Response to those who have reservations about the origin of Gharri people

First of all, I would like you all to understand that history did not create people. People create history. So, the Gharri history as it has been told generations ago was told by our forefathers and carried on by way of oral tradition. So, those who dislike the Gharri origin as it is known, then, as a person, you can convert to those whose history appeals to you the most and be parts of it.

It doesn’t matter how much you like or dislike your neighbors, they are still your neighbors. The facts remain the same, unless you move out of that neighborhood.

 Furthermore, you should just look back and reassess the history of the Oromo people in Ethiopia and the Somali people of Ethiopia. Some of us used to be called “shiritham Somali” meaning skirted Somali. The Oromo people were also called “Galla,” and thousands of books were written about them. Today, those two words, Galla and Shiritham Somali are nothing more than like a distanced cousin that you never know he exists. It is considered to be derogatory words that no one dares to say.   Somalis are called Somalis and the Oromos are called Oromo. Therefore, it doesn’t matter who we associate with and who our neighbors are. We are who we are and most importantly, we carry the names and traits of our forefathers.  

In fact, I just had a DNA test done to determine my own genealogical background. The result showed that although I born in Ethiopia, I do not match or share any genealogical trait with Ethiopians, but I do match, people with Somali origin.

Why is that? It is because, our history is right, and that the Gharri people are Somalians. Guys do not confuse with a tribal names that people use to differentiate themselves from other area tribal people. Garre in Somali are known as Garre, so, the Abgal, Abar Gidir, Ogaden, Marehan and so on. But, they all are Somalians. Therefore, if a Gharri person say, a person next to them is not a Gharri person and he or she doesn’t know which Somali tribe a person belongs to, and then says that person is Somali, it doesn’t mean that the Gharri are not Somalians.

However, history shows that throughout the years many smaller tribes and individuals become absorbed by larger and more powerful tribes. Also, some people have not only converted to Islam but, also, converted to local tribesman who assisted them to convert. So, I understand that if great-grandchildren of those convertees are disputing their Somalihood, let be it. Otherwise, to claim that the Gharri people are anything but, Somali is absurd.

Therefore, I suggest to those of you that may be have linkage with those converted people of different or doubtful origin, take a DNA test and then call yourself or associate with whomever you matched with. But, the Gharri people are Somali and Gharri people will never call themselves anything else regardless of what country they may live in.

By Abba Warrana  December 13, 2011