Culture of Somalia

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Somalia

This article is part of the series: Culture of Somalia

Islam in Somalia Somali language History of Somalia Cinema of Somalia Music of Somalia Somali literature Somali writers Cuisine of Somalia Economy of Somalia Military of Somalia Shax (board game) Somali National Anthem Currency of Somalia Public holidays

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Islam and poetry have been described as the twin pillars of Somali culture. The clan structure and the nomadic lifestyle are also major influences.

Contents 1 Language 2 Religion 3 Clan system and marriage 4 Other Cultural Practices 5 Food and drink 6 The arts 6.1 Henna art 6.2 National holidays 7 Customs and Courtesies 8 References

[edit] Language

See also: Somali language, Languages of Somalia

Nearly all Somalis speak the same language, Somali which belongs to a set of languages called lowland Eastern Cushitic spoken by peoples living in Ethiopia, Somalia, Djibouti, and Kenya. Eastern Cushitic is one section of the Cushitic language family, which in turn is part of the great Afro-Asiatic stock.

The main Somali dialect which is the most widely used is Common Somali, a term applied to several subdialects, the speakers of which can understand each other easily. Common Somali is spoken in most of Somalia and in adjacent territories (Ethiopia, Kenya, and Djibouti), and is used by broadcasting stations in Somalia.

Facility with language is highly valued in Somali society; the capability of a suitor, a warrior, or a political or religious leader is judged in part by his verbal adroitness. In such a society, oral poetry becomes an art, and one's ability to compose verse in one or more of its several forms enhances one's status. Speakers in political or religious assemblies and litigants in courts traditionally were expected to use poetry or poetic proverbs. Even everyday talk tended to have a terse, vivid, poetic style, characterized by carefully chosen words, condensed meaning, and alliteration.

In the pre-revolutionary era, English became dominant in the school system and in government. However, the overarching issue was the development of a socioeconomic stratum based on mastery of a foreign language. The relatively small proportion of Somalis (less than 10 percent) with a grasp of such a language--preferably English--had access to government positions and the few managerial or technical jobs in modern private enterprises. Such persons became increasingly isolated from their nonliterate Somali-speaking brethren, but because the secondary schools and most government posts were in urban areas the socioeconomic and linguistic distinction was in large part a rural-urban one.

Even before the 1969 revolution, Somalis had become aware of social stratification and the growing distance, based on language and literacy differences, between ordinary Somalis and those in government. The 1972 decision to designate an official Somali Latin script and require its use in government demolished the language barrier and an important obstacle to rapid literacy growth.

In the years following the institution of the Somali Latin script, Somali officials were required to learn the orthography and attempts were made to inculcate mass literacy--in 1973 among urban and rural sedentary Somalis, and in 1974-75 among nomads. Although a few texts existed in the new script before 1973, in most cases new books were prepared presenting the government's perspective on Somali history and development. Somali scholars also succeeded in developing a vocabulary to deal with a range of subjects from mathematics and physics to administration and ideology.

[edit] Religion

See also: Islam in Somalia

It is estimated that northern Somalis began converting to Islam around the 7th century.

Almost all Somalis are Sunni Muslims and Islam is vitally important to the Somali sense of national identity, though traces of pre-Islamic traditional religion exist in Somalia. Many of the Somali social norms come from their religion. For example, men shake hands only with men, and women shake hands with women.

Many Somali women cover their heads and bodies with a brightly-coloured hijab when they are in public. In addition, Somalis abstain from pork, gambling, and alcohol, and receiving or paying any form of interest. Muslims generally congregate on Friday afternoons for a sermon and group prayer. Accordance with these prohibitions depends on each individual's level of orthodoxy.

Most Somalis don't belong to a specific mosque or sect and can pray in any mosque they find. Celebrations come in the form of religious festivities, two of the most important being Eid al Adha and Eid al Fitr which marks the end of the fasting month. Families get dressed up to visit one another. If they can afford it, money is donated to the poor.

[edit] Clan system and marriage

See also: Somali clan

Somali society is organized into clan families, which range from 100,000 to over one million in size. The six main clans are: Isaaq, Darod, Hawiye, Dir, Digil, and Rahanweyn. There are also a number of smaller clan groups. Each of the large clan families is divided into lineage units, typically ranging from 10,000 to 100,000 members. It is possible for Somalis to know how they are related simply by giving their name and clan membership.

Somalis deeply value the family with the strength of family ties providing a safety net in times of need and suffering.

Arranged marriages are common in Somalia. In the case of arranged marriages, the bride is usually much younger than the groom. Marriage to a cousin from the mother's side of the family (of a different lineage) is traditionally favored to strengthen family alliance, but this practice is not as common as earlier. Virginity is valued in women prior to marriage. In addition, divorce is legal in Somalia. Romantic marriages are becoming more common and are now the majority of marriages in Somalia. But even these choices are influenced by the partner's clan.

