Bulhar

Bulhar (Bulahar, Somali: Bulaxaar) is a historic port town in the Sahil region of Somaliland with routes dating back to antiquity. The port was rejuvenated in the 19th century and was a rival to nearby Berbera.

Bulhar
Town
Ruins in the centre of the town
Bulhar Location in Somaliland Show map of Sahil, Somaliland Bulhar Bulhar (Somaliland) Show map of Somaliland
Coordinates: 10°24′02″N 44°25′12″E
Country	Somaliland
Region	Sahil
District	Berbera
Population  (2002)[1]
• Total	300
Time zone	UTC+3 (EAT)

History

Antiquity

Bulhar is situated near Berbera. The site is believed to correspond with the ancient commercial Port of Isis described by the Roman scholar Pliny the Elder.^[2] Pliny also associated the area with the toponym Abalito, which Said M-Shidad Hussein writes is likely the Avalite of the Periplus of the Erythraean Sea.^[3]

According to Pliny, the Port of Isis was a center for myrrh commerce. He likewise noted that the Egyptian Pharaoh Sesostris led his forces passed the region en route to the northeastern port of Mosylon, a cinnamon hub that is believed to have been in or close to present-day Bosaso.^[3] Additionally, Pliny indicated that the Port of Isis was located near stone pillars on which unknown letters were engraved.^[3][4] Samuel Sharpe suggests that these old inscriptions were probably hieroglyphical.^[4]

Early Modern Period

A street in Bulhar in 1912

Although Bulhar's roots date back to antiquity, the settlement was not repopulated until the mid-19th century. The re-establishment of Bulhar was due to a dissension between the mercantile Reer Ahmed Nur and Reer Yunis Nuh lineages of the Habar Awal clan over the control of the trade of Berbera in 1845. With the support of Haji Sharmarke Ali Saleh, the ruler of Zeila, the Reer Ahmed Nuh drove out their kinsmen and declared themselves the sole commercial masters of Berbera. In retaliation for their expulsion, the Reer Yunis Nuh merchants founded the port of Bulhar and persuaded their past foreign trade contacts to do business at their port over Berbera. This act had an almost immediate effect as trade at Bulhar grew rapidly in the latter half of the 19th century, with the port becoming a major market for livestock, hide (skin), myrrh, ivory, coffee, and other various goods procured from the interior.^[5][6][7]

According to several European explorers who traveled through much of the Somali Peninsular in the 19th and early 20th centuries, Berbera and Bulhar's extensive trade links covered large tracks of the Somali and Ethiopian interiors, and the merchants from Berbera and Bulhar had trade contracts with merchants from as far as Mogadishu and Merca:

Nearly all trade for Ogaden goes from Bulhar; but we found on the Webbe that we had, as it were, reached the point at which merchants from Berbera and Bulhar meet those from Merka and Mogadaxo (Madisha).^[8]

Hargeisa is situated on the Tug Marodijeh, the banks of which are well wooded, and as it can boast of an excellent climate all the year round, and is about half-way on the main route from Bulhar to Jig-jigga on the Abyssinian frontier, it is always likely to be of some importance to caravans. A large percentage of the trade from Ogadayn passes through it to Bulhar on the coast.^[9]

On leaving Hargeisa we travelled for many miles through beautiful park-like land, alive with birds and jungle fowl. We met the usual Somali khafilas [trading caravans] of Habr-Awal men, carrying their skins, gums, ghee, and coffee to our port at Bulhar, situated between Berbera and Zeila.^[10]

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Bulhar is a historic coastal town in the Sahil region of Somaliland. It is known for its historical port, which served as a hub for trade and social interaction among Somali clans, particularly the Makaahiil Isaaq, a sub-clan of Sacad Muuse.

History

Bulhar is believed to have originated as an ancient trading port used by inland pastoralist communities and maritime traders across the Horn of Africa. Some historical sources suggest it may have been referred to as the "Port of Isis" in early records, possibly linked to trade networks described in the *Periplus of the Erythraean Sea*.

In the 19th century, following conflicts over the nearby port city of Berbera, sub-clans of the Makaahiil Isaaq established Bulhar as a new commercial port. This allowed them to control trade routes and facilitate the exchange of goods such as livestock, hides, coffee, and honey between the interior regions and international markets.

The Makaahiil Isaaq are a sub-clan of the Sacad Muuse branch of the Isaaq clan. Historically, they are known as pastoralists, traders, and warriors who defended their territories and resources.

They played a central role in protecting Bulhar and its surrounding areas from rival clans or groups seeking to control the port or exploit its trade. Their defense of the town earned them a reputation for bravery, leadership, and community resilience, and they continue to be recognized as the protectors of their ancestral lands.

Trade and society

Bulhar served as a thriving commercial hub, connecting inland pastoralists with maritime trade networks. Livestock, hides, coffee, and other goods were exported from Bulhar to regional and international markets.

The Makaahiil Isaaq’s presence ensured both the security of trade and the social cohesion of the port town. They also contributed culturally, with poetry, proverbs, and oral traditions reflecting their role in defending the community and maintaining social order.

Conflict and defense

Throughout its history, the Makaahiil Isaaq were actively involved in defending Bulhar from rival clans and external threats. These defensive efforts secured the town’s role as a commercial center and strengthened the clan’s influence in the region. The legacy of these conflicts remains a notable aspect of Makaahiil identity, emphasizing their continued role as guardians of Bulhar and its surrounding territories.

Modern era

Today, Bulhar is recognized as a historic town. Archaeological surveys conducted between 2015 and 2017 revealed the remains of old structures, highlighting the town’s past significance as a trade center. Although much of the original town has deteriorated, the Makaahiil Isaaq continue to have a presence in the area, maintaining pastoral traditions, social leadership, and cultural heritage.

Significance

Bulhar illustrates the connection between coastal trade and inland pastoralist societies in Somaliland. The town demonstrates how Somali clans, particularly the Makaahiil Isaaq, shaped urban centers through trade, defense, and cultural exchange. Preserving the historical remains of Bulhar is important for understanding the social, economic, and cultural history of the region.

References

• Lewis, I. M. (1961). A Pastoral Democracy: A Study of Pastoralism and Politics among the Northern Somali of the Horn of Africa. Oxford University Press.
• Hersi, A. (2010). Somali Nomadic Life and Culture. Hargeisa University Press.
• Saxafi Media. Bulhar: Historic Town in Somaliland. (https://saxafimedia.com/bulhar-historic-town-somaliland)