Originally posted by underdog: If I, as a consenting adult, choose to engage in some recreational weekend munch-sessions, aren't you violating my free-will by trying to ban khat? If he chooses to advocate for the ban of Khat, Aren't you violating his free will to do so by standing in his way?

Soomaalidu waa cajiib Afrikada waa ka sooc Sansaanka carbeedna ma leh Gaalada siirkeeda ma leh Sowsowgoodaa gurracan Subaacyay wada noqdeen Cid lagu suureeyo ma leh Bal eega siday yihiin!? Soomaali haddaan lahayn Wanaagii laga salkacay Sammaanta la diiddan yahay Sokeeyuhu inuu tashado Midnimo aan saxal lahayn Calooshuna saafi tahay Tolnimadu suubban tahay Sinnaan iyo daacadnimo Salkuna nabad buuxda yahay Sidaasi miyay xun tahay?

I plead guilty!

Allamagan, Maniacs with Machetes - that's what most Africans are! si bey u dullaysanyihiin heedhe dadku - xoolona ka daran.

Africans will always be Africans!

The Marfish You are instantly accosted by the clouds of smoke on entering through the grubby door; rings of white puffs sail along the faded walls of the corridor and softly circle up to embrace the moist ceiling. The strumming of the Oud, with Axmed Mooge’s voice or the dulcet tones of Sahra Axmed floating through the thick air, can be heard coming from a broken tape recorder in some corner. And as you walk in to the shabby room, the clamour of slurred voices deafen the atmosphere - loud and obnoxious. The walls inside the room, sweating with humidity, are usually of green or blue in colour with mismatching yellow patterns at times and the windows, misty with condensed air and water drizzling down to the window sill, always seem to be locked. The damp atmosphere and the stench must be preserved to get the full benefits of this evening. Several stained Arabic cushions lie on the floor, going along the walls of the room to serve as the seating area and a carpet, decorated with ashes, cigarette butts and burns occupies the middle of the floor, covering a washed-out wooden flooring bestrewn with leaf stalks. A group of about 20-30 men in dowdy garments, grinding mouthfuls of leaves with their stained teeth and a green paste of saliva dribbling from the corners of their mouths as they speak, sit huddled together on the cushions as if clustering for warmth. In front of each of them lies a blue plastic bag with his treasure in it - several small greenish-brown twigs, each with a few leaves at the top, all assembled into fine rows and ready for consumption. Beside the plastic bags, lies a waste bucket, covered in a blue plastic bag, a thermos flask, some bottles of still water, Shani drinks, and a hubbly-bubbly. The hubbly-bubbly us shared by about 3 or 4 men. In the far corner, a wooden desk stands, enclosing the dealer or owner of the Marfish. Underneath the desk lies the containers of Qat, clustered in bundles for sale at about £5 each. Beside the dealer’s desk is a small refrigerator, containing some more boxes of Qat and bottles of still water and Shani drinks. A small television set is mounted atop a desk with Sky sports channels but the sound is muted. These men, grandfathers, fathers, sons, uncles and brothers, coteries of pitiable simpletons, of whom half rely on the dole, have neglected families and friends for these leaves. And as you stand in the room, a strange mixture of smell seeps out of it and into the corridor. One can not be sure as to what it is - the cigarette smoke, the hubbly-bubbly, or the perspiring bodies. The health and safety auditors must have neglected these premises, but the evening here is the grandest, or such a feeling their minds are imbued with, and any other sort of leisure activity to match this is deemed futile. The lavish supply of leaves and the effect they induce is simply unmatched. Welcome to the Marfish!

Originally posted by Dj Mad_MaN: Hi every1 Im new to the site, massive welcome for me plzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz Big UP Dj Mad Man in da house, where are my beautiful Somali queens, Happy new year to you all. Welcome London degenerate! Wagwan! massive welcome for you! haha

