1893 map of Berbera featuring the Isamusa (Issamousa) clan
Historically, the Issa Muse made use of the very valuable caravantrade in the Horn of Africa. Deriving income from arriving caravans into the markets of the coastal city of Berbera. The Issa Muse were able to impose a transit duty of 4 units of ana per camel loaded with merchandise.[3]
The Issa Muse, whose pasture area is the coastal plain, also raise a transit duty of 4 anas (approx. 48 pfennigs) from the caravans for the loaded dromedar and 1 ana for each sheep and each goat, which from other tribes after the Markets to be brought from Berbera.[4]
Gustav Adolf Haggenmacher. Descended from the Issa Muse who came from Berbera and were on their journey into the interior. They informed us that they had encountered around forty men who were looking for me. Somali-lande, 1874.[5]
The Italian explorer and geographer Luigi Robecchi Brichetti had a similar remark in aspect of the valuable caravan trade, where he also mentioned the kindred Ayal Ahmad Sacad Muse and Mohamed Issa Ciise Muse, both from the Habr Awal tribe - who reserved the title as the Abban of Berbera.[6]
According to the account of Bricchetti, the Issa Muse were able to attain revenue thanks to the busy caravan traffic entering & leaving the coastal and historical city of Berbera[7]
They pass for skilled camel breeders and intelligent caravan organizers [Ayal Achmed]. And such are also the different families of the Isamusa, who live off the caravan traffic with the Ogaden, going up to Uebi [Webi] along the Faf (Fafan) route.[8]
The Issa Muse, along with the wider Habr Awal clan family, formed the majority of the Somali merchants who frequented Aden and other Southern Arabian ports. Conducting independent trading expeditions on their own vessels to Arabian ports. They procured various raw goods from Harar and the interior in exchange for manufactured goods. During their stay, the Habr Awal rented their own houses and hired their own servants, whereas other Somali clans tended to stay with relatives already established across the Gulf.
Merchants. — These are generally members of the Habr Awal tribe. They bring from Harrar and the Galla country, coffee, saffron (bastard), tusks (ivory), and feathers, taking away in return zinc, brass, broad cloth, and piece goods. They remain in Aden for about twenty days at a time during the trading season, which lasts about nine months,' making four trips. During their residence they hire a house, and are accompanied by their own domestics.[9]
The ‘Isamusa, weren’t only involved in the commodity trade but also in the livestock trade. Exporting their livestock to Southern Arabian ports like Aden through Berbera. According to a 1895 publication by Captain H. G. C. Swayne.
the Issa Musa export their cattle and sheep to Aden. They have agents at Berbera, and as opportunities offer, batches of, say, ten oxen or two hundred sheep are brought down for export, marching by easy stages. Coming from Bur’o, eighty miles from the coast, cattle or sheep reach Berbera in four to six days, while caravans generally cover the distance in three days.[10]
Aar Guruxeed- Geologist and philosopher specializing in rural and urban culture. until 1939 he was famous for his political slogans and short poems and catchword which he recited on the forum.
Ahmed Yusuf Yasin, former vice-president of Somaliland and the former second chairman of UDUB party 2002-2010.
Ali Jama Habil, contemporary Somali poet of the golden age
Ali Omar Mohamed “Ali Hor-hor”, former longest serving general manager of Berbera Port the current served as the Minister of Employment, Social and Family Affairs of the Republic of Somaliland (MoESFA)
Hassan Gadhweyneh, the Deputy-Mayor of Mogadishu(1975-1991), Governor of Sahil region(1998-2003, the Mayor of Berbera(1998-2003) and the longest serving Minister of Education of Somaliland (2003-2010
Jamal Ali Hussein Somali politician and economist, former chief executive officer (CEO) for Citi Bank Tanzania, former presidential candidate of UCID party in Somaliland
Abdullahi Abokor Osman, current Ministry of Transportation and Roads Development of the Republic of Somaliland
"Ruin and Renewal: The Story of Somaliland". Hargeisa, Somaliland: Center for Creative Solutions. May 31, 2004. Archived from the original on April 8, 2011. Retrieved September 21, 2010. The 'Isse Musse clan for whom Berbera and its environs are their traditional area of settlement saw it differently
