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63-677: Qardho is one of a series of ancient settlements in northern Somalia. In the Arie valley, midway between the city and the town of Iskushuban , once lay a sizable town that had considerable structures with thick walls. Qardho is also situated near the burial place of the immediate forefather of the Marehan Darod clan. In the early modern period, Qardho was a part of the Majeerteen Sultanate (Migiurtinia), centered in Aluula . It

126-428: A Schedule I substance that possesses a similar chemical structure to the khat plant's cathinone active component. However, both the side effects and the addictive properties of methcathinone are much stronger than those associated with khat use. When khat leaves dry, the more potent chemical, cathinone, decomposes within 48 hours, leaving behind the milder chemical, cathine. Thus, harvesters transport khat by packaging

189-687: A ban on khat in the British-governed Aden Protectorate , the Qāt Commission of Inquiry in Aden concluded: "Qāt does not create an addiction, like opium or hashish, in that those who are suddenly deprived of it, do not suffer physical consequences." In 1965, the World Health Organization (WHO) Expert Committee on Dependence-producing Drugs' Fourteenth Report noted, "The Committee was pleased to note

252-579: A new fish market within the year in Qardho. The project is part of a larger regional development plan that will also see a similar marketplace inaugurated in Galkayo , in the model of the already launched Garowe fish market. In June 2014, the Puntland government launched a new tree-planting campaign in the state, with the regional Ministry of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism slated to plant 25,000 trees by

315-401: A new peculiarity in this city – everyone chewed leaves as goats chew the cud . There is a type of leaf, rather wide and about two fingers in length, which is widely sold, as people would consume these leaves just as they are; unlike betel leaves, which need certain condiments to go with them, these leaves were just stuffed fully into the mouth and munched. Thus when people gathered around,

378-438: A psychotic episode can result, resembling a hypomanic state in presentation. In humans, its prolonged consumption creates an uplifted mood and a sense of release from time and space. Khat is mainly chewed by men, but there are cases of its use by women, and in particular it has been associated with increased likelihood of adverse outcomes during pregnancy. Immediate Long-term Indeterminate The stimulant effect of

441-537: A school in Qardho. At the post-secondary level, the East Somalia University (ESU) offers higher instruction. East Africa University (EAU) also has one of its seven branches in the city. On November 25, 2012, the Puntland government opened a new maximum security prison facility in Qardho. Inaugurated by former Puntland President Abdirahman Mohamud Farole and a delegation of cabinet ministers, senior government representatives and district officials,

504-462: A sense of union with God. The earliest known documented description of khat is found in the Kitab al-Saidala fi al-Tibb كتاب الصيدلة في الطب , an 11th-century work on pharmacy and materia medica written by Abū Rayhān al-Bīrūnī , a Persian scientist and biologist . Unaware of its origins, al-Bīrūnī wrote that khat is: [A] commodity from Turkestan . It is sour to taste and slenderly made in

567-429: A slaughterhouse and distributed food. In August 2002, former President of Puntland , Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed occupied Qardho, which was controlled by troops loyal to President Jama Ali Jama (who was later removed from office and never recognized as having served as president). On December 4, 2003, the Puntland government announced the establishment of four regions: Bosaso , Karkaar , and Haylan . The Karkaar region

630-462: A social custom dating back thousands of years. The traditional form of khat chewing in Yemen involves only male users; khat chewing by females is less formal and less frequent. Researchers estimate about 70–80% of Yemenis between 16 and 50 years old chew khat, at least on occasion. Approximately 60–90% of male and 35% of female Yemenis chew khat daily. Before Yemeni unification in 1990, khat chewing

693-524: A state of euphoria and stimulation. The leaves or the soft part of the stem can be chewed with either chewing gum or fried peanuts to make it easier to chew. In Uganda , it is grown in the central region, especially in Kasenge ( Wakiso ), Butambala District , Mabira Forest , and in some parts of the western region of the country. In Kenya , it is grown in Meru County and Embu County . Although

