Are We Losing Our Culture?

[shimbiraale]

Though Somalis have used religious Arab names since Islam first came to Somalia many centuries ago, traditional Somali names have been the norm. However, since the civil war, it seems as though Somalia has been dealing with a cultural identity crisis that has been reflected in the names given to our children. Most people born after the war seem to have Arab names and many do not even know the meaning of their names. I worry that unless we return to our traditions, most traditional Somali names will fall out of use for good and become relics of the past.

I understand the use of Arab names related to the religion such as Abd-(insert one of the 99 Names of Allah) or names of the prophets. But there is no religious significance to names like Yasmin (which means flower), Amira (princess), etc. There are hundreds of traditional Somali names that could be used instead that are rich in meaning and, more importantly, reflect our culture.

Have you observed the same and what sort of names would you give your (future) children?

[Bari14]

I am in full support of this. Due the mass exodus, many families in the Western Diaspora insulated themselves from Gaal culture by pursuing a more strict form of Islam so that they can save their loved ones from Jaxannum. Very understandable but this leaves huge gaping hole in our culture and second generation children can no longer differ between what is Islam and ARAB culture.

Before the civil war, many of our women wouldn't even cover their hair because we were in tune with our culture and felt comfort in knowing the entire community was Muslim. I do hope that one day there will be a renaissance of Somali culture and moves can be made to preserve vital sites that can help explain our roots

[shimbiraale]

Yes, brother, you speak much truth. One can only hope that there will come a time when Somalis' pride in their culture and country is restored. But there is nothing preventing us, as individuals, from representing our culture by bestowing our children with traditional Somali names, wearing a variety of more traditional clothing during weddings and other events instead of diracs and foreign clothes, teaching children the difference between Arab culture and Islam, among other things.

[thehappyone]

Arab names don't worry me so much what scares me is losing our culture to western culture, I've seen too many somalis involved in gaal activities.

[shimbiraale]

Arab names don't worry me so much what scares me is losing our culture to western culture, I've seen too many somalis involved in gaal activities.

That seems to be a problem specific to Somalis in the diaspora. I find that females who experienced a very strict, heavily Arab-influenced upbringing and males who were given too much freedom, lacked a male role model, and had no sense of personal responsibility instilled in them tend to find gaal, haram activities more alluring. The solution is to return to our traditional culture and to shed aspects of Arab culture that Somalis adopted after the war.

[Inaayah]

For me, there are more important aspects to our beautiful dhaqan that have long been abandoned than having a Somali name. So I wouldn't focus on that too much.

[gegiroor]

For me, there are more important aspects to our beautiful dhaqan that have long been abandoned than having a Somali name. So I wouldn't focus on that too much.

Tell me more Inaayah. I mean be more specific.

[Hyperactive]

No!! imposible to loose a culture that i dont possess.

[Sumubaridi]

Instead of worrying about Arab names, how about Liza farah, Monica Abdi and kati Guleed. Yes, this are girls that i know.

[shimbiraale]

Names are a part of our identity and a reflection of our culture. When people want to culturally assimilate into a foreign culture, they adopt that culture's names. Take, for example, East Asians who take on European names like Cindy, etc. There is also an idealization of whiteness and their features in East Asian countries, especially in Korea where it is very common to undergo plastic surgery to make this fantasy into a reality. Women get nose jobs so they may have narrow, raised noses like cadaans. They get double eyelid surgeries and, at times, even shave their jawbones down so they can get an oval, narrow face shape that is more "Western" (ie. cadaan) as opposed to the square or circular faces that are more common among their own people. A name is simply reflective of the cultural ideals and mindset of a people. So yes, it is important.

Instead of worrying about Arab names, how about Liza farah, Monica Abdi and kati Guleed. Yes, this are girls that i know.

These are rare. I've only known one Somali with an cadaan name. I can't even begin to count those with Arab names but they certainly are more common than traditional Somali names.

[Bari14]

No!! imposible to loose a culture that i dont possess.

Are you certain that you don't "possess" Somali culture? If you were to meet a rageedi who's never met or even heard of you see your face, would they recognize you as their kinsman?

Sxb i have close relatives that have no idea that they impose a self hating personality. You may speak Arabic, dress as an Arab, and even have more Arab friends than Somali but you will never become one of them.

I realized at an early age who I am and I don't shy away from it. I embrace it, find comfort in it, and keeps me grounded in a world of sin and uncertainty

My mother asked how I was doing yesterday and I said blessed every moment because Allah had allowed my soul to be born a Somali

[lifeisbloodyhard]

Instead of worrying about Arab names, how about Liza farah, Monica Abdi and kati Guleed. Yes, this are girls that i know.

OP, I agree with you whole heartedly. If I have kids, at least half will have Somali names. The others will have Islamic names like the names of the prophets.

[Basra-]

Though Somalis have used religious Arab names since Islam first came to Somalia many centuries ago, traditional Somali names have been the norm. However, since the civil war, it seems as though Somalia has been dealing with a cultural identity crisis that has been reflected in the names given to our children. Most people born after the war seem to have Arab names and many do not even know the meaning of their names. I worry that unless we return to our traditions, most traditional Somali names will fall out of use for good and become relics of the past.

I understand the use of Arab names related to the religion such as Abd-(insert one of the 99 Names of Allah) or names of the prophets. But there is no religious significance to names like Yasmin (which means flower), Amira (princess), etc. There are hundreds of traditional Somali names that could be used instead that are rich in meaning and, more importantly, reflect our culture.

Have you observed the same and what sort of names would you give your (future) children?

The problem with u Is--u r immersed in Somali culture that u don't see anything else. I mean, is it the Siyaad Baare DNA???? OR a disorder of some unnamed, lesbian kind?

[Jugjugwacwac]

Though Somalis have used religious Arab names since Islam first came to Somalia many centuries ago, traditional Somali names have been the norm. However, since the civil war, it seems as though Somalia has been dealing with a cultural identity crisis that has been reflected in the names given to our children. Most people born after the war seem to have Arab names and many do not even know the meaning of their names. I worry that unless we return to our traditions, most traditional Somali names will fall out of use for good and become relics of the past.

I understand the use of Arab names related to the religion such as Abd-(insert one of the 99 Names of Allah) or names of the prophets. But there is no religious significance to names like Yasmin (which means flower), Amira (princess), etc. There are hundreds of traditional Somali names that could be used instead that are rich in meaning and, more importantly, reflect our culture.

Have you observed the same and what sort of names would you give your (future) children?

Every time a friend or an acquaintance of mine has a child and I ask for it's name I brace myself for the inevitable feeling of sadness that'll overcome me when they tell me 'we named her Zubaydah' or 'he's called Maahir', which is the case 9 times out 10. I literally bite my tongue and just say masha'Allah and quickly change the subject away from names. I think I need to make a sincere dua to Allah to allow me to just stop caring so much about Somalis and their condition, cuz our problems r so many, this being just one, that it's literally depressing.

[TheLoFather]

I thought we were black Arabs!.... Arab names belong to us just as it does to all other Arab nations.