SOO MAAL Posted April 8, 2005 Somali Culture and Customs Somali Dress Men Men wear western pants or a flowing plaid ma'awis (kilt} western shirts, and shawls. On their heads they may wrap a colorful turban or wear a koofiyad (embroidered cap). Women Women usually wear one of the following dress: Direh, a long, billowing dress worn over petticoats. Coantino, a four-yard cloth tied over shoulder and draped around the waist. Toob, commonly worn throughout Africa Hijab, and head scarfs are very common Customs and Courtesies Greetings Somali warmly greet each other with handshakes, but shaking hands with the opposite sex is avoided. Common verbal greetings include: Assalam Alaikum (Peace be upon you) Nabad miyaa (is their peace). Subah wanaagsan (Good morning) Galab wanaagsan (Good afternoon) Habeeb wanaagsan (Good night) Gestures Somali use sweeping hand and arm gestures to dramatize speech. Many ideas are expressed through specific hand gestures: 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. The American "thumbs up" is considered obscene. This material previously appeared in the Minnesota Department of Human Rights' newsletter,The Rights Stuff. DATING AND MARRIAGE Dating in the Western sense does not exist in Somalia. Young urban people often meet at universities or at work and persuade their parents to help them establish a courtship. Rural marriages are usually arranged. One-to-one dating is reserved for after the engagement party or after the marriage contract has been signed. The groom must give a bridal token to the bride's family. Traditional wedding festivities are spread over three nights of dancing and singing, and men and women celebrate separately on some of the nights. Somali customs Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Emerald Posted April 10, 2005 SOO MAAL, i wonder what somali culture and customs has to do with Human Rights :confused: Anyhow... what's the focus of this debate, I'd really like to get my teeth into it Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
