For centuries, Somali governance operated under an unwritten system of laws overseen by respected clan elders holding titles such as boqor, garaad, ugaas, and sultan. Known as a “pastoral democracy,” this system relied on trust, loyalty, and consensus through councils of elders, or guurti. Leaders were expected to consult before making decisions, but history records moments when power was abused. One remarkable case occurred in the 18th century, when Ugaas Hashi Ugaas Farah of the Ogaden clan, backed by the Ethiopian emperor’s resources, abandoned tradition and began ruling unilaterally. Alarmed by his apparent quest for absolute authority, his constituency convened to act. The elders devised an extraordinary impeachment process, appointing seven poets relatives of the Ugaas to craft persuasive verses. The most impactful was Sahid Qaman’s “Equality,” a poetic appeal for justice and shared power. Guided by these words, the elders removed Ugaas Hashi from power. This event stands as a powerful example of Somali society’s ability to uphold accountability using cultural tools. It illustrates how poetry, governance, and communal decision-making intertwined, preserving democratic values long before modern legal systems emerged.