Culture and Customs of Somalia - (Culture and Customs of Africa) by Mohamed Diriye Abdullahi (Paperback)

About the Book

Somalia, the Horn of Africa nation, is finally recovering from recent wars and famine. Written by a native Somali, Culture and Customs of Somalia gives students and interested readers an in-depth look at the land and people, past and present. It is the only accessible, comprehensive, and up-to-date general reference on this country. Somalia was once colonized by Europeans, but Abdullahi's superb survey, with its historical context, evokes a Somaliland from a Somali viewpoint.

This Muslim country has strong pastoral roots and is known as a land of poets with a long oral cultural tradition. Some highlights found herein include discussion of handcrafts and artisanry, distinctive architecture and nomad housing, camel culture, intriguing food and eating customs, rites of passage, leisure and economic pursuits, education, and the Somali musical genres. A chronology, glossary, and numerous photos enhance the text.

Book Synopsis

Somalia, the Horn of Africa nation, is finally recovering from recent wars and famine. Written by a native Somali, Culture and Customs of Somalia gives students and interested readers an in-depth look at the land and people, past and present. It is the only accessible, comprehensive, and up-to-date general reference on this country. Somalia was once colonized by Europeans, but Abdullahi's superb survey, with its historical context, evokes a Somaliland from a Somali viewpoint.

This Muslim country has strong pastoral roots and is known as a land of poets with a long oral cultural tradition. Some highlights found herein include discussion of handcrafts and artisanry, distinctive architecture and nomad housing, camel culture, intriguing food and eating customs, rites of passage, leisure and economic pursuits, education, and the Somali musical genres. A chronology, glossary, and numerous photos enhance the text.

Review Quotes

"...refreshingly original in its description of aspects of Somali culture and surprisingly parochial in the survey of Somali political history." --International Journal of African Historical Studies

"Librarians will want to purchase, for the high school collection and for the public library collection, countries for which your students or patrons need or request." --Blanche Woolls & David Loertscher (GaleGroup.com)

About the Author

MOHAMED DIRIYE ABDULLAHI, formerly a journalist in Somalia, is now an independent language consultant and translator in Montreal. He specializes in the language, cultures, and history of the peoples of the Horn of Africa. He has previously published Parlons Somali, a book on the Somali language and culture.