The first American atoore aan bartay ayuu ahaa anigoo aad u yar. Filimaantiisa kaabooygana aad u jeclaa. Magaciisana yar yarkeena waxaa ugu dhawaaqi jirnay Kalint Istuud back then. Markaa duqoowdid inaa iska aamustid roon runtii maadaama aadan isogeyn. Haddaa aamusi karina reerkaaga ku aamusiyaan in order to protect your reputation.

Duqa maxaa helay. Ar dad badan oo xishmeen jiray maxee xishmadooda ceshan doonaan.

Those who grew up in Xamar, living in Xamar in 1991 was a very bewildering and scary year. Very jungle-like, no laws respected, whether traditional, Islamic or not. Basically it was a year when Soomaali tradition and civilization completely broke down. Try reliving a few events of that year, 21 years ago this month. Shabeelle Press newspaper had a popular section called 'news briefs' (dhacdooyinka) then. This is some of what happened in Agoosto of that year. Agoosto 12, 1991: Children find a corpse near Jeneraal Daa'uud. The corpse, a balding male, is estimated to be 40 years old. A woman died and four others wounded after an exchange of fire at Ceelgarweyne market. It all started when a young man’s weapon accidentally went off killing the woman. According to an eyewitness, naciim, who saw it all, the slightest accident nowadays turns into a tribe X versus tribe Y war. Shamso Axmed Maxamed and Maxamed Axmed were robbed at gunpoint at Xamarweyne of 10,000 shillings and a pair of earrings. A witness recognized one of the robbers as Abshir Mire Cilmi. The police then went directly to the robbers’ home near ENEE and arrested him. As of this report Mr. Abshir was being held at Afar Irdood police station. Xasan Axmed Cabdulle (Xasan Ganey) was wounded after an accidental discharge of a gun at Shabeelle Press headquarters. “The butt of the gun hit the wall,” said Cali Cusmaan, a member of the security detail at Shabeelle Press who also stated that this was the first incident of its kind at Shabeelle Press. The bosses at Shabeelle Press were said to seething mad. _________________ Agoost 14, 1991: A boy and a girl (no names given) were wounded yesterday near ex-Fiyoore. This happened after three gunmen backed by a technical attacked the Qaad market there. The Qaad market security forces responded with heavy fire chasing out the attackers. A corpse, about 25-year-old male, was found near the livestock market at Wardhiigley. A man who refused to give his name said they were a group of six men and were arguing about money and finally decided to “leave this guy here.” The witness said he was awakened by the quarrel in the early hours of the morning and observed the whole thing through a crack in his window. Ruqiyo Aaden was robbed of gold earrings in Waaberi yesterday. This operation required five men armed with automatic weapons. Ruqiyo’s neighbors came to her aid and according to an eyewitness, Maxamed Cali, there followed a terrible gunfight. Maxamed Cali, the witness, found himself inadvertently on the wrong side with the Burcad and asked one of their members if Burcad was attacking them. The man told Maxamed Cali they were the Burcad and then made a strange request: please make sure this story appears on Shabeelle Press. Maxamed Saciid, a victim turned Good Samaritan, found himself in a checkpoint (isbaaro) that was just being set up for the day near Cinema Missione. The men searched him but nothing was found on his person and he was let go. However, another man who was foolishly counting money nearby was robbed. The Burcad operated on that corner until sunset and Maxamed, after positioning himself in a strategic corner near the cinema, warned the public approaching the checkpoint. ________________ Agoosto 15, 1991: Fire broke out when a young inexperienced gasoline vendor decided to smoke. “He was the only one hurt,” said Arwaax Nuux Cabdulle, an eyewitness. Other vendors nearby brought the fire under control. Four gunmen stuck up Cabdi Xuseen Maxamed (Dhuubaani) for 70,000 shillings and two loose cigarettes. “One came from behind and the other three from the front,” said Mr. Dhuubaani. “I gave them everything I had without any trouble,” he lamented. A bomb explosion near the meat market (Xamarweyne). A child was wounded and a man and a woman died. No one knows the cause or who was responsible. The house of Axmed Naaji Xasan a.k.a. Axmed Naaji Sacad was attacked last night at about 9:00 PM. One bag containing two Yemeni passports, two watches and a record player were taken. “We heard women screaming and when we got there the women were gone,” sail Cali Yare, a neighbor. Maxamed Cabdi Aadan, a moor'yaan expert interviewed for this article by Shabeelle Press, said the Burcad these days prefer to set up Check Point (Isbaaro) rather than go into peoples homes. When the security detail at