa history

The history of Hargeisa is a journey from a humble settlement by the wells to one of the key centers of the region. The city, located in a valley amidst the Ogo Mountains at an altitude of approximately 1,334 meters above sea level, has passed through several significant stages that have defined its modern appearance.

Foundation and First Mentions

Originally, Hargeisa emerged as a stopover for trade caravans and a watering place. The settlement served as a vital point on the route between the coast and the interior territories. The city received a significant impetus for development in the 19th century thanks to the activities of the religious leader Sheikh Madar Shirwa (1825–1918), who established a permanent Sufi community here. Under his guidance, the settlement began to expand, transforming into a religious and educational hub.

Key Factors of Formation

The growth and formation of Hargeisa were driven by several key factors:

• Geographical Location: Its position at the crossroads of trade routes made the city a natural center for commerce.
• Political Status: In 1941, Hargeisa replaced Berbera as the capital of the British Somaliland protectorate. This status facilitated the city's administrative and infrastructural development.
• Trade: The city was and remains an important trade hub, particularly in the livestock sector.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

From the very beginning, Hargeisa took shape as a center of Islamic culture and education, largely due to the influence of Sheikh Madar's community. The city's economy traditionally relied on the trade of livestock, hides, and other goods passing through it in transit to ports on the coast. The status of the capital of British Somaliland also attracted an administrative apparatus to the city and contributed to the emergence of new urban infrastructure, including the construction of the airport in 1958.

Chronology of Key Events

• Late 19th Century: Sheikh Madar Shirwa establishes a permanent Sufi settlement, transforming Hargeisa from a watering place into a religious and community center.
• 1941: Hargeisa becomes the capital of the British Somaliland protectorate, replacing the city of Berbera in this status.
• 1958: Construction begins on the airport, which would later become Egal International Airport, laying the foundation for future transport infrastructure.
• June 26, 1960: The protectorate gains independence as the State of Somaliland with its capital in Hargeisa.
• July 1, 1960: The State of Somaliland unites with the former Trust Territory of Somalia to form the Somali Republic.
• 1988: During the civil war, the city is subjected to intense aerial bombardment and artillery shelling, resulting in the destruction of a large part of Hargeisa.
• May 18, 1991: Following the collapse of the central government in Somalia, the independence of the Republic of Somaliland is declared in Hargeisa, and the city becomes its capital.
• 1990s: Massive reconstruction of the city begins, primarily funded by local residents and the Somali diaspora.
• 2001: A constitutional referendum is held, in which the majority of the population supports the 1991 declaration of independence.
• 2022: A major fire destroys the central Waheen Market, dealing a serious blow to the city's economy.

Key Milestones in the Development of Hargeisa

The history of Hargeisa is not just a chronology of events, but a tale of transformation, resilience, and rebirth. Several key stages have defined its modern appearance and status as an important urban center in the Horn of Africa.

• Foundation and Establishment as a Spiritual Center (Late 19th Century): The transformation from a simple watering place into a permanent settlement under the leadership of Sheikh Madar Shirwa laid the cultural and social foundation of the city. This attracted people and marked the beginning of the formation of an organized community.
• Acquiring Capital Status (1941): The transfer of the British Somaliland protectorate's capital from Berbera to Hargeisa became a powerful impetus for urban planning. Administrative buildings appeared in the city, and basic infrastructure was planned, contributing to its growth and increased political significance.
• Destruction and Rebirth (1988–1990s): The city was almost completely destroyed during the civil war in Somalia in 1988. However, after the declaration of Somaliland's independence in 1991, its massive reconstruction began, becoming a unique example of resilience. This process, led mainly by the local population and the diaspora, turned ruins into a dynamically developing city.
• Economic Boom (1990s–2000s): Against the backdrop of recovery, an active market economy formed in Hargeisa. The city became a hub for major telecommunications companies and money transfer systems of regional importance. This attracted investment and created thousands of jobs, stimulating further construction and population growth.
• Waheen Market Fire and Modernization Plans (2022): A major fire that destroyed the central Waheen Market dealt a serious blow to the city's economy, as the market was its heart, housing about 2,000 trading outlets. This tragic event, however, provided an impetus for developing plans to build a new, more modern, and safer commercial complex, symbolizing the next stage in the modernization of Hargeisa's urban environment.

