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There are 54 countries in Africa, we will be looking at the country of Somalia! 

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There are 54 countries in Africa, we will be looking at the country of Somalia! 

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The languages spoken in Somalia are Somali and Arabic. 

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The languages spoken in Somalia are Somali and Arabic. 

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The show opens with an elderly woman talking about someone demanding money for Tahriib. Tahriib is an Arabic word that Somalian youths have adopted to describe the dangerous journey they take to emigrate to Europe, due to parents death, being single parents or unable to find work.

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Telling the real story - Somali Talk Show

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Somali Refugee Crisis- people displaced from their country is one of the largest in the world, continuing still today.

Civil war, politics, lack of jobs contributes to the unsafe environment

Major drought in the horn of Africa where Somalia is located, means water is lacking and the cost of food is high.

Refugee camps are losing global support to provide finances for food.

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The Somali refugee crisis is one of the most challenging mass displacement situations in the world. Over the last 30 years, hundreds of thousands of people have fled Somalia due to political instability and a dangerous civil war that broke out in the 1990s.

In February 2023, clashes around the city of Laascaanood in Somalia caused increasing internal displacement, with at least 150,000 people forced to flee within Somalia, and nearly 100,000 Somali refugees fleeing to Ethiopia, arriving in remote, extremely isolated and drought-affected areas. Many of the Somalis fleeing are women, children
and vulnerable people.

Here are six facts you need to know about the Somalia refugee crisis, why people are fleeing their homes, and what UNHCR is doing to protect and support displaced people across Somalia.
FACT: 80 percent of Somali refugees are living in neighboring countries:
More than 3.8 million people are displaced in Somalia and some 6.7 million people are struggling to meet their food needs. More than half a million Somali children are severely malnourished.

Today, there are 714,390 Somali refugees and asylum seekers living in neighboring countries like Kenya (308,367), Ethiopia (276,412), Uganda (69,533) and Yemen (46,750). More than 35,600 refugees and asylum seekers live inside the country and nearly 3 million people are internally displaced across Somalia.

Despite having internal displacement and refugee crises of their own, countries like Yemen and Ethiopia have a long-standing history of welcoming refugees from Somalia.
FACT: The drought in the Horn of Africa is impacting more than 20 million people-including those in Somalia.
The Horn of Africa is facing a catastrophic drought, the worst experienced in 40 years, following poor rainfall patterns and changing climatic conditions. The drought is severely affecting millions of refugees, IDPs and their host communities, primarily in Somalia, Ethiopia and Kenya. This year, more than 408,000 people were displaced by floods engulfing their villages and another 312,000 people by ravaging drought. A toxic mix of conflict, severe drought and devastating floods has forced more than 1 million people in Somalia to flee their homes in the first five months of 2023 - a record rate of displacement for the country.

With water sources drying up, livelihoods decimated and prices of food and basic goods rising due to a mix of conflict and climate shocks, there is new displacement - both internally and across borders; as well as drought-specific impacts on existing refugee camps and settlements and host communities in all three countries.

These populations are already suffering a dramatic reduction in food assistance due to funding shortfalls and the global economic crisis, which has caused increases in food and commodity prices. The cost of a food basket has risen by 36 percent in Somalia, leaving many refugees and IDP families unable to afford even basic items.
FACT: The Somali refugee crisis is a protracted refugee crisis.
Refugees from Somalia have been living in refugee camps for nearly 30 years. Many have lived most or all of their lives in these camps. This is called a protracted refugee situation. UNHCR defines a protracted refugee situation as one in which 25,000 or more refugees from the same nationality have been in exile for five consecutive years or more in a given host country. An estimated 78 percent of all refugees live in protracted refugee situations like this.
FACT: Many Somali children are born in exile.
Because Somalis have been displaced for generations, many Somali children have been born in refugee camps. These children have never known a life free from exile, but UNHCR is working to ensure they still have the brightest future possible. Somali refugee children attend school and have the opportunity to go to college. And new laws and agreements, like those established with the government of Ethiopia, are allowing Somali refugees to have livelihoods and better integrate with their local communities.
FACT: The UN Refugee Agency will stay and deliver.
As Somalia continues to face multiple challenges, including political insecurity, conflict, and climate emergencies, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is on the ground delivering lifesaving aid such as shelter, water, sanitation facilities, nutrition, healthcare, cash assistance and protection to people forced to flee their homes.

