Somalis and the Class System

[marcassmith]

Class is very evident with the Somali experience but it’s very often externalised and associated with 'others'. Somalis are known for being egalitarian and this maybe the reason why it’s sidelined.

I suppose the collapse of the Somali state in the late 1980s and early 1990's meant any class structures/social hierarchies were eliminated. In recent times, however, settlement pattern across the Somali peninsula suggest that the mutually opposed ‘urban’ or ‘nomadic’, dichotomy is no longer applicable. In urban and settled areas, you can see the stark differences between the ‘have’ and ‘have nots’. In my travels across Somaliland, Djibouti and Somali Region in Ethiopia, I noticed many interesting social dynamics, not least, class structure in place. All across Somaliland, particularly, in major urban areas, groups associate with their social equivalents. This is no longer determinated by family/tribal ties. Its seems apparent that relative affluence is the new currency of these groups. This creation of class structures is, no doubt, intensified by the Diaspora, who express their class sentiments by their conspicuous and lavish lifestyles.

In the West, perhaps, the concept of Class is expressed differently by Somalis. You will occasionally find many Somalis reverting to the so-called ‘ethnic class/Black Middle Class’ model. This is often expressed by listening to neo-soul music, loitering in Costa/Starbucks with an IPAD2 screaming out for attention or having a liberal arts background.

But surely, class is much more than just money? At least, I’d like to think that’s the case. It entails far more than just income. We should pay particular attention to other factors including ownership of property, cultural consumption, class legacies and education.

What is class to you? How do you define it and how do you express it? In the Somali context but also beyond that.

[Lamagoodle]

A great topic. The class system in somalia is not based on socio-economics but rather a cultural nonsense. Geeljire culture which thrives on stratifying folks to get access to scarce resources was taken to urban environments and imposed on others.

[greenday]

This is often expressed by listening to neo-soul music, loitering in Costa/Starbucks with an IPAD screaming out for attention or having a liberal arts background.

I don't put people in a class but if i was asked what class does that person belong to i would be looking at how they carried themselves, the way they dressed (not the worth of the clothes),how humble someone is, living in an affluent place or having money doesn't mean much. I would put a Land Rover driver in a higher class than a Ferrari driver, if you get what I mean.
As for Somali class system i think its based on how reer magaal someone is, if you notice people who were well off pre war who might have traveled, who were educated, see themselves as reer magal or other consider them to be reer magal are treated in the same as the upper class in the west but things are changing, the gap is getting smaller.

[SahanGalbeed]

To me it means nothing brother . Class doesn't mean anything . You're either stupid { in which case I'll stay away from you} or you 're not .

[GeoSeven]

Divide between rich and poor is giagantic in somalia. it never used to be that way....i dont know man, its kinda messed up going back living in a huge house when everybody around you is in need. dadka ishoodaaba kugu dhici walaahi

[tightrope]

Divide between rich and poor is giagantic in somalia. it never used to be that way....i dont know man, its kinda messed up going back living in a huge house when everybody around you is in need. dadka ishoodaaba kugu dhici walaahi

POOR PEOPLE ARE NOT GOING TO STOP ME FROM BUILDING A BIG VILLA IN MY HOMELAND!

[military-mind]

Niin iyo naag.. khaaniis iyo love