SomaliNet Forums

i believe the core of our identity is a combination of 3-5 different things some of which are more important than others, for instance i reckon the Somali language makes up a huge part of the Somali identity, whiles ethnicity to me although significant still plays a lesser role. There is also religion, Somalis are 100% muslim therefor Islam is embedded in our identity whether we practice it or not. Then there is social construct which has changed throughout time from Islamic state of Adal to the Socialist Republic during the 70s and 80s to the current day Post-Collapse regionalism, but the old traditional livestyle of pastoralism is the most dominant and oldest surviving way of life thus has most shaped our attitudes, behaviour, perception etc all constituting significantly to our identity.

The war against Somali identity comes in different shapes and forms, the irrational & unsustainable urbanisation, the Ogaden genocide, the constant state of conflict in large parts of Southern Somalia as well as the insecurity in northern parts of the country, the increasing number of expatriates etc. etc.

What about those who don't see themselves as Somali but just identify themselves as member of their clan?? Kinda tragic!

Niya, yes indeed very tragic, small minded and short sighted.

I am currently reading about the social fabric of different ethnic groups in Africa , from Ethiopia to Niger , Mali Senegal ...
The good things as far as we are concerned :we've never enslaved each other .
The bad things is : we've never enslaved each other .
I'll get back to you all when I learn more .
As for the tribal shit , some tribes get along better than others , that's the same everywhere

I'm not sure if you're asking a question.

Humans are generally the same the world over. I'm still unsure of what "Somali Identity/culture/dhaqan" is. Personally speaking, anyone who can find their lineage back to Samaale OR anyone who can speak/understand the language, has lived in Somalia for a relatively long period of time, AND is Muslim is probably more Somali than I am. I don't know what that means.

I've said more on this in the "Somali Dhaqan/Culture" thread.

Camels, poetry, and language. That's about the most important qualities to being Somali. But as said, humans are generally the same.

Or maybe I'm just naive.

Religion does not make one a somali.


I am tired of somalis invoking religion as a core issue of our identity! Language, history, culture and geography constitutes identities.

Isn't the term 'somali' a european political construct anyways? Prior to the arrival of the colonials Somalis use to always identify with their tribe, lineage or patriarchal kingdom. 'Somali' identity is pretty new.

Lamgoodle wrote:Religion does not make one a somali.


I am tired of somalis invoking religion as a core issue of our identity! Language, history, culture and geography constitutes identities.

Why can't it be argued that it has become part of the identity?

grandpakhalif wrote:Isn't the term 'somali' a european political construct anyways? Prior to the arrival of the colonials Somalis use to always identify with their tribe, lineage or patriarchal kingdom. 'Somali' identity is pretty new.

no, the term Somali existed before the british, earlier the arabs and abyssinians refered to us as Muslim Soomaal people centuries before the british, upon the british arrivals they simply added the latin suffix "i-ia"to an already known term Soomaal. if you look at older Somali literature from the 70s and 80s and even early 90s we typically refer to ourselves as umad Soomaaliyeed, gabar Soomaaliyeed, magaalo Soomaaliyeed, infact the "eed" suffix is rampant in our literature. as for the identity, well it is undeniable that the identity has existed for a very long time, whether we use to term it or not this identity is there and has been for atleast a thousand years.

Alphanumeric wrote:I'm not sure if you're asking a question.

Humans are generally the same the world over. I'm still unsure of what "Somali Identity/culture/dhaqan" is. Personally speaking, anyone who can find their lineage back to Samaale OR anyone who can speak/understand the language, has lived in Somalia for a relatively long period of time, AND is Muslim is probably more Somali than I am. I don't know what that means.

I've said more on this in the "Somali Dhaqan/Culture" thread.

Camels, poetry, and language. That's about the most important qualities to being Somali. But as said, humans are generally the same.

Or maybe I'm just naive.

Samaale is not in my lineage bro, there is no common lineage between all Somalis, i don't believe in it and it is also hard to speculate such ideas because there is so much evidence to disprove it. I do realise it would be good for us to believe in such fantasies but i'm affraid i do not approve of misinformation.

PS: no, it was not a question but just me writting down my thoughts.

Alphanumeric wrote:

Lamgoodle wrote:Religion does not make one a somali.


I am tired of somalis invoking religion as a core issue of our identity! Language, history, culture and geography constitutes identities.

Why can't it be argued that it has become part of the identity?

Well, theoretically it could be argued to be but religion is not the first attribute of identity; age, sex, colour, language, history and geography are factors that are more important. Don't you agree?

Lamgoodle wrote:

Alphanumeric wrote:

Lamgoodle wrote:Religion does not make one a somali.


I am tired of somalis invoking religion as a core issue of our identity! Language, history, culture and geography constitutes identities.

Why can't it be argued that it has become part of the identity?

Well, theoretically it could be argued to be but religion is not the first attribute of identity; age, sex, colour, language, history and geography are factors that are more important. Don't you agree?

we are discussing Somali identity. collect yourself, you seem to be provoked by the inclusion of Islam in our Somali identity, well i didn't intend to offend you but Islam a part of our identity, an exclusively muslim people well what did you expect. try to use reason instead of being lead by your emotions, if you take Islam out there will be so many holes in our poems, sayings, culture, and whole vocabulary will disappear. having said that, Somalis are not always practicing Islam to the letter, i did mention this but we have it embedded in our identity.

Adali wrote:

Alphanumeric wrote:I'm not sure if you're asking a question.

Humans are generally the same the world over. I'm still unsure of what "Somali Identity/culture/dhaqan" is. Personally speaking, anyone who can find their lineage back to Samaale OR anyone who can speak/understand the language, has lived in Somalia for a relatively long period of time, AND is Muslim is probably more Somali than I am. I don't know what that means.

I've said more on this in the "Somali Dhaqan/Culture" thread.

Camels, poetry, and language. That's about the most important qualities to being Somali. But as said, humans are generally the same.

Or maybe I'm just naive.

Samaale is not in my lineage bro, there is no common lineage between all Somalis, i don't believe in it and it is also hard to speculate such ideas because there is so much evidence to disprove it. I do realise it would be good for us to believe in such fantasies but i'm affraid i do not approve of misinformation.

PS: no, it was not a question but just me writting down my thoughts.

I completely respect that, and retract my ill-informed statement. Although, the "OR" specified could be used in this instance. I would add to that clause "if person has had a parent who was born and raised in Somalia". TBH, this is a difficult topic. For me, at least.

Lamgoodle wrote:

Alphanumeric wrote:

Lamgoodle wrote:Religion does not make one a somali.


I am tired of somalis invoking religion as a core issue of our identity! Language, history, culture and geography constitutes identities.

Why can't it be argued that it has become part of the identity?

Well, theoretically it could be argued to be but religion is not the first attribute of identity; age, sex, colour, language, history and geography are factors that are more important. Don't you agree?

"What is identity" is a philosophical question with no answer. Adali addressed it adequately with regards to being Somali.

Considering how much you've shared, regarding back home and the diaspora, I'm very interested in what a person life yourself has to say about "the Somali identity".

Alphanumeric your right, the whole "Somali identity" phenomenon is one which carries alot of ambiguity for most of us today, but is more due to our ignorance than anything else, the "Somali identity" if properly researched can be extraordinarily englightining. the idea that there is no Somali identity is unfounded and is only accepted by those who choose to ignore evidence, logic will ultimately prevail over the majority though.

Camels + proverbs and poetry rooted in language. All else is minimal.