Madhiban

The Midgan (also: Midgaan ) or Madhibaan are a minority group within the Somali -inhabited region in the Horn of Africa. They live scattered in small numbers over this entire area, but most of the northern part of Somalia ( Somaliland and Puntland ). They are traditionally considered from the perspective of the Somali majority as unclean and as a sort of caste of outsiders limited to occupations of low status. Most have joined the dominant Somali clans as "clients".

Terms and descriptions

The terms " Midgan " and " Madhibaan " are used differently, with " Midgan " for " outsiders " (English outcaste ) is considered derogatory and sufferers today increasingly the term " Madhibaan " prefer. Both words describe the one hand - the largest - the limited to low professions minority groups within the Somali region, and on the other hand used as a collective term for all of these groups, thus also for Yibir, Tumaal and more. In which part of these groups to which a sub-group or sub- communities, there are some contradictory statements. In northern Somalia / Somaliland Gaboye or Gabooye is a generic term for these groups.

History

The origin of these groups is not understood. Some Midgan / Madhibaan consider themselves to be descendants of a native population of the region before the arrival of Somali. Their traditions refer to the areas of Mudug and Nugaal as the area of ​​origin. As justification for its present impure and inferior status is often called, that their ancestors had once broken food taboos and then completed no cleaning ritual.

Today most of them are connected as clients with the Somali clans in the areas they live. For this they practice different than low and looked unclean activities of, such as a leather craftsman, shoemakers, barbers - the circumcisions perform -, hunters, midwives and excisors. The Tumaal specialize in the forging craft. Within each clan, they are each a distinct group with which the Somali received no marriages and no same protection as the Somali clan members. They are also feared for their assigned magical abilities.

Under the government of Siad Barre (1969-1991) were client status and discrimination prohibited by clan membership, of which the Midgan / Madhibaan benefited limited. Some Midgan / Madhibaan were collected and used to fight against the opposition from various Somali clans up in offices in the state security apparatus. This earned them the accusation of being minions and supporters of the dictatorship Barres. After the fall of the Barre government and the beginning of the Somali civil war and were therefore particularly affected by violent attacks perpetrated in part as revenge against them.

The tens of thousands Gaboye in de facto independent Somaliland are hardly represented in the politics of Somaliland. In the transitional parliament of Somalia are a total of 31 seats for minorities, including the Midgan / Madhibaan reserved. Discrimination against these groups remains in the Somali region as also common in Somali exile communities.

Swell

• Joint British, Danish and Dutch fact-finding mission to Nairobi, Kenya: Report on minority groups in Somalia (English, PDF, 4.33 MB )

• Ethnic group in Somalia
• Ethnicity in Africa