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756-410: A temperature range of 5–35 degrees Celsius (41–95 degrees Fahrenheit). It has evergreen leaves , which are 5–10 centimeters (2–4 inches) long and 1–4 cm (0.39–1.6 in) broad. It takes seven to eight years for the khat plant to reach its full height. Other than access to sun and water, khat requires little maintenance. Ground water is often pumped from deep wells by diesel engines to irrigate

819-668: Is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Khat Khat ( Catha edulis ), also known as Bushman's tea , especially in South Africa , is a flowering plant native to eastern and southeastern Africa. It has a history of cultivation originating in the Harar area (present day eastern Ethiopia) and subsequently introduced at different times to countries nearby in East Africa and Southern Arabia , most notably Yemen . Cultivated by farmers, its leaves are sold on

882-537: Is a small town in the northeastern Bari province of Somalia on the Horn of Africa . A historical settlement, it is situated in the autonomous Puntland state. It lies along the 50th meridian east . Iskushuban is the centre of the Iskushuban District . It lies 80 km east of Qardho and 150 km south of Bosaso , the commercial capital of the Puntland region. In the Arie valley, midway between

945-645: Is also known as jimaa in the Oromo language , mayirungi in Luganda , and as miraa and muguka in Swahili . In the African Great Lakes region , where Catha edulis is (in some areas) cultivated, it is known as miraa , muhulo , muguka and muirungi . It also goes by various descriptive names, such as Abyssinian tea , Arabian tea , kafta , jimaa , and Somalian tea in its endemic regions of

1008-626: Is high and groundwater levels in the Sana'a basin are diminishing, so government officials have proposed relocating large portions of the population of the city to the Red Sea coastal areas. One reason for the widespread cultivation of khat in Yemen is the high income that it provides for farmers. Some studies done in 2001 estimated that the income from cultivating khat was about 2.5 million Yemeni rials per hectare, while fruits brought only 0.57 million rials per hectare. Between 1970 and 2000,

1071-547: Is much used by the Arabs, to whom it is sent in camel loads, consisting of a number of small parcels, each containing about forty slender twigs, with the leaves attached, carefully, wrapped so as to avoid exposure to the air. These leaves are chewed, and act upon the spirits of those using them, much as a strong dose of green tea acts upon us in Europe, when it acts agreeably. Europeans used to stronger stimulants, are little affected by

1134-524: Is native to the Arabian Peninsula and the Horn of Africa , despite its native grounds it is only legal in one of the several countries of the Arabian Peninsula , Yemen . The plant however is widely available and legal in East Africa , some African nations on the other hand such as South Africa consider it as a protected species . The plant is mostly used by East Africans and South West Arabians, rarely by people from other places. Following

1197-539: Is native, khat-chewing has historical relevance (as a social custom, especially among men) dating back thousands of years, analogous—but slightly different—to the use of coca leaves in South America 's Andes Mountains or the betel nut preparations in South Asia . Since 1980, the World Health Organization (WHO) classifies khat as a “ drug of abuse ” that can produce psychological dependence , although

1260-430: Is responsible for feelings of euphoria associated with chewing khat. In mice, cathinone produces the same types of nervous pacing or repetitive scratching behaviours associated with amphetamines. The effects of cathinone peak after 15 to 30 minutes, with nearly 98% of the substance metabolised into norephedrine by the liver. Cathine is somewhat less understood, being believed to act upon the adrenergic receptors causing

1323-477: Is small, with five white petals. The samara fruit is an oblong, three-valved capsule, which contains one to three seeds. Khat has been grown for use as a stimulant for centuries in the Horn of Africa and the Arabian peninsula . There, chewing khat predates the use of coffee and is used in a similar social context. Its fresh leaves and tops are chewed or, less frequently, dried and consumed as tea, to achieve

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1386-509: Is used as a socialising drug as in Yemen, where khat-chewing is predominantly a male habit combined with conversation, hookah smoking, and tea drinking. Khat is so popular in Yemen that its cultivation consumes much of the country's agricultural resources. An estimated 40% of Yemen's water supply goes towards irrigating it, with production increasing by about 10% to 15% every year. One "daily bag" of khat requires an estimated 500 litres (130 US gal) of water to produce. Water consumption