Martini Hospital found out they were being transferred they shut the hospital down refusing to let the doctors, nurses and visitors in. The ICRC office inside the hospital for reuniting separated family members (baafin) was also shut down. _________________ Agoosto 17, 1991: Colonel Muriidi Cali Lunge and Xaaji Cali Lunge were killed and two others wounded near intersection afarta jardiino (Yaaqshiid) yesterday. Gunmen driving Toyota Corolla committed this act after following the victims from Sinai Market. The two victims are brothers; money and food in their vehicle was not taken. Cabuud Xaaji Maxamed was kidnapped near Shabeelle Hotel yesterday. He was taken to the building opposite the National Theatre (Teatro Nazionale). They told him not to say hello to anyone as he was being led into the building. Once there they took 8000 shillings and the shirt he was wearing. They did not send him bare-chested though, he was given a shirt off one of the thieves. Cabuud said he won’t be coming downtown area anymore. Radio Mogadishu lost its ability to broadcast its short wave programming. This after 10,000 liters of diesel designated for the generators powering the station were sold and the proceeds shared by the employees. Then the employees sent a memo to government officials accusing the security forces stationed there of stealing the diesel. The security forces then shut down the place. In an unrelated story a Land Rover belonging to Radio Mogadishu driven by Cusmaan Gaaljecel was taken at gunpoint near Casa Popolare. Shabeelle Press sees a great risk of “someone broadcasting a new government using that truck” Three gunmen who set up a roadblock under the Ceelgaab Bridge stripped a man, Cumar Warsame, of 500,000 shillings. The money, in the new smaller denomination, was neatly lined up and well hidden under the victim’s shirt. Maxamed Axmed Maxamed (Sinsinle) and Cabdiqaadir Cali Cabdulle (Cabuuy) were caught after they ran out of ammunition attacking the house of Xaashi Jimcaale Culusoow. Neighbors who came to Mr. Culusoow’s aid surrounded them. No word on what was done to the gunmen. Ten gunmen on a Land Cruiser tried to rob food aid from an SDM convoy. A gunfight ensued and one of the gunmen was killed. The gunmen lost their vehicle and SDM had a wounded man from its ranks. Xasan (Tibtob) was the witness and Aaden Maxamed Isaa'q was the wounded man from SDM. __________________ Agoosto 19, 1991: Saalax Shariif Xasan lost his macawis the night before last when he walked into a isbaaro. He was walking with his pregnant wife. "I told them I had no underwear and one of the men responded 'waa loo baahan yahay' (we need it)." He made do with his wife’s garbasaar. This happened near Garage Amiin (Kaaraan). Daa'uud Badarre died at his home in Waaberi last night. There was reports of Moor'yaan in the neighborhood and as has become the norm in these occasions Maxamed Cabdiqaadir, a relative of the proprietor, started firing into the air [the reason for firing into the air is to tell the Moor'yaan: This house has a gun; stay away.] As Maxamed was in the process of firing the weapon his go’ came off and as he tried to recover it he shot Mr. Badarre. The distraught young man ran from the house and was not seen since. Two men armed with only one gun attacked a young man for his gun. The young man [no name given] fought back and took their gun. Four gunmen were caught pushing a mini-bus infront of Xaawo Taako School. The proprietor Yacquub Siidoow Mayoow reported to police and produced his documentation. All four gunmen were arrested after a gunfight. A thief wielding a beebeeshe gun robbed Daahir Xaaji Cabdi of 30,000 shillings and a watch in Xamarweyne yesterday. The thief whose name is Cismaan Jibriil was arrested later on -- without resistance. About 15 people – men and women – died yesterday near KM 4. The ICRC was distributing rice, beans, and cooking oil when according to an eyewitness, Xuseen Yaroow Maxamed, moor'yaan gents showed up. The people in line already worried about the lateness of the hour became riotous when they saw the moor'yaan. SDM militia who was providing the security detail became nervous and a phenomena known as spray and pray ,weapons being fired in all directions and hoping for no colateral damage, ensued. Maxamed Macoow Cali was wounded traveling on Via Liberia near Makka Almakurama. The guy who fired the shot took off and eyewitnesses told Shabeelle Press it was an accidental discharge. Sahra Muriidi robbed of garbasaar and a bag near Baar Haidhaafin (Ansalooti). There were four of them and the bag contained about 20,000 shillings. She knows one of them very well. “He might be the ring-leader,” she said. A public service message: There are reports of a isbaaro near Cinema Missione.