[edit] Other Cultural Practices

Somalia is one of the leading practitioners of female genital mutilation followed by Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, and Mali. The Somalis hold the belief that girls are made "pure" by having their genitals cut out. If this procedure isn't performed the girls are shunned by their society which believes that the girls will be possessed by demons, fall into vice, and become prostitutes. The procedure generally takes place when girls reach the age of five. The excision is usually performed by a man, usually using nothing more than scissors. It is extremely painful and traumatizing to the child. The girl's genitals (labia and clitoris) are carved out, scraped off or, in more liberal clans, merely cut or pricked. After the procedure is performed the area is sewn up and a scar forms over where the vagina used to be (infibulation). A small hole is left for the girl to urinate and menstruate through. This, according to the practitioners, ensures that the girl is a virgin on her wedding night. Many girls die from infection after this procedure. This ethnic practice predates Islam, nevertheless it is generally justified through the religion by the practitioners.^[1]

[edit] Food and drink

Main article: Cuisine of Somalia

It is considered polite for one to leave a little bit of food on a plate after finishing a meal at another's home. This tells the host that one has been given enough food. If one were to clean his or her plate that would indicate that he or she is still hungry. Most Somalis don't take this rule so seriously, but it is certainly not impolite to leave a few bits of food on one's plate.

Traditionally, the main meal of the day is eaten at lunchtime and Somali people usually begin their day with a flat bread called canjeero, toast, cereal or porridge made of millet or cornmeal. Lunch can be a mix of rice or noodles with meat and sauce.

When the Italians ruled the Horn of Africa they brought some of their cuisine to Somalia for example Pasta Al Forno (in Somali Baasto Alfoorno} and they also planted bananas in the southern part of the region. Also during lunch their diet may consist of a traditional soup called maraq (It is also part of Yemen cuisine) made of vegetables, meat and beans and usually eaten with flat bread or pita bread.

Later in the day a lighter meal is served which includes beans, Ful medames, muufo (patties made of oats or corn), Hummus or a salad with more canjeera.

A minority of Somalis drink Turkish coffee which they brought from Arab countries to their homeland. Somalis also drink Turkish tea, called Shaah hawaash.

The majority drink a traditional and cultural tea known as Shah Hawaash, it is made of cardamom (Somali Hawaash} and cinnamon barks (Somali Qoronfil).

[edit] The arts

Islam and poetry have been described as the twin pillars of Somali culture. Most Somalis are Sunni Muslims and Islam is vitally important to the Somali sense of national identity. Most Somalis don't belong to specific mosque or sect and can pray in any mosque they find.

Celebrations come in the form of religious festivities, two of the most important being Eid al Adha and Eid al Fitr which marks the end of the fasting month. Families get dressed up to visit one another. Money is donated to the poor.

In a nomadic culture, where one's possessions are frequently moved, there is little reason for the plastic arts to be highly developed. Somalis embellish and decorate their woven and wooden milk jugs (Somali Haano, the most decorative jugs are made in Erigavo) and their wooden headrests, and traditional dance is important; though mainly as a form of courtship among young people. The traditional dance known as the Ceeyar Somaali in the Somali language is Somalia's favorite dance.

[edit] Henna art

Also, an important form of art in Somalia is henna painting (Somali: cilaan). The Henna plant is widely grown across the region and it was Arab merchants and settlers that first brought the art of henna or cilaan painting, in early Somalia. During special occasions, a Somali women's hands and feet are expected to be covered in decorative cilaan. Girls and women usually apply or decorate their hands and feet in henna on joyous celebrations like Eid and weddings. The henna or cilaan designs can be very simple to highly intricate. Unlike Pakistani, Indian, or Bangladeshi henna designs, the Somali and Arab designs are more modern and simple compared to the latter. Traditionally, only women apply this body art and it is absolutely strange for men to apply such art on their hands and feet.

Henna is not only applied on the hands and feet but at the same time it is used as a dye. Somali men and women alike use henna as a dye to change their hair colour. Mostly, elderly men with grey hair apply such procedure because black hair dye is forbidden in Islam. Women are free to apply henna on their hair as most of the time they are wearing a hijab.

[edit] National holidays

Apart from the religious festivals, holidays include June 26, which celebrates the north's independence, and July 1, which celebrates the unification of the North and South.

[edit] Customs and Courtesies

Somalis warmly greet each other with handshakes. Shaking hands with the opposite sex is avoided although some choose to do so. Common verbal greetings include:

• Assalamu alaikum (Peace be upon you)

• Subax/aroor wanaagsan (Good morning)

• Galab wanaagsan (Good afternoon)

• Habeen wanaagsan (Good night/good evening)

• Iska waran (How are you?)

• Nabad (I'm fine or literally translated, it means peace)

Somalis use sweeping hand and arm gestures to dramatize speech. Many ideas are expressed through specific hand gestures. Most of these gestures are performed by women:

• A swift twist of the open hand means "nothing" or "no".

• Snapping fingers may mean "long ago" or and "so on"

• A thumb under the chin indicates "fullness".

• It is impolite to point the sole of one's foot or shoe at another person.

• It is impolite to use the index finger to call somebody; that gesture is used for calling dogs.

[edit] References

• This article contains material from the Library of Congress Country Studies, which are United States government publications in the public domain.