Somalis have suffered much. They have endured much conflict and have lost countless citizens as a result in the past twenty years of fighting. Yet, to this day, no one knows exactly why we went to war in the first place! In order to find a solution to the problems currently facing Somalia, it is imperative to understand and consider the causes of war in the first place. People from all walks of life, inside Somalia as well as the Diaspora, have raked their brains in a futile attempt to understand the Somali problem – the cause of the war and the civil unrest. Their efforts yielded nothing fruitful so far. Their answers, as expected, turned out to be nothing more enlightening than the blameworthy Qabiil which we all know. But there has to be some deeper meaning to be unearthed… Several attempts have also been made at reconciliation, and they too produced nothing effective of several reasons, which include a Lack of Common Objective - With each and every individual thinking primarily about his/her own concern, then his family’s, then his Jilib’s, his clan’s, his Qabiil’s interest, and his land’s, it is hard for Somalis to have a unified common objective to be progressing forward. We are stuck in a rut! But how can Somalis have a unified Common Objective when, particularly after the war broke out, they don’t live with each other and every clan lays allegiance to his region and piece of land. I suggest: Land Rotation Just as the case of plants, if the crops are left in the same place year after year, the many pests under the soil that thrive on these crops will soon diminish the health and vigour of the plant. The soil needs to be balanced in order to yield good quality crops and it is for this reason that rotating the crops is essential. The diseases that thrive on Somalis are many, but the incurable Qabiil Syndrome (QS) has reached endemic levels and needs to be curtailed. And as I mentioned QS is nourished primarily by the Somalis’ allegiance to land. So, as to eliminate this I suggest a rotation of land carried out on a massive scale. Just as it is important to consider that the crop doesn’t have to be in the same place for two years in a row, Somalis should not be allowed to settle the same region or Gobol for more than two years in a row. Then the intrinsic meaning of Nomads shall be applied to all and adhered by all. People of Bay should be relocated to Mudug and vice versa, people of Awdal to Hiiraan, people of Bari to Shabeelada Hoose, people of Togdheer to Bakool, people of Sanaag to Galguduud, people of Jubbada Dhexe to Sool, people of Gedo to Waqooyi Galbeed, people of Nugaal to Hiiraan and so forth… Before the rotation begins though, the land needs to be tilled completely. Once the land is tilled, and sprayed of the previous pests and diseases that might have been infesting it for the two years, relocations should start promptly. It is essential that the soil is treated as there are some greedy feeders that have some strong roots and are hard to get rid of. It is also important to remember that: 1 - No matter how much the crop is rotated, the pest will always find it and soon reach epidemic levels once again – but the more we keep rotating it, the more of a chance we have of curtailing the problem and weakening the pest. 2 - The pest cannot be killed.

Hadii aanan dhulkaygow by the great Muse Ismaciil Qalinle Hadii aanan dhulkaygow Dhuux cadaawe kuu Karin Hadii aanan dhulkaygow Dhiig kuugu fool dhiqin If, for you my land, I don’t Cook an enemy’s marrow If, for you my land, I don’t Rinse your face with blood Hadii aanan dhulkaygow Gobanimada soo dhicin Soomali kama dhalan If for you my land I don’t Sovereignty reclaim I wasn’t born of a Somali Maalkaaga maan dhaqan Caanihiisa maan dhamin Ciidana dhab uma ladin Your wealth I did not preserve Its milk I did not taste And the soil I did not truly inhabit Hadii aanan dhulkaygow Gaaja kuugu dhuubnaan Hadii aanan dhulkaygow Dharka kuugu duubnaan If for you my land I don’t Become emaciated with hunger If for you my land I don’t Become draped in your clothes Hadii aanan dhibaatada dhexda suunka ku adkayn Hadii aan dhaxantiyo milicdaba u dherernaan Soomali kama dhalan If for the difficulties I don’t Fasten my waist with the rope If the bitter colds I don’t and the scorching heat endure I wasn’t born of a Somali Dhirta miraa kamaan guran Dhuunigaaga maan cunin Kuma dhaqaaqin magacaa The fruits I did not pick from your trees Your food I did not consume And your name I did not act upon Maalkaaga maan dhaqan Caanihiisa maan dhamin Ciidana dhab uma lihi Your wealth I did not preserve Its milk I did not taste And the soil I did not truly inhabit

Waryaa Marcus, Welcome to SOL bruv!

Thank you all for those who have taken part and sent me their answers. I am still awaiting answers from a few more nomads and hope that they will send their too. I understand that you have other arrangements and work, so i won't pressure you - take your time... In the meantime, as Nephthys suggested i should perhaps post the questionnaire here as a read-only and should you wish to answer them you can send me a PM with your answers... My friend sends his heartfelt gratitude to all those who have taken part... Here is the questionnaire... Q1: Have you ever lived in Somalia? If yes, how was your life there? Q2: Is there any official education system in Somalia? What types of beliefs and values people have about education? Q3: What are the health facilities like in Somalia? Q4: Have a lot of people fled Somalia because of the fighting? How are their lives? Q5: How much influence does the Islamic group have? Q6: What does the Islamic group do? Are they more organized? Do they use their resources for the civilians? Q7: There is news that Oil and other valuable natural resources have been discovered in Somalia, Is this right? How will the exploration of such natural resources affect the future of Somalia? Q8: What do Somalis think of the transitional government? What is about its relation with Ethiopia? Q9: Do you think Ethiopia will stay in Somalia? If so, for how long and what is your prediction? Q10: What do you think are the USA's and west agenda in Somalia? What about other superpowers such as Russia and China? Q11: Do you think that the neighbouring countries want peace in Somalia or they want to maintain the existing chaos? Q12: How do the Somalis see Arab world? Do they expect something from them? Q13: What you think will unite Somalis? Q14: Do UN agencies play a positive role in Somalia? Q15: Are there any missionary activities? What people think of them if any? Q16: Can a federal government consist of independent territories be a viable solution to the current conflict? Q17: How is the economic situation? How do people live in Somalia? Q18: Do you expect something from year 2009 election? Q19: Is there a conflict on water supplies between different tribes/groups/countries? Q20: Last word to share?