One can see how beautiful even the windows looked then. Compare that to what is being built nowadays in Xamar: Ugly blue-coloured glass windows. And those are the best ones. Zero architectural merit, indeed.

Showqi, Amiin Caamir farshaxankiisa waxaa aad u jeclaaday 91 iyo 92. Waagaas waxaa lagu soo daabici jiray farshaxankiisa wargeys la dhihi jiray Shabeelle Press. Maadaama meesha la joogay ahayd Xamar oo jabhad maamuleysay, wuxuu aad u dacaayadeen jiray Siyaad Barre oo Kismaayo iyo meelahaas ku sugnaa, Moorgan iyo C/raxmaan Jaamac Barre (C/raxmaan Buluqbuluq ugu wici jiray). Caydiid iyo Cali Mahdi iskuma taaban jirin laakiin maryooleeyda soo gishay magaalada ayuu eber ka dhigi jiray. Nonetheless, I remember asking qofkii suuqa Bakaaraha u socdo in uu ii soo gado wargeyskaas. Here few samples of his from '91 iyo '92: Intuu dhexbartamaha jidka dhistay wali sii hadlaayaa. He didn't dare to caricature him while living in Xamar in 1991. Nor him.

Too much unnecessarily mentioning of clan names. Madax xanuun ka qaadayba.

They were qabqable dagaalooge ah then and they still are, albeit being tamed with zero militia and power. Those who supported the biggest warlord of them all then have no right to tell who can be a xildhibaano or not now. But labafoolnimada waa lagu yaqaan dadka qaarkood.

xiinfaniin;862740 wrote: Fadhi-ku-dirir rumors are that Sharif Hassan has his eye on a federal state of his community Sax. I think he went to Nayroobi to persuade Kenyaatigaas to back his planned maamul goboleed ku sheeg in Koonfurta Galbeed. He never had much support from his larger clan base, contrary to popular beliefs, save those who he used to pay well. Nonetheless, they supported his presidential aspirations in the name of their clan. Now, however, he is capitalizing their disillusioned state against Jawaari and wants to create this so-called maamul goboleed. Kenya is first step oo laga dhaadhacsiiyo this project of his. Sanaawi would have been the first to get a visit if he was alive, but to him Kenya is more urgent now since they are backing Asaaniya. If he succeeds this, Jawaari is finished. I hope he doesn't.

Hooyo's favourite mode of communication. Only until she acquired her first mobile phone in 2001 did she slowed down. Oh, how she was so professional when it came recording cajaladaha. She always started 'waxaan idinku salaamayaa/kugu salaamayaa boqol toban iyo afarta Quraanka cadadiisa...' Mid ay ii soo dirtay in 1996 ayaa wali haayaa.

To the confused lot: Residents of Xamar are not called Xamari. Xamari, aka Reer Xamar, aka Banaadiri, is a clan and ethnic group's name. Yes, they do primarily live in Xamar.

Apophis;862823 wrote: You would rather claim the place than pay the $40 visa fee? Weirder is that he would want us in the same token to pay the processing visa fee and have baasaboor if we land in Hargeysa because he is a Soomaali 'splitist' as Shiineeska are fond to say.

Calool kuus kuusanaa. I met Saransoor a few times in Nayroobi last year. He seemed a decent man.

Waa socon waayee aan rooro waaye sheekada. Damiin aan Soomaali qori karin ayaa ku marmarsiyoonaayo.

LoL, I had a similar yet different reaction to this qoraal, too: I am afraid these guys Axmed Jaamac and Liibaan Cigaal are on the list of Barbaarta hit men. Too many Western media reports ka muuqdaan. I hope they have reliable personal security protection.