1449-849: The Abdullahi Yusuf International Airport in Galkayo. A tender process for a similar upgrade initiative was concurrently launched at the Bender Qassim International Airport in Bosaso. In October 2012, the Puntland Highway Authority (PHA) also began a major upgrade and repair project on the main road linking Qardho with Bosaso. http://www.tageo.com/index-e-so-cities-SO.htm Iskushuban Iskushuban ( Somali : Iskushubaan , Italian : Scusciuban )

1512-601: The United Nations Security Council had not yet given up on an early end to the Somali Civil War , and in a report dated August 17, it reported that "a total of 21 district councils had been formed, including 2 in the north-east...Bari region: Gardo Bender Beyla." In 1998, the WFP completed two flood control reservoirs in the village of Dahan near Qardho. It also completed the first phase of

1575-422: The sympathomimetic effects of the drug, which are also reflected in increased heart rate and blood pressure. Long-term use can precipitate permanent tooth darkening (of a greenish tinge), susceptibility to ulcers , and diminished sex drive . Khat is an effective anorectic , causing loss of appetite. It is unclear if the consumption of khat directly affects the mental health of the user or not. Occasionally,

1638-629: The 3rd Battalion of the Somaliland Army in El Afweyn District , defected to Qardho, Puntland, with an army. In June 2018, a delegation from the United Arab Emirates visited Qardho. In July 2018, Somalia's Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire visited Qardho on high alert and was welcomed. In August 2018, Colonel Caarre announced that he had built a military base on the outskirts of Qardho to resist Somaliland. This

1701-644: The Darod clan in Qardho. In May 2015, Qardho's basketball team won the Eastern and Central African basketball tournament in Dar es Salaam , Tanzania , defeating a team from Cairo , Egypt . In July 2015, Somalia's Federal Prime Minister Omar Sharmarke visited Qardho. In September 2015, the Qardho City Council elected Cabdi Siciid Cismaan as mayor. In May 2018, Colonel Siciid Cawil Caarre, commander of

1764-562: The Horn of Africa and the Arabian peninsula. In South Africa, the plant is known as Bushman's tea . The plant is also known as chat tree and flower of paradise . Khat is a slow-growing shrub or tree that typically attains a height of 1–5 meters (3 feet 3 inches – 16 feet 5 inches). However, it can reach heights of up to 10 m (33 ft) in equatorial areas. The plant usually grows in arid environments, at

1827-561: The Puntland government seized a large quantity of smuggled Khat and burned it as an example in a public square outside Qardho. In August 2020, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) built a pest monitoring and management center in Qardho. In September 2021, Puntland President Said Abdullahi Dani appointed Maxamed Faarax Cabdiseed (Buraale) as interim mayor of Qardho. Local elections for Puntland were held in Qardho in October 2021. It

1890-694: The Puntland regional government announced that it was slated to launch new development projects in Qardho. Air transportation in Qardho is served by the Qardho Airport . In late September 2013, Puntland Deputy Minister of Civil Aviation Abdiqani Gelle announced that the authorities in Somalia's autonomous Puntland region would carry out major renovations at the airport, as well as at the Garowe International Airport in Garowe and

1953-468: The UAE, the punishment for possession, use, or distribution of khat can include life imprisonment. By contrast, its production, sale, and consumption are all fully legal—or not mentioned in a legal context at all—in the nations where its use is culturally significant, including Djibouti , Ethiopia , Kenya , Somalia , Sudan , Uganda and Yemen . In Israel , which hosts a population of Yemenite Jews , only

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2016-452: The WHO does not consider khat addiction to be a serious global problem. The legality of khat varies by region and country; in many territories, khat might pass "under-the-radar" as a botanical species (thus not be a specifically controlled substance), but its recreational use may, nevertheless, be illegal under more general laws. It is strictly a controlled substance in many regions, often at

