QARDHO, Somalia Nov 29 (Garowe Online) - A well-organized cultural event attracted tens of thousands of people to Puntland, a stable regional autonomy in northeastern Somalia, whereby interim Somali President Abdullahi Yusuf was present to witness the crowning of a clan king.

Somali tradition/GO

The traditional event was held on November 27 in the district of Qardho, capital of Karkar province in Puntland. The event featured traditional dance, song and poetry, as well as speeches by government leaders and traditional elders.

Somalis flocked in from all corners of the country and from the Diaspora to witness the crowning of Abdullahi Bogor Muse as the 33rd king of the Darod clan-family.

Somali President Yusuf and Puntland leader Muse arrive/GO

President Yusuf congratulated Bogor Abdullahi Bogor Muse as the next clan king, saying: "I will not say that traditional elders should enter politics, but I believe that the elders must have a strong say in decisions."

Somalia's leader called for peaceful elections to be held in Puntland in January 2009, while reminding locals about the 2001-2002 Puntland civil war that devastated the region.

Garad Jama Garad Ali/GO

Garad Jama Garad Ali, chief of the Darod sub-clan that dominates Sool region, told the gathering that the responsibility being shouldered by Bogor Abdullahi is not an easy task.

"We are in difficult times and the people do no t always listen to tradition," Garad Jama noted, adding: "There are many rumors that some traditional elders are paid by politicians and this must stop."

Somali horses/GO

In conclusion, Garad Jama prayed for the next king's success and for the Somali people as a whole.

The event featured horses that were used to welcome honored guests, a traditional hut where Bogor Abdullahi was formally anointed king according to tradition and poetry that energized the crowd into cheers and jubilation.

Darod clansmen belong to various sub-clans, such as the Marehan, the Ogaden and the Harti, and live predominantly in the Puntland regions of the northeast and the Jubba regions of southern Somalia.

Bogor Abdullahi Bogor Muse descends from a bloodline of clan chieftains dating back to pre-colonial Africa, when clan kings ruled the land and tradition was law.

Many journalists at event/GO

VIEW: More Pictures from Crowning of a Clan King

Source: Garowe Online