Malak (title)
Malak was an administrative designation in the Horn of Africa.
Etymology
Polish linguist Wolf Leslau notes that the term Malaq signifies chief for one of the five gates of Harar. It is derived from two Harari words, "mala" and "aqa," which together mean 'who knows the way and means.' German historian Manfred Kropp, suggests that it may be associated with another Harari term the Malassay.Additionally, Malak denotes ‘chief’ in Somali, a term borrowed from Harari, as stated by Italian linguist Giorgio Banti and historian Enrico Cerulli. It also signifies ‘chief’ in both the Afar and Oromo languages.
History
Israeli historian Avishai Ben-Dror and Ethiopian historian Mohammed Hassen assert that the term "Malak" has its roots in the fifteenth century within the context of the Adal Sultanate. In the 1600s, the leader of the Imamate of Aussa was referred to as Malaq Adam b. Sadiq.This designation persisted in the successor states of Adal, including the Aussa Sultanate and the Emirate of Harar.