Arawelo is said to have been based in lands inhabited by the Habr Je'lo clan, specifically a place called Murihi in the Sanaag region.
Arawailo lived at a place called Murihi, so the story goes, for little save a huge mound of stones, under which she is said to lie buried, now marks the capital of her ancient kingdom.
[8][9] Interpretations of Arawelo's life and reign vary widely, ranging from a feminist heroine who fight against male oppression to a cruel emasculator queen who ripped off the genitals of hundreds of men.
[12] During her reign, Arawelo's husband objected to her self-ascribed role as the breadwinner to all of society, as he thought women should be restrict themselves to merely domestic duties about the house and leave everything else to men.
She is also, by one source, claimed to have been the Harla queen of the ancient Somali people,[15] but this does not conform with the fact that she is just commonly interpreted as a folkloric figure.
Opinions on her legacy vary widely, with critics denouncing her for her androcidal nature and introducing the practise of infibulation, a type of FGM, while supporters eulogize her gynocentric attempts at female empowerment.