Epidemic Diseases and Sagacity
With the absence of universal veterinary services and clinics to cater for the people and their livestock and wildlife, epidemiological diseases decimated lives and properties occasionally at a time when colonialism had not set foot in northern Kenya. Since most people were egalitarian or equalitarian and generous and abided by the concept of divine humanitarian services, it was common to come to the aid of those who were affected by poverty related issues. With wealth determined in terms of livestock ownership, distribution of charity and alms was common on a daily basis. Unlike in other cultures where the top echelons, especially the chiefs and their aides kept donations to themselves, the Somalis of aforetimes avoided greed and material obsessions. Caring for the poor was a common excogitation since they were bounded by kinship and the values of Islamic brotherhood.
It was the responsibility of the Sagaalles or aides of the sultan to collect Zakat portions in the form of livestock from the affluent and willing partners in humanitarian services. The 2.5 percent deduction from Zakat for the wealthy was well enforced though voluntarily. Zakat or Zakah is a form of obligatory tax returned to the poor and the needy, the collecters of Zakat, reverts to Islam and freed slaves by the wealthy and it is the second in rank after prayers in the Five Pillars of Islam. Unlike in modern times where armed fundamentalist religious fighters forcefully take away livestock from unwilling donors like in war-afflicted Somalia, Somali past systems of humanitarian services was far more advanced because forced imposition of Zakat collection was a violation of Islamic jurisprudence.
Charitable donations were meant to maintain the living conditions of the poor and the orphans and the needy, the wayfarers and those preparing to engage in wedding ceremonies. Women who gave birth to new babies were given special care and attention by qualified traditional female pediatricians with nonstop visitations and gifts streaming from female relatives and neighbors. Experts in Female Reproduction kept an eye on the mother. Though Somalis name their babies immediately after birth, unlike the Baptism of Christianity that takes longer---a term symbolizing spiritual regeneration, following the long held Islamic tradition, for the Somalis, it was a short period known as 'Wanqal' that instills celebratory mood, followed with sacrifices made to The Creator who made the arrival of the new blessed baby possible.
When collecting Zakat or other types of donations, those who are known to be selfish and greedy or stingy are avoided at all costs during the collection procedures. Booties of war also helped alleviate food scarcities. With 'cad iyo caano', meaning 'meat and milk' being the main diet of the Somalis of the past, Sagaalles ensured no one slept hungry. Every morning, Sagaalles or their representatives would visit every family to ensure all was well.
Males patients were attended to by Andrologists who specialized in the male reproduction system like erectile dysfunction and others. Herbal medications played vital roles in the elimination of diseases such as hemorrhoids, myocardiac infarctions, peptic ulcerations, pediculosis capitis, tuberculosis, ear infections, and other curable diseases. Of all diseases, the most feared was tuberculosis that kept sufferers in complete isolation like the current COVID-19 pandemic.
In the cases of epidemics, those who experienced more losses of livestock were the first to receive humanitarian services. Since some subclans were more wealthy than others, the distribution mechanisms varied from the herders of camels, cattle, goats and sheep. In times of war, some subclans were more generous than others. Feeding hundreds or thousands of warriors was a daunting task.
According a former Canadian professor who taught at Makerere University College, the Dervishes of Seyid Muhammad Abdille Hassan were a composition of nine divisions. In military calculations, a division could range from 10,000 to 25,000 men and women of war. If one division of the Dervishes was 25,000 multiplied by 9, it would add up to 225,000 determined fighters and if they were 10,000 X 9, the total number would be 90,000. There's no doubt that the Dervishes had sufficient food and ration since reports of malnourishment were rare. On top of that, horses and mares and camels that were known as rakoubs that specifically transported fighters plus donkeys that transported logistics supplies for the battlefields required enough pasture and water every day.
In Somalia, the colonial British and Italian forces survived on looted Somali livestock and agricultural land produce. The British Crown clang to the former British Somaliland in order to provide beef to it's second largest military base outside Britain in Aden, Yemen. The Italians took over Italian Somaliland in southern Somalia solely to enjoy the agricultural produce from the lush green valleys, gorges and ravines that were a haven for unique wildlife and plant species.
To this day, Somali history of generosity to humanity and even to foreigners remains unaltered and permanent. However, among some communities, the vanishing or abandonment of the technique of Zakat collection is the main harbinger of the protracted wealth disparities that has become a common feature in many Somali settlements. Woe unto those who devour the wealth meant for the disadvantaged!
