One of the living ethnic groups in Somalia.

Originated in the northwestern region of present-day Somalia, it is a religion of Islam and is mostly Sunni. They are mainly nomadic and profess Islam, but their teachings are vague and their religious activities are still mainly ancestor worship.

It is based in all of Somalia, a narrow strip of Djibouti, the Ogaden region of southern Ethiopia and parts of northwestern Kenya. The language belongs to the Cushitic language family of the Semitic language family.

Polygamy is allowed. Both men and women are circumcised. The age group system is preserved to varying degrees.

In the 13th century, a feudal empire was established.