What is the origin if the tile Garaad?

[Idilinaa]

In futuh al habasha we see many Adal sultanate chiefs who have the title garaad like garaad Abun for example, but I'm not sure if they are somali. It seems the term is used also for hadiya and harari chiefs.
Among Somalis Garaad is mainly a Dhulbahante tribal title.

It is obvious to anyone who even studies the etymology of the Somali language that Garaad has a Somali origin. It comes from the root etymology ''Gar'' which is the root construct of several legal and governance word constructs within the legal system of Xeer and the Somali language. Few examples i saw someone post elsewhere about the Xeer legal terminology, notice they all begin with ''Gar''

Gar cadaawe: (strict adjudication), Gar Sokeeye: (flexible adjudication), Garsoorid: (jury verdict, judiciary system, judgment of a case by a court or group of people), Gar: (hearing/ verdict), Garawshiiyo: (concession), Garnaqsi: (defend; to justify or vindicate), Gardhigasho: (bringing case to the mediators), Gar-diiddo: (unwilling to accept any ruling), Garyigil: (willing to accept any rules), Garqaadasho: (acceptance of a verdict)

@KillStreakIsCool is spot on . Gar(Justice/Wisdom) + Aad (Move towards) = Garaad= One who moves towards or seeks Justice.

Some examples of other Somali word constructions using Gar-Garaad. From A Grammar of the Somali Language: With Examples in Prose and Verse by Kirk

 

[Idilinaa]

@Reformed J you are always right

1. Garaad & malaaq are ethio-semitic titles given to somalis by the emirs of the harar emirate.
2. Sheekhaash's indeed have ethio-semitic origin's.
3. Somalis shamelessly claim shewa and ifat sultanates, when clearly these were muslim-xabashi states, subject to the main solomonic dynasty.
4. Walashma sultans were argobba, literally muslim amharas, only online somalis believe they were somalians.

Source for the ethio-semetic loan words

https://arcadia.sba.uniroma3.it/bitstream/2307/5518/1/Strata%20in%20loanwords%20from%20Arabic%20and%20other%20Semitic%20languages%20in%20norhern%20Somali.pdf

Source for the identity of the walashma sultans

https://arcadia.sba.uniroma3.it/bitstream/2307/6137/1/10_The%20genealogy%20of%20the%20later%20Walashma%27%20sultans%20of%20Adal%20and%20Harar.pdf

"Ugaas" and "Aw" were also loan titles from the Ethio-semites

https://sci-hub.se/10.1515/9783110292343.185

First things first there is zero evidence that the Ethnic Somali Sheekhal/Sheekash clan has ethio-semetic origins, neither in their traditions, customs, lineage or even the language they speak which is the same Somali as other clans. Infact being that they are a priest lineage not only are the widely dispersed from south to west to north, but they retain a few pagan feature waaq/cushitic features in their genealogy and religious culture.

The only difference between Sheeikhal and other Somali clans is that they trace descent to Samaale from a seperate sheikh ''Fiqi Cumar'' and the clan is considered Martiile of Hawiye (Guest of hawiye), they have the same origin story as other Somali clans Sheikh married a local girl and she is called ''Fadumo Mahdiyo''

Secondly it is well known by linguists and experts who even study Harari and Ethio-semetic languages that , ''Garaad'' and even ''Aw'' (Father) and ''Ay ''(Mother) are loan's from a cushitic source because there is no etymological links and nor does it have a Harari-Ethio-semetic root.

This is from the Vocabulary analysis of the Harari language by Wolf Leslau

He made the list but didn't locate which cushitic language is the definite source because of lack of lexical comparison from those languages at his disposal but i like that he is more honest than some of these writers who run of with assumptions, that turn out to be false,

Besides the word ''Garaad'' and ''Aw'', i can pick out a couple of loan words from the list that i think are Somali in origin like:

Dumaal, Bun(Coffee), Ay(Mother), Fula (coward), ilaalo/ilaalo(Watch tower), MaxMaxa(Proverbs), Dirre(Plain), Tumtu(ironsmith) , Garab( Side,direction), Waraba(hyena), Gessi (Brave), Danta(Care for something), Daran(surpassing limit), Bilis(who is not a slave), Bon(tanner) , sor/sur (food offered to a group of people on special occasion/ porridge) etc.