UNHCR is also ensuring that separated and unaccompanied children are provided with medical assistance, psychosocial support, counseling, and safe spaces to protect them against exploitation and forced recruitment by armed actors.
FACT: Somali refugees are changing Americans' perceptions of refugees.
Somali refugees, like Mustafa and Fatima, who have been resettled in the United States, are changing the way Americans think about refugees. Mustafa is helping break down barriers by bringing resettled refugees and their neighbors together for family dinners, where families often discover they have more in common than they thought. Fatima is a dedicated civil servant who is giving back to the community that gave her a second chance, showing that former refugees can be successful, contributing members of society.
Displaced people from Somalia need your help...
Monthly giving is the most effective way to help people living in exile and returning to their homes after years of displacement. Start making a lifesaving difference today. Please become USA for UNHCR's newest monthly donor.

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Over the last 30 years, hundreds of thousands of people have fled Somalia because of political instability and a dangerous civil war.

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A recycling sign in Minneapolis that features Somali Latin Alphabet on the bottom!

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The Latin Script Somali Alphabet was created to transcribe Somali. It was controversial for a long time due to some viewing it as something brought in by colonial powers and a decision on the official orthography could not be made for a long time. Eventually in 1969 the military seized power and the script was being used informally by the army and police which led to it being adopted as the primary orthography in the Somali state.

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After the Civil War in Somalia many had to flee. Between 2005 and 2018, 13,582 refugees had fled to Minnesota. In the 1990s a lot of ethnic Somalis emigrated to Minnesota as refugees from the civil war. Many newer arrivals came with assistance from voluntary agencies who helped them settle in (VOLAGS).

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3.18 million years ago the partial skeleton of Lucy was found in what is now Ethiopia

People in this region eventually divided into Somalia, Kenya and Ethiopia.

Music and dance were important for celebrations, ceremonies and to tell stories.

The land was rich with wildlife, and offered a trading port for East African countries, trade included Ivory, Gold and people.

Islam expanded through war with Ethiopia pushing out christians and gaining Somalia land.

1905 British and Italians invaded colonizing Somalia dividing it into further fragmentation. Different governments, education and creating different class societies. Wealthy left for European countries while lack of development allowed for continued oppression of the lower class

1960 Somalia gained Independence from colonial rule.

New government is weak and over thrown from Militant Regime in 1969

The Regime claims they will unify Somalia with one cultural theme, develop rural areas, education and health care

1991 Regime is accused of corruption, human rights abuse, repression and is over thrown.

Civil war breaks out, fragmented clans all fighting for control

Mass killing, ethnic cleansing, schools, medical gone, disease spreads, food supplies lost

2000 transition government created but was to weak to take on the war lords

2006 Islamic Courts Union (ICU)finally took control of southern Somalia showing a chance for stability and security.

US and other Western countries worried that ICU would create terrorist groups to prevent this US funded Ethiopia to invade Somalia.

Led to collapse of ICU and other War Lords

2012 New government formed that recognizes all clans, however clashing between groups still occurs.

Drastic Climate changes, flooding and ongoing drought as well is impacting the people of this country as well.

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"As Black Muslim immigrants, Somali suffer 'triple jeopardy' of being ostracized based on religion, immigration status, and race (Houston et al., 2021). These factors contribute to various healthcare disparities like gender preferences in seeking and accepting care, modesty requirements, resettlement stresses, insufficient interpreter services, traditional beliefs, and limited health literacy"

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Discussing tribes, or clans families belong to. Somalian's might discuss for marriage or if a close friend thats been know for years is curious. Somalians want Somalia to be seen as a unified country not divided.

Shaking hands should be done with white hand and never with someone of the opposite sex unless they are family.

