Sayyid Mohamed Abdulle Hassan

Sayyid Mohamed Abdulle Hassan (1856 – 1920) is often referred to as "Mad Mullah" by British colonials. A Somali religious leader, nationalist, and poet, he is one of the most notable historical personalities in Somali history, remembered as the foremost leader of one of the longest and most tenacious anti-colonial resistance movements against British, Italian, and Ethiopian forces that spanned late 19th and early 20th centuries in Africa. His campaigns were mainly intended to protect Somali sovereignty and Islamic tenets from foreign domination.

Early Years and Education

He was born in 1856 in Sacmadeeqa town in the region of Mudug, today Somalia. He belonged to the Ogaden clan of Darod. He took great interest in studies of the Islamic sciences very early in his life. He traveled extensively across Somalia and the Arabian Peninsula, studying under renowned teachers for several years until he finally joined the Salihiya order-a school of thought that belongs to Sufism and propagates Islamic unity and resistance against foreign influences.

The Dervish Movement

The Dervish Movement was founded in the year 1899 by Sayyid Mohamed Abdulle Hassan. It was a religious and a military movement whose principal aim was to resist colonial encroachments and safeguard Somali society against what he viewed as threats to Islamic integrity and cultural identity. The movement attracted mutinies among the various clans and regions of the Somali, giving them a common cause around which to unite. The Dervishes were otherwise well-disciplined and well-equipped and often mounted their campaign on guerrilla-style tactics.

Sayyid Mohamed's poetry and oratory were proof that he was indeed a master in steering momentum for the movement. His poems were rich in metaphor and allegory, convening deep into Somali oral traditions. His entire work spoke against colonialism, called for Islamic values, and agitated for unity among Somalis. 

Resistance Against Colonial Powers

The resistance to British rule staged a Dervish Movement grant-wide, spanning over 20 years from 1899 to 1920. Sayyid Mohamed and his followers waged a ceaseless direct war against British forces in Northern Somalia, Italian forces in Southern Somalia, and Ethiopian troops. He set up his headquarters in the town of Taleh, from where fortresses were then constructed and they served as military and administrative hubs.

To the British, in particular, Sayyid Mohamed represented a big threat to their control over Somaliland. They, therefore, called him the "Mad Mullah," a term that reflected their vexation and misunderstanding of his motives. The Dervishes managed to inflict a series of stunning defeats on the British and their allies, one of the most notable of which was the decisive victory over the British forces at the Battle of Dul Madoba in 1913 in which British Commander Richard Corfield was killed. 

Decline and Death

The Dervish resistance showed signs of weakening by the late 1910s due to internal schisms, scarcity of resources, and sustained military pressure from colonists on the open front. British aerial bombardment of the Dervish stronghold at Taleh in 1920 was one of the first uses of air power in Africa; this has ever since effectively dismantled the Dervish Movement.

After the fall of his movement, Sayyid Mohamed fled but died shortly afterward, in 1920, reportedly from influenza, at the age of 64. He became a living example of resistance and Somali nationalism.

Legacy

Sayyid Mohamed Abdulle Hassan is one of the heroes of Somali history. His unshakable commitment to Somali sovereignty and Islamic tenets continues to inspire generations. His poetry remains a major point of departure in Somali literature and serves to showcase his wit, charm, and undisputed loyalty to the cause of the struggle.

In post-colonial Somalia, Sayyid Mohamed is honored through literature, public monuments, and education. Although opinions about his methods and impact may differ, there is no denying that he is revered as one among the most important figures in Somalia's struggle against colonialism. 

Conclusion

Sayyid Mohamed Abdulle Hassan's life embodies the stubbornness and determination of the Somali race in its exposure to adversity. The leadership of the Dervish Movement marked a significant chapter in the history of anti-colonial resistance in Africa, taking him to his deserved national and regional icon status.