Family is very important in the Somali culture. The two cornerstones of Somali culture, according to popular belief, are poetry and (Islamic) spirituality. Margaret Laurence, a well-known Canadian author and academic, referred to Somalia as the "Nation of Bards" (together with the "Nation of Poets"). Before colonialism, British explorer Richard Burton visited Somalia and made the following observations:
“The country teems with poets... every man has his recognized position in literature as accurately defined as though he had been reviewed in a century of magazines - the fine ear of these people causing them to take the greatest pleasure in harmonious sounds and poetic expressions ... Every chief in the country must have a panegyric to be sung by his clan, and the great patronize light literature by keeping a poet.”
The value of poetry and their language
Somalian quotes in the Somalian language.
In Somalia, a person's language use served as a proxy for intelligence. Poets held a prominent position in Somali society, and anyone hoping to establish themselves as a legitimate poet had to fight their way up the rungs of ever-harder and more sophisticated poetry, which took years. Poetry is a component of storytelling, music, almost every celebration, wedding, politics, and even war in pre-colonial Somalia.
About Sayyid Mohmmed Abdullah
Statue of Sayyid Mohammad Abdullah, Somalia. credit: Pinterest
A well-known figure in the Somali resistance to colonialism, Sayid Mohammed Abdullah Hassan, wrote both patriotic poetry and poems concerning his conflict with British colonialists. Even though British soldiers had weapons at their disposal, they fought Mohammed and his troops on horseback for years with only swords and daggers. To have a chance against him, they bombed and shelled Somalia. It is thought that his poems inspired his people to support him in his fight against foreigners. He also exemplified Somalis' ferocious perseverance trait, which is that they fight for their homeland and people even when it seems impossible. This characteristic appears to be typical of nomadic peoples. Desert survival alone promotes toughness and strength for them.
The love for Camel’s milk
The Somali camel milk and traditional vessel: credit: quora
Somalia is the only country in the world where the camel was initially domesticated, and there are more camels there than anywhere else. The traditional manner of life is that of a nomad, unlike other regions of the world where farming is a traditional occupation and lifestyle that some still return to. Camels are regarded as devoted and significant animal that supports a nomad and bears their load. What cow's milk is to the West, camel milk is to Somalia. Few individuals in Somalia consume cow's milk. According to one idea, the expression "go milk (the camel)" or "soo maal," which is frequently used to address guests, is whence Somalia gets its name. This expression highlights the significance of the drink in the culture of Somalia and the importance of showing hospitality to visitors.
The Somalia local dishes
Laxoox is also known as Lahooh, flat Somali bread. Credit: mysomalifoods
Every region in Somalia has a different local dish, making the cuisine diverse. Injera, also known as laxoox,is a flat sourdough flatbread that is frequently served with meals. Malawah, its sweeter sibling, has similar popularity.
Malawah is similar to crepes. Malawah, sweet pancakes. Credit: myrecipe.com
Somali sambuus or samosa. Credit: Ayan Nura cooking.
Sambuus is another well-known dish that is frequently baked or grilled while being packed with a variety of meats and veggies. Somali tea, which is spiced, is also very well-liked.
Somalian Henna
The Somalian woman’s Henna at a wedding. Credit: Istock images.
A few thousand years ago, the history of henna begins in northeastern Africa. Today, Berbers and Cush*tic women from the Horn and North Africa wear it as is customary. It first arrived in the Middle East and Indian subcontinent millennia ago. Somali women decorate their fingers with henna for a more laid-back look and dress more elaborately for special occasions like Eid or weddings. Henna is frequently used by older men to color their beards.
FAQs
Continue reading to learn the best of them.
- Somalia is the Land of the Moon. ...
- The Longest African Coastline. ...
- Largest Frankincense Producer. ...
- Home to Endangered Animal Species. ...
- Somalia Has One of the World's Largest Camel Herds. ...
- Help the Somali Community in Ohio Prosper with Your Donations and Aid.