Strong distrust in vaccines and medication. In early 2000's many Somali children were diagnosed with Autism, mothers blamed vaccines.

Evil Eye- sharing good news, or bragging can be seen by the evil eye and cause miss fortune, illness, a delayed plane or financial loss.

When giving praise to a student a teacher might say "MashaAllah" your child brings a lot of good insight to our class discussion.

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Somalia and Muslims use a lunar calendar. You can learn more about important holidays here. For instance Eid-al Fitr the end of Ramadan. A celebration of sacrifices made, usually held at mosque with a great feast. Some go out to buy new clothes to wear the next day.

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Discover Somalia Holidays, Festivals and Traditions

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West Bank Diner is on campus.

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Where to Find Traditional Somali Food in Minneapolis

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Check out the best spots for Somali food in Minneapolis.

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Opportunities in MN to explore Somali culture and connect with students

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Opportunities in MN to explore Somali culture and connect with students

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volunteer

While I found a lot of great events in MN they have passed for the 2024 year.

Somali Night a week long event on the the twin cities campus, this year was its 26th season. Watch for it in 2025

St.Cloud had a Somalian Fair

The MN historical Museum show cased the history of Somali people in MN. This show has ended.

The MN State fair had this year a Somali dance troop.

Lots of great events, I encourage us all to try to make it to at least one event next year. I myself, always find attending someones place of prayer as a great learning experience. I would enjoy attending a service at a mosque.

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Home - Minnesota Somali Community Center

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Where Can I learn more, be sure to check out the art opportunities!

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Where Can I learn more, be sure to check out the art opportunities!

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The Somali Museum of Minnesota provides education and exposure to traditional Somali culture through over 700 pieces of artwork as well as programs and classes. The museum's goal is to connect different cultures and ethnicities through learning and experience. Every Friday they offer a dance class for ages 16-25 focused on practicing traditional Somali dance. They also offer a Somali kebed weaving class, where students will learn to weave cultural mats by hand.

To learn more about the Somali culture and its local presence here in Minnesota, the museum offers Somali Culture 101. This course involves a guided tour of the museum, a lecture on the culture, and a time to ask questions about Somali heritage and tradition. This is a great option for employee trainings, schools, or groups in general wanting to know more about this unique part of our Minnesota makeup.

Looking for something a little less formal? Schedule a personalized tour of the museum! Whether you have a class, group of friends, or it's just you, you can customize your tour to tailor your education. Get answers to your questions, learn about the history of certain artifacts and deepen your understanding of the culture.

Check out the other unique events coming up at the museum or learn more about how to get involved.

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Learn About Somali Culture | Meet Minneapolis

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The Somali Museum offers a chance to learn about Somali culture through artwork, programs and classes. See how else the museum educates on Somali heritage and traditions.

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Graphic Novel about a Somali refugee camp

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Graphic Novel about a Somali refugee camp

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Reddit thread on r/teaching about teaching Somali students

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Reddit thread on r/teaching about teaching Somali students

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Does anyone have experience with teaching Somali students?

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You should learn about Ramadan, Eid, fasting, among many other things to understand and connect with your students.

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Ramadan Information Sheet - Islamic Networks Group (ING)

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To learn more, check out our free public presentations on Ramadan and Muslim Americans and Their Faith. To view other important dates for Muslims, visit our Calendar of Important Islamic Dates Introduction Ramadan is considered one of the holiest months of the year for Muslims. In Ramadan, Muslims c…

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Learning a few phrases in Somali is a great way to connect with your Somali students. This goes for any other culture as well.

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Somali For Beginners | Daily life Somali | Complete crash course

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This video discusses Somali culture through dance as well as other insights into some of their lives.

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This video discusses Somali culture through dance as well as other insights into some of their lives.

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Learning Somali Culture Through Traditional Dance

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Amazing video detailing the Somali experience, past, trauma, and how they are navigating forward.

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Amazing video detailing the Somali experience, past, trauma, and how they are navigating forward.

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Many Somali-Minnesotans have survived traumatic experiences most of us couldn’t imagine. And yet, they are resilient survivors, creating a new vision of health for their community. Produced in partnership with CentraCare.

