The Landcruiser culture

[hydrogen]

After reading several SNET threads it seems to me that people take pride in the fact that their parents owned a land cruiser vehicle in the past, it quite possible symbolizes wealth or maybe it was part of the 'upper class' lifestyle in Somalia. But what I don't understand is, how a child raised in the west post-civil war would cross his/her legs when their parents mention a vehicles name and listen to whichever "I was wealthy" anecdote that followed. I don't completely understand their psyche because from personal experience when my parents conjured up a story about Somalia I'd be the first to end it especially one where they self-aggrandize. The land cruiser culture itself is understandable but what I find unfathomable is how a child would know that a land cruiser meant something more extended than just the vehicle and sit down to listen to the story then eventually come on the internet to boast about it to others. At what point does this child recognize the land cruiser is synonymous with wealth? At what point does this child piece together the criterion for wealth in pre-war Somalia?

I make the assumption that they were socialized into this frame of mind which is compatible with clannism but I don't want to come to a conclusion, the land cruiser culture still bewilders me.

[Khalid Ali]

After reading several SNET threads it seems to me that people take pride in the fact that their parents owned a land cruiser vehicle in the past, it quite possible symbolizes wealth or maybe it was part of the 'upper class' lifestyle in Somalia. But what I don't understand is, how a child raised in the west post-civil war would cross his/her legs when their parents mention a vehicles name and listen to whichever "I was wealthy" anecdote that followed. I don't completely understand their psyche because from personal experience when my parents conjured up a story about Somalia I'd be the first to end it especially one where they self-aggrandize. The land cruiser culture itself is understandable but what I find unfathomable is how a child would know that a land cruiser meant something more extended than just the vehicle and sit down to listen to the story then eventually come on the internet to boast about it to others. At what point does this child recognize the land cruiser is synonymous with wealth? At what point does this child piece together the criterion for wealth in pre-war Somalia?

I make the assumption that they were socialized into this frame of mind which is compatible with clannism but I don't want to come to a conclusion, the land cruiser culture still fascinates me.

You dont understand during the Kacaan there was allot of nepotism and favoritism the government imported from the rural areas of Somalia Folks into the city mostly from the Tribe of the President and his close associates knowing that these people lived in places where there were no Land rovers land cruisers. See when the Parents of these kids talk about the good old days they talk about the Landcruisers and their properties it was there sense of good life. Because these were their basic needs having a land cruiser and a house, running water shampoo, the government at that time provided these people with those services they didn't enjoy previously. For example a Land cruiser was like a bentley in their eyes it had more to do with their previous situation and how they lived.

[SultanOrder]

What if they were explicitly told that it meant or symbolized a, b, and c?

[hydrogen]

After reading several SNET threads it seems to me that people take pride in the fact that their parents owned a land cruiser vehicle in the past, it quite possible symbolizes wealth or maybe it was part of the 'upper class' lifestyle in Somalia. But what I don't understand is, how a child raised in the west post-civil war would cross his/her legs when their parents mention a vehicles name and listen to whichever "I was wealthy" anecdote that followed. I don't completely understand their psyche because from personal experience when my parents conjured up a story about Somalia I'd be the first to end it especially one where they self-aggrandize. The land cruiser culture itself is understandable but what I find unfathomable is how a child would know that a land cruiser meant something more extended than just the vehicle and sit down to listen to the story then eventually come on the internet to boast about it to others. At what point does this child recognize the land cruiser is synonymous with wealth? At what point does this child piece together the criterion for wealth in pre-war Somalia?

I make the assumption that they were socialized into this frame of mind which is compatible with clannism but I don't want to come to a conclusion, the land cruiser culture still fascinates me.

You dont understand during the Kacaan there was allot of nepotism and favoritism the government imported from the rural areas of Somalia Folks into the city mostly from the Tribe of the President and his close associates knowing that these people lived in places where there were no Land rovers land cruisers. See when the Parents of these kids talk about the good old days they talk about the Landcruisers and their properties it was there sense of good life. Because these were their basic needs having a land cruiser and a house, running water shampoo, the government at that time provided these people with those services they didn't enjoy previously. For example a Land cruiser was like a bentley in their eyes it had more to do with their previous situation and how they lived.

