Editor’s Note: Said Shidad is an accomplished researcher, essayist, and Somali historian and has been a frequent contributor to WardheerNews . In this interview, Said gives us a glimpse of Somali pre-history, pinpoints significant historical sites within Somali territories that remain to be unearthed, touches on Somali ancestry, and the excavations that were carried out by foreigners in Somalia in the past. The interview was conducted by Adan Makina for WardheerNews.
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WardheerNews (WDN): First, welcome to WardheerNews. Said, briefly tell us about your educational background?
Said Shidad: Thank you, my educational background includes BSc. in Accountancy and BA in Journalism both from the Somali National University to which I like to give the credit for the base of my worldly educational tool.
WDN: Perusing through your literary and academic writings, we see you as a unique historian, especially one who is painstakingly immersed in ancient Somali history. What attracted you to ancient Somali history and what do you have in mind for ancient Somali history?
Said: Throughout my experience of reading and investigating the Somali history, I have learned that the primary sources for ancient history of Somalia have not adequately been utilized; that diverse data have not methodologically been integrated; , that history is very different from how it has hither to been depicted; and that there is a better way to write down and reconstruct it. The fact that the Somali history has been misunderstood, misinterpreted, and less investigated contributes, I believe, to our ongoing political and socio-psychological failures. If you don’t know yourself, you don’t know what you’re doing.
WDN: We live in a world where the conqueror writes the history of the vanquished. Do you think Somalis can write their own history without outside help? If yes, how and what are the avenues to be taken? If no, what will be the impediments?
Said: Yes, with tireless efforts, fairness, and relevant methodology; but still, technical assistance in archaeological and genetic sciences is required.
WDN: Looking from a broader historical perspective, when do you think ancient Somali history evolved?
Said: Available data suggest the fourth millennium BCE, that is 5,000 to 6,000 years ago.
WDN: Other than Puntland which is often cited as the ‘Land of Punt’ or the ‘Land of Aroma’, do you know of any other Somali region that has ancient historical significance?
Said: The history of the Somali has always been interconnected. On one hand, diverse archaeological earthworks and discoveries reveal that, there has been a unique culture across the Somaliland (the entire Somali inhabited area). On the other hand, there were linkages within political systems. As we have previously addressed, Pre-historic Awdal was part of Puntite kingdom whereas sultanate of Raas Caseyr (the historical base of Punt) was part of medieval Awdal Empire according to various records.
Other records mention that there was a viable Somali state across Jubba-Tana area, at least, prior to the coming of Islam; and we know that there were Mogadishu-led city-states on the Banaadir coast during the middle ages. Meanwhile, Jubba-Tana and Banaadir regions were paying homage to Awdal State according to other documents. Medieval Awdal was the most powerful national state about which I do so far know.
WDN: In some of your research you refuted the Somali assumption of Somali-inhabited land was originally owned or occupied by the Oromo ethnic group. Could you briefly tell us the research that invalidated this believe?
Said: Herbert Lewis first raised the question on the validity of that assumption in 1962. It was refuted and eventually invalidated by works of Harold Fleming 1964, Herbert Lewis 1966, Hans-Jurgen Sasse1975, and E.R. Turton 1975. And it was not even a Somali assumption, but colonial scholars’ assumption, particularly Enrico Cerulli and I.M. Lewis. The main purpose of my article was to shed a light on that misconception.
WDN: As you have noted in your research, Somalis had close historical ties with the Arabs. What can you tell us about the Arabization of Somalis in historical perspective as some believe that Somalis are of Arab origins?
Said: The Somali nation has not been formed from a few ancestors or lineages, but by a social history, national heritage, and natural identity. It is linguistically Cushitic. Cushites are not Arab, but they share origin and heritage with the Arabs. Apart from old historical connections, there was a large Arab immigration and assimilation within Somalia throughout the Islamic era. Many Somalis have also emigrated and been assimilated in Arabia.
WDN: Do you think foreign writers may have distorted Somali ancient history to their own advantage?
Said: I don’t think that is the case in all the shortcomings. Most of the failures were due to the lack of necessary efforts and dependence on former erroneous conclusions. However, it’s clear that a politically motivated distortion and data-ignoring has taken place in the case of historical Awdal.
WDN: Do you know of any Somali or Somalis who may be credited with writing ancient Somali history?
Said: As far as I know, Ali Abdi-Rahman Hersi and Mohamed Nuuh Ali have made good contributions to the understanding the ancient history of Somalia.
WDN: Do you foresee yourself writing a book on ancient Somali history?
Said: The first edition of one of my works (mostly in manuscript) on that area was locally published in 2009 where it was done (sold) at its first display. A revised edition is yet to be published.
WDN: Are there potential historical sites within Somalia that you are aware of that could be excavated for the sake of unearthing historical antiquities?
Said: We know that there are a lot of ruined cities (most of them now lost), rock paintings, rock shelters, prominent age-old tombs, wells, dams, and countless cairns.
WDN: Do you know of any significant archaeological excavations that have been carried out in Somalia before and after independence and during the two decades of civil disobedience?
Said: Pre-Independence excavations unearthed the Hargeysan and Doyan cultures and the like, mainly regarding the Stone Ages. Somali (and British, American or Russian) joint teams, and other archaeologists carried out excavations and site investigations mostly on coastal areas in 1970s and 1980s. They resulted in a good amount of interesting discoveries. But still, these were considered as the beginnings of archaeological works on Somalia. The only site that I know to have been investigated during the last two decades is Laas Geel, near Hargeysa, and its surroundings.
WDN: How many sites that you know of have been designated historical sites by UNESCO in Somalia proper?
Said: I am not sure if any one of many historical sites in Somalia has obtained a chance for that kind of attention.
WDN: How can the current Somali government, regional states, Somali academics, Somali Diaspora, and the general public partake in raising awareness to the cause of ancient Somali history?
Said: In this respect, we have two basic problems: first, our educational system is not designed as a tool of solving problems or inducing creativity. As can be observed, most of our decision-makers, thought-leaders, and civil-servants show no ability to see the whole picture of the requirements of their duty. Second, our institutions and the general public are not prepared or are indifferent to support the useful individual efforts which is prerequisite for educational and creativity developments. If that is the biggest problem, the best solution is, establishing and funding credible cohesive research and educational systems with a policy and practices of sharing the progress with the general public, of making ourselves worthy of intellectual production, and of creating a knowledge-consuming culture.
WDN: We appreciate your time and effort.
Said: You’re welcome Adan, I thank you and WardheerNews for the opportunity to share my research with Somalis and those who are interested in Somali history.
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