Ughaz

Ughaz (sometimes spelled Ugass, Ugas or Ougaz) is a traditional Somali title.

[5][6] American archeologist, Julien Cooper, labeled "gas/gos" as a pan-Cushitic kinship root word with various reflexes such as "Ughaz" in Somali and "Gosa" in Burji.

[7][8][9][10][11] After the downfall of the Adal Sultanate in the sixteenth century, the region descended into turmoil, which led to the establishment of the Ughaz.

This figure was endowed with the authority to resolve conflicts among the different Somali clans, in addition to other responsibilities.

[13] In the late 1800s French trader Alfred Bardey states the Ughaz were responsible for ensuring the safety of the route connecting Harar and Zeila from any disturbances.