The Obbia Sultanate

A recording of an interview conducted by Ahmed Farah Ali (also known as Idaajaa) in 1980 with an old Somali soldier. The soldier voluntarily joined the Italian colonial army and fought on their behalf during their  military campaigns against the Obbia and Migiurtinia Sultanates. The first part of the interview touches on a number of topics including the establishment of the Obbia Sultanate, important figures in its foundation, its territorial limits, conflicts with neighboring states, and finally the Italian military campaign against the sultanate. The interview provides important and much needed insight into the mindset of the Somali colonial troops. This alternative narrative allows us to contextualise Somalia’s pre-colonial history and the events that led to the subjugation, occupation and colonisation of the two sultanates. Visit: https://www.puntite.com for more