Originally posted by G G: Has anybody read Ignorance is the Enemy of Love? Someone gave it to me as a gift, but I've never had the time to read it. Any good? Thoughs, comments? One of the best books I have read in my life. Yes the English version. Here is an old review. Reviewed by Andrzejewski 1984 The story told here is a true one, even though it is presented in a fictionalized form. The hero, Cali Maxamed Xasan, popularly known as Calimaax, Cali the Seafarer, and the heroine, Cawrala Barre, were real people, and the memory of what happened in their lives is still preserved among older people in the Sanaag region of Somalia..... "Ignorance is the Enemy of Love appeared in 1974, and was the first full-scale Somali novel to be published; it was preceded only by two much shorter ones printed in booklet form. Its publication coincided with the beginning of mass urban and rural literacy campaigns, and with the rapid Somalization of the school system, and although the novel is historical, its attack on the evils of illiteracy and ignorance had topical relevance at that time. In fact, its popularity among the numbers of newly literate people surely contributed to the success of the campaigns, giving them something to read that was aesthetically satisfying and was based firmly in their own culture. The success of Faarax M.J. Cawl, who won nationwide acclaim, has encouraged other talented Somali writers, and in the few years since the introduction of an official orthography there have been substantial achievements both in poetry and prose. The reformist zeal of Faarax M.J. Cawl is not limited to the advocacy of literacy, and in his novel he presents a very sympathetic picture of Somali women which by implication shows his total support for their emancipation. This again coincides with the views of the government which came into power in 1969; at the time of the publication of the book it was preparing family law legislation which was to be strongly opposed by some traditionalist opinion. It must be observed at this point that the lot of Somali women, even before this time, was probably somewhat better in many other male-dominated societies, and their difficulties arose more from abuse of the system than from cruelties inherent in it. For instance, women did not have to be veiled, except by tradition among members of a small number of families in some of the towns, and everywhere they had considerable freedom of movement, as can be seen from the women in the novel are traveling independently from Aden to Somalia. Somali men usually feel great reverence and affection for their mothers, and consequently many women of ability and character had a strong influence on family matters and even, by manipulating their menfolk, on public affairs. Marriages were normally arranged by the families concerned, but often enough after the young people had already met and initiated the process, and the custom did not necessarily present any problems. In any case, elopement was a recognized method by which young people could get their own way. Although they would usually be pursued by their families, if they managed to get beyond a certain distance before being caught they were allowed to marry, and this explains the hope that Cawrala, the heroine of the novel, has that Calimaax will rescue her from the situation she is in. The system of bride-wealth payment to a girl’s family was not as degrading as it might seem, for the transaction involved mutual social obligations between the two families, and since a part of the payment was returned to the husband after all had gone well for some time, it acted as a deposit, as it were, to secure his good behaviour. In addition the amount of bridewealth reflected prestige not only on the families involved but on the girl herself. The real abuses of the old customs arose when, through poverty or greed, girls were given in marriage against their will to old, brutal or repulsive men who could give a tempting bridewealth in exchange. It is this situation“ based on real happenings, it must be remembered which is depicted in the novel, and in his emotive treatment of the subject, Faarax M.J. Cawl reflects the feelings of many Somali men and women of the younger generation, who support the pro-feminist reforms introduced by the government. The author does not neglect, either, to support another cause, which is of importance to the economic development of his country. He makes his hero protest against the prejudice which many Somalis have against the eating of fish, for in spite of the very long coastline the country possesses, fish has generally been regarded as a very inferior food compared to the meat eaten by the majority of the rural population. The government is trying to overcome the problems of malnutrition by persuading them to the contrary, through the mass media and education.

Originally posted by chocolate & honey: I agree with Nuune. Sharif looks like a typical Somali while the Haitan looks like well Haitan. Ma shariifku neceb yahay your friend? LOL! Lol@C&H, you right aliamos is implying that Shariif looks more like Haitian than Somali. His term is almost over, until then let's respect our "Wyclef" president

Indeed Mansa. The Victory of Las Anod and environs is on the horizon. Your inalienable rights to defend your home when invaded and occupied are hard to be brushed off as "tribal" motivation, in this case. The reputed elders and intelectuals from this region have warned the seperatist enclave more than it was necessary and it's time to bring home justice and developments through military means. Once that "freedom" is secured, they can then either join Puntland or form their own political entity. That option and political choice is with the people and no current self-declared entities should trade silly accusations and proxy war instigations between the natives on one hand and PL & SL on the other, least of dictating their destiny.

Great News! Keeping this delicate balance of peace and development in the Sanaag Region is very much in line with the local government's main goals and priorities. Insha'allah, similar developments will be reported in other parts of the region.

