Their stronghold is the capital city of Somalia, Mogadishu, where they are known to be the earliest inhabitants and they currently constitute the majority of the population there.

The tradition substantially recalls the ancient fights between the Abgal, nomadic pastoralists who from places farther north tried to open a way to the river, and the Aguran, who dominated the region of the Middle Webi.

This historical content, of course, has been adapted in popular dress with the theme, so widespread in the folklore of quite different peoples, of the prediction of the unborn child destined to drive the reigning prince from the throne.

'The Mogadishu region has a rich historical background, thought to encompass the site of the Sarapion port city, which engaged in trade with the Greeks during the 1st century AD.

By the thirteenth century, Ibn Sa'id described Mogadishu, Merca and Barawa located in the Benadir coast had become Islamic and commercial centers in the Indian Ocean.

He said the local people in the Benadir coast and the interior were predominantly inhabited by Somalis with a minority of Arab, Persian and Indian merchants living in the coastal towns.

Manuscripts from Mogadishu record around the same time the appearance of Abgaal nomads in the immediate interior, and shortly thereafter Somali (Abgaal) names began to appear in the previously Arab and Persian-dominated genealogies of the town's leading families.

[11]From that time onwards, Abgaal nomads circled the town and sub-clans moved into the traditional quarters of the Hamarweyne district in the city.

Toward the end of the seventeenth century, an imam of Abgaal descent took up residence in the Shangaani quarter of Muqdisho.

Members of the imam's lineage, which was known as Yaaquub, intermarried with the BaFadel and Abdi Semed, famed merchant families of Yemeni origin, and soon became renowed[sic] as abbaans in the trade between the coast and the interior.The Yaqub sub-clan quickly established control of the town, and became the leaders from that time on, paving the way for the full take-over later on.

By 1700s, the Yaqub lineage of this Abgaal had seized control of Shangani, the northernmost sector of the city and established themselves as effective rulers of most of the town.

The townspeople abandoned several outlying districts and those who remained found themselves in the other principle quarter, Hamarwayn, and living under pastoral domination.

[13]The Ajuran rulers, in the end, became extremely prideful, neglected the sharia law, and imposed a heavy tax on their subjects which was the main reason for the rebellion.

Lee Cassanelli in his book, The Shaping of Somali society, provides a historical picture of the Hiraab Imamate.

He writes: "According to local oral tradition, the Hiraab imamate was a powerful alliance of closely related groups who shared a common lineage under the Gorgaarte clan divisions.

It successfully revolted against the Ajuran Empire and established an independent rule for at least two centuries from the seventeen hundreds and onwards.

[16]By 1700, the Hiraab and other clans occupied a large territory stretching the interior from the Shabelle valley to the arid lands of Mudug and to the coastal areas of Mogadishu towards Hobyo.

The alliance involved the army leaders and advisors of the Habar Gidir and Duduble, a Fiqhi/Qadi of Sheekhaal, and the Imam was reserved for the Mudulood branch who is believed to have been the first born.

Once established, the Imamate ruled the territories from the Shabeelle valley, the Benaadir provinces, the Mareeg areas all the way to the arid lands of Mudug, whilst the ancient port of Hobyo emerged as the commercial border and Mogadishu being its capital for the newly established Hiraab Imamate in the late 17th century.

The agricultural centres of El Dher and Harardhere included the production of sorghum and beans, supplementing with herds of camels, cattle, goats and sheep.

Livestock, hides and skin, whilst the aromatic woods and raisins were the primary exports as rice, other foodstuffs and clothes were imported.

Their presence is pervasive across all sections of Mogadishu, dominating the business sectors, including the tallest buildings, and maintaining a stronghold over the city's central area, which is their traditional territory.

This region is also a prominent tourism destination, highlighted by attractions such as Warsheikh beach, located just an hour from Mogadishu.

A smaller contingent of the Abgaal clan can be found in parts of the Middle Juba and Lower Shabelle regions, where they have established communities in port cities like Merca and Baraawe.

[citation needed] The Abgaal sub-clan has historically held a significant role in Somali affairs.

The Abgaal clans is divided into three main branches, the eldest Harti, the middle Wacbudhan and the youngest Waceysle.

Ali Jimale Ahmed outlines the Hawiye clan genealogical tree in The Invention of Somalia:[20]