The architectural appearance of Hargeisa is a reflection of its turbulent history, having journeyed from a nomadic encampment to a dynamically developing urban center. Unlike ancient cities with clearly defined historical layers, Hargeisa's urban planning was determined by several key, yet intermittent, stages.

Inception and Traditional Development (Pre-1941)

Initially, Hargeisa was a stopover and watering place, and its first permanent settlement was founded by Sheikh Madar in the 19th century. Early architecture was utilitarian in nature. Buildings were constructed from available local materials such as stone and brick. Residential houses were characterized by rectangular forms and flat roofs. Traditional Somali architecture also included tombs with domes and square plans. Some structures featured unique ventilation openings in the upper part of the facade for air circulation.

British Colonial Period (1941–1960)

In 1941, Hargeisa became the capital of the British Somaliland protectorate, which triggered more systematic development. During this period, administrative buildings in a restrained colonial style appeared, and basic urban infrastructure was laid. However, due to massive destruction in the late 20th century, practically no authentic buildings from this era have survived, and their influence on the modern look of the city is minimal.

Destruction and Modern Revival (From 1988 to Present)

This period became defining for the architectural face of modern Hargeisa. In 1988, during the civil war, the city was almost entirely destroyed. The subsequent recovery, which began in the 1990s and was funded mainly by local residents and the diaspora, led to a true construction boom. The main features of this stage include:

• Transition to Multi-story Development: Single and two-story houses have been replaced by modern multi-story residential and commercial buildings.
• Modern Materials: Concrete, glass, steel, and chrome are actively used in construction, which is characteristic of modernist architecture.
• Eclecticism and Functionality: The new architecture combines modern trends with elements of Islamic and traditional Somali architecture, such as arches and geometric patterns. The main emphasis is placed on functionality.
• Landmarks: A symbol of this period has become the War Memorial with a MiG fighter jet on a pedestal, serving as a reminder of the city's destruction and subsequent rebirth. Numerous new mosques, hotels, and shopping centers form today's urban landscape.

Thus, modern Hargeisa is a city rebuilt over the last three decades, dominated by modern functional architecture born of resilience and a striving for development.

Notable Figures Associated with Hargeisa

Hargeisa has become the home and center of activity for many iconic figures whose contributions have influenced not only the city but the entire Somali region. Here are some of them:

• Sheikh Madar Shirwa (c. 1845–1918) — A religious leader and the founder of the modern city. It was he who turned a seasonal watering place into a permanent settlement by establishing a Sufi community (Jama'a) here and laying the foundations for the social and religious life of the future capital.
• Mohamed Haji Ibrahim Egal (1928–2002) — A prominent political figure. He was the Prime Minister of the State of Somaliland in 1960 and later served as the second President of Somaliland (1993–2002). He is considered one of the key figures in the process of restoring peace and statehood after the civil war. Hargeisa's international airport is named in his honor.
• Edna Adan Ismail (born 1937) — A public figure, nurse-midwife, and former Foreign Minister of Somaliland. She became the first Somali woman to receive an education in the United Kingdom. Using her own funds, she founded the renowned Edna Adan Maternity Hospital in Hargeisa, which has become a leading medical and educational institution in the region.
• Mohamed Ibrahim Warsame "Hadraawi" (1943–2022) — One of the greatest Somali poets and songwriters, often referred to as the "Somali Shakespeare." His work, permeated with themes of love, patriotism, and social justice, has become an integral part of Somali culture. He spent most of his life in Hargeisa, where he passed away.
• Ahmed Mohamed Mohamoud "Silanyo" (1936–2024) — A politician who served as the fourth President of Somaliland (2010–2017). He was also one of the founders and leaders of the Somali National Movement (SNM). His presidency is associated with a period of active infrastructure development and the strengthening of international ties.
• Mo Farah (born 1983) — A world-renowned track and field athlete and four-time Olympic champion. Although born in Mogadishu and representing the United Kingdom, he spent part of his early childhood in Somaliland and has close family ties to the region. Mo Farah is a source of immense pride and inspiration for the youth in Hargeisa and across the world.