The name ‘Somali’ is first recorded in songs celebrating Abyssinian victories over Muslims

Evidence

As the Galla withdrew, not without fierce resistance, the Bantu Zanj were in turn driven farther south. At the same time, the Somali were maintaining their pressure and, in the early stages of their expansion, some groups managed to infiltrate through the main mass of the Galla. In this way, by as early as the thirteenth century, some sections of the Hawiye had established themselves close to the Arab settlement of Merca. The occupation of this region by the Hawiye at this time is recorded by the geographer Ibn Sa’id, and this is the earliest known mention of any Somali group. — I.M. Lewis, I. M. Lewis, A Modern History of the Somali_ Nation…, 95 (#expands, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: The earliest written mention of Somalis dates to the thirteenth century — I.M. Lewis, I. M. Lewis, A Modern History of the Somali_ Nation…, 95

Related

• The earliest written mention of Somalis dates to the thirteenth century (similarity 0.92)
• Nine centuries of Somali migration transformed them through absorption of Bantu and Galla influences. (similarity 0.79)

Broader Connections

• The earliest written mention of Somalis dates to the thirteenth century #expands (0.50) — I.M. Lewis, I. M. Lewis, A Modern History of the Somali_ Nation…, 95