Doing research for book, need help!

[Kaya13]

Hi, My name is K and I’m new here. I’ve been reading this site for a while though,and find it very informative and interesting! I'm not Somali myself, but rather am writing a book (fiction) in which one of the main characters is Somali. The story takes place in the US in the late 90’s, but of course all characters have a “history” and so now I’m in the process of doing tons of research, reading books on Somalia to “build” my character’s background.

 

However, some stuff is just not in the books. For example, my character doesn’t have a name yet but he was born in Somalia in 1962. I am thinking of Abdi or Abaadir, but I don’t know enough about Somali names to know if these particular names are linked to a certain clan or are universal in the entire Somalia. Or if they bring up any connotation I should know about- Any insight on those two names?

 

Here are some other things I’m wondering about… What was life like in Somalia after the 60’s? In the rural areas especially, what were homes like, or day-to-day life? What about school? Was it far away? Did everyone go? I read somewhere that Somali language didn't come into schools until 1972, what languege were the schools before this? How many years did children usually go to school in the 70’s? How was school in Somalia different than school in the US? Did kids play games? Did they work to help the family?

I am particularly interested in the rural areas, maybe mostly in the southern part of the country, although I am not completely set on the location yet (where my character comes from originally), I still need to do more research.

 

I also have many other questions, some about clans and then also especially about the process of leaving Somalia and moving to Europe or America, but I think I’ll leave those for later. I’m not sure what you all think about me coming in here asking all these questions, I don’t want to upset anyone.

But.. I am also really interested in learning more about the Somali culture and people! So will you help me?

Thanks in advance,

K

[Chimera]

Welcome to the forum K, none of the names you mentioned have anything to do with clans they are indeed universal names in Somalia. I wasn't born yet in the 60s/70s so there is no personal experience of that period that i could share with you but from the stories i heard from my parents you would think it was a Paradise on earth, some images that might give you a sense of that time:

 

 

Make sure you take a look at this:Photo gallery and read the comments of members of this forum who grew up in Somalia and went to school there.

[osman_nz]

1960's was democratic age we had father of independence aden abdulle who was flashy guy but he was honest man. He finished his term and passed onto another great man named abdi-rashid sharmarke who was also democratic man however that's when siyad barre hired out a hit-man to get rid of sharmarke and they successfully plotted his assasination and that is when the 1969 coup occured under siyad barre and the socialist or marxist era began.

 

As for the name's, all names in somalia and infact islamic world are similiar and don't have clan significance. The name Abdi will do fine for that character, infact it is equivalent to popularity of the name "john" in the western world.

 

In the 60's homes and and day to day life was alot more traditional back then, it wasn't as religious as is the case now. In the country-side it was always nomadic or agriculture based and in the city it was more westernized based however with socialist flavour. The homes in the country side were "aqal's" or somali version of movable house. In the southern region's im not sure because i am not from there but they are farm based so their population was more settled. So u may have to ask someone who is more familiar with southern country-side what the houses were like.

 

As for the schools it was more difficult for ppl in the country-side to learn because the government invested all it's money into the cities. Therefore if someone wanted to get an education they had to move to the big cities. My father for example was from garowe and he moved to mogadishu at 15 back then to get an education. Education facilities were non-existent in the northern countryside.

 

Whoever could afford to go to school went back in those days. If u couldn't then u wouldn't go.

 

As for the language it wasn't in written form till 1972, but they taught in italian in mogadishu and english in hargeisa. How many years they went to school not many ppl went to school before the somali language came into script. When they adopted the script majority of the ppl became literate and education enrollment quadrupled.

 

As for the years primary education the government kept changing how long primary and intermediate was..at times primary was 4 years and intermediate another 4 years...but changed in the late 70s and primary was 8 years and intermediate 4 years..So it was bit up and down during that education reforming years.

 

The schools was very socialist based and the education was alot tougher then the education in america. It was very intensive and had alot of quality back then from what my family have told me.

 

The kid's played games of course, but they didn't play games whilst in class, after class they did. When u got educated back then yes u would tend to have good life and occupation and help the family where-ever they may be..be it in the country side or city.

 

If your character is going to be southern rural person, i really can't give u information on that because i don't know. But as for southern cities i can like mogadishu and also how northern nomadic towns especially garowe how ppl were and how they came to mogadishu to get educated.

 

As for the process leaving somalia and moving abroad, whenever u have the question ready im sure ppl will be more then happy to help you. The wave of immigration started before the war, it exploded after the war though. How they got there was mainly boat ppl or asylum seekers, however other's reached there through proper means and immigration visa.

 

If u have any questions regarding clans, i wouldnt name them here because the admins here find it offensive to name clans..why? god only knows how they come to that conclusion even when the quran say's we are to know tribes and nations so that people may know one another.

 

U can refer to regions area's where those clans live and ppl will get the point..when i want to refer my tribe i say the north-east...or when i want to refer to mogadishu tribe i say the usc..and if i want to refer to hargeisa tribe i say snm..

 

So u can refer to their political organizations or region name to take place of the clan and ask your question and i will be more then happy to help you regarding that issue.

 

I hope my information has helped you..

[Kaya13]

WOW! Thank you Adam-Zayla for the link to the pics, your country is amazingly beautiful! And I have been reading the stories ppl wrote about going to school, it's all very helpful (and also funny

 

And osman_nz, your post was GREAT, very informative. Thanks for the tip on the clans, I don't want to offend anyone here...