 

[Idilinaa]

Aw is short for Awoowe, means grandfather. The female versions are Ay and Ayeeyo. They are all Original somali words. In some somali dialects, they use Aw instead of Awoowe.

Aw also means father and Ay means mother in Af-Maay and several other archaic Sam-Langauge and dialects. You can look up lexical data on them and that's what it shows.

Some interesting observation by researchers:

In fact, titles preceding names are perceived by most Somalis to be an affectation. Luling, in her studies of the more settled Geledi Somalis noted that they used the word 'Aw (literally, ''father'') for ''Mr'' and the word Ai (literally, ''mother'') for ''Mrs''...

In both the North and South they extend it as an addage to saints and religious figures to show respect because they become figurative mothers/fathers and are later held as ancestors.

So it's pretty much rooted in Somalis unique culture of ancestor veneration and respect for elders.

 

[KillStreakIsCool]

Aw also means father and Ay means mother in Af-Maay and several other archaic Sam-Langauge and dialects. You can look up lexical data on them and that's what it shows.

Some interesting observation by researchers:

In fact, titles preceding names are perceived by most Somalis to be an affectation. Luling, in her studies of the more settled Geledi Somalis noted that they used the word 'Aw (literally, ''father'') for ''Mr'' and the word Ai (literally, ''mother'') for ''Mrs''...

In both the North and South they extend it as an addage to saints and religious figures to show respect because they become figurative mothers/fathers and are later held as ancestors.

So it's pretty much rooted in Somalis unique culture of ancestor veneration and respect for elders.

Our language has ancient roots, is beautiful, poetic and full of wisdom. Somali both as ethnicity and language is a blessing.

 

[KillStreakIsCool]

First things first there is zero evidence that the Ethnic Somali Sheekhal/Sheekash clan has ethio-semetic origins, neither in their traditions, customs, lineage or even the language they speak which is the same Somali as other clans. Infact being that they are a priest lineage not only are the widely dispersed from south to west to north, but they retain a few pagan feature waaq/cushitic features in their genealogy and religious culture.

The only difference between Sheeikhal and other Somali clans is that they trace descent to Samaale from a seperate sheikh ''Fiqi Cumar'' and the clan is considered Martiile of Hawiye (Guest of hawiye), they have the same origin story as other Somali clans Sheikh married a local girl and she is called ''Fadumo Mahdiyo''

Secondly it is well known by linguists and experts who even study Harari and Ethio-semetic languages that , ''Garaad'' and even ''Aw'' (Father) and ''Ay ''(Mother) are loan's from a cushitic source because there is no etymological links and nor does it have a Harari-Ethio-semetic root.

This is from the Vocabulary analysis of the Harari language by Wolf Leslau

He made the list but didn't locate which cushitic language is the definite source because of lack of lexical comparison from those languages at his disposal but i like that he is more honest than some of these writers who run of with assumptions, that turn out to be false,

Besides the word ''Garaad'' and ''Aw'', i can pick out a couple of loan words from the list that i think are Somali in origin like:

Dumaal, Bun(Coffee), Ay(Mother), Fula (coward), ilaalo/ilaalo(Watch tower), MaxMaxa(Proverbs), Dirre(Plain), Tumtu(ironsmith) , Garab( Side,direction), Waraba(hyena), Gessi (Brave), Danta(Care for something), Daran(surpassing limit), Bilis(who is not a slave), Bon(tanner) , sor/sur (food offered to a group of people on special occasion/ porridge) etc.

Half the Oromo tribes are original Somalis who integrated into Oromo and their language is an offshoot to ours. Their clan names kept in tact and similar to Somali ones.. We basically dominate East Africa and have great influence on their languages and lineage. The opposite of what naysayers claim.

