Sheekh Axmed Gabyow (1844 – 1933) recited the following poem that is said to have inspired the Somali armed uprising against Italian occupation in Warsheekh (1891):

Soomaali aan u dagaallamaynaa
Kuwa dulmaaya la dood galeyna
Kufriga soo dagay diida leenahay
Dabeysha mawdka intey i daandeyn
Hilibka duud cunin oonan deeb noqan
Dadka tusaan danihiisa leenahay
Kuwa dambaan u dariiq falaaya

We are fighting for the Somalis
We fight against those who do evil deeds
Reject the colonial infidels;
Before the wind of death overwhelms you
Soon you will turn into ashes and worms will eat your flesh
Set an exemplary model for later generations