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POLITICS OF CAIN, One Hundred Years of Crises in Somali Politics by Prof. Bulhan
Very interesting book, must read


The World has come to know the anarchy, war & death in Somalia from newspapers & TV reports. The book gives those who wish to understand the causes of this cataclysmic explosion of violence & implosion of rage must delve into Somali history from late nineteenth century to the end of the twentieth century

The authors’ profile:
Professor H. A. Bulhan studied at Wesleyan University, Boston University, and Harvard University. Following service as tenured professor at Boston University and the Director of Family Therapy Program at Boston University Medical Centre, Prof. Bulhan started a health consulting firm whose annual revenues quickly grew to $25M USD. He returned to Somaliland to mediate a conflict in 1994-1996, subsequently remaining in the country to help in socio-economic rebuilding and trauma treatment. At the present, Prof. Bulhan is President of the University of Hargeisa and the Chief Clinician of the Maan-dhaye Clinic

3.1.4 Delusion of Clan Superiority

Myth-making is an essential feature in the identity and cohesion of individuals and groups everywhere. Somalis are no different. However, their myth-making centers on the clan and sub-clan. To underscore the problems that such myth-making along clan lines creates, Bulhan has coined the term of delusion of clan superiority whose psychology and social role he details elsewhere.13

No clan, however large or small, accepts any degree of inferiority. Each clan considers itself as the most cultured, generous, and courageous. All clans valorize their warriors in the folktales, poems, and songs. In so doing, they perceive themselves as heroic and they take pride no only in who they imagine themselves to be but also who they convince themselves to be. Because of delusion of clan superiority, each clan or sub-clan believes itself to be right in dispute with others, however wild their claims or wishes may be from the perspective of others. It also expects its members to follow the clan perspective, right or wrong. There is no built-in check or control. Complicating matters, this delusion of clan superiority and myth-making are harbored by every clan. Hence, every conflict, however large or small, tends to be interpreted in terms of clan

The delusion of clan superiority serves an important function for the clan. It fosters cohesion among members. It also gives unassailable grounds for the identity and pride of member. But the delusion of clan superiority takes on explosive and destructive features when conflict arises among clans who equally are convinced of their superiority and infallibility. Often, it is weak parties to conflict who take this approach. The delusion of clan readily invoked to rally the clan, those who can not feel inadequacy resort to it, confirming Alfred Adler�s thesis that deep in superiority complex lies inferiority complex

Armed conflict is often preceded by strident expression of old and new myths and re-assertion of clan superiority. In fact, these myths and delusion of clan superiority are articulated not only in oral narratives and conversations but also in poetry. Ironically, long after the conflict is resolved, the poems remain in the consciousness and conversation of people, with the possibility that they will serve as stimuli for future conflict.

Somalis are an extremely biased people. I will check out this book but I am certain it is filled with skewed and sometimes even invented versions of events in recent Somali history.

Post-independence politics did not change the delusion of clan superiority. It only re-directed it to new political landscape, to new forms of competition and conflict. During the 1980s and 1990s, the delusion of clan superiority took strident forms instigating and contributing to armed conflict involving supporters of the regime.

After the collapse of the regime, it lost the controls and moderating influence which the state, monopolizing power and violence, had imposed on it. Hence, wars broke out even among clans like the Isaaq who fought in solidarity against the regime of Mohamed Siyaad Barre. Armed conflicts deescalated after the 1993 Borama conference which started inter-clan dialogue and reconciliation.

Following it, a government emerged to moderate the delusion of clan superiority. Since then, dialogue and cooperation gradually replaced the delusion of clan superiority and armed conflicts it fostered

good book will look out for it, are u author??

The Author is , my Uncle he is a Top man The book is excellent good read.

I will get it and dumb in the trash can the moment I spot the usual tribal revisionism and bias.

Voltage wrote:I will get it and dumb in the trash can the moment I spot the usual tribal revisionism and bias.

what do you think of the book?

I support Somali Writes and points of view. I will read this book inshallah. I hope it's on ebay.

A promising book. Is it Available on Amazon?


Voltage


Are you carrying guilt conscience? hahahahaha Waad hor boodaysaa buugga saxib, read first.

Graet job Dr. Bulxan.

He's very knowledgeable and logical human being. I have the autograph version of that book.

I can’t wait his next book.