Friday December 6, 2024
The oral customary laws (Xeer Ciise) were drafted on Sitti Mountain which is located in Ethiopian Somali Regional State, Sitti Zone, Aisha District by 44 elders referred to as Gande who represented the Somali-Issa communities in Djibouti, Somalia and Djibouti. CREDIT / Ethiopian Heritage Authority (EHA), 2021
Mogadishu (HOL) — UNESCO has officially recognized Xeer Ciise (, the centuries-old oral customary law of the Somali Issa communities in Djibouti, Ethiopia, and Somalia, as part of its Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The historic recognition celebrates Xeer Ciise's role in uniting communities, preserving traditions, and promoting justice in the Horn of Africa.
Xeer Ciise is a rigorously codified legal framework that has governed Somali Issa communities for centuries. Developed in the 16th century on Sitti Mountain in Ethiopia's Somali National Regional State, it comprises three main components: a political constitution defining power distribution and decision-making, a penal code emphasizing reconciliation and compensation, and a code of social conduct that integrates spiritual and social values.
The nomination of Xeer Ciise, jointly submitted by Ethiopia, Djibouti, and Somalia, was approved during the 19th session of UNESCO's Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, held in Asunción, Paraguay.
These laws ensure peaceful coexistence within the Somali Issa communities and with neighbouring groups, addressing fundamental aspects of life, from blood compensation to women's rights and land management. UNESCO highlights Xeer Ciise's emphasis on universal principles such as the protection of women and children's rights, environmental conservation, and peaceful conflict resolution.
UNESCO praised the system as a rare example of a living legal tradition that promotes good governance, moral conduct, and cooperation while addressing modern challenges such as conflict resolution and environmental sustainability.
The Somali Issa, one of the major Somali clans, are primarily located in Djibouti, Ethiopia, and Somalia. They share a common language, Af-Somali, and a rich cultural heritage, including traditional ceremonies, pastoralist practices, and dances like "Harim or Will." Their customary laws, transmitted both informally through tales, proverbs, and initiation rites, and formally via educational curricula and media, are deeply embedded in their collective identity.
At the heart of Xeer Ciise's governance is the Ugas, a spiritual and political leader chosen through a rigorous selection process. The Ugas serves as a guardian of the laws and a unifying figure for the Somali Issa across Djibouti, Ethiopia, and Somalia. Mustafa Muhammad Ibrahim, the current Ugas, presides from Dire Dawa, Ethiopia, ensuring the continuity and relevance of Xeer Ciise.
The system also plays a vital role in regulating land use, particularly grazing rights and water access, essential for the transhumant pastoralist lifestyle of the Somali Issa. Its focus on women's rights, including inheritance and compensation, reflects its progressive approach within a traditional framework.
This collection showcases the rich cultural heritage and traditional governance of the Somali-Issa communities spanning Ethiopia, Djibouti, and Somalia. Through practices such as oral customary laws (Xeer Ciise), vibrant ceremonies, traditional dances, and collaborative consultation forums, the Somali-Issa demonstrate their commitment to unity, peace, and the preservation of their identity across generations. CREDIT: Ethiopian Heritage Authority (EHA), 2023