Question to all members

[Lillaahiya]

Prior to the formal written language, Somalis placed greater importance on oral poetry and storytelling. Even after the standardization of the Latin script, illiteracy is through the roof. Thus, there aren't a whole lot of Somali scholars who record and publish our history. Also, problems arise when non-natives write the histories of others (i.e. Said's Orientalism).At the same token, non-native historians solve the problem of bias (removes qabyaalad).

p.s. African countries tend to follow the same script: reliance on oral history, intricate social structures and customs that were destroyed by either slavery or colonialism, decolonization, centralization of resources in capital cities, civil wars, coup d'etats, corruption, reliance on foreign aid, etc. Don't see why Somalia should be a focal point when the same shit happens everywhere else.

[AgentOfChaos]

Prior to the formal written language, Somalis placed greater importance on oral poetry and storytelling. Even after the standardization of the Latin script, illiteracy is through the roof. Thus, there aren't a whole lot of Somali scholars who record and publish our history. Also, problems arise when non-natives write the histories of others (i.e. Said's Orientalism).At the same token, non-native historians solve the problem of bias (removes qabyaalad).

p.s. African countries tend to follow the same script: reliance on oral history, intricate social structures and customs that were destroyed by either slavery or colonialism, decolonization, centralization of resources in capital cities, civil wars, coup d'etats, corruption, reliance on foreign aid, etc. Don't see why Somalia should be a focal point when the same shit happens everywhere else.

Well said walaal.

[Alphanumeric]

Western scholars teach Western history.

[FarIyoAlif]

As for Sayyid Abdulle, no one even knows where exactly he was born or where exactly he was even buried. There are so many mysteries surrounding him. There are so many mysteries surrounding Somali history in general. Many have even suggested Ahmed Gurey was not even a Somali. There is barely any literature you can find even in Somalia about it's history. And if you do, it's probably unreliable. There is a sticky topic in the Somaliland section that pretty much questions the Dervish movement.

Sayid Mohammed Abdullah Hassan was born in Sacmadeeqa (Buuhoodle) and he died in Iimey (Soomaali Galbeed). As for the Dervish movement, that thread is purely based on colonial propaganda, it didn't shed light on anything new concerning the purpose of the movement and the only thing Xplaya pointed out was that the Dervish movement was a multi-clan movement (something we already knew). He also said the Dervish movement was like the Al Shabaab of the 19th/20th century, bear in mind xplaya is not even Muslim and he criticises Islam openly.

Personally I don't find that thread reliable.

[Thuganomics]

As for Sayyid Abdulle, no one even knows where exactly he was born or where exactly he was even buried. There are so many mysteries surrounding him. There are so many mysteries surrounding Somali history in general. Many have even suggested Ahmed Gurey was not even a Somali. There is barely any literature you can find even in Somalia about it's history. And if you do, it's probably unreliable. There is a sticky topic in the Somaliland section that pretty much questions the Dervish movement.

Sayid Mohammed Abdullah Hassan was born in Sacmadeeqa (Buuhoodle) and he died in Iimey (Soomaali Galbeed). As for the Dervish movement, that thread is purely based on colonial propaganda, it didn't shed light on anything new concerning the purpose of the movement and the only thing Xplaya pointed out was that the Dervish movement was a multi-clan movement (something we already knew). He also said the Dervish movement was like the Al Shabaab of the 19th/20th century, bear in mind xplaya is not even Muslim and he criticises Islam openly.

Personally I don't find that thread reliable.

The locations,whether it be a birth place or somewhere battle took place are never in question in that thread.Except at one place where Xplaya contests the first place that the British bombed by air isn't the one that is in the Somali history books.For which he gives a source and references as to why he disputes it.What is questioned though is the narrative as Titanium points out

[waryaa]

somali4l, pls disregard this if has been mentioned already.

Somlis were and still are oral society and don't document anything. We used to use poems as messages and random events like prolonged famine as calendar. Even Somalia's recent history is not properly documented and our best resources are what newspapers and magazines write for their audience.

[somali4lyf]

Thanks all for such a great discussion.

It is true that most of our history has been skewed in favor of interest of tribe/colonial power/arabs. However, there is a little truth to the few things mentioned by the non-Somali explorers. That can't be denied. Just the history of Sayalc (Zeila) can cover volumes of books. I was watching this video about the great son of Richard Burton who is in the footsteps of his grandpa.



Also, did you guys know that there is an Arab tribe that are called Saylac? The argument whether they originated from Somalia or whether they came to Somalia and named the town based on their tribe is open for discussion. However, it is undeniable that Zeila has once been a centre of Islamic empire and culture that stretched from Egypt to Hijaz.

We should be proud of that and perhaps tell the white folks that we once controlled East Africa.

[PrinceDaadi]

There are number of Somali history books written by Somalis, one of them is written by Liiqliiqato called Dalkii Filka weynaa ee Punt

[eliteSomali]

As already remarked above, we heavily rely on the art of storytelling/poetry. Unfortunately, poetry, unless written down on paper, cannot be referenced at will. Our entire history was and is still written by foreigners.

Check out this thread. viewtopic.php?f=250&t=304220

[somali4lyf]

As already remarked above, we heavily rely on the art of storytelling/poetry. Unfortunately, poetry, unless written down on paper, cannot be referenced at will. Our entire history was and is still written by foreigners.

Check out this thread. viewtopic.php?f=250&t=304220

Thanks walaal!