What the British thought of Somalis during 1900's -article

[XimanJaale]

The future of the Somali race is to my mind one of the most interesting and difficult of the problems presented by East Africa. For the present, I advise that we leave them alone, or at least avoid as far as possible the task of attacking them in their own territory. They are naturally isolated, and, if our officers will only avoid getting killed, can do little harm by quarrelling with one another in Jubaland. Our real task at present is rather to see that they do not encroach to the south, and to prevent them from raiding the Tana River and the Lamu Archipelago. But we can hardly avoid in the future the further task of making a permanent settlement in Jubaland, and the delimitation of the Abyssinian (meaning stop Somali Region expansion) frontier may perhaps precipitate that settlement.

It is certainly to be desired that we should utilise the Somalis. There can be no doubt that they are the most intelligent race in the Protectorate, though it may be urged with some justice that they are also proud, treacherous, fanatical, and vindictive. Too much stress, I think, is often laid on these bad qualities, and it is certain that the average Englishman has little sympathy for the Somali. He tolerates a black man who admits his inferiority, and even those who show a good fight and give in ; but he cannot tolerate dark colour combined with an intelligence in any way equal to his own. This is the secret of the almost universal dislike of the Babu, and it reappears in the unpopularity of the Somali among East African officials. The Somali are not willing to agree to the simple plan of having a fair fight and then shaking hands when defeated, but constantly indicate that they think themselves our equals or superiors, and not unfrequently prove it. Whenever it is worth our while to occupy Jubaland, and let them see a few hundred white men instead of half-a-dozen officials, which is literally all that they know of us at present, I anticipate that we shall not have much difficulty in getting on with them. The attractions of civilisation are so great for them, and our superiority in this respect so incontestable, that there can hardly be any doubt as to the result. What will happen in the wider limits of Somaliland, north of the Juba, it is hard to predict, but the area to the south is sufficiently small to offer an easy field for the extension of European influence when it is commercially and financially worth while. But meanwhile I think we had better let the Somalis alone, and avoid these conflicts between a lion and a swallow.

The East Africa Protectorate
by Eliot, Charles Eliot
1905

[Khalid Ali]

He tolerates a black man who admits his inferiority, and even those who show a good fight and give in ; but he cannot tolerate dark colour combined with an intelligence in any way equal to his own. This is the secret of the almost universal dislike of the Babu, and it reappears in the unpopularity of the Somali among East African officials. The Somali are not willing to agree to the simple plan of having a fair fight and then shaking hands when defeated, but constantly indicate that they think themselves our equals or superiors,

Spot on

Suldaan Xassan tarabi 100 years ago

Cuqaal talisa Boqor caaddila iyo culimo miisaan leh
Ilaahi Carshiga Nuuriyoow kaaga caban mayno
Caddaankaanu wada loollanaa madaw cisaynmayno

[manaxe88]

That is why they divided the somalis..divide and conquer

[XimanJaale]

Another quote on Somalis during the colonial period.

The bravest, most merciless but, when they accept you, the friendliest of African peoples, the Somalis are also among the most intelligent. If they could overcome centuries of mayhem and murder, they could transform a dangerous African dustbin into a prosperous, modern state.”
‘Warriors’ by Gerald Hanley

[Khalid Ali]

Another quote on Somalis during the colonial period.

The bravest, most merciless but, when they accept you, the friendliest of African peoples, the Somalis are also among the most intelligent. If they could overcome centuries of mayhem and murder, they could transform a dangerous African dustbin into a prosperous, modern state.”
‘Warriors’ by Gerald Hanley

Somalis are warriors they can fight but its not entirely true that Somalis can build a modern state, and transform africa , they are smart and individually very successful but as a nation they utterly fail. Somalis are each other worse enemies and would annihilate each other if they got the chance Thought hey can fight against others if there was a reason.

[XimanJaale]

Somalis are warriors they can fight but its not entirely true that Somalis can build a modern state, and transform africa , they are smart and individually very successful but as a nation they utterly fail. Somalis are each other worse enemies and would annihilate each other if they got the chance Thought hey can fight against others if there was a reason.

Actually you have zero clue. Somalis can build a modern state the Kacaan was an example. The during the Kacaan period, the Somalis were keen and thirsty to build a modern state. From voluntary work, patriotism, brotherhood and state building. You cannot ignore the history of Somalia. If tribalism didn't beat us Somalis, Somalia could had been the most developed Afican country if not the world! If Somalis unite they have the opportunity to do what they want.

For 21 years Somalis loved each other, helped each other etc.

[Khalid Ali]

Somalis are warriors they can fight but its not entirely true that Somalis can build a modern state, and transform africa , they are smart and individually very successful but as a nation they utterly fail. Somalis are each other worse enemies and would annihilate each other if they got the chance Thought hey can fight against others if there was a reason.

Actually you have zero clue. Somalis can build a modern state the Kacaan was an example. The during the Kacaan period, the Somalis were keen and thirsty to build a modern state. From voluntary work, patriotism, brotherhood and state building. You cannot ignore the history of Somalia. If tribalism didn't beat us Somalis, Somalia could had been the most developed Afican country if not the world! If Somalis unite they have the opportunity to do what they want.

For 21 years Somalis loved each other, helped each other etc.

