Beating women--a long ancient Somali tradition.

[Highland]

The practice is said to be fading but there are places where the ritual beating of women is the norm and ubiquitous during or prior to the wedding night. In Garisa Kenya, I had the chance of listening to the stories of old women who went through this ordeal and had visible marks around their hands. The meaning this special ocassion symbolizes, as related to me, is that it forms a line of hiararchy and duty between the newly weds. To the woman, it symbolizes the feminine qualities most desired and cherished by men such as dependence, obedience, resilience and patience while under a difficult situation. This, they claim, leads to a strong bond and a lasting commitment.









There was a women, who told me that she held a deep conviction that men who are not inclined to beating their women or whose presence is not felt as "insufficient or is not a strong man. I probably felt this firm position of her translates more of how she had been conditioned rather than choosing a husband according to her own personal preferences.


Haddii naagi tiirkay fadhidey loogu tegi waayo
Inkastoo tib weyn lala dhacoo tumaha loo qaado
Waa tacallin ay baratay oo looma taag helo e - an old poem by Xasan Xayle

[Highland]

Walaahi, I'm speaking from experience.
What do you think of this ancient practice? Have you ever heard of Somali men beating their wives during the wedding?

Does awareness of this practice, esp in the rural area help?

[Gatspy]

I guess One hasn't heard it all, there is always another to top it. Highland u sound serious here bro, and I'm as serious as a heart attack when I ask u this. So at what point does the beating the shit out of ur bride take place? does this take place after u mate with her or is she already unconscious by the time get on her?

[Unclebin-]

Gatspy somalis are the forebearers of Bondage

[Gatspy]

lmao u can say that dude. This new info changes everything, I mean we can't be held responsible after this info has come to our attention.

[Highland]

So at what point does the beating the shit out of ur bride take place? does this take place after u mate with her or is she already unconscious by the time get on her?

Two days before the wedding night.
The rule is she has to be tied up under a tree in the jungle. She must be given 50 or more harsh lashes and then left in the dark all alone.
The risk is that what if a lion comes and devours her? His responsibility is too keep a vigilant eye on her while she endures hours of pain and loss of blood.

It sounds shocking and fictional but the practice exists.

[Paddington Bear]

I have a friend who married a woman ten years his junior. When I asked him about the age gap he told me that younger women were easier to mould. This thread of yours gives a whole new meaning to the word 'mould'.

[surrender]

when you say you speaking from experience, does that mean you actually took part in this practice? anyways never heard of it before today, and if its true is not islamic practice which means them damn somalis are pulling typical africanimo on us as usual. (on any normal day im not racist, this had to be said tho!)

[Highland]

Surrender, I had never participated it. I was shocked to learn the practice exist. It's like the FGM?

Paddington, that is their mindset.

[Xamud.]

I have allways known that some somalis beat their wife`s but I never knew that it was a common practice

[zulaika]

i have never heard of this..beating your bride thing as a tradition...but some somali men have been beating their wives from time immemorial....and long standing since then to compliment the custom is the tradition of wives pouring boiling water over their husbands...its a match made in hell.

[Diyeeshaha_Tolka]

beesha raxaweyne dhaqankaasi oo kale ayey leyihiin ,,haduu ninka gabadha uusan dilin habeenka kowaad usoo guursaday,,the next morning she will collect her belongings and goes back to her family.

also my tribe the r very abusive toward women,,mar mar waxaa dhacda inay kaw kaga siiyaan,,kadibna wax dambi u raacanaayo ma jiraan.

[Voltage]

Looks like new Somali customs are being invented on the internet.

[kambuli]

Voltage,

Most of what they wrote is the truth and it exists although, we hope that we get over it one day.

In some cultures when the guy marries a girl he sends her to the Geel Jire till she gets pregnant only after that she comes back.

In others, when a visitor comes to house in which the husband is away he puts a spear ( ka taagaa) infront of the hut which means a man is there so the husband should not disturb.

In another culture, when a girl is married, the guy hides his shoe and he tells her to search for it if she didn't find he it he beats her even though he is the one who hid it.

Iskusoo wada duubuu meesha kii haween ahaa ayaa ku ba'ay

[XKeyse_]

Kumbuli,

waxad ogaan u diiday inaad sheegtid, Daarooodka ma dhalayska noqdaa inay naagaha isu rimiyaan.