Merca
| Merca Marka مَركة | |
|---|---|
| City | |
|
Merca beachside | |
  Merca Location in Somalia | |
| Coordinates: 01°41′00″N 044°45′00″E / 1.68333°N 44.75000°ECoordinates: 01°41′00″N 044°45′00″E / 1.68333°N 44.75000°E | |
| Country |
 Somalia |
| Region | Lower Shebelle |
| District | Merca |
| Population | |
| • Total | 230,100 |
| Time zone | EAT (UTC+3) |
Merca (Somali: Marka, Arabic: مركة) is an ancient port city in the southern Lower Shebelle province of Somalia. Facing the Indian Ocean, it is the main town in the province. It is located approximately 109 km (68 mi) to the southwest of the nation's capital, Mogadishu.
History
Merca was established in the 5th century by the Biimaal Somali clan. The first Somalis arrived in the city in the 3rd century BCE and gained control of the area and the local trade. During the Middle Ages, the area was one of several prominent administrative centers of the Ajuran Sultanate. The polity formed one of the largest kingdoms in the southern half of the Horn region. During the Middle Ages, the Merca area was part of the Ajuran Sultanate's realm. The polity formed one of the largest kingdoms in the southern half of the Horn region. Various pillar tombs exist in the region, which local tradition holds were built in the 16th century, when the Sultanate's naa'ibs governed the district.
The Biimaal Sultanate of Merca fought against the colonial authorities in Italian Somaliland in a twenty-year war known as the Biimaal revolt. Monuments erected in memory of slain soldiers can still be found in Merca. The Biimaal tribe was the only tribe fought against the colonial rule of Italy, and was led by the Biimaal spiritual leaders Sheikh Kabtoole, Sheikh Abiikar Gaafley and the Biimaal sultan Abdirahman Ali Isse.
Merca abandoned by government forces and captured by Al-Shabaab in February of 2016.[1] It was recaptured by the Somali National Army along with African Union troops, a few days later. A small battle was fought in which a Somali soldier, several militants, and four civilians died.[2]
Demographics
As of 2000, Merca had a population of around 230,100 inhabitants.[3] The inhabitants of Merca hail from Biimal and Shanshi Groups.
Transportation
Merca has a jetty-class seaport, the Port of Merca.[4]
The nearest airport to the city is the K50 Airport in the Lower Shebelle province.
Art
Although visual art is not popular in Somalia due to prevailing beliefs that it contradicts Islam's proscription on all forms of idolatry, a lot of the known visual art in the country derives from the small historical town of Merca. Known for its beautiful white sandy beaches and orange dunes, the city's picturesque contrast of colors serves as an inspiration for local visual artists.
See also
Notes
- ↑ http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/feb/05/al-shabaab-militants-retake-somali-port-merka-african-union
- ↑ "Somali troops 'retake' key port city of Merca from al-Shabab - BBC News". BBC News. Retrieved 2016-02-06.
- ↑ "Somalia City & Town Population". Tageo. Retrieved 31 December 2014.
- ↑ "Istanbul conference on Somalia 21 – 23 May 2010 - Draft discussion paper for Round Table "Transport infrastructure"" (PDF). Government of Somalia. Retrieved 31 August 2013.
References
External links
- Marka Cadey - Merca web portal
- Marka News Media - homepage of people from Merca
- Osmanart - homepage of visual artist from Merca