Haye, ma socotaana?

Libaax-Sankataabte;860563 wrote: Somalia Online does have a new facebook page. We hope to make it useful soon. http://www.facebook.com/somaliaonline "We are discussion maniacs. We like to debate hard. There are rules however: hold your ground civilly or get booted out. We pioneered this stuff. Join us!"

I never believe all those crap 'researches' by dad bilaa shaqo la'aan ka badatay. What is even worse is that, usually there is another 'research paper' somewhere against what any given research results. And there is what I might call 'time killer research.' Time will unravel it in no time, be it in ten years or hundred.

What are you implying? Ingiriiska ayaa qilaafka joojiye? Soomaali waligeed ayee isqilaafi jirtay. Wadajir in this interview wuxuu ula jeeday hal jid ayee ka wada yimaadeen but by no means united -- isku siyaasadna ma ahayn, isku mowqifna ma ahayn, isku mabdana ma ahayn. Same way Koonfurta u ahayd saas. Maxaa keenay qilaafka? Of course qabyaalad. Qolo walba gooni ayee u socotay, Soomaaliya ayaana la wada ahaa.

I don't see any 'guul' iyo wax la mid ah in this. Bililiqo iyo isbaarooyin ayaa bilaabaneyso. Unless these undisciplined ragtag militia ciidamo dowlad iska dhigo aan si qumaato ah loo maamulin, kuwii waxa dhacana aan la ciqaabin oo awood dhab laga qaban meel la qabsado waxba masoo kordhineyso. Just ask the residents of Balcad, Ceelasha Biyaha iyo Afgooye, the last three towns laga qabsaday Barbaarta.

"Mogadishu has never had one, even during the time of the Italians and independence. We want to start from scratch." Mudane Urbanplanner, you are very wrong. Watch after 8:10 in the clip. Muqdisho had a very professional urban planners. No wonder its avenues and roads were always straight, homes and commercial buildings facing roads, streets were always symmetrical guryo iyo sarar isla siman. Aad iyo aad ugu faraxsanahay inaa arko urban planner Xamar joogo maanta. Aad iyo aad loogu baahnaa.

Rawla iyo Maleyka, you two have my vote to be a Soomaali madaxweyne iyo guddoomiye baarlamaan, the two highest positions. Iskaba dhaafo xildhibaano, jagooyinka u sareeyo u qalmatiin.

Eebbe ha u raxmado, Qarboosh. Reerkiisa samir iyo iimaan. Qof aad iyo aad dalkeena u jecel ayuu ahaa. Gabayo iyo heeso badana wuu u alifay. Abwaan iyo heesaana wuu isku ahaa.

Twitter is overrated, waana crap. Waligeyna ma register gareynin and I don't think I will ever. Facebook waxa laga faa'iday waxee tahay qaraabadii, asxaabtii, ciyaal xaafadii iyo intii kala dhuntay ayaa isku heshay. Kow iyo hadda ayaa la iswareysanaayaa. Dad badan ayee isku xirtay facebook mar kale. Dadka ka faa'iday Soomaalida qurbaha joogto u badanba.

raula;860274 wrote: I agree, for those who know...Ngara (and not LANGARA..shuud like Budland is saying)..has always been littered w/crooks..I know as i went to school there. It is Islii. It is Kaamaruun. It is Langaara. Kabiisha? That is how we maryooleeys ugu dhawaaqno in Islii. By the way, waxba ma gaarin la yiri ka ahayn dharbaaxo iyo laad lagu qaaday. Dadkiina orod iyo buuq ka dhex dhacay oo waxee moodeen in mindi iyo tooreey lala dhacay. Nayroobi was one of the most lucrative ruwaayado fannaaniinta ka dhaqaaleysan jireen lately. In the past three years alone, some heavyweights ruwaayado ku qabtay Nayroobi, including Axmed Naaji, Xasan Aaden Samatar, Saado Cali, Hibo Nuura, Salaad Darbi, Seynab Labadhagax, Qeylodhaan iyo kuwii yar yaraa. This will give a second thought a lot of fannaans that were planning to host a show in Nayroobi.