The focus of Somali culture is on the family; family is more important than the individual in all aspects of life. Somalis will live with their parents until they get married. In times of sickness or marriage, all resources are pooled and it is understood that whatever you have is not only yours.
What are some interesting facts about the Somali language? ›
Interesting Facts About Somali
There are multiple writing systems used to express the Somali language, including Arabic, Wadaad and Osmanya. The Somali language has 20 distinct vowel sounds. It is spoken with three different tones (high, low and falling) that indicate things like gender and number.
What is the name of the dress in Somalia culture? ›
The dirac (see Baati for the house dress) is a Somali garment worn by Somali women that is long, usually ankle length.
What are the 5 parts of Somalia? ›
During the colonial period (approximately 1891 to 1960), the Somalis were separated into five mini-Somalilands: British Somaliland (north central); French Somaliland (east and southeast); Italian Somaliland (south); Ethiopian Somaliland (the Ogaden); and, what came to be called the Northern Frontier District (NFD) of ...
What are 5 interesting facts about Sudan? ›
Here are five facts you may not know about Sudan:
- More Pyramids than Egypt. The Ancient Nubian Civilization. ...
- Sudan's Rich Cultural Diversity. Over 500 Ethnic Groups. ...
- Shaped by the River Nile. Where the Tributaries Meet. ...
- Once Africa's Largest Country. Before the Birth of South Sudan. ...
- Spirit of Resilience. Holding onto Hope.
Somalia has untapped reserves of numerous natural resources, including uranium, iron ore, tin, gypsum, bauxite, copper, salt and natural gas.
What animals are in Somali culture? ›
Camels are not the only livestock kept by Somali pastoralists. They also rear cattle, goats, sheep and donkeys. The Somali black-headed sheep are a type of fat-tailed sheep that are very adapted to dry areas.
What do they eat in Somali culture? ›
Food practices
Common foods include large serves of basmati rice seasoned with oil, vegetable stock powder and herbs; pasta, polenta, lettuce, cabbage, tomato, coriander, banana, mango and dates; and large amounts of salt, olive oil, vegetable oil and sesame oil.
What is special about Somalia? ›
Somalia is home to Africa's earliest known and most pristine rock art at Laas Geel. Although centuries have passed since artists swirled red and white paint on the cliffs of northern Somalia, the paintings still retain their fresh brilliance.
It is spoken as a mother tongue by Somalis in Greater Somalia and the Somali diaspora. Somali is an official language in Somalia and Ethiopia, and a national language in Djibouti as well as in northeastern Kenya.
What religion is Somalia? ›
According to the Federal Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs, more than 99 percent of the population are Sunni Muslim.
What is Somali culture known for? ›
Family is a critical aspect of the Somali culture, where the oldest family members are given the utmost respect. Most cultural practices are based off Islamic traditions. Households are largely male-centered, and male family members often serve as the decision-makers or spokespersons (Adekunle et al., 2021).
Why do Somalis cover their hair? ›
We are a primarily Islamic society, which requires that the women cover their heads. With that being said, this depends on the parents and how strict they are when it comes to their faith.
What is the cultural dance of Somalia? ›
Dhaanto is a style of traditional Somali music and folk dance. It is a cultural folk dance native to Somali people in the Horn of Africa.
What are some facts about Somalia for kids? ›
Somalia's size is 246,000 square miles, which makes it a little bit smaller than the state of Texas. Most of the land in Somalia is used to graze cattle, and few crops are grown. There are about nine million people that live in Somalia, and over one million of them live in the capital city, Mogadishu.
What is Somalia most famous for? ›
Somalia is the easternmost country in Africa, in what's known as the Horn of Africa. It has endured a long and brutal history, with a neverending war, random attacks, and famine. Somalia's also become infamous for its pirates, who seized ships in the Gulf of Aden during the 2000s.
How old is Somalia now? ›
Created in 1960 from a former British protectorate and an Italian colony, Somalia collapsed into anarchy following the overthrow of the military regime of President Siad Barre in 1991.
