the queen, removed testcles from the mens.

The story of Arawelo is deeply rooted in Somali oral history and is told in various ways. Some people describe her as a Somali queen who ruled parts of Somalia in ancient times. She became famous for removing two testicles for men and defending women's rights, fighting for them. Therefore, even today, men who pass by her grave throw stones as a sign of contempt and disdain, while women throw wet branches or flowers as a sign of admiration and appreciation for the protection she offered to women.

Some believe that Arawelo is a fictional character, a product of imagination, but I think she was a real queen whose story Somali men distorted due to the hatred they harboured for her. On the other hand, it's unlikely that she castrated all men, as the population would have dwindled due to lack of reproduction. Here is a plausible version of the Arawelo story:

Sometime during the first century BC, there was a young woman named Ceebla’ who was both beautiful and intelligent, born into a nomadic family. Ceebla married a man and gave birth to two sons. Her husband and the two sons were killed in clan conflicts, and their livestock was stolen. According to tradition, the widow would marry a relative of her deceased husband to protect the children and the family's wealth, preventing outsiders from taking advantage of the widow and orphans. Ceebla’ couldn't find a suitable relative to marry and became destitute after the loss of her livestock. She returned to her family empty-handed. At that time, widowed women were not often remarried, so her family viewed her as a burden. Seeing her situation, Ceebla decided to leave her family and live as a self-sufficient huntress or trapper. Soon, other women in similar situations joined her, and their numbers grew steadily until they became a formidable force.

During that era, various clans engaged in frequent raids, attacking and looting each other. Eventually, the coalition of women led by Ceebla’ was attacked by a group of men who looked down on the women and wanted to take their possessions. However, the women mounted a fierce resistance and defeated the attackers. Ceebla’ displayed great bravery and leadership during these battles, and the women chose her as their leader. Ceebla’ led the women well, ensuring they were armed so that they would not be easily overpowered again, earning the nickname Carra-Weela, meaning "The Organizer of the Area." Afterward, many other defeated groups chose to join Arawelo's women's coalition, impressed by her leadership and governance. Arawelo worked hard to ensure the security and prosperity of the people under her rule, and they crowned her queen in recognition of her achievements.

During her reign, there were ongoing conflicts between various clans, leading to widespread instability. Arawelo, now a powerful queen, decided to address the suffering of the people. She consulted with wise men and women and decided to send envoys to every warring clan, urging them to choose peace and warning that those who refused would face the queen's army. Arawelo's plan succeeded, and the conflicts subsided, leading to a period of peace and prosperity. As part of her efforts, Arawelo built a large stone structure where she imprisoned men who refused to accept peace, and many men were incarcerated there. Rumors began to spread that Arawelo castrated these men, as it was believed that a woman could not keep a man imprisoned while he still had his testicles. When Arawelo heard these rumors, she saw it as advantageous, believing that the unruly men who were causing trouble would be intimidated. So, she worked to reinforce this narrative, which eventually became the story of Arawelo castrating men.

During her rule, Arawelo maintained a firm grip on her people, bringing an end to the ongoing conflicts and unrest. However, Somali men of that time felt emasculated and resented the queen who, in their view, had destroyed their masculinity. This animosity toward Queen Arawelo persisted and continues to this day. One of the most prominent men who opposed her was a man named Oday Biiqe, who was known for his intelligence but was also a coward. He constantly plotted against Arawelo and eventually succeeded in having her killed.

It is said that Arawelo lived in Hawraartiro during the summer and spring, and in Ceelaayo during the winter and autumn. There is also a place called Jeex-Carraweelo near the village of Ceelaayo, and a hill known as Taallo-Tiirriyaad, also called Maanla’ by the locals, which is believed to be the burial site of Queen Arawelo. Many stories are associated with Arawelo, including:

It is said that Arawelo owned many livestock and castrated men. She was reportedly an obese woman with a full order, who found it difficult to wash her back. One day, she asked one of her castrated men to wash her back, promising him a reward of a valuable cow. The man agreed, but while washing her back, he muttered, "This stench is unbearable, but I cannot express my disgust!" Arawelo overheard him and, enraged, dismissed him and revoked the reward.

Arawelo would often test the men under her rule with difficult tasks. One day, she gathered them and demanded a hide with fur on both sides. The men were perplexed and did not know how to fulfil her request. They sought advice from Oday Biiqe, who suggested that they bring her the ear of a donkey, which satisfied her demand.

Another time, she requested a camel covered in honey without using any containers or ropes. The men were puzzled and once again sought help from Oday Biiqe, who advised them to roll a camel in wet clay and then cover it with honey, which fulfilled Arawelo's request.

Arawelo also asked her men to build a monument shaped like a bow to commemorate her recent victory over her enemies, but it had to be as large as a rainbow. The men were at a loss for how to accomplish this, so they consulted Oday Biiqe, who advised them to ask Arawelo for precise measurements before starting the construction. This strategy helped them fulfill her demand.

It is also said that there was a well from which both people and animals drank, and it was in high demand. Arawelo once sat in the middle of the well, preventing anyone from accessing it. When the people and animals became desperate, they asked her to move so they could drink, but she replied, "Not today, I have more important matters to attend to."

Arawelo realized that a clever man who had not been castrated was outsmarting her and plotting against her, but she could not locate him because other men were hiding him. They used to place him on a strong and powerful camel with black hooves, as this type of camel was difficult to detect. When the caravan settled, Arawelo would inspect the camel, believing that a heavy load would cause it to groan. However, the camel with black hooves did not make a sound, and the man remained hidden.

It is said that Arawelo ordered the execution of a man to prevent him from staging a coup against her. When his daughter grew up, she resented her mother's treatment of men. She secretly met with Oday Biiqe, who was now an old man and the only surviving male who had not been castrated. She became pregnant by him and gave birth to a son. Fearing that her mother would kill the child, the daughter asked her mother to let the boy tend the goats as he grew older, and eventually, to allow him to tend the camels. The boy grew into a strong man and became a warrior, always carrying two spears and a shield made of the skin of a giraffe. When he realized that his grandmother posed a threat, he fled to the forests. Arawelo lamented that she had not killed him while he was still within her reach and ordered his capture. His mother warned him, telling him that his father was Oday Biiqe and advised him to seek his father's counsel. His father advised him to build an enclosure near the well where the livestock drank and then invite his grandmother, promising to follow her wishes. When Arawelo came to visit, the boy was to stab her with one of his spears, and if she exclaimed "woe and sorrow," it would mean she was powerless, but if she said "fight back," it would mean she was ready to attack, and he should stab her again. Arawelo agreed to the boy's invitation, planning to kill him, but he struck her with his spear as soon as she arrived. She exclaimed, "woe and sorrow," and the boy did not attack her again. Afterward, he told the soldiers who were hiding nearby that he had killed the dangerous woman, and she was buried by the women who built a monument over her grave.

It is also said that Arawelo advised women on the following points:

First, reject whatever you are asked to do.

A man should not get his way without facing resistance.

Always recognize injustice and blend it with kindness to gain acceptance.

Be discreet with your food, concealing it as you find satisfaction in your own way.