Somalia is a country in the Horn of Africa, with the longest coastline on Africa’s mainland. It is bordered by Ethiopia to the west, Djibouti to the northwest, the Gulf of Aden to the north, the Indian Ocean to the east and Kenya to the southwest. The capital of Somalia is Mogadishu. Somalia is a member of Arab states; the official languages in Somalia are Arabic and Somali, although many southern Somali also speak Italian due to its colonial past. Sunni Islam is the religion dominant in Somalia. Somalia is made up of over 15.89 million persons. There are four major clans in Somalia; the Darod, Hawiye, Isaaq and Dir. The system of government is the federated parliamentary republic and they have a traditional economic system in which the majority of the population participates in subsistence livestock and agriculture.
TRENDING FASHION IN SOMALIA
ACCESSORIES IN SOMALIA
There are many assorted and attractive jewelries in Somalia to compliment ones fashion and outfit
TRIBES IN SOMALIA AND THEIR FASHION
Somalia is made of four major clans, and two further. The four main clans are the Darod, Hawiye, Isaaq and Dir. These major clans are the traditional normadic pastoralist.
The forefather of the Darod clan was Sheikh Abdirahman bin Isma’il al-Jakarti. The clan is settled in the eastern region of Sool and has presence in Sanaag and Togdheer regions.
The hawiye clan traditionally inhabit central and southern Somalia, the Somali Region and the North Eastern province. They also make up the majority in the capital city, Mogadishu.
The Isaaq clan is one of the major clans with a large and densely populated traditional territory. The clan traces their lineage to Sheikh Ishaaq bin Ahmed, an Arabic Islamic scholar who purportedly traveled to Somaliland in the 12th or 13th century and married into the local Dir clan.
The Dir is the most prominent Samale clans in the Horn of Africa. They are also considered as the oldest Somali stock to have lived in the region.
Generally most Somalis wearWestern-style dress, but in rural areas, traditional dress prevails. Men wear Macaawiis, a brightly coloured cloth similar to Indonesian sarong. Men also wear western shirt or shawl and cover their heads with benadiri kufia, a somali cap. Women usually wear guntiino, a long stretch of cloth tied over the shoulder and draped around the waist. At home, the women can wear baati, a long dress made of polyester.
TOURIST AND HISTORICAL PLACES IN SOMALIA
Berbera – the city of Berbera is closely linked to a mercantile past, and it is still known as the major habour in the area.
Xaafuun – it is a town where fragments of Mycenaean pottery from Heroic age of ancient Greece was discovered. Recently, the place has taken on an industrial veneer, with fishing and Italian mining.
Zeila – an adventurous place to the far-flunged north-western corner of the nation, where dry and arid land of dunes and rocky hills crashes into the pearly blue of the Aden Gulf,
Mogadishu – the capital of the country, so full of rumbling life events, recreation sites and international airport is also located there.
Lamadaya – it is home to one attraction; the waterfall and the largest in the nation.
Lag Badana-Bushbush National Park – a land of waxy palm trees and golden sands, where the slow wash of the Indian Ocean kisses the shore. It is a veritable paradise.
Laas Geel – here some of the earliest cave paintings ever discovered on the horn of africa. The various alcoves and underground tunnel here display a raw and haunting vision of prehistory in these parts.
Iskushuban – it is one of the major attractions in the autonomous region of Puntland in the northern reaches of Somali. The ancient settlement has crenulated walls of dust-caked stone and beautiful arabesque fortifications from centuries gone by.
Bardera – set of the gorgeous Jubba Valley that cuts right through the heart of this part of East Africa, it is encompassed by countless farming communities that produce leather and dairy and more.
Hargeisa – an attractive city self-proclaimed capital of Somaliland. It is an industrial city.
Garoowe – a municipal centre of the autonomous state of Puntland, which claims hegemony over the northern reaches of Somali and the tip of African Horns. There, NGO offices and hospitals are located.
Bosaso – there is located huge seaport that fringes its coastal reaches. It is the main and largest harbour in all Somalia.