J11 - kan shaatiga cas oo dhukuran ninyohow jeegadaada iyo dhegahaagoo kaluu leeyahaye maadigaa?

Alla Maxaan Kula Yaabay oo hadana kaa yaabay! Soo dhowow sxb, Al midaanu waasac...

^^ Quite the contrary infact - Bhutto was leading the election race with majority of the population in her favour. Though it would not appear to be in Musharraf's advantage to assassinate her, yet her death indicates a clear victory for his party. It is also imperative to state that she was killed before the explosion by a gunman.

Thanks all - I have sent out the questionnaires to you all. Geel-Jire, sorry bro i couldn't send it to you because your profile doesn't allow private messages to be sent to you. Mahadsanidin...

hahaha! Shaxdu waa bahal cajiib ah walle. Thanks for sharing Nuune Yaa Soomaali sarbeeb iyo poetic riddles ku gaari kara hadde!

^ War Aw Mujahid Red Seayow, ilaa jigjiga waran kula jugleye jooji edeb darrada iyo caydan aad wadid yaanan matoobiyad kula dhicine saacadaa xaadirka ahe! Waa digniine ogow...

A friend of mine is currently working on an assignment for one of his MBA projects. For that he has prepared a research questionnaire for a few people to fill out and I would be really grateful if you could kindly take a few minutes to help. What is needed is individual thoughts on this so that no one would be influenced by the other group member's ideas. So in order to develop a multi-perspective view, I will post the questionnaire privately to those who would be kind enough to participate in this little research, then after I receive all the answers we can share the results here and perhaps discussion could ensue. Please let me know by replying back here if you want to take part. It is only a few questions to fill out with short answers. The questions are regarding Somalia - it's current state, future, etc. and won't take much of your time Mahadsanidin in Advance!

Ngonge, I swear I was going to post this very story a while ago but got bogged down with some work... Brilliant stuff mate!

Umm, more coming soon walaal, ha sugi waayin...

I am thinking of writing a book Insha-Allah soon. I am more into creatiev Non-fiction and wish to write about my travels trhoughout Somalia, if Allah permits me the time and money. The problem is, Somalis are stingy and have a habit of borrowing books so my book won't be a Bestseller, and thereby lies my descent into the bottomless abyss of poverty... I will a write a book Insha-Allah, and when i do, i will let you know....