2079-574: The area on which khat was cultivated was estimated to have grown from 8,000 to 103,000 hectares. In 2000, according to a World Bank estimate, khat accounted for 30% of Yemen's economy. In countries outside the core area of growth and consumption, khat is sometimes chewed at parties or social functions. It may also be used by farmers and labourers for reducing physical fatigue or hunger, and by drivers and students for improving attention. More recently, in 2019, reports indicate that child soldiers in Yemen have been chewing khat in order to remain alert on

2142-672: The battlefield. Khat consumption induces mild euphoria and excitement, similar to that conferred by strong coffee. Individuals become very talkative under the influence of the plant. Animal testing has shown that khat causes an increase in motoric activity. The effects of oral administration of cathinone occur more rapidly than the effects of amphetamine pills; roughly 15 minutes as compared to 30 minutes in amphetamine. Khat can induce manic behaviours and hyperactivity , similar in effects to those produced by amphetamine. The use of khat results in constipation . Dilated pupils ( mydriasis ) are prominent during khat consumption, reflecting

2205-755: The consumption of the plant's leaves in its natural state is permitted; "khat extracts" are illegal, because they became a street drug and were popularly abused in the 2000s. The genus name Catha is a Latinization of the Arabic name قات, which is regularly romanized as qāt . Other romanizations include kat , quatt , qaad , qhat , ghat , and chat . The khat plant is known by a variety of names, such as qat and gat in Yemeni Arabic, qaat and jaad in Somali , and chat in Harari and Amharic . It

2268-399: The crops, or brought in by water trucks. The plants are watered heavily starting around a month before they are harvested to make the leaves and stems soft and moist. A good khat plant can be harvested four times a year, providing a year-long source of income for the farmer. The shrub's flowers are produced on short axillary cymes that are 4–8 cm (1.6–3.1 in) in length. Each flower

2331-412: The custom of khat chewing in the Horn region and the adjacent Gulf territories, likening it to drinking strong green tea : And one may sleep well if, during the day, too much kat has not been chewed. The leaves of the drug called kat are the chief source of pleasurable excitement in these districts of East Africa. Botanists, taking the native name for the plant, turn it into Catha edulis, eatable kat. It

2394-500: The early 20th century. Iskushuban has a population of around 17,000 inhabitants. The broader Iskushuban District has a total population of 45,027 residents. Iskushuban has a number of academic institutions. According to the Puntland Ministry of Education, there are 8 primary schools in the Iskushuban District . Among these are Timirshe, Meeladeen, Gargoore and Iskushuban Primary. This Somalia location article

2457-417: The end of the year. Qardho is among the seven cities and towns earmarked for the reforestation initiative, which also include Garowe, Bosaso , Dhahar , Buuhoodle , Baran and Galkayo . The campaign is part of a broader partnership between the Puntland authorities and EU to set up various environmental protection measures in the region, with the aim of promoting reforestation and afforestation. In May 2015,

2520-535: The first to be recorded using khat in the 14th century by Arab historian Ibn Fadlallah al-Umari . The khat plant likely originated in the Horn of Africa specifically Ethiopia-Somali area, from there it spread to Kenya and the Arabian Peninsula . According to nineteenth century British explorer Richard Burton , khat originated in the Emirate of Harar . Muslim Sufis in the surrounding areas also used it to intensify their mystical experience and to facilitate

2583-399: The fresh leaves and stems in plastic bags or wrapping them in banana leaves to preserve their moisture and keep the cathinone potent. It is also common for them to sprinkle the plant with water frequently or use refrigeration during transportation. When the khat leaves are chewed, cathine and cathinone are released and absorbed through the mucous membranes of the mouth as well as the lining of

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2646-651: The global distribution of this perishable commodity and, as a result, the plant has been found in places such Australia, Amsterdam , Canada, England , the Levant , Rome (Italy) , New Zealand, and Wales . and the United States. In the US, freshly-packed khat leaves are sold in the African and Middle Eastern markets of Boston , Dallas , Los Angeles , and New York City , where the demand is highest. Traditionally, khat

