Islam in Somaliland has long been associated with the brotherhoods or tariqas (literally, 'the Way') which express the Sufi, or mystical view of the Muslim faith, a view which, since it exalts the charismatic powers of saints, is particularly well adapted to the Somali clan system in which clan ancestors readily become transposed into Muslim saints.

I.M. Lewis, I. M. Lewis, A Modern History of the Som…, loc. 196