Love in my opinion is a social construct. Too many people spend their whole lives searching for that elusive lover only to find that true love comes from companionship and time.

These people (EDL) are only defending their country against terrorist and bogus asylum seekers. What Somali person wouldn't protect their country against colonials, occupiers etc. Why is it that when its the turn of the Muslims to have a little bit of abuse come their way, that Muslims play the victim card??

Aden,1935; a city vibrant, alive, and full of hidden dangers. And home to Jama, a ten year-old boy. But then his mother dies unexpectedly and he finds himself alone in the world. Jama is forced home to his native Somalia, the land of his nomadic ancestors. War is on the horizon and the fascist Italian forces who control parts of east Africa are preparing for battle. Yet Jama cannot rest until he discovers whether his father, who has been absent from his life since he was a baby, is alive somewhere. And so begins an epic journey which will take Jama north through Djibouti, war-torn Eritrea and Sudan, to Egypt. And from there, aboard a ship transporting Jewish refugees just released from German concentration camp, across the seas to Britain and freedom. This story of one boy′s long walk to freedom is also the story of how the Second World War affected Africa and its people; a story of displacement and family. The powerful narrative of `Black Mamba Boy' is based on tales told to author Nadifa Mohamed by her father, with events taking place mainly in north-east Africa in the period 1935-47. At the start, in what was then Aden, Jama is a 10 year-old Somali boy, and in enthralling and engrossing fashion `Black Mamba Boy' plots both his physical journey searching for his own father, together with his mental journey striving for something better than his own childhood. Jama makes his way to Britain through Eritrea, Sudan etc. where today these are little known apart from a steady drip of disjointed and incomplete media reports on wars and other atrocities underlining the seemingly impotence of the United Nations or anyone else to resolve problems. `Black Mamba Boy' confirms this has been the case for decades with insights to the Italian campaign in Abyssinia, the Second World War and the build up to a Jewish state in Palestine. As well as recording a unique view of history Nadifa Mohamed captures the essence of family ties and lifestyles in parallel with personal portrayals of Jama's innocence, fears and desires. It is illuminating to compare the compassionate support he receives from his Somali kinsmen with the indifferent and ruthless ways of Europeans. Nadifa Mohamed's writing is emotional and evocative and as well as lyrical landscape descriptions or relationship revelations she does not flinch from the harrowing reality of a cruelly chaotic part of the world. My only criticisms of the book are about what is not included as it finishes frustratingly with Jama returning optimistically to his country but without indicating future detail. Also it avoids explanations on the wrongful execution of Mahmood Mattan in 1952 as introduced with the preamble. Even so `Black Mamba Boy' is a deeply moving intimate account, and Nadifa Mohamed has faithfully fulfilled her father's wish to have people know what he endured and survived. This is a 5-star book deserving similar acclaim and success to `The Kite Runner'. Nadifa Mohamed on BBC World Service's The Strand

^^^ Did you see last years message? 2008 SOL Alternative Christmas Message Delieved by MAXIMUS POWERS This years SOL alternative Christmas message promises to be special.

That reminders me, I need to get my Christmas speech ready.

This goat cant climb a tree. Its eating a plastic bag. Its a weak goat, not like the legendary goats of Abdal and darcaar buuduq.

Oh lets all have a round of applause shall we?(!) This would have been newsworthy in any community. Who needs validation from a newspaper.

You know, there is a folkloric story told in Eastern Somaliland about the intelligence of goats from Berbera and Saaxil region - especially in abdal and darcaar buuduq towns. Its goes, goats in Berbera have adopted to their natural enivironment so much so that they are able to claim trees and elongate their necks to such an extent as to reach all the buds of the trees. In contrast, eastern Somaliland is usually known for its flat plains and the goats as a result have penalty of flat land to roam for foods and are less fed and it is said that their genetic stock is weak.

That all you need walal macaan. Sometimes, I press the random button. and learn new things about small villages in the Faroes islands etc. My knowledge has become supreme because of wikipedia.

This is indeed a promising venture between the Somaliland govt, its Ethiopian counterpart and French multinational company. . This will greatly help the Somaliland Government with much need funds to develop Somaliland even further. When this deal is signed and finalised, Somaliland's GDP will be almost $2bn. Remittance account for $1.5bn* of the Somaliland's Economy according to latest research by researchers at UCL London. *Its not published yet.

2000s was an amazing decade for technology. 2010 will be even more impressive. fingers crossed.

If you get bored during the holidays. Check these sites out: facebook.com - connect with friends. wikipedia.org - knowledge house youtube.com - clips, music and short films etc ted.com - innovative and inspirational talks free-tv-video-online.info - latest movies and tv shows.

That's an awfully big snake isn't it? Cajib!

The girl is hot. Her lack of patience is not nice. The guy lost the mobile phone for goodness sakes. uff! speaking of more hot somali chicks, this UK chick is too busy getting comfortable with a black man.

This year we have lost two of our most valuable female contributors. VAL and Nefisa! May they both rest in peace.

Congratulations Sophist!

Honey Trap Honey Trap is dark story of betrayal and murder is an exercise in the art of seduction with a passionate and unexpected turn. In the darkest corner of the most beautiful countryside, sibling rivalry becomes bloody and clumsy violence. 'Brotherly Love' tells the story of Jack and Tobias, two forty-something brothers who have shared everything in life - including Dolores Hart - the local villages' former beauty queen. Although the former is further ago than she would care to admit. When others would toss a coin or arm wrestle, Jack and Tobias method of solving a dispute is altogether more bloody and bloody ridiculous.

lol@bloody wankers... Who care what they write, it wouldnt change the facts on the ground. Somalis are citizens of this nation.

On another note, I have to admit, the saddest incident of the year was seeing a SOLer called Fabregas get the booted from SOL. Some claim he came back as fabregas bruv. I am not too sure. For me, the highlight of the year has been slaying my enemies. One has come to realise that certain individuals can only be defeated through logic and reason lol. I have to say i have put many to the rough knife this year. On the domestic social front: The Somali community continues to struggle from the many obstacle that hinder our progress. This is our fault. We are weak and divided. There is no consensus and compromise. There are many rogues within the community, like the benefit frauds from November 2009, and those who travel from nice comfortable and peaceful homes to blow up their peoples in the name of Islam. On the international front, Somaliland continues to seek the converted recognition but is closer now than ever. Puntland started well but has since disintegrated into anarchy. South Somalia is burning!

^ Your silly ghetto say-walahi nacnac is getting boring sxb. JB, there is no award saxb but thinking of the generations of somalilanders you have inspired.

It has been another interesting year here at SOL. Lot of ideas have been discussed and deliberated. For many, its been another year full of negative stories but I am sure many of you might agree when I say, that SOL is an invaluable source of information on Somalis both in the diaspora and in the Somali Peninsula. Thanks to all those who contributed and have informed us of the latest on-goings, debates and current affairs. I am personally grateful. Thanks especially to JB for information about Somaliland and Berbera. Cheers!

Interesting analysis from DD!

^^ I think GG and the flock of Punties want to emulate the young turks.

The orginial young turks led to the collapse of the last islamic empire. The Puntland Young Turks will hopefully lead to the collapse of the Somali Republic and what is left of it. This is indeed a blessing and I certaintly welcome it. As for the flag, It looks like the Flag of Lesotho. Somalilanders are the only people capable of designing flags. We designed the blue flag and we now we have a new (well its 18years) beautiful flag.

fair enough. I understand why they use these terms. the likes of GG and Xiin are politically inept, so it cool for them to use such terms. lool