Koyama (also known as Kunyama Kundeeq) (also spelled Kwayama[1] and Coiama) is an island in southern Somalia, in the region of Jubaland.[2]

Koyama Island
Koyama is located in Somalia
Koyama
Koyama
Koyama (Somalia)
Geography
LocationSomalia
ArchipelagoBajuni Islands
Administration
Demographics
Ethnic groupsBajuni people

Koyama is the second largest island of the Bajuni Islands archipelago in the Somali sea, situated only 1.5 km (0.9 mi) from the mainland coast of Somalia. It is 5.3 km (3.3 mi) long and up to two kilometres (1.2 mi) wide, and features a large bay or lagoon opening towards the mainland coast. At 6.38 km2 (2.46 sq mi), it is almost equal in size to Chula, which measures 6.40 km2 (2.47 sq mi). Koyama island has two separate villages, Koyama and Koyamani. Koyama is rich in Swahili historic ruins and monuments such as pillar tombs.

Demographics

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The Inhabitants of Koyama Island were historically Koyamas, a Bajuni sub clan. The Dhulbahante and other Harti sub-clans have migrated to the islands over the past two centuries. The island has history of a Bajuni community. Today Dhulbahante have established houses alongside the coastal line.[3]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Haywood, C. Wightwick (1935), "The Bajun Islands and Birikau", The Geographical Journal, 85 (1): 59–64, doi:10.2307/1787038, JSTOR 1787038
  2. ^ Mwangi, Oscar Gakuo. "Jubaland: Somalia’s new security dilemma and state-building efforts." Africa Review 8.2 (2016): 120-132.
  3. ^ "2022 Country Guidance Somalia | PDF". Scribd.