Jawhar

Introduction

Jawhar, also known as Jowhar or Giohar, is a city located in the Middle Shebeli region of present-day Somalia, about 90 kilometres north of Mogadishu. At the time of Italian colonialism, the town was founded as Villaggio Duca degli Abruzzi, a name that recalls one of the most significant figures of Italian exploration and colonial history: the Duke of the Abruzzi, Luigi Amedeo di Savoia-Aosta. It was in this location that, on 18 March 1933, the Duke met his death, leaving behind a historical and symbolic legacy strongly rooted in the territory.

Description

Geographical and Historical Background

The village arose in the early 1920s as an experimental agricultural centre and was conceived to exploit the resources of the valley crossed by the Uebi Scebeli River. The settlement, strategically located and connected to Mogadishu by a dedicated railway, soon became a point of reference for agricultural activity and the presence of a rapidly growing Italosomal community. Over the decades, the locality went through alternating phases, linked to the complex social and political events of Somalia, changing its name several times to its current 'Jawhar'.

The Death of the Duke of the Abruzzi

The Duke of the Abruzzi died in Jawhar on the night of 18 March 1933. The news of his death aroused deep mourning and gave rise to solemn honours. The funeral ceremony, marked by the presence of a large crowd from both Italy and Somalia, has become the subject of various memoiristic literature, with descriptions emphasising the spontaneous participation of the local population and the symbolic importance attached to the moment.

Description and current status

Today Jawhar represents an important administrative centre in the region, although it has lost the agricultural centrality of the colonial period. However, various architectural and town-planning vestiges remain that can be traced back to the 1930s and the figure of the Duke of Abruzzi, including the presence of several memorials.

Information

Altitude: approx. 90 m above sea level.
Accessibility: the city can be reached from Mogadishu by road; the historic colonial railway is no longer in operation.
Preservation status: several historic buildings have been damaged by the socio-political events of recent decades, but some remain identifiable.
Curiosity: a commemorative postage stamp was also issued on the Duke's death, and the tomb is still visited.
Recommended time to visit: dry season, considering local security and road conditions.