Somali Love Stories

[CushiticReflections]

I don't know if it's just me but Somali love stories, songs, etc bore me. It's almost always the same. Guy meets girl. Guy falls in love at first sight. Girl either loves him too at first sight or is wooed. He describes her features and his love artfully - for example, her hair was like ostrich feather. Another example: my liver quivered when I see her. They can't meet again or their/her parents forbid them to marry. They either never see each other again or elope. Usually it's something like this. It's so cliche. I know that some of those love stories or songs are written by people who've actually gone through it but I can't help but find them uncompelling.

Perhaps it's because of how it's told, perhaps it's because Somali love stories are usually similar to each other (Western ones too). I find love Korean love stories more interesting and realistic, for some reason. Maybe because the love grows more slowly (usually), maybe it's because their flaws affect their relationship and other factors make it more realistic, or other reasons.

What do you think of Somali love stories? Do you connect with them?

[Tuushi]

Every culture has their own love cliche; whether is has any merits in their reality is up for debate.

Watch any hindi move and see how predictable the plot is. Hollywood also has their cliche romance stories.

I am surprised u found the Korean one more realistic.

The theme of romance in Somali is dictated by the barriers folks experienced then. I hear the eloping, family rejecting each other based on qabiil was very common.

[Negritude]

I hate love stories, but the Korean ones sound interesting. Tell me more.

[CushiticReflections]

Every culture has their own love cliche; whether is has any merits in their reality is up for debate.

Watch any hindi move and see how predictable the plot is. Hollywood also has their cliche romance stories.

I am surprised u found the Korean one more realistic.

The theme of romance in Somali is dictated by the barriers folks experienced then. I hear the eloping, family rejecting each other based on qabiil was very common.

Families rejecting a suitor of their child based on qabil still happens, even outside of Somalia. You're right about it being dictated by the barriers folks experienced then. I guess I just can't connect to those stories.

Bollywood is predictable and cheesy too, but still has that entertainment factor. lol Guzaarish was kind of good though due to its less conventional love story (minus the "magic"). Or Barfi. You just need to avoid the cliched ones. Hollywood is really bad at this, which is why I included "Western" movies in my original post.

I hate love stories, but the Korean ones sound interesting. Tell me more.

I think Korean movies make the flaws of both individuals apparent and they do affect the love story. Also, the female isn't some weak by-stander who is follows the lead of the male as if she has no real say. I don't know, that portrayal is so annoying. Some Korean stories might be like that but I find that the female lead is usually stronger. That might be the biggest attraction of it - the girls are actually strong characters at times and the males aren't princes (usually). There are some cliches in Korean love stories but they are bearable (example: girl falls ill with a terminal sickness, etc) and sometimes the male is a jerk. Sometimes the situations can only result from the imagination. But I still find something real to connect to in all of that. (Just avoid k-dramas, they even fall into cliches in order to continue the episodes for weeks).

Watch a good Korean movie. Maybe you'll like it, maybe you won't but it's worth a try, right?

Try watching a Korean movie. Ma

[AgentOfChaos]

Or Barfi.

Now why did you have to mention that movie?!

[zulaika]

Well if the usual and the predictable bore u...u can always make your own...and freshen things up

[Basra-]

Its because Somalis are ignorant, uncivilized souls. They are nomads in and out, how can they really sit put and learn how to be civilized. (nomads are ever unsatisfied and immigrating for greener pasture u know) They are NO different from the Nigerians with their DVD soap operas--which--Cush aka Sir lug-- I am sure u enjoy them. These Nigerians soaps deal with man marries many wives, witch craft and which son is mixed with white and visits the village. I say, learn about the British aristocracy if u want to escape savage Tarzan mania and sparkle with the chandeliers.

[CushiticReflections]

Or Barfi.

Now why did you have to mention that movie?!

You're a Barfi fan too? Damn the ending was perfect! I don't know how many times my eyes welled up.

[CushiticReflections]

Well if the usual and the predictable bore u...u can always make your own...and freshen things up

I've always enjoyed writing and did want to write from the perspective of a Somali living outside of Somalia... I've been slowly considering different possible love stories and it's been slowly building in my mind. But it's hard to write a love story when you've never experienced it.

Its because Somalis are ignorant, uncivilized souls. They are nomads in and out, how can they really sit put and learn how to be civilized. (nomads are ever unsatisfied and immigrating for greener pasture u know) They are NO different from the Nigerians with their DVD soap operas--which--Cush aka Sir lug-- I am sure u enjoy them. These Nigerians soaps deal with man marries many wives, witch craft and which son is mixed with white and visits the village. I say, learn about the British aristocracy if u want to escape savage Tarzan mania and sparkle with the chandeliers.

Who is this "Sir lug"? Can you direct me to his posts? He must be a fine fella for you to mistake me for him.

I've watched Nigerian films. They're interesting but not my type of love story. I'm not into witchcraft if I can avoid it or jinni stuff. Creeps me out. And I despise films, books, or other works that glorify white history, civilization, nations, or people. Usually, it does so by portraying the world through a Eurocentric lens which is biased, one-sided, and often supremacist.