 

[Idilinaa]

Our language has ancient roots, is beautiful, poetic and full of wisdom. Somali both as ethnicity and language is a blessing.

Most languages around the world have ancient roots, very few languages are modern constructs. This is not unique to Somali

What i explained is sociological in nature, it doesn't say anything about the language nor is there anything poetic about it.

Also whether a language is beautiful is subjective. The purpose of a language is to communicate and transmit information.

Being born and live to experience another day is a blessing (in my opinion)

 

[Idilinaa]

Half the Oromo tribes are original Somalis who integrated into Oromo and their language is an offshoot to ours. Their clan names kept in tact and similar to Somali ones.. We basically dominate East Africa and have great influence on their languages and lineage. The opposite of what naysayers claim.

Thats not true at all. Thats an extreme exaggeration. Although it's true that Oromo's are a melting pot, that have a high number of members from adopted ethnicities, half of them are not originally Somali, quite a few them are but most are either nucleus(original) oromo or adopted members from different HOA ethnicities. It depends on which specific sub-group you are talking about and where they live.

The Oromo language is not an offshoot of Somali. It is related to it in much the same way German is to Swedish but they are essentially separate population groups that branched out from a common language ancestor several thousands of years ago. Oromo developed and emerged primarily in Southern Ethiopia. The closest related cushitic languages to them are Konso, Gideo, Gasai, Geleb etc found in Southern Ethiopia, they used to be a small group concentrated in Borana region before their well documented Medieval migrations

Somalis don't dominate the whole East Africa, they are just prevalent to their side of it & played an integral historical role in the region and any cultural/language borrowings(which can happen both ways) depends on context , it doesn't necessarily show dominance.

 

[Thalassocracy]

Thats not true at all. Thats an extreme exaggeration. Although it's true that Oromo's are a melting pot, that have a high number of members from adopted ethnicities, half of them are not originally Somali, quite a few them are but most are either nucleus(original) oromo or adopted members from different HOA ethnicities. It depends on which specific sub-group you are talking about and where they live.

The Oromo language is not an offshoot of Somali. It is related to it in much the same way German is to Swedish but they are essentially separate population groups that branched out from a common language ancestor several thousands of years ago. Oromo developed and emerged primarily in Southern Ethiopia. The closest related cushitic languages to them are Konso, Gideo, Gasai, Geleb etc found in Southern Ethiopia, they used to be a small group concentrated in Borana region before their well documented Medieval migrations

Somalis don't dominate the whole East Africa, they are just prevalent to their side of it & played an integral historical role in the region and any cultural/language borrowings(which can happen both ways) depends on context , it doesn't necessarily show dominance.

Please write a comprehensive work that will benefit us and our successors, on what you know of the Somali language especially etymology, lord knows we need it

 

[Thalassocracy]

Garaad = Intelligence

Garaad = Gar + aad = Seeker of Justice

Gar = Fairness, Justice Opposite is Gardarro = Injustice, aggression

Aad = Go, move towards

Garaad = Someone who combines both intelligence and fairness in their character, can dispense justice, trustworthy.

Words related to Garaad

Garbixin
Garbax
Garsiin
Garsoor
Garduuf
Gardarro
Garwaax

All speak to justice either in affirming it or denying it.

Honestly appreciate this clarification I’m amazed how didn’t realize something so clear

“Waa gartay” “ Waan garanaya” the root gaar is really well established in Somali

 

[KillStreakIsCool]

Honestly appreciate this clarification I’m amazed how didn’t realize something so clear

“Waa gartay” “ Waan garanaya” the root gaar is really well established in Somali

Yea, once you understand the root words, you see deeper meaning behind phrases and words. I am forgetting many words with the root "Gar" in them.

A fun one I just remembered is GarXajis.

Gar+Xajis, Gar+Xajin, Gar+Xajiye, Gar+Xajiso

Xajin/Xajis = Holding tight, Safe keeping and protecting, holding it upright without letting it go/drop.


Gar+Xajis then becomes Someone who safe-guards Justice.


Garhaye is almost similar to GarXajiye.