[5] The name Gabiley is derived from the Somali word gebi, which can mean either a cliff or a ridge, depending on interpretation.

For example Dhagax Gurre situated around 45km northeast of Gabiley and lies about two Hours drive from Hargeisa the paintings are more than 5000 years old.

The second most important shelter, which lies at the base of the granite outcrop, is adorned with panels representing sheep (or goats) and a few human figures holding a bow.

The colours and the complexity of the paintings are much less striking than those at Las Geel, but they’re interesting nonetheless.

[1] The Gabiley District in which the city is situated is exclusively dominated by people from the Somali ethnic group, with the Jibril Abokor and Abdalla Abokor sub divisions of the Sa'ad Musa subclan of the Habar Awal Isaaq.

Crops grown in the area include apples, oranges, bananas, corn, pears, maize, wheat, barley, beans, lemon, peas, groundnuts, potatoes, tomatoes, onions, garlic, salad and cabbages, broccoli, watermelon, papaya and many other types of fruits and vegetables.

According to Köppen-Geiger system, Gabiley has a hot semi-arid climate (BSh), although it is moderated by altitude.