Originally posted by Mansa Munsa: Where is Hudaydi. The expert of Erigavo city and its history. The last lecture he gave about the city, in there he elobarated how admin of the city is run by the 4 clans that dwell in the city. Has anything changed since then? Mansa, indeed Hudeydi was brilliant in his posts and nothing I know has changed, but who can wean Oodweyne off his blind support for Somaliland and its naked aggressions. Here is my old response to his churlish mantra about Gen. Ilka-jir and his political decision to respect the clan treaties that govern the city. [i provided evidence in that thread of Xudeedi]. The city does not fall under the exclusive ownership of a single sub-clan or clan but of multiple sub-clans from H and I. Therefore it falls under the clan jurisdictions set by that treaty of 1993 following the cease fire of a 4 years civil war. Because of your sheer ignorance on this city (Ceerigaabo), I went the extra mile in offering a free lecture of the long, tangled history that created the stand off between Makhir's celebrated success in maintaining their Political Independence and the attempt to retrieve the colonial framework of British Somaliland. Erigavo as a District can not be isolated from the rest of Sanaag because of its geographic, historical and political dimensions and the preeminent power and prestige the Sultanate held once in the region, for historically Erigavo and Las Khorey formed part of the Districts (Counties) of former British Somaliland. Even so, it was explained with concrete evidence how that city is run to this day and how it was founded by the Sultanate in its apogee, an administration that was recognized by the British Empire. Despite the evidence of the Police and the Military under a Makhiri-born administrators, not to mention, the head of its Local Government Council, you are still blind and obstinate, in your silly assertion that the ownership and civil administration of Erigavo was established by the outcome of the post-1991 Somalia's tribal wars. If this is still the case, why is that ""Somaliland" project is absent in the other 4 official districts of the region? The fact that they humiliated your Warlord Minister and defeated his army would have been more than sufficient to demote the likes of Muse Ismail Dalaf from their positions. You would have told these gallant individuals in the current Erigavo admin that they did not deserve to be part of Erigavo Civil and Military Administration since the Makhiris, (being the vanguards of PL) have shown a total rejection of "our project". Contrary to your beliefs, Makhiris run Erigavo based on the Peace Treaty provided and with total confidence to run exclusively the rest of their Districts, the violation of which would parry a blow, as it has been the case.

A&T, We know both war and peace but we are not truly good at the exaggerated make-belief stories that are well known in the tolka circles and their news portals . Fyi, most of Sanaag region is under the control of its own people (the Makhirs). It is a region free from the erstwhile British reliant a.k.a victim-card bearers and new comers' of Somalia's polity long dominated by Puntlanders, so their influence is limited to the small villages their clans traditionally reside, that is the El-afwayn village and west of Erigavo. They have tried on many ocassion with the help of Ethiopia to expand into it or at least capture the man who even ship weapons into that lesser front's narrow pursuit of clan interests ("ONLF") and its lily-livered leadership who live by their own concocted claims of a small war they fight only their people. The secessionists have been squarely defeated and humiliated in Sanaag. They had it learned through hard lessons and won't certainly try again beyond their luck. Unfortunately you might be the product of ill-advised part of Somalia's history, the inflated ones that was fed on the weak segments of our society by Siyad Bare's tribal campaign of equalization and rural development. Ps. Reer Sool will get their lands back.

Mida kale, ciidanka direyska Ethiopianka xiran ee hada reer Buuhoodle gacanta ku hayaan waa Soomaali waana la yaqaan reerkooda.

Che Guevara, very sad state of affairs we find ourselves in . That is the balance a unipolar power brings to the world. We are so divided into mini states because the only super power in the world and its powerful allies give unconditional support to Ethiopia and because of the security dilemma mentioned, saxib. Reer Buuhoodle insha'allah wey ka badbaadi marxalada soo foodsaartey. Somaali Ilaah baa u maqan, waxkale oo niraahno majirto.

We must support our brethrens both morally and financially, and the mustering of menpower if necessary. No doubt the secessionists are directly or indirectly involved and Puntland is caught up with the ugly reality of the security dilemma of Somalia. However, As far as I'm told, the security situation in Buhotle is very delicate to say the least given our absence of central authority able to assume control of its borders. The Ethiopian border patrol and military bases are on as well stationed on the south of Buhotle as the town is divided into two sections: the south and the north, each claimed by Ethiopia and Somalia, respectively.

Good luck with that program, Ashkiro. Are u aware of that Indiana University page of old Somali textbooks?