Continuing on with the translations of Somali Poems, here is another great Gabay. This letter dated January 1904, speaks of of the tragic battle of Jidbaale where so many Somalis lost their lives. Though the Dervishes lost a thousand men in the Battle of Jidbaale, yet the opposing forces led by the British Army also consisted of thousands of Somalis, many of whom lost their lives on that day. Speaking of this battle and other battles the Dervishes engaged in, Ismaciil Mire composed the following poem and speaks about the gravity of the situation. History has it that Ismaciil Mire and his friend Maxamad camped at some people’s hut one night and a woman charged towards him and accused him of several things, including killing her sons, looting her camels and so forth, in order to set the local men against him in retaliation. Ismaciil Mire was at the time the leader of some regiments of the Dervish army, being the second in the chain of command after the Sayid Mohamed Abdulle Hassan. Relating the tale of the woman and her accusations as well as shedding light on the conditions of the battlefield, Mire said: Gelin dhexe xalaan Maxamadow, geyrtay oo kacaye Gam’ina waayey hadalkay i tidhi, gacallow naagtiiye Adigay gabley tidhi markaad, geyshka wadateene Midnight last night, oh Maxamad, with a jolt I awoke And I couldn’t sleep, my dear, of what the woman told me You murdered my offspring, she said, when you with your army came Waxay tidhi adaa igu gondolay, garangartaan iile Waxay tidhi aday guridhigoo, ma lihi gaadiide Waxay tidhi adaa gelengel tubay, garayartaydiiye She said that you have tied me to this uninhabited wilderness She said you have rendered me home-bound and I have no camels She said you have, in the deserted fields, left my flock of goats Waxay tidhi guyaalkii adaa, gaajo ii dilaye Waxay tidhi gurboodkii adaa, geesaha u dhigaye Guhaadeeda aan jirin bal aan, gabay ka soo qaado She said you have, over the years, starved me to death She said you have killed all the youth Of her false intimidations now, let me recite a poem Gumburo iyo Cagaarweyne iyo, geedkii Daratoole Goobtii Jidbaaliyo Xargaga, guuldarradii joogtay Gembigii ka dhacay Ruuga iyo, gudurigii haagay At Gumburo* and Cagaarweyne* and the tree of Daratoole* The location of Jidbaale* and Xargaga*, the defeat that prevailed The turmoil that took place at Ruuga* and the Guduri* that feasted Gabooddeeda Beerdhiga wixii, la isku gooraamay Maydkii gabraday seerigay, Good ku tumanaysay Gawarkaad maraysaba laftaad, galayaxaa mooddo The tragedy at Beerdhiga* and the bloody slaughter that ensued The death that filled the grounds where Good* had trampled upon On every bank that you tread and the skeletons that dried Gob ninkii ahaan jirey wuxuu, gibil madoobaadey Giddigiis naflaa’iga wixii, gobolba meel aaday When the noblest of men became emaciated with hunger The entire population, when every region scattered to a place Dayuuradaha gowliyo wixii, samada guuraayey Daarihii gelgelintaa noqdiyo, gebiyadii ciiray Wixii guuldarriyo hoog ka dhacay, dunida guudkeeda The planes that roared and the things that travelled the sky The buildings turned to rubble and the walls that collapsed The defeat and devastation that overwhelmed the world’s pinnacle Gembiyo jahaadkii arlada, gaday wixii joogay Gaaliyo Daraawiish wixii, uunka kala gaadhay Keligey ma wada geysannine, la isku geeryooye The destruction and holy war that engulfed the earth’s inhabitants The infidels and Dervishes and between the people what occurred It’s not only I to blame, for both parties suffered countless casualties Geyigii rogmaday oo dhan baad, guudka ii sudhiye Waxbana hay gurraynine dembaad, galabsanaysaaye Gartaa maaha naag yahay inaad, ii gilgilataaye All the ravaged land, you have saddled on my head So accuse me not, for you are only accumulating sin You have no right, o’ woman, to threaten me Gashi kaama qabo oo ma layn, gabannadaadiiye Gambana kaama furan baan u fili, gulufyadaydiiye Naa gefkiyo beenta daa yaadan gelin, godadkii naareede I owe you no blood money, and your sons I did not kill And I don’t think my regiments robbed you of your scarf So stop the transgression and lies, o’ woman, lest you dwell in the pits of hellfire Guduri = a bird that feeds on corpses Gumburo, Cagaarweyne, Daratoole, Jidbaale, Xargaga, Ruuga, and Beerdhiga – These are areas, stretching from the vicinity of Laascanood, and scattered all the way from the Nugaal valley to Burco, are the sites where the Dervishes engaged in battles with the British forces. It is in the battle of Jidbaale where they suffered most casualties. An anonymous man was cited to have said… Abidkeyba meel lagu jabaan jiqila buurnaaye Dagaalkii jidbaaley ninkii joogey baan ahaye Ilaahay I jecelaa muxuu jiray arwaaxdayda I have always dwelled in the horrible places of defeat I was the man present at the war of Jidbaaley O’ how God loves me for he has protected my soul p.s I have removed a few lines from the poem containing tribal names simply because some people have the tendency to read tribal names out of context - oh! and it is against SOL rules! The lines i have removed though shed more evidence of the disaster that struck the Dervishes on the days of their battles.

J.11, ina adeer ninka maad ka deysid sida. TO the critics, I know MS personally and to be honest is far better than many of you Fadhi-ku-dirir isma-dhaantiyo-dhaseed folks here. Unlike many who hide behind the anonymity of their computer screens often spewing out scandalous rumours and petty tribal insults, he is talking about real issues that face the Somali Community in the UK today. That is courage - to go out there and broadcast it to the world without fear or hesiation and instigate discussions and debates. You may not agree with what he says most of the time, but then again, if we agreed with everyone where would we find debates?

Nimankaa kufriga reebayaan, ahay rafiiqoode Reer guurey reer negi qalbigu, wayska raacaaye Anigana rakaab suul galyoo, waa i ruxayaaye Sayid Maxamed ruunkuu fadhiyey, rugihii loo jeelye Reyrreeye ii qabo qalbigaa, raba Daraawiishe May Allah rest his soul in Peace and forgive his sins...

dadka badankii haduu xuubsiibtey kolley anigu weli ma xiniinyasiiban!