Somalis did not remain together because they loved each other or that they have same interest but because an army more than 120.000 strong kept them together by force but Somalis brought down maxamamd afweyne and dismantled his army, Because Somalis have never shared a nation or state together only by force even in the early sixties there were so many Tribal parties the Somali republic was destine to fail. Xabashi hatred could not keep us together as Somalis preferred to side with Xabashi against Maxammad afweyne. Somalia has no history and till this day Somalis would side with Ethiopia and Kenya against the enemy tribe. Somalis are warriors but Somalis cannot build together a modern sophisticated nation history is our evidence. Xabashi boogeyman myth was destroyed real fast

[XimanJaale]

Somalis did not remain together because they loved each other or that they have same interest but because an army more than 120.000 strong kept them together by force but Somalis brought down maxamamd afweyne and dismantled his army, Because Somalis have never shared a nation or state together only by force even in the early sixties there were so many Tribal parties the Somali republic was destine to fail. Xabashi hatred could not keep us together as Somalis preferred to side with Xabashi against Maxammad afweyne. Somalia has no history and till this day Somalis would side with Ethiopia and Kenya against the enemy tribe. Somalis are warriors but Somalis cannot build together a modern sophisticated nation history is our evidence. Xabashi boogeyman myth was destroyed real fast

You failed once again.

The Somali army was not even strong in 1969, there was only less than 50,000. It was the Revolution government that strengthen the military as it was a military government.
And Somalis shared a nation for almost 31 years, so I don't see your point where ur stating Somalis have never shared a nation. Also it wasn't our hate of Habashi that made us united.

Also Somalia does have a history. I don't even know why I'am debating with a illiterate, uneducated fool like you. Your whole argument is baseless and fueled with clannish agenda and hatred. I would rather debate about Somalia's history with a non-Somali, atleast they aren't biased and consumed with clan rivalry.

[Somali-Transporter]

Playing down somalia means like your not giving credit to the hard works of your fathers and mothers who was part of Somalia..

[Khalid Ali]

Somalis did not remain together because they loved each other or that they have same interest but because an army more than 120.000 strong kept them together by force but Somalis brought down maxamamd afweyne and dismantled his army, Because Somalis have never shared a nation or state together only by force even in the early sixties there were so many Tribal parties the Somali republic was destine to fail. Xabashi hatred could not keep us together as Somalis preferred to side with Xabashi against Maxammad afweyne. Somalia has no history and till this day Somalis would side with Ethiopia and Kenya against the enemy tribe. Somalis are warriors but Somalis cannot build together a modern sophisticated nation history is our evidence. Xabashi boogeyman myth was destroyed real fast

You failed once again.

The Somali army was not even strong in 1969, there was only less than 50,000. It was the Revolution government that strengthen the military as it was a military government.
And Somalis shared a nation for almost 31 years, so I don't see your point where ur stating Somalis have never shared a nation. Also it wasn't our hate of Habashi that made us united.

Also Somalia does have a history. I don't even know why I'am debating with a illiterate, uneducated fool like you. Your whole argument is baseless and fueled with clannish agenda and hatred. I would rather debate about Somalia's history with a non-Somali, atleast they aren't biased and consumed with clan rivalry.

You are talking to me Khalid not some Foreigner i know Somalis Somalis shared a nation forcefully when they ousted maxammad afweyne every one went to his own turf. Somalis have been separated more than they were united 30 years unity compare that to 74 years colonialism each their their own colonial historic legacies and now compare it today 23 years being separated from each other. Bare in mind pre 1880 they were also separated. There was never collective Somali history thats why Guhaad is telling you stop claiming Ogaden history. Habashi hatred is what was fueling Somali nationalism in the sixties and seventies 80s SNM and SSDF broke that silly Myth SPM AND USC followed and learned.

[Ismail87]

This thread is stupid. The British wrote those things about the Somalis that lived a century ago, not that I care what a gaal thinks of us but compare this to what the British newspapers write about us today... We have fallen so low and we can only blame ourselves.

[Cherine]

Have you read what Richard Burton said? wallahi qosol baan ku waashay.

The 'savage' men all have that villanious look, are very lazy, lay like cattle on the floor. The women are of cold temparament and are bad mothers.

[XimanJaale]

This thread is stupid. The British wrote those things about the Somalis that lived a century ago, not that I care what a gaal thinks of us but compare this to what the British newspapers write about us today... We have fallen so low and we can only blame ourselves.

Nothing wrong with studying what foreigners say about Somalis. So I don't see anything stupid with this thread.

[XimanJaale]

Have you read what Richard Burton said? wallahi qosol baan ku waashay.

The 'savage' men all have that villanious look, are very lazy, lay like cattle on the floor. The women are of cold temparament and are bad mothers.

That guy had some issues towards Somalis.

[Gabre]

Have you read what Richard Burton said? wallahi qosol baan ku waashay.

The 'savage' men all have that villanious look, are very lazy, lay like cattle on the floor. The women are of cold temparament and are bad mothers.

That guy had some issues towards Somalis.

I think it's because Somalis (Ogaden if I remember right) almost killed him. Sheekada sidaan umaqlay, he was posing as a big Sheikh from Arabia using the nomen Haji Abdu El-Yezdi. Laakiin he got caught pissing standing up and the Ogaden warriors realized the nigga was a fraud and threw a spear at his face. You can still see the wound in many of his paintings and photographs