Whatever transpired in the capital was in part out of unavoidable policy miscalculation by TFG's own making as it requested for an international peace-keeping forces from the start. That serious request had been ignored and delayed over and over. A government in exile first and then a fragile one holed up in Baid'abo, it was left with no other survival option but to be vanquished and absorbed by an unrepresentative, self-styled former members of al-Itihad al-Islami with warlords like Indha'ade among the top decision makers. Had the disingenous Islamists looked at the bigger picture or agreed to abide by the first accord signed in Khartoum, we won't have been in this mess, as much as I regret to recall the scorching military onslaught meted out on the population by both sides. However understand that Yusuf himself was powerless to play a meaningful role in this conflict. America was obsessed with its war on terror, took some actions that spawned the rise and popularity of the Sheikhs, and then bankrolled Ethiopia to do the dirty job. Yusuf was very ambitious, confident in the application of a military action as a solution besides his unyielding drive and hunger to rule Somalia, gave in to the endorsement of his country's invasion. Unfortunately, it consumed him. But the violence as you see now remains unabated. It's complex yet simple at its root cause. Puntland has stayed out of the fray but it wona't be safe and the trajectory of our ongoing conflict and its many dimensions such as territorial dispute, scarce resources, sectarian, clan hegemony will reinforce opposing groups over the fate of Somalia's polity. I observed our views and beliefs now appear to be converging on an understandable platform that spells out how dissatisfied we are with the ugly status quo. For the first time, ever since I joined SOL, many of our people agree on the need for a united Somalia and are willing to compromise for the bigger cause. In most cases, the masses even in the Diaspora yearn for this dream of Somalia once again standing high with pride and dignity. They are however strapped by the circumstances unique to the average Somali family living away from home. They find themselves in the maze of a complex web of social and political relations, the product of ill-informed exchange of rumors, exaggerated sense of vengeance being meted out to a rival clan, etc. I recall the emotionally charged allegation (now regurgitated by Keligii Muslim as he is well known in the forum ) that one community has deployed the enemy of Somalia in vengeance of the 90s massacre and ethnic cleansing? Therefore it serves our made adversaries (Ethiopia nad Kenya) upon the perpetration of our ills and the shameless portrayal of one group to be the source of all mayhem and wanton destruction. The more we confirm the above prejudices and misinformation in our own words and attitude the more we are studied and analyzed for an imprudent regional policy designed to keep us in misery.

You wlc Duke. I think we should let history vindicate Abdillahi Yusuf. I'm sure his many accomplishments would weigh more than the unavoidable losses he inflicted on the civilians. (Sayid Mohamed is just an example). And none of these public figures, Islamist warlords and their child suicide bombers are on nowhere near his well-known traits of bravery, integrity and as disciplined administrator.

I agree his formation of the state of Puntland partly as a counterweight to Somaliland's goal to dismember Somalia and to the restoration of our great Republic was his biggest accomplishment. Of course he was aided at the time by great leaders and intellectuals from the region. One of notable founders of Puntland was Awad A. Asharo (a veteran politician and one of the early opposition figures of Barre's dictatorship in the mid 70s. ).

Originally posted by misterajc: Sometimes if you put a General in charge of something they find it hard to let go when it is time. But he is a General with a great deal of reputation. I mean he hasn't participated in the civil war at all. Besides he is a CPA designate along with his long military and administrative experiences, and of course we have term limits. He would make a good candidate but staying out of it is a better option for him

So moving a patriotic lyrics that captures our sad state of affairs , however, let's not forget the injustice, maladministration, and colonialism, the Cold War era and dictatorship that engendered tribalism, for the latter is a direct consequence (or negative reaction ) to the said ills. Let's also give credit to Guled for resuscitating the great songs of the most modern and successful Somali band in post-civil war, the Guul Band. I first came across their album @ SomalilandNet back in 04. They are from Saudi Arabia. Thanks Sayid for sharing it with us.

Lol@Tuujiye, horaa Somaali u tiri sir naagood lagama sal gaaro. Marka inagaba daaya duulkaan. Hadaad sii raadisid ama deristid dhibkooda heesaha reer xamarka lee dhageeso saxiboow . Ar maxaa kuwaas inkaar haysato. Calaacalka Habiib Sharaabi ka baxaayo ma aragtey horta? Lol Nimanyahoo dhulkii hala aado oo hablaha xaga hala asturo, at least to be save from the bad records that jail time brings just in case. (Riwayadii Qabyo). Tii halkaan raacda caddaan ama madowga mareykanka ama Jamaican raasto badan iyadee jirtaa.

Beware of the lure of materialism. The greatest asset one could have is to use his time wisely and work towards peace, family values, justice and the promotion of knowledge-intensive society. When less than 1% of the society has the wealthy of the whole nation combined, what does 1 kid or for that matter a few persons from the bottomless pit can do more than a sprinkle of the shimmering mirage? A prosperous nation is measured by more than the artificial value of its currency.

