Somali Culture, &Traditions BY: LIBAN BULE: Somali Health Human Services Consultant. 1

Overview Language General Customs Naming, Greetings Location & geography of Somalia History and Politics Language General Customs Naming, Greetings Marriage, Family and Kinship Structure Reproduction/Child Birth, Post Port rum Nutrition and Food Drinks, Drugs and Indulgence, Religion, Religious Beliefs and Practices Education System in Somalia. Traditional Medical Practices

Map Of Somalia Map 3

WHERE IS SOMALIA? Somalia aka the Horn of Africa 10,000 (?) miles from the United States. Male life expectancy: 45 Female life expectancy: 47 Lowest School-Age enrollment in the World: School-age enrollment 6% Second-Highest Displacement population in sub-Saharan. Second-Highest Patients in PTSD in Sub-Saharan. Somali refugees are among the United States’ strongest, most courageous, most resilient residents. They have suffered losses beyond the imagination of most Americans and overcame challenges and boundaries that are not often in American daily perceptions. By the time they arrive on American shores to meet an entirely new set of challenges, they have already lost homes and love ones, their sense of safety, and often, their self-esteem. Their identities change in a new country; they may have had a professional careers in their former countries, while in their new homeland they may need to take an entry level jobs, in order to support their families in/outside.

Cultural Competence A set of congruent behaviors, attitudes, and policies in a system, agency, or among professionals which enables them to work effectively in cross-cultural situations. A respect is developed towards the dynamics of differences and a continuous expansion of cultural knowledge is sought. Service models are adapted to meet the needs of the population being served.

Diversity within Diversity Going beyond binary thinking Avoiding homogenized perceptions Recognizing the differences among members of the same group. Cultural sensitivity is often as crucial as competent interpretation in cross-cultural medical treatment. Providers must know these: Take a medical history and physical exams. Cultural values inform the patient’s definition of health, view body and its function. Inquire about Traditional treatments practiced. Alternatives approaches exist in various cultures to routine matters like fever reduction, hygiene, and beautification and wide range of practices and customs surround major life events such as child birth and death.

History and Politics 1960 Became Independent. There is no effective government Civil war

Language Somalis speak Somali: Afro- Asiatic Writing was adopted in 1973 Education was free at all levels

General Custom Names, Naming General greeting: Salami Aliekem(Peace of ALLAH be on you) Greetings and Displays of Respect. Nomadic greetings: ( Give me the report) commonly used inquiring where the rain fell.

Marriage, Family and Kinship Marriage / acceptable only Man Vs Woman Gender Role ( 1. Male 2. Female) Family and Kinship Structure: ( Two Uncles/ 1 from each side of your Parents, Two Aunts/1 from each. Extended Family: Common Ancestral Father ( Tribe/Clan, Sub-clan) Family Hereditary role: Man’s wealth is divided between his children/parents/wife.

Reproduction Pregnancy Child Birth Post Partum Practices Childrearing Practices

Nutrition and Food Green vegetables Corn Beans Milk Halal Meat

Drink, Drugs and Indulgence No alcohol Qat (from catha edulis tree) is mild stumalant used by some Somalis Qat or Khat: grows up in Kenya, Ethiopia, Yemen and Somalia 95% of user happen to be 15-58 years. Male 93 Female 72%

Religious Beliefs and Practices Almost all Somalis are Suni Moslems Religious holidays Ramadan Idal-Fitr Moulid Arafa

Education System in Somalia PARENTAL ROLE Students who knew and experienced the school system in their country. Students who are new to the education system. In Us Students are placed due to their age, and Somalis happen to have an age crisis, more often parents are advised easy date to remember ( 01-01…) 15

Experience with Western Medicine In the Country of Origin In the United States / Traditional Medical practices In Somalia In the United States. Evil-Eye. Cursed

Common Acculturation issues. However, thus far, good number of Somalis in Columbus City they have not encountered significant problems associated with acculturation. As recent immigrants with a strong religious and cultural heritage, most families have found it easy to continue traditional dress and cultural practices. At those times when Somali adolescents feel the pressure to assimilate more strongly than their parents, usually a mutually acceptable compromise can be accomplished. For example, several Somali families feel comfortable letting their children go to school in Western clothes (as long as this does not include shorts), as long as the children change into Somali clothing when they come home from school. Families send their children to religious school on evenings and weekends in order to preserve Islamic education and tradition. Some attend Private-Islamic schools.. 17