Las Khorey
Encyclopedia
Las Khorey is an ancient coastal city in the Sanaag
region, a territory disputed by the Puntland
and Somaliland
administrative regions of Somalia
. In July 2007, the district became part of the Maakhir
autonomous region of Somalia. It has archaeological sites as well as ancient historic buildings, though most of these sites have yet to be fully explored.
Las Khorey is about 500 years old. It was the former headquarters of the Warsangali Sultanate, also known as the Maakhir Coast Sultanate.
Among the city's many historical landmarks is the palace Sha’a, which was the seat of many Sultan
s. However, due to a lack of interest by previous local governmental administrations in ensuring its preservation, the castle has aged considerably and become too dangerous to use. Many old houses in the city have also experienced similar neglect.
Las Khorey is a city that is booming and experiencing a period of rapid growth as new small factories are being created and opened, including a fish factory. As with other cities and districts in the Sanaag region, Las Khorey's commercial
and labor sectors were neglected by several of Somalia's various federal administrations, with the town's population count consequently plummeting. However, this trend appears to be reversing, as many people have begun working in the city's new factories. Another reason for the growth in population is that after the civil war broke out, Somalis from the Warsangali
sub-clan of the Darod
began migrating back to their traditional strongholds in northern Somalia, including Las Khorey.
The city is also surrounded by a mountain range referred to locally as Cal Madow
, which reportedly has valuable but as yet unexploited mineral
deposits. This is in addition to the area's overall unique natural habitat
.
is considered a world-class exploration
area, with a petroleum
system identical to and formerly contiguous with those within the Republic of Yemen
.
Las Khorey boasts white beaches and crystal clear sea water flanked by an abundant reef
. When not at the beach, visitors can also visit coffee shop
s where khat
is available, or an internet café
. In addition, there are many hotels and guest houses ready to accommodate tourists.
and unique trees. All of this serves to create a panoramic view.
Horn Relief
, an organization founded by Somali environmentalist Fatima Jibrell
, is re-developing the 400 year old port in Las Khorey with the aim of creating immediate employment for local residents. Over the long-term, this effort is intended to help restore import and export opportunities to Somalia's northern coastal region, and thus also help rebuild communities and livelihoods.
This project is being undertaken with strong and ongoing support from all stakeholders, and will involve partnerships with government and social and cultural authorities jointly.
In addition, this infrastructure and governance project involves collaboration between the communities in and around Las Khorey and the private sector
, including traders in the northern hinterland
. It is hoped that this will stimulate new trade and infrastructural investments in the Las Khorey area.
Sanaag
Sanaag is an administrative region in northern Somalia. Its capital city is Erigavo.Sanaag has a long coastline facing the Gulf of Aden to the north, and is bordered by the Somali regions of Woqooyi Galbeed, Togdheer, Sool and Bari....
region, a territory disputed by the Puntland
Puntland
Puntland , officially the Puntland State of Somalia , is a region in northeastern Somalia, centered on Garowe in the Nugaal province. Its leaders declared the territory an autonomous state in 1998....
and Somaliland
Somaliland
Somaliland is an unrecognised self-declared sovereign state that is internationally recognised as an autonomous region of Somalia. The government of Somaliland regards itself as the successor state to the British Somaliland protectorate, which was independent for a few days in 1960 as the State of...
administrative regions of Somalia
Somalia
Somalia , officially the Somali Republic and formerly known as the Somali Democratic Republic under Socialist rule, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. Since the outbreak of the Somali Civil War in 1991 there has been no central government control over most of the country's territory...
. In July 2007, the district became part of the Maakhir
Maakhir
Maakhir , officially the Maakhir State of Somalia was an autonomous region in northern Somalia in an area disputed by the Somaliland and Puntland macro-regions. In January 2009, it was incorporated into Puntland.-Autonomy:...
autonomous region of Somalia. It has archaeological sites as well as ancient historic buildings, though most of these sites have yet to be fully explored.
History
Among the city's many historical landmarks is the palace Sha’a, which was the seat of many Sultan
Sultan
Sultan is a title with several historical meanings. Originally, it was an Arabic language abstract noun meaning "strength", "authority", "rulership", and "dictatorship", derived from the masdar سلطة , meaning "authority" or "power". Later, it came to be used as the title of certain rulers who...
s. However, due to a lack of interest by previous local governmental administrations in ensuring its preservation, the castle has aged considerably and become too dangerous to use. Many old houses in the city have also experienced similar neglect.
Economy
Private sector
In economics, the private sector is that part of the economy, sometimes referred to as the citizen sector, which is run by private individuals or groups, usually as a means of enterprise for profit, and is not controlled by the state...
and labor sectors were neglected by several of Somalia's various federal administrations, with the town's population count consequently plummeting. However, this trend appears to be reversing, as many people have begun working in the city's new factories. Another reason for the growth in population is that after the civil war broke out, Somalis from the Warsangali
Warsangali
The Warsangeli , is a Somali clan, part of the Harti confederation of Darod sub-clans...
sub-clan of the Darod
Darod
The Darod is a Somali clan. The father of this clan is named Abdirahman bin Isma'il al-Jabarti, but is more commonly known as Darod. In the Somali language, the word Daarood means "an enclosed compound," a conflation of the two words daar and ood .The Darod population in Somalia lives principally...
began migrating back to their traditional strongholds in northern Somalia, including Las Khorey.
