Timeline of Somalia

Chronology

23 events spanning the history of Somalia. BCE/CE dating.

1. 600

   Arab tribes establish the sultanate of Adel on the Gulf of Aden coast.

   Arab tribes establish the sultanate of Adel on the Gulf of Aden coast.

2. 800

   Somali people begin to migrate from Yemen.

   Somali people begin to migrate from Yemen.

3. 1500

   Sultanate of Adel disintegrates into small states.

   Sultanate of Adel disintegrates into small states.

4. 1800

   Many Bantu people were taken from their homes and sold as slaves in Somalia.

   Many Bantu people from Malawi, Mozambique and Tanzania were taken from their homes and sold as slaves in Somalia.

5. 1875

   Egypt occupies towns on Somali coast and parts of the interior.

   Egypt occupies towns on Somali coast and parts of the interior.

6. 1887

   Britain proclaims protectorate over Somaliland.

   Britain proclaims protectorate over Somaliland.

7. 1888

   Anglo-French agreement defines boundary between Somali possessions of the two countries.

   Anglo-French agreement defines boundary between Somali possessions of the two countries.

8. 1889

   Italy sets up a protectorate in central Somalia.

   Italy sets up a protectorate in central Somalia, later consolidated with territory in the south ceded by the sultan of Zanzibar.

9. 1940

   Italians occupy British Somaliland.

   Italians occupy British Somaliland.

10. 1941

    British occupy Italian Somalia.

    British occupy Italian Somalia.