Alula, Somalia
Alula (Somali: Caluula, Arabic: علولة), also spelled Aluula, is a coastal town in the northeastern Bari region and is part of the autonomous state of Puntland, on the coast of the Guardafui Channel. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, it served as the main capital of the Majeerteen Sultanate. It is ten miles east of Ras Filuk and 100 nautical miles from Bosaso.[1]
Alula
Caluula علولة | |
|---|---|
City | |
 Aerial view of Aluula in 2021. | |
  Alula Location in Somalia. | |
| Coordinates: 11°58′0″N 50°45′0″E | |
| Country |  Somalia |
| Regional State |  Puntland |
| Region | Bari, Somalia |
| District | Alula District |
| Government | |
| • Type | local government |
| • Mayor | Abdullahi Isse Ordaye |
| Time zone | UTC+3 (EAT) |
Etymology
Alula is derived from the Somali term "lul", which means pearl. Alula (Caluula in Somali) consists of two Somali words, "Cal" and "luul". "Cal" is a mountain range in northeastern Somalia and "luul" means pearl. Therefore "Caluula - Alula" means the pearl of the Al mountains.
Overview
Alula is located about 50 kilometres (31 mi) west of Cape Guardafui, at the extremity of the Horn of Africa. 20 nautical miles (23 miles) east of Alula lies the coastal town of Bereeda. 7 nautical miles (8 miles) west lies Ras Filuk, the likely Cape Elephant (Elephas) of Strabo and the Periplus of the Erythraean Sea. Adjacent to Alula is a shallow lagoon lined by mangrove bushes, which appears to correspond with the "large laurel-grove called Acannae" also described by the Periplus.[2] The Acrocephalus warbler has been heard singing in the coastal mangroves as well.[3] On the coastal plain 20 km to Alula's east are ruins of an ancient monument in a platform style. The structure is formed by a rectangular drystone wall that is low in height; the space in between is filled with rubble and manually covered with small stones. Relatively large standing stones (menhirs) are also positioned on the edifice's corners. Near the platform are graves, which are outlined in stones. 24 m by 17 m in dimension, the structure is the largest of a string of ancient platform and enclosed platform monuments exclusive to far northeastern Somalia.[2]
Legendary Arab explorer Ahmad ibn Mājid wrote of Alula and a few other notable ports and landmarks of the northern Somali coast, including Berbera, Siyara, Heis, and Zeila with its Archipelago, Ruguda, Maydh, El-Sheikh and El-Darad .
During the mid-1800s to early 1900s, Alula served as the main capital of the siwaakhroon Majeerteen clan.[4] A castle built in the city siwaakhroon Majeerten is one of a number of local remains from this era.
In the post-independence period, Alula became the principal town in the Alula District, situated in the autonomous Puntland state.
On April 8, 2013, the Puntland government announced the creation of a new region coextensive with Cape Guardafui named Gardafu. Carved out of Bari, it consists of three districts and has its capital at Alula. The new region was officially approved by legislators on July 20, 2013, during the 30th session of the Puntland parliament.[5]
Education
Alula has a number of academic institutions. According to the Puntland Ministry of Education, there are 11 primary schools in the Alula District. Among these are Xabo, Geesaley, Murcanyo, Xoogad and Alula Primary.[6]
Transportation
Air transportation in Alula is served by the Alula Airport.[7]
According to the Somali government, the town has a small seaport.[8]
Climate
Alula has a hot desert climate (Köppen climate classification BWh).
| Climate data for Alula | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 31.6 (88.9) |
31.0 (87.8) |
36.0 (96.8) |
37.5 (99.5) |
38.3 (100.9) |
39.0 (102.2) |
40.5 (104.9) |
40.0 (104.0) |
38.0 (100.4) |
36.0 (96.8) |
31.6 (88.9) |
31.0 (87.8) |
40.5 (104.9) |
| Average high °C (°F) | 26.9 (80.4) |
26.9 (80.4) |
29.5 (85.1) |
31.9 (89.4) |
33.5 (92.3) |
34.8 (94.6) |
36.0 (96.8) |
35.3 (95.5) |
33.8 (92.8) |
30.8 (87.4) |
28.3 (82.9) |
27.4 (81.3) |
31.4 (88.5) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | 24.0 (75.2) |
23.6 (74.5) |
25.5 (77.9) |
27.6 (81.7) |
28.9 (84.0) |
30.2 (86.4) |
31.0 (87.8) |
30.6 (87.1) |
29.2 (84.6) |
26.0 (78.8) |
24.4 (75.9) |
25.4 (77.7) |
27.2 (81.0) |
| Average low °C (°F) | 21.2 (70.2) |
20.5 (68.9) |
21.6 (70.9) |
23.3 (73.9) |
24.5 (76.1) |
25.7 (78.3) |
26.4 (79.5) |
26.0 (78.8) |
24.8 (76.6) |
21.2 (70.2) |
20.6 (69.1) |
21.5 (70.7) |
23.1 (73.6) |
| Record low °C (°F) | 15.5 (59.9) |
15.0 (59.0) |
16.0 (60.8) |
14.0 (57.2) |
16.0 (60.8) |
20.0 (68.0) |
22.0 (71.6) |
21.0 (69.8) |
20.0 (68.0) |
14.0 (57.2) |
15.0 (59.0) |
15.0 (59.0) |
14.0 (57.2) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
14 (0.6) |
1 (0.0) |
16 (0.6) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 0.1 mm) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 74 | 72 | 72 | 73 | 71 | 69 | 66 | 70 | 72 | 70 | 74 | 75 | 71 |
| Source: Deutscher Wetterdienst[9] | |||||||||||||
Notable residents
- Suwaakhron (ciise Cawlyahan) of the Majeerteen
Notes
- Casson, Lionel (2012-05-05). The Periplus Maris Erythraei: Text with Introduction, Translation, and Commentary. Princeton University Press. ISBN 978-1-4008-4320-6.
- Chittick, Neville (1975). An Archaeological Reconnaissance of the Horn: The British-Somali Expedition. pp. 117–133.
- Club, British Ornithologists' (2002). Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club. British Ornithologists' Club.
- Hess, Robert L. (1966). Italian colonialism in Somalia. University of Chicago Press. p. 127.
- "Somalia: Puntland Parliament approves new region and cabinet members". Garowe Online. 21 July 2013. Archived from the original on 2014-04-26. Retrieved 28 July 2013.
- "Puntland - Primary schools". Ministry of Education of Puntland. Retrieved 26 May 2013.
- "Alula (ALU) Somalia". World Airport Codes. Retrieved 28 July 2013.
- "Istanbul conference on Somalia 21 – 23 May 2010 - Draft discussion paper for Round Table "Transport infrastructure"" (PDF). Government of Somalia. Retrieved 31 August 2013.
- "Klimatafel von Alula / Somalia" (PDF). Baseline climate means (1961-1990) from stations all over the world (in German). Deutscher Wetterdienst. Retrieved 22 October 2016.
References
Categories: Cities of the Majeerteen Sultanate