The city is also surrounded by a mountain range referred to locally as Cal Madow
Cal Madow
Cal Madow is a mountain range in northeastern Somalia, extending from several kilometers west of Bosaso to northwest of Erigavo. Its peak sits at almost 2500 m in Shimbiris, northwest of Erigavo...
, which reportedly has valuable but as yet unexploited mineral
Mineral
A mineral is a naturally occurring solid chemical substance formed through biogeochemical processes, having characteristic chemical composition, highly ordered atomic structure, and specific physical properties. By comparison, a rock is an aggregate of minerals and/or mineraloids and does not...
deposits. This is in addition to the area's overall unique natural habitat
Habitat
* Habitat , a place where a species lives and grows*Human habitat, a place where humans live, work or play** Space habitat, a space station intended as a permanent settlement...
.
Entertainment
Las Khorey has green mountains to its east known as Cal Madow. The Cal Madow mountain rangeMountain range
A mountain range is a single, large mass consisting of a succession of mountains or narrowly spaced mountain ridges, with or without peaks, closely related in position, direction, formation, and age; a component part of a mountain system or of a mountain chain...
is considered a world-class exploration
Oil exploration
Hydrocarbon exploration is the search by petroleum geologists and geophysicists for hydrocarbon deposits beneath the Earth's surface, such as oil and natural gas...
area, with a petroleum
Petroleum
Petroleum or crude oil is a naturally occurring, flammable liquid consisting of a complex mixture of hydrocarbons of various molecular weights and other liquid organic compounds, that are found in geologic formations beneath the Earth's surface. Petroleum is recovered mostly through oil drilling...
system identical to and formerly contiguous with those within the Republic of Yemen
Yemen
The Republic of Yemen , commonly known as Yemen , is a country located in the Middle East, occupying the southwestern to southern end of the Arabian Peninsula. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the north, the Red Sea to the west, and Oman to the east....
.
Las Khorey boasts white beaches and crystal clear sea water flanked by an abundant reef
Reef
In nautical terminology, a reef is a rock, sandbar, or other feature lying beneath the surface of the water ....
. When not at the beach, visitors can also visit coffee shop
Coffeehouse
A coffeehouse or coffee shop is an establishment which primarily serves prepared coffee or other hot beverages. It shares some of the characteristics of a bar, and some of the characteristics of a restaurant, but it is different from a cafeteria. As the name suggests, coffeehouses focus on...
s where khat
Khat
Khat, qat, gat or Waquish Spoken from true Yemeni, is a flowering plant native to tropical East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula....
is available, or an internet café
Internet cafe
An Internet café or cybercafé is a place which provides internet access to the public, usually for a fee. These businesses usually provide snacks and drinks, hence the café in the name...
. In addition, there are many hotels and guest houses ready to accommodate tourists.
Environment
The best period during which to visit the city is between September and May, as this coincides with the rainy season and the heat in the summertime is generally unbearable for outsiders. On the outskirts of the city one can find mountains and grasslands, complete with wildlifeWildlife
Wildlife includes all non-domesticated plants, animals and other organisms. Domesticating wild plant and animal species for human benefit has occurred many times all over the planet, and has a major impact on the environment, both positive and negative....
and unique trees. All of this serves to create a panoramic view.
Port development
Horn Relief
Horn Relief is an international development and humanitarian organisation that was co-founded by Fatima Jibrell. The INGO has offices in Borama, Badhan, Sanaag, Bosaso, Laasqoray and had another office in Kismayo which has been closed since 2008 after the killing of one their Project Managers in...
, an organization founded by Somali environmentalist Fatima Jibrell
Fatima Jibrell
Fatima Jibrell is a prominent Somali-American environmental activist. She is the co-founder and Executive Director of the Horn of Africa Relief and Development Organization , co-founder of Sun Fire Cooking, and was instrumental in the creation of the Women’s Coalition for Peace.-Biography:Jibrell...
, is re-developing the 400 year old port in Las Khorey with the aim of creating immediate employment for local residents. Over the long-term, this effort is intended to help restore import and export opportunities to Somalia's northern coastal region, and thus also help rebuild communities and livelihoods.
This project is being undertaken with strong and ongoing support from all stakeholders, and will involve partnerships with government and social and cultural authorities jointly.
In addition, this infrastructure and governance project involves collaboration between the communities in and around Las Khorey and the private sector
Private sector
In economics, the private sector is that part of the economy, sometimes referred to as the citizen sector, which is run by private individuals or groups, usually as a means of enterprise for profit, and is not controlled by the state...
, including traders in the northern hinterland
Hinterland
The hinterland is the land or district behind a coast or the shoreline of a river. Specifically, by the doctrine of the hinterland, the word is applied to the inland region lying behind a port, claimed by the state that owns the coast. The area from which products are delivered to a port for...
. It is hoped that this will stimulate new trade and infrastructural investments in the Las Khorey area.