What is you culture?

[Bachelor]

Nomads!

How would you describe explicitly your somali tradition/culture to someone who is interested and want to know abut your culture. This nomad is abit :confused: .

Thanks for your help.

[Armstrong]

Salaamu 3laikum,

 

First brother it would have good idea if you define somali culture/tradition. Since for me culture in a Muslim country such as Somalia is defined as the citizens trying to live according to Sharia (Quran and Sunnah).

 

I would tell someone who is interested in the somali culture mainly about our beloved way of life (Diinta) and try to show them the mercy and beauty of the true complete way of life. Preach in a beautiful rational manner calling them unto the ways of Islam

 

W/Salaam

[QUANTUM LEAP]

Nomadic - Somalis are mostly nomadic or semi-nomadic herders, some are fishermen, and some farmers. Old traditions stated that other mundane jobs like metal workers, hair dressers as lowly jobs and done by only the lower class of people. Somalia is composed of a single, homogeneous ethnic group. Although Somalis may differ in nuances of local lifestyle, they share a uniform language, religion, and culture, and trace their heritage to a common ancestor.

 

Social Norms - Many social norms are derived from Islamic tradition, and thus may be similar to other Islamic countries. The common way to greet someone is to say salaam aleikum (roughly translated as "God bless you") and to shake their hand

 

Religion - Almost all Somalis are Sunni Moslems. For those who practice Islam, religion has a much more comprehensive role in life than is typical in the West. Islam is a belief system, a culture, a structure for government, and a way of life. Thus in Somalia, attitudes, social customs, and gender roles are primarily based on Islamic tradition.

 

Dress Code - Somali women wear veils to cover their faces, but few do in the U.S. as they find this a difficult custom to adhere to in American society. Pants are not a generally accepted form of attire for women, but may be worn under a skirt. The traditional women’s dress is called a hejab, and the traditional clothing for a man is called a maawis. Just as negligee is used in the West as a sexy form of dress, so is the Diraac .

 

Weddings – A wedding usually has a few processes…Shukaansi, accept each other and then Doon the girl from her folks. Once the family accepts the proposal, the man has to pay what is known as Yaraad and Nikaax which is an Islamic of joining the two love birds together as man and husband takes place. A wedding date is set to take place and either a mixture of traditional n western takes place or just a one sex session takes place depending on how the bride and groom plan it. Weddings often take place in expensive hotels for prestige purpose and public consumption.

 

Marriage - Marriages can either be arranged or be a result of personal choice. The common age of marriage is around 14 or 15 years old. Men who can afford to do so, may have up to 4 wives, as is customary in Islamic tradition. However, not all wealthy men exercise this option. In urban areas, a man with multiple wives provides separate homes for his different families. Whether these families interact or not depends on the preference of the individuals involved.

 

Family Structure - There are several main clans in Somalia and many, many sub clans. In certain regions of the country a single sub clan will predominate, but as the Somalis are largely nomadic, it is more common for several sub clans to live intermixed in a given area. Membership in a clan is determined by paternal lineage. Marriage between clans is common. When a woman marries a man of another clan, she becomes a member of that clan, though retains connection with her family and it's clan. Living with extended families is the norm.

 

Child Bearing - Child bearing usually commences shortly after marriage. A woman's status is enhanced the more children she bears. Expectant and newly-delivered mothers benefit from a strong network of women within Somali culture. An herb called malmal is applied to the umbilicus for the first 7 days of life. When a child is born, the new mother and baby stay indoors at home for 40 days, a time period known as afatanbah. Female relatives and friends visit the family and help take care of them. Breastfeeding is the primary form of infant nutrition. It is common to breastfeed a child until 2 years of age. Supplementation with animal milks (camel, goat, cow) early in the neonatal period is common.

 

Namings - Somali names have three parts. The first name is the given name, and is specific to an individual. The second name is the name of the child's father, and the third name is the name of the child's paternal grandfather. Thus siblings, both male and female, will share the same second and third names. Women, when they marry, do not change their names. By keeping the name of their father and grandfather, they are, in effect, maintaining their affiliation with their clan of birth.

 

Drugs – Qat, (also spelled khat, chat, kat) is a mild stimulant used by some Somali's. It is derived from fresh leaves from the catha edulis tree. When the leaves are chewed, the active stimulant ingredient, cathinone, is released. Qat is felt to make ones thoughts sharper and is often used in conjunction with studying. It is only used by men, and it's use is more common in Northern Somalia and the Ogaden.

 

Death - When a person is terminally ill, it is considered uncaring for a physician to tell them or their family that they are dying. It is acceptable to describe the extreme seriousness of an illness. When a death is impending, a special portion of the Koran, called yasin, is read at the bedside. Burials are often done communally and in an Islamic manner.

 

Doctors - Somali traditional medicine is practiced by "traditional doctors" who are usually older men of the community who have learned their skills from older family members. They are especially adept at treating hepatitis, measles, mumps, chicken pox, hunch-back, facial droop, and broken bones. Cures used include, fire-burning, herbal remedies, casting, and prayer. Traditional doctors are also responsible for helping to cure illnesses caused by spirits. Somalis have a concept of spirits residing within each individual.

 

Circumcision - Circumcision is universally practiced for both males and females. It is viewed as a rite of passage, allowing a person to become a fully accepted adult member of the community. It is commonly viewed as necessary for marriage, as uncircumcised people are seen as unclean. Most Somalis, especially those from the cities, have had at least some experience with Western-style medicine. Almost without exception, however, Somali's associate nurses, doctors, and hospitals with ill-care. The concept of using the medical system to keep people healthy, such as with routine prenatal care and well child care, is unfamiliar.

 

Aroma - Frankincense is an aromatic gum resin from trees of the genus Boswellia, which grow in Somalia and southern parts of the Arabian peninsula. These is used by Somalis for great aromas in the house and for the women and sometimes processed as Unsii. One of the great features of a great house flavour after a marriage. It is used as an ingredient of incense, perfumes and some fumigants. If one is walking the street then you are bound to know that there is a Somali lady somewhere infront or around the neighbourhood just by the flowing/trailing sweet smell.

[Bachelor]

Mujahid

Its hard to separete Islam from the somalis religion after all. Dispite some "supertition" most of our culture is influenced by the diin.

 

Shaqsii

That was simply brillian. Well and clearly elaborated. You must be one nomad Anthropogy .

Thanks once again both brothers

[nuune]

actually and honestly,we don't have any culture.

we enjoy being without culture.

we have no problem that we are without culture.

we don't want to have culture haddii nalagu baryaaya xattaa.