The occupational minorities in Somalia, consisting of Gaboye, Tumal and Yibir, include weavers, potters, smiths, hunters, tanners, and others, with each group having its own name: for example, Tumal derive their name from the Somali word tum, meaning ‘to beat’ or ‘to hammer’.
Gaboye have traditionally worked for dominant clans in occupations such as barbers or leather workers, with both Gaboye women performing infibulations and circumcision. Gaboye are divided into sub-clans such as Muse Dheriyo and Madhiban, among others. Tumal were blacksmiths and carpenters, while Yibrow were known to be tanners and traditional doctors. Though it is likely they were based in Somalia before the arrival of pastoralist nomads, Yibrow were subsequently conquered and to this day hold a low status in relation to the main Somali population. Despite this, they are believed by many to have special powers and are sometimes asked to bless the birth of a newborn baby. Many women in this community worked on reproductive health as traditional birth attendants and also as FGC (female genital cutting) practitioners.
Although all are Somali in origin, the occupational groups have come to represent distinct communities due to their functional differentiation. More recently, however, these occupational groups have begun experiencing competition from majority clans, which, due to the economic downturn that has persisted since the start of the civil war, have taken up similar trades.