2709-649: The highest degree, including in Australia , Canada , the European Union , India , Jordan , New Zealand , Saudi Arabia , the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the United Kingdom (UK). In the United States (US) and Turkey , the botanical specimen (plant) Catha edulis is not prohibited, but the consumption and distribution of harvested leaves or possession for recreational use is illegal. In

2772-506: The institution provides both custodial housing and social rehabilitation programs. The UNDP is also slated to assist in capacity building for the prison's correctional administration and staff. Additionally, the city is served by the Gardo General Hospital . A private healthcare facility, it has a Microbiology Service Laboratory. In April 2013, the Puntland Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources announced plans to open

2835-613: The manner of batan-alu . But khat is reddish with a slight blackish tinge. It is believed that batan-alu is red, coolant, relieves biliousness, and is a refrigerant for the stomach and the liver. It is mentioned again in a 13th-century publication by the physician Naguib Ad-Din. In 1854, Malay author Abdullah bin Abdul Kadir noted that the custom of chewing khat was prevalent in Al Hudaydah in Yemen: You observed

2898-408: The market to be chewed as a recreational stimulant. The world's largest consumers are Eastern Africans, particularly Somalis, and nearby Yemen, with the largest producers/exporters being Ethiopia and Kenya. Khat contains the alkaloid cathinone , a stimulant which causes greater sociability, excitement, mild loss of appetite and mild euphoria . Among communities from the areas where the plant

2961-403: The plant was originally attributed to "katin", cathine , a phenethylamine -type substance isolated from the plant. However, the attribution was disputed by reports showing the plant extracts from fresh leaves contained another substance more behaviourally active than cathine. In 1975, the related alkaloid cathinone was isolated, and its absolute configuration , (S)-2-Amino-1-phenylpropan-1-one,

3024-686: The practice of khat-chewing is still primarily restricted to its original area of cultivation in the Red Sea area, the khat plant has, over the years, found its way to southern Africa as well as tropical areas, where it grows on rocky outcrops and in woodlands. The shrub is, today, scattered but still found wild in the KwaZulu-Natal , Eastern Cape , Western Cape and Mpumalanga provinces of South Africa , in addition to Eswatini and Mozambique . In recent years, however, improved roads, off-road motor vehicles, and air transportation have increased

3087-402: The release of epinephrine and norepinephrine. It has a half-life of about three hours in humans. The medication bromocriptine can reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms within 24 hours. An estimated 5 to 10 million people globally use khat on a daily basis. It is grown principally by communities in the Horn of Africa and the Arabian peninsula, where khat-chewing has a long history as

3150-509: The remnants from these leaves would pile up in front of them. When they spat, their saliva was green. I then queried them on this matter: ‘What benefits are there to be gained from eating these leaves?’ To which they replied, ‘None whatsoever, it’s just another expense for us as we’ve grown accustomed to it’. Those who consume these leaves have to eat lots of ghee and honey , for they would fall ill otherwise. The leaves are known as Kad ." In 1856, English writer Charles Dickens also described

3213-565: The resolution of the Economic and Social Council with respect to khat, confirming the view that the abuse of this substance is a regional problem and may best be controlled at that level." For this reason, khat was not scheduled under the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs . In 1980, the WHO classified the plant as a drug of abuse that can produce mild to moderate psychological dependence (less than tobacco or alcohol), although

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3276-408: The stomach. The action of cathine and cathinone on the reuptake of epinephrine and norepinephrine has been demonstrated in lab animals, showing that one or both of these chemicals cause(s) the body to recycle these neurotransmitters more slowly, resulting in the wakefulness and insomnia associated with khat use. Receptors for serotonin show a high affinity for cathinone, suggesting this chemical

3339-433: The town and Qardho, once lay a sizeable city that had considerable structures with thick walls. Iskushuban is renowned for its seasonal waterfalls, which are the second largest in the country after those at Lamadaya in the northern Sanaag region. In the early modern period, Iskushuban was a part of the Majeerteen Sultanate (Migiurtinia), centered in Aluula . It was later incorporated into Italian Somaliland during

