Somali Culture & Traditions Saadia Yusuf 10/9/2014.

Somali Culture & Traditions Saadia Yusuf 10/9/2014

Background of Culture

Geography:

Somalia is located on the African continent.

It borders the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean, which is east of Ethiopia.

Most of Somalia is desert land.

Somalia has two chief rivers, the Shebelle and the Juba.

Somalia is a country located in the Horn of Africa.

Somalia’s Flag

Somalia’s flag is light blue with a large white five-pointed star in the center; the blue field was originally influenced by the flag of the UN, but today is said to denote the sky and the neighboring Indian Ocean.

The five points of the star represent the five regions in the horn of Africa that are inhabited by Somali people.

What languages do we speak?

Languages: Somali people speak three languages: Somali, Arabic, and Italian.

Currency

Shilling Somali

1,000 Somali Shillings equals

1.30 US Dollars

500 Somali shillings equals

0.65 US Dollars

Population/ Government

Somalia is located in the Horn of Africa with a 2014 population estimated at 10.8 million, up from the 2013 estimate of 10 million.

Between Jan. 1991 and Aug. 2000, Somalia had no working government. Democratic Republic

Hassan Sheikh Mahmoud

Religion /Literacy

Islam is the primary religion in Somalia, and the majority of Somalis are Sunni Muslims. 99% are Muslim.

Literacy: Adult Literacy Rate (15 years and over, 2000–2006) Female:25.8% Male: 49.7%

Ethnic Groups: Somali (85%), Bantu, Arabs

Holidays, Traditions, and Festivals

Somalia Holiday Calendar

January 2014 1 Wednesday New Year's Day13 Monday Mouloud (Birth of

the Prophet)May 2014 1 Thursday Labor DayJune 2014 26 Thursday Independence

DayJuly 2014 1 Tuesday Republic DayJuly 2014 28 Monday Eid al-Fitr (End of

Ramadan)October 2014 4 Saturday Eid al-Adha (Feast

of the Sacrifice)November 2014 3 Monday Ashura

Somali cultural food/cuisine

Canjeera: a type of bread that is like a pancake and is eaten for breakfast. You can also eat it for lunch orDinner.

Somali samosas: It’s crispy, beefy, spicy, and moreish, it’s hot

Xalwo:

Rice: We have tried rice dishes from different parts of the world and we had some nice experiences. Oil, Onion, Garlic cloves, Canola, Maggi, seasoning and more,,,,,

Maraq: Somali. Heat the oil; add onions and sauté for 2 minutes. Add cherry tomatoes

Cardamom, Nutmeg we give to others when we have celebration

Henna Weddings Fashion & Clothes

“Unlike many African nations, 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.”

Culture & Traditions

Everyone are taught about their tradition and culture

Famous People Yasmin Warsame:is a Canadian model and activist of Somali origin.

Iman Abdulmajid: professionally known as Iman, is a Somali fashion model, actress and entrepreneur.

Amin Amir is a Somali-Canadian cartoonist and painter.

K'naan:is a Somali Canadian poet, rapper, singer, songwriter, and instrumentalist.

Mohamed Farah: is a Somali-born British long-distance and middle-distance runner. He is the current Olympic, World and European champion in the 5000 meters and 10,000 meters.

Rageh Omaar: is a Somali-born British journalist and writer. His latest book Only Half of Me deals with the tensions between these two sides of his identity

Capital city in Somalia

There are two cities in Somalia with a population over 1 million: Mogadishu is the largest with 1.4 million followed by Hargeisa at 1.2 million.

A place I would like to visit in the future: Mecca is the only place in the world where I feel complete inner peace and

contentment. A place where I feel so close to God Almighty, Mecca is located in Saudi Arabia.

THE CITY OF LIGHT

There Millions of pilgrims who visit the city each year.

MAKKATUL MUKARRAMAH: is place where all Muslims go and make hajj.

Another place I would like to live for the rest of my live is Mugdhisho, where I was born and grew up. I also miss so much I hope my country is a peaceful place; I won’t let go and live in another place.

Mogadishu

Here is some Somali music:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQoaLl_q2FM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_sHXFpAIc8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nevOsRGqL2c

Website Sources

http://www.unesco.org/uil/litbase/?menu=4&programme=100

http://www.racearchive.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/somali_booklet.pdf

https://ethnomed.org/culture/somali/somali-cultural-profile

http://www.google.com/search?q=islam&safe=active&biw=1920&bih=985&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=C58-VJDZA4e2yASNsoDwDw&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAg&surl=1#safe=active&tbm=isch&q=somali+students&imgdii=_

http://www.racearchive.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/somali_booklet.pdf