Ali Bu'ul (Somali: Cali Bucul), was a famous Somali poet, military leader and sultan from the 19th century originating from Somaliland and Djibouti. Renowned for his short lined poems who were in vogue before the early 20th century. Many of his poems are still known today
Originally from the Aden Yonis section of the Makahil Samaron (Gadabursi). A renowned 19th century poet among the ranks of Adan Gurey and Mahamed Abdille Hassan (Sayidka), Ali Bu'ul has produced numerous poems that still to this day are read and presented at gatherings. He was born in the district of Awdal, Somaliland.
He opposed the Abyssinians from taxing the Somali inhabitant in current area we know Somali region of Ethiopia. He was celebrated for his geeraar (a Somali term indicating a shorter version of poetry, shorter lines compared to conventional poetry or gabay). Geeraars are traditionally mostly recited during challenging times of war and battle. The Gadabursi were known for praising their horses in their geeraar and echoing their name. Ali Bu'ul as a military leader he met the Sayyid or Mahamed Abdullah Hassan somewhere within the current borders the Somali region of Ethiopia. The Sayid was amazed to hear that the Gadabursi are known for praising their horses in their geeraar and echoing the horses in their names. The religious leaders Mahamed Abdullah decided to hear for himself and challenged Ali Bu'ul. They slinged insults and threats at each other. It was then that the famous poem Amaan Faras was recited by Ali Bu'ul while riding his horse, which till this day is taught in Somali schools and is widely known among the Somali people.
The poem is titled Amaan Faras which translated to In Praise of My Horse:
Here is where he coined the term '"Guulwade", which Somalis still use up to this day and especially during Somalia's revolutionary council years A fraction of the poem illustrated in the Gadabursi script translated as:
Another famous poem by Ali Bu'ul is Guulside, which translates to Victory-Bearer, here is an extract from the poem:
this particular poem alliterates echoing the horse's name.