Salaf, dookha iyo calafkuba waa laba excuse ee Somalida isticmaalaan. Hadii Ilaah ku siiyey options badan oo midba mid kale ka daran yahey xaga wanaagsanaanta, inaad hal wax tiraahdid waa kan ugu wanaagsan oo wax ka sareeyaa ma jiraan waa khalad. 'the beautiful ones are not yet born' wanaaga oo dhan wuxuu isugu uruuura xaga Ilaahey oo qofkii la rabaa la siiyaa. Laakinse waa inaan taxadarnaa oo aanan eegin keliya tan shaqsiyadada qancin kareysa balse mid waalidkaaga ku faraxaan ama ay ku faraxsan yahiin ileen horaa loo yiri nasabnimada ilaasha. Caruurtaada mustabalkooda iyo weliba ilaalinta sumcada tan reerka aad ka dhalatey. Dulqaad baa loo baahan yahey. Yaanan la degdegin oo dad ajanabi laga raadin nolol aan la hubin meesha ay ku danbeyneysano. Hada ka hor baan my fb status ku qoray, which a lot of people liked and responded, sidatan...Make your own rules (independence) but ensure that they benefit not only yourself but your loved ones and close relatives and fulfillment of Allah's obligation is in exercise.

Originally posted by Hales: B] Nassir i was gonna post the exact same thing. If they do find oil it should benefit the impoverished Nomads in the region; Northern tip of the NFD is one the poorest regions and undeveloped regions in Kenya. Kenya should not commit the same robbery the Nigerians do. Norfsky OGD reportedly has gas i never heard of any oil though. [/QB] Hales, Somalida Kenya waa iney si fiican isu kaashadaan oo isu diyaariyaan sidii qeyb libaax ay uga qaadan lahaayeen kheyraadka dhulkooda. Kenya aad bay u dhaantaa Nigeria xaga codka iyo xaquuqda shacabka.

Originally posted by Abtigiis & Tusbax: [QB Omar Abdirashid was with the wrong crowd. Sheikh Hotel, Adan Madoobe, Cabdi Qaybdiid etc etc waa reer-miyi aan wax baran. Markaa markii horeba wax isqaadan kara ma'aheyn. Intay noocaasi soomali madax u yihiina wax hagaagayaa majiro. Macallin-Dugsi miidhan baa Minister ah oo wax uu kala garanayaa jirin. Qaar kood markii lagu yidhi war why don't you prepare an Action Plan for your Ministries, waxaa laga hayaa inay yidhaahdeen wixii soo socdaa waa qayb oo Ilaah unbaa og. Kolkaa Tawakaltu cala'laah is our work plan. [/QB] Waa nasiib daro, laakiin ka waran hadii quwadaha waaweyn ay sidaa ku taageerayaan. Ma dowlad iney ka dhalato Soomaaliya miyaa lala rabaa? Taasna waa in laga hadlaa.

Tubeec's best song--haven't listened to it in a long time

Saafi, hadaad talo rabtid adiga iyo saaxiibtaadaba, talada Che raac. Gabdhahana waa is marin habaabiyaan baan maqli jirey ee bal taa ka fiirso. Initially, the tidal emotional waves (out of trade for an undesirable dating activities) flood settlements of reason, that is why you see some girls who override the collective decisions of their loved ones over uncertainty and adventure into the unknown world. I always advise my sisters for two things that would only complement and enhance their law-making abilities and independence: to hold fast to their cultural values and norms because that keeps the continuity, permanence, and stability of your own family in particular and nation in general and to beware of the artificial images of the media and their hidden agenda, that is, to control any given society within its jurisdiction and to transform them into the ways of the dominant culture whose interests, laws, and promotion they dearly represent. (We are all vulnerable and constant awareness is needed, so you (Saafi) did the right thing to seek the advise of brothers and sisters, some of whom have built misguided views from that held by the majority of Somalis.)

“There is a lot of interest in oil exploration in our northern frontier region,” Mr Murungi said last week at a conference Isn't that the Somali region a.k.a NFD he is refering to?

Even if Abdirashid's government gets dissolved, priority of his replacement will be given to Puntland since TFG desperately needs to expand its base of political support and it can't afford to alienate a strategic State like PL is to the TFG II, methinks. What if Jengeli, Asharo, or some public figure of high profile from Puntland gets nominated? When it comes to the two, Abdirashid will definately be forced to resign. Shariif has a huge international support for his TFG regardless of his leadership incompetence and poor performance. (His 275 MPs is enough )I hope a middle ground between the two will be found.

A nice move by Iran.