[8] Along with other sultanates, including Dawaro, Arababni, Hadiya, Shirka, and Dara, Bale became part of the so-called confederation of Zeila.

[9] It bordered the sultanates of Dawaro and Makhzumi Dynasty in the north, Hadiya in the west, and Adal in the east and its core areas were located around the Shebelle River.

Overall, borders of the Bale Sultanate corresponded to the modern districts of Goba, Sinana-Dinsho, Agarfa, Gasera and Goro.

[10] During medieval times Bale was known for its production of cotton, while salt brought from El Kere was an important trading item.

[11] As a result of the wars of Ahmad ibn Ibrahim al-Ghazi between 1529 and 1549, and the subsequent Oromo migration from the 1540s, native Muslims lost their foothold in Bale.