Barawa

Barawa (Somali: بَراوِّ Barāwe, Maay: Barawy, Swahili: بَرَأَاوٖ Baraawe, Arabic: ﺑﺮﺍﻭة Barāwa, Italian: Brava), also known as Barawe and Brava, is the capital of the South West State of Somalia. It functions as a port town in the southwestern Lower Shebelle region of Somalia. Facing the Indian Ocean, Barawa serves as the main port of South West State.

The town of Barawa was founded by Aw-Ali from the Tunni, a member of Rahanweyn. Before Aw-Ali founded Barawa, he had observed a large area between Goobwayn and Baraawe. Aw-Ali was looking for a place that best suited his family needs. One fact Aw-Ali could not resist was the freshness of the ocean breeze and immediately asked the collaboration of his people. Oral history relates that before Aw-Ali moved into the city of Baraawe, most of the Tunni population and their livestock resided in an area not far from Baraawe and its vicinity. Most historians have identified that Aw-Ali himself to be from a Tunni clan.

After Aw-Ali set the groundwork to his new residence, more Tunni moved in to the area, most of them migrated from inland and ocean shores. Oral history recognizes that this group to be the first inhabitants to live in the city of Brava.

The Tunni, composed of five sub-clans (Da'farad, Dakhtira, Goygali, Hajuwa, and Waridi), were the latest to drive the Jiddu into the interior, where they established their own Sultanate called Tunni Sultanate. The Tunni made a treaty with the Jiddu so that Tunni settled on the west bank of the Shabelle and the Jiddu settled on the east bank. Both also agreed to resist foreign penetration, to allow only Seddah Saamood (the three foot-prints, which are the Tuni, the Jiddu, and the wild beasts). However, they did accept the first Muslim migrants, the Hatimi from Yemen and the Amawi from Syria, around the 10th century, for both religious and commercial reasons. Barawa founded by a Tunni saint called Aw-Al became the new capital for the Tunni Sultanate. The town prospered and became one of the major Islamic centers in the Horn, the Barawaani Ulama, attracting students from all over the region. Muslim scholars of that time, such as Ibn Sa'id, wrote about Barawa as "an Islamic island on the Somali coast." Al-Idrisi also described the construction of the coral houses and noted that Barawa was full of both domestic and foreign commodities.

Barawa was renowned for its domestic craftsmen and their weaving of alindi/ kioy cloth, and the kufi baraawa . Alongside sandals, weapons and utensils many things are still handmade in the town. Clay horned stones are common in Buur Heybe. With unique carving and for goods such as the mihmil (Qu'ran rest)) and Attir or wedding bed. Precious metals were honed into fine jewellery and metal lined bridges which would connect multi-storied houses above. Women and the elderly would not need to go into the crowded streets to get across the town. Coral was collected and then torched to add as a lime component.

Barawa and its surrounding area fell under the Ajuran Empire that governed much of southern Somalia and eastern Ethiopia. The domain extended from Hafun in the north, to Qelafo in the west, to Kismayo in the south.

Barawa was at its golden age during Ajuran period. According to Ibn Sa'id in the thirteenth century described Barawa as one of the three most important cities on the East African coast along with Mogadishu and Merca all serving as the commercial and Islamic centers for the Indian Ocean. In 1430, Barawa was one of only 18 western ports mentioned by name in an imperial decree that was issued by the Xuande Emperor, it was named as Pu-la-wa, (不喇哇). From his experiences during the Ming treasure voyages in the early 15th century, the Chinese mariner Fei Xin characterized the people of Barawa as pure and honest.

In 1506, the Battle of Barawa began after the Portuguese Empire decided to invade and capture the wealthy Somali harbour city. The commander of the Portuguese army was Tristão da Cunha: he set wanted to conquer the Ajuran territory, where the battle of Barawa was fought. After a long period of engagement, the Portuguese soldiers burned the city and looted it. However, fierce resistance by the local population and soldiers resulted in the Portuguese failing to permanently occupy the city. Refugees who had fled to the interior eventually returned and rebuilt Barawa, Tristão da Cunha was wounded in this battle. After the battle, the city of Barawa quickly recovered from the attack.