MUSIC IN SOMALIA
Somalians have rich musical heritage centered on traditional Somali folklore. Traditional instruments prominently featured in music of Somaliland include the oud lute, often accompanied by small drums and a flute in the background
Some popular musicians in Somalia include:
Aar Maanta
K’naan
Art work in Somalia
MEALS IN SOMALIA
Suugo sugar –a pasta cooked with beef and Somali spice.
Surbiyaan Hilib Adhi – rice prepared with lamb, sometimes by locals with goat.
Sambusa – fried snacks filled with beef, served on Ramadan and other traditional ceremonies.
Sabaayad – a flatbread preparation popularly recognized as kimis. It is prepared either in round or square shapes.
Nafaqo – stuffed fried potatoes, snack filled with eggs.
Muufo – flatbread made of flour, baking powder and cornmeal.
Suugo sugar
Surbiyaan Hilib Adhi
Sambusa
Sabaayad
Nafaqo
Muufo
Maraq Digaag – a delicious chicken flavoured soup with vegetables and spices.
Malawah – a traditional pancake resembling Indian paratha in shape, is considered as a staple in Somalia.
Kaluun Iyo Bariis – a fish sauce with an amalgamation of rice and spices.
Kac Kac – fried bread chunks frequented during religious ceremonies like Eid and Ramadan.
Iskudheh Karis – an aromatic combination of rice and meat. It is prepared with rich flavours of cilantro, coriander, pepper and garlic.
Icun – traditional cookies made for special occasions like Eid, come up with toppings of cloves, cherries and currants.
Maraq Digaag
Malawah
Kaluun Iyo Bariis
Kac Kac
Iskudheh Karis
Icun
Doolshe Buuro – a soft cake commonly found across Somalia.
Canjeero – fermented pan bread, soft and smooth.
Cambuulo Iyo Miraq – wonderful combination of rice and adzuki beans, it is a common lunch or dinner.
Xalwo – a sweet preparation made from cornstarch, butter and cardamom.
Doolshe Buuro
Canjeero
Cambuulo Iyo Miraq
Xalwo
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION AND HABITAT PROTECTION IN SOMALIA
The increase in aridity of the Somali climate, coupled with excessive timber cutting and overgrazing, has led to deforestation and extension of desert area. Overgrazing between Mogadishu and Chisimayu has resulted in the gradual movement of coastal sand dunes inland, posing serious threat to agricultural areas and human habitation. Somalia has six cubic kilometre of renewable water resources with 97% used for farming, and 3% is for urban and domestic use. Only 26% of the entire population have access to safe drinking water.
Somali has one the most abundant and different stocks of wildlife in Africa. Hunting and trapping of antelope and gazelle for skin was banned in 1969. There are also zoos where wildlives are protected.
EFFECT OF CLIMATE CHANGE IN SOMALIA
Climate change effects such as droughts, flash floods, erratic rainfall, disruption to the monsoon seasons, strong winds cyclones, sandstorms, dust storms and increased temperature are being experienced across somalia. These effects are affecting livelihoods and contributing to local grievances and community tensions. Lives and properties are also lost.
GENDER EQUALITY IN SOMALIA
Although women and girls in Somalia consist of 50% of the country’s population, women and men are far from equal. Globally, Somalia is placed fourth highest on the gender inequality index. In Somali, gender inequality is exacerbated by poverty, social class and harmful practices that violate women and girls right.
Some women who have risen to top positions in Somali include;
Khadra Hussein Mohammed – Somaliland’s first female National Deputy Prosecutor.
Sada Mire – Somalian archaeologist, art historian and presenter, who currently serves as assistant professor at Leiden University.
Fawziya Abikar Nur – Somalian Minister for Health and Social Care since 2017.
Fawzia Yusuf Adam – Somalian politician who served as Minister of Foreign Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister of Somalia
Khadra Hussein Mohammed
Sada Mire
Fawziya Abikar Nur
Fawzia Yusuf Adam
Sahra Mohamed Ali Samatar – Somalian politician and former Minister of Women and Human Rights of Somalia.
Amina Mohamed Abdi – one of the Somali government critics and politician.
Zahra Abdulla – Somalian born Finnish politician. She was a member of Helsinki city council.
Hodan Ahmed – Somalian activist and politician.
Sahra Mohamed Ali Samatar
Amina Mohamed Abdi
Zahra Abdulla
Hodan Ahmed