3402-444: The use of kat, but among the more temperate Arabs it is so welcome a provocative to good humour, that about two hundred and eighty camel-loads of it are used every year in Aden only. Nowadays khat consumption is limited to East Africa and South Western Arabia . These countries include Djibouti , Ethiopia , Kenya , Somalia (includes Somaliland ), Uganda , and Yemen . The author Yousif Al Zarouni writes in his book: The plant

3465-588: The year 2000. The broader Qardho District has a total population of 300,000. Qardho has a hot arid climate ( Köppen climate classification BWh ). Qardho has a number of academic institutions. According to the Puntland Ministry of Education, there are 39 primary schools in the Qardho District. Among these are Al-Xanaan, Shire, Gahayr and Gudcad. Secondary schools in the area include Sheikh Osman, Muntada, Nawawi and Al-Ashar. Al-Azhar University , Egypt 's highest authority for Islamic affairs, also operates

3528-503: Was established in 1978. Cathinone is not very stable and breaks down to produce cathine and norephedrine . These chemicals belong to the PPA (phenylpropanolamine) family, a subset of the phenethylamines related to amphetamines and the catecholamines epinephrine and norepinephrine . In fact, cathinone and cathine have a very similar molecular structure to amphetamine. Khat is sometimes confused with methcathinone (also known as cat ),

3591-399: Was largely confined to the north-west mountains of the country, where khat grows. Yemenis spend an estimated 14.6 million man-hours per day chewing khat. Researchers have also estimated that families spend about 17% of their income on khat. In Ethiopia, khat is chewed by 19.5% of the population and is more commonly chewed by men than women. The inhabitants of Ifat Sultanate were

3654-652: Was later incorporated into Italian Somaliland during the early 20th century. In 1959, Abdirashid Shermarke , later Somalia's president, became a member of the Somali Legislative Assembly as a representative of the Qardho. In June 1981, the World Bank identified three areas in northeastern Somalia as promising for irrigation, one of which is between Erigavo-Qardho. The rest are near the Nugaal Valley and near Galkayo . In August 1993,

3717-433: Was provided by the Puntland government, which stated that it would accept all asylum seekers from Somaliland. In March 2019, the Puntland government banned the army led by Colonel Caarre stationed in Qardho. The local government of Qardho forbade Colonel Caarre's troops from entering the town. In July 2019, Colonel Caarre's forces were reported fighting Somaliland troops in the town of Dhoobo, far from Qardho. In April 2020,

3780-529: Was reportedly still many pirates in the Karkaar area. In November 2012, Puntland President Abdirahman Farole visited Qardho, where residents burned tires and threw stones in protest. In June 2013, Cabdullaahi Muuse, the 34th Boqor (King) of the Darod clan, died in Finland due to illness. In May 2014, it was reported that Burhaan had been named king of the Majeerteen Sultanate and the 34th Boqor (King) of

3843-539: Was separated from the Bari region. Qardho was determined to be the capital of the Karkaar region. In 2006, Cismaan Buux Cali was elected as City Council President and Mayor of Qardho for the first time since 1968. In August 2010, local council elections resulted in the council president being Maxamed Siciid Hoggaamo; Maxamed became the first democratically elected council president. In December 2011, five pirates were arrested by Puntland police in Qardho. At that point, there

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3906-589: Was the first democratic election in 50 years. In April 2022, Abdikadir Said Qaal has been elected as the new mayor of Gardo and the chairman of the local council is an election that recently happened ' The Puntland Municipal elections' were held in Puntland , a state of Somalia , on October 25, 2021, with the preliminary elections in three districts namely Qardho, Eyl and Ufayn electing councils for these three districts ahead of state-wide local council elections expected to take place in early 2022. The election

3969-465: Was the first one under the principle of one man, one vote to be held in Somalia since 1969 and the state since its formation in 1998. Candidates in district elections run and are nominated by political parties . The mayor and District Council are then selected internally by the Councils at the first special sitting of the new legislative session. Qardho had a population of around 47 700 inhabitants

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