With the absence of universal veterinary services and clinics to cater for the people and their livestock and wildlife, epidemiological diseases decimated lives and properties occasionally at a time when colonialism had not set foot in northern Kenya. Since most people were egalitarian or equalitarian and generous and abided by the concept of divine humanitarian services, it was common to come to the aid of those who were affected by poverty related issues. With wealth determined in terms of livestock ownership, distribution of charity and alms was common on a daily basis. Unlike in other cultures where the top echelons, especially the chiefs and their aides kept donations to themselves, the Somalis of aforetimes avoided greed and material obsessions. Caring for the poor was a common excogitation since they were bounded by kinship and the values of Islamic brotherhood.
It was the responsibility of the Sagaalles or aides of the sultan to collect Zakat portions in the form of livestock from the affluent and willing partners in humanitarian services. The 2.5 percent deduction from Zakat for the wealthy was well enforced though voluntarily. Zakat or Zakah is a form of obligatory tax returned to the poor and the needy, the collecters of Zakat, reverts to Islam and freed slaves by the wealthy and it is the second in rank after prayers in the Five Pillars of Islam. Unlike in modern times where armed fundamentalist religious fighters forcefully take away livestock from unwilling donors like in war-afflicted Somalia, Somali past systems of humanitarian services was far more advanced because forced imposition of Zakat collection was a violation of Islamic jurisprudence.
Charitable donations were meant to maintain the living conditions of the poor and the orphans and the needy, the wayfarers and those preparing to engage in wedding ceremonies. Women who gave birth to new babies were given special care and attention by qualified traditional female pediatricians with nonstop visitations and gifts streaming from female relatives and neighbors. Experts in Female Reproduction kept an eye on the mother. Though Somalis name their babies immediately after birth, unlike the Baptism of Christianity that takes longer---a term symbolizing spiritual regeneration, following the long held Islamic tradition, for the Somalis, it was a short period known as 'Wanqal' that instills celebratory mood, followed with sacrifices made to The Creator who made the arrival of the new blessed baby possible.
When collecting Zakat or other types of donations, those who are known to be selfish and greedy or stingy are avoided at all costs during the collection procedures. Booties of war also helped alleviate food scarcities. With 'cad iyo caano', meaning 'meat and milk' being the main diet of the Somalis of the past, Sagaalles ensured no one slept hungry. Every morning, Sagaalles or their representatives would visit every family to ensure all was well.
Males patients were attended to by Andrologists who specialized in the male reproduction system like erectile dysfunction and others. Herbal medications played vital roles in the elimination of diseases such as hemorrhoids, myocardiac infarctions, peptic ulcerations, pediculosis capitis, tuberculosis, ear infections, and other curable diseases. Of all diseases, the most feared was tuberculosis that kept sufferers in complete isolation like the current COVID-19 pandemic.
In the cases of epidemics, those who experienced more losses of livestock were the first to receive humanitarian services. Since some subclans were more wealthy than others, the distribution mechanisms varied from the herders of camels, cattle, goats and sheep. In times of war, some subclans were more generous than others. Feeding hundreds or thousands of warriors was a daunting task.
According a former Canadian professor who taught at Makerere University College, the Dervishes of Seyid Muhammad Abdille Hassan were a composition of nine divisions. In military calculations, a division could range from 10,000 to 25,000 men and women of war. If one division of the Dervishes was 25,000 multiplied by 9, it would add up to 225,000 determined fighters and if they were 10,000 X 9, the total number would be 90,000. There's no doubt that the Dervishes had sufficient food and ration since reports of malnourishment were rare. On top of that, horses and mares and camels that were known as rakoubs that specifically transported fighters plus donkeys that transported logistics supplies for the battlefields required enough pasture and water every day.
In Somalia, the colonial British and Italian forces survived on looted Somali livestock and agricultural land produce. The British Crown clang to the former British Somaliland in order to provide beef to it's second largest military base outside Britain in Aden, Yemen. The Italians took over Italian Somaliland in southern Somalia solely to enjoy the agricultural produce from the lush green valleys, gorges and ravines that were a haven for unique wildlife and plant species.
To this day, Somali history of generosity to humanity and even to foreigners remains unaltered and permanent. However, among some communities, the vanishing or abandonment of the technique of Zakat collection is the main harbinger of the protracted wealth disparities that has become a common feature in many Somali settlements. Woe unto those who devour the wealth meant for the disadvantaged!