As to where ppl come from, are most Somalis living outside of Somalia from a certain area or just from everywhere? What I'm getting at is that if my story's character is from the south and living in the US, is that realistic, or is there more for example North Eastern ppl in the US? This might be a really ****** question, sorry. I would assume that ppl are from everywhere, but maybe it was rather the "city people" who left opposed to nomadic ppl from the rural areas?

 

Thanks again and I'll be posting more questions during the summer while I study all the books I got on Somalia...

K

[Paragon]

^G'luck, mate.

 

Adam thanks for this:

 

 

I'll have you listen to this in return: Iga daa rogrogashada - sounds of good ol Somalia

[Chimera]

Originally posted by Kaya13:

WOW! Thank you Adam-Zayla for the link to the pics, your country is amazingly beautiful! And I have been reading the stories ppl wrote about going to school, it's all very helpful (and also funny

[/QB]

Your welcome K, and having your character's origin in the South is realistic, because you have to understand that Mogadishu was a cosmopolitan city where Somalis from all over East Africa had their businesses, went to school or simply enjoyed life in a peacetime Somalia, many of those families and individuals with the breakout of the war either fled to other parts of the country or established the Somali diaspora.

 

Good luck with your research and book, if you have more questions ask away!

 

Paragon amazing picture isn't it? Sunny weather, beautiful sisters chatting, a Police officer on patrol through the community, in the distance several Farah's enjoying the shade and the nice view of the aforementioned sisters, priceless

[Ibtisam]

^^^Adam, brother since you are in a helping mood; Help a sister out here: I am trying to find something on young London based Somalis (something positive and linked with culture- maintain roots (not a party/ independency day etc) Ages between 18-29, kind like on going long term projects; any links you have at hand?? I know it is not your area, so a long shot.

 

Kaya: Good luck, let us know when it is out. I think everyone answered your questions already

[Chimera]

I'm always in the mood to help you ibti, but could you be more specific, are you looking for Somali culture/community orgs in London?, magazines? or positive articles discussing Somalis in London?

[Ibtisam]

^^^

 

I've been asked to put together something on the new developing culture of the Somali youth.

 

It is going to be part of a collection of papers on Metropolis in Flux - Contemporary Cultural Migrations in London. I've already done the primary study, just looking for practical examples to cement it. So Somali cultural organisations that mointor changing values/ attitudes (that is a bit too much to ask) So maybe even articles on the somali youth and where they are at. Postive ones please.

[Chimera]

This might interest you:

 

- http://www.bbc.co.uk /london/content/arti cles/2004/08/11/comm unities_somali_featu re.shtml

 

- http://midaye.org.uk /?page_id=40

 

make sure you take a look at their gallery, it contains lovely pictures:

http://midaye.org.uk /?page_id=51

 

- http://www.bbc.co.uk /london/content/arti cles/2006/10/16/soma li_week_feature.shtm l

 

Largest Somali literary festival:

 

http://wardheernews. com/articles_08/Nove mber/Somali_Speaking _pen/Literary_Festiv al_London.html

 

If this isn't enough, i will add more, or send it to you by PM( kinda rude of us to hi-jack Kaye's topic, i hope he doesn't mind )

[Ibtisam]

^^^Thanks will read through these tonight thanks a bunch.

 

Sorry Kaye, I jumped on your ship without asking. I'll answer your next questions. Who knows you might also find Adam links interesting.

 

Thanks Adam.

[Chimera]

Welcome

[Kaya13]

Hey Ibtisam, no worries for "hijacking" my question, those links from Adam-Zayla were interesting for me, too, especially the wardheernews one led me to other interesting articles! So... thanks for sharing (and for the help)

K

[Miskiin-Macruuf-Aqiyaar]

I am thinking of Abdi or Abaadir, but I don’t know enough about Somali names to know if these particular names are linked to a certain clan or are universal in the entire Somalia.

Cabdi (Abdi) is a region-wide Soomaali name, where as Abaadir is a coastal name, particularly a Banaadiri name (around Mogadishu region).

 

Both trace their roots to Arabic, so if you truly want a Soomaaliya-wide authentic name, there are several, including Samatar or Warsame. Or Mahad or Liibaan. Their meanings can be given if you want.

 

Here are some other things I’m wondering about… What was life like in Somalia after the 60’s? In the rural areas especially, what were homes like, or day-to-day life? What about school? Was it far away? Did everyone go? I read somewhere that Somali language didn't come into schools until 1972, what languege were the schools before this? How many years did children usually go to school in the 70’s? How was school in Somalia different than school in the US? Did kids play games? Did they work to help the family?

Boys, especially girls, hardly went to school in '50s and '60s. And those few lucky ones who went to were not from rural, but urban areas. They were probably thought in Arabic, Italian and English. Rural people went to 'dusgi' (madrassa), where they learned the Holy Qur'an.

 

However, the educational system had a vast change in early 1970s, affecting both rural and urban people. Soomaali language was made as an official language and was the only language thought at schools, from primarily to colleges.

 

Children started schools mostly in their fifth or sixth year of their age and graduating from primary and elementary in their 14th year of age.

 

It wasn't that much different from American school system, besides the students only being taught in their native Soomaali language.

 

Kids did play games, inside and outside schools.

[Malika]

K.

 

Had you read any books/novels writen by Somali authors?

 

I recommend you do so, books by Somalis on Somalis would be insightful..

 

Nurudiin Farah's 'From a Crooked Rib' is a classic novel, a movement setter in my books!

 

Good Luck.