I understand that, but for example my mother would refer to how life was easier when she had a land cruiser and people who cooked for her in contrast to the west but my reply would be "Hooyo, no one drives those cars anymore, people drive range rovers or mercedes these days" and this was before I came to SNET. I would have never sat down to listen to that let alone show off about it. I thought land cruisers were always trash. We had some when we lived in Dubai too and my mum liked those cars but I can understand old school Somalis who talk about the past but kids who grew up in the west around BMWs, Mercedes etc why would they think a land cruiser is cool?

[hydrogen]

What if they were explicitly told that it meant or symbolized a, b, and c?

So you are saying they were socialised into it. I wouldn't know but you can expand if you happen to be experienced in this field.

[Meyle]

A car is a car but this culture of glorifying a certain model still exists among the communities back home.


It's exclusive to drive a Landcruiser according to them.

I only drove a Landcruiser or a Toyota Surf when I was driving from Hargeysa to Burco or when I was going from Burco to Miyi. In town I drove an indha cadde aka flower magnet

[hydrogen]

A car is a car but this culture of glorifying a certain model still exists among the communities back home.


It's exclusive to drive a Landcruiser according to them.

I only drove a Landcruiser or a Toyota Surf when I was driving from Hargeysa to Burco or when I was going from Burco to Miyi. In town I drove an indha cadde aka flower magnet

When someone introduces Range rovers to Somalia. We went to Somalia in a land cruiser and came back with a pickup van filled with goats But nearly everyone drives one there now, hardly exclusive.

[SultanOrder]

What if they were explicitly told that it meant or symbolized a, b, and c?

So you are saying they were socialised into it. I wouldn't know but you can expand if you happen to be experienced in this field.

When you said to your mom Mercedes were better she would tell you back home in that environment this is what or meant.

Ps I will ignore your personal remarks

[hydrogen]

What if they were explicitly told that it meant or symbolized a, b, and c?

So you are saying they were socialised into it. I wouldn't know but you can expand if you happen to be experienced in this field.

When you said to your mom Mercedes were better she would tell you back home in that environment this is what or meant.

Ps I will ignore your personal remarks

No, the conversation would most likely change, but c'mon don't take it so personally the thread was not targeted at a people specifically but rather one individual whose made some rather questionable statements in the past.

[Meyle]

A car is a car but this culture of glorifying a certain model still exists among the communities back home.


It's exclusive to drive a Landcruiser according to them.

I only drove a Landcruiser or a Toyota Surf when I was driving from Hargeysa to Burco or when I was going from Burco to Miyi. In town I drove an indha cadde aka flower magnet

When someone introduces Range rovers to Somalia. We went to Somalia in a land cruiser and came back with a pickup van filled with goats But nearly everyone drives one there now, hardly exclusive.

Yh, most people drive the Toyota Surf or Landcruiser. Specially the conniving Wadaads that won't donate a couple of shillings to the poor but they're driving around town in expensive cars.

[GeoSeven]

In Somalia and most of Africa, auto parts for Asian vehicles are easier to obtain as opposed to European and North American, so given the limited options, the Land Cruiser would have been and still is the common mark of prestige since it's the most widely available premier luxury Asian vehicle.

[HusseinHassan]

Specially the conniving Wadaads that won't donate a couple of shillings to the poor but they're driving around town in expensive cars.

meyle why do you hate wadaads

[Cherine]

Landcruiser gaddo guuxiisa mood
Gob inaad ku tahay geeska afrikoo

Ayeeyday ilaahay haunaxiisto taught me that when i was 17 ish.

[HusseinHassan]

Landcruiser gaddo guuxiisa mood
Gob inaad ku tahay geeska afrikoo

Ayeeyday ilaahay haunaxiisto taught me that when i was 17 ish.

why would she teach you that of all things? lol

[Meyle]

Specially the conniving Wadaads that won't donate a couple of shillings to the poor but they're driving around town in expensive cars.

meyle why do you hate wadaads

Hate is a strong word.


I dislike most of them for their hypocrisy.