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Webpage detailing many large parts of Somali culture.

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Webpage detailing many large parts of Somali culture.

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The varied cultural life of the Somali includes both traditional activities and, especially in the towns, many modern interests. Cultural activities consist primarily of poetry, folk dancing, the performance of plays, and singing. These traditional activities still retain their importance, especially in rural areas, and are practiced not only at family and religious celebrations but also at state ceremonies. On such occasions traditional local costume is generally worn. Especially in the towns, traditional culture is rapidly being superseded by imported modern influences, such as television, cinema, and bars and restaurants. Urban Somalian cooking has been strongly influenced by Italian cuisine, and young townspeople are much influenced by Western fashion in the way they dress. Football (soccer) is a popular sport.

The arts

There are many famous Somali artists, poets, musicians, actors, and dancers, some of whom live in exile. Nuruddin Farah, whose novels are written in English, has achieved international fame. (For Farah's thoughts about his country at the turn of the new millennium, see Sidebar: Somalia at the Turn of the 21st Century.) Cultural institutions in Mogadishu are the National Museum, the Historical Museum, and the National Theatre.

Media and publishing

Press, radio, and television are all controlled and censored by the state. Since 1991 several daily newspapers have been published in Mogadishu, and one is printed in Puntland. Radio Mogadishu is the main station, which is government-controlled, and there are several local stations in the city as well. Books in general are hard to obtain, and the printing quality of the few books available in Somali is very poor.
Jörg H.A. Janzen The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Exploration

Early activity on the coasts

From their connection with the Ethiopian hinterland, their proximity to Arabia, and their export of precious gums, ostrich feathers, ghee (clarified butter), and other animal products as well as slaves from farther inland, the northern and eastern Somali coasts have for centuries been open to the outside world. This area probably formed part of Punt, "the land of aromatics and incense," mentioned in ancient Egyptian writings. Between the 7th and the 10th century, immigrant Muslim Arabs and Persians developed a series of trading posts along the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean coasts. Many of the early Arab geographers mentioned these trading posts and the sultanates that grew out of them, but they rarely described the interior of the country in detail.

Intensive exploration really began only after the occupation of Aden by the British in 1839 and the ensuing scramble for Somali possessions by Britain, France, and Italy ( see below The imperial partition). In 1854, while Richard Burton was exploring the country to the northwest in the course of his famous journey from Berbera to Hārer, his colleague John Hanning Speke was making his way along the Makhir coast in the northeast. This region had previously been visited by Charles Guillain, captain of the brig Ducouedid, between 1846 and 1848. Guillain also sailed down the Indian Ocean coast and went ashore at Mogadishu, Marca, and Baraawe, penetrating some distance inland and collecting valuable geographic and ethnographic information. In 1865 the German explorer Karl Klaus von der Decken sailed up the Jubba River as far as Baardheere in the small steamship Welf, which foundered in rapids above the town. Decken was killed by Somalis, but much valuable information collected by his expedition survived.

Penetration of the interior

In 1883 a party of Englishmen (F.L. and W.D. James, G.P.V. Aylmer, and E. Lort-Phillips) penetrated from Berbera as far as the Shabeelle River, and between 1886 and 1892 H.G.C. and E.J.E. Swayne surveyed the country between the coast and the Shabeelle and also reached farther east toward the Nugaaleed valley. During 1894-95 A. Donaldson-Smith explored the headwaters of the Shabeelle in Ethiopia, reached Lake Rudolf, and eventually descended the Tana River to the Kenyan coast. In 1891 the Italian Luigi Robecchi-Bricchetti trekked from Mogadishu to Hobyo and then crossed the Ogaden region to Berbera. About the same time, further explorations were made by another Italian, Capt. Vittorio Bottego. In the 20th century several extensive surveys were made, especially in the British protectorate, by J.A. Hunt between 1944 and 1950, and much of the country was mapped by aerial survey.

Before partition

Peoples of the coasts and hinterland

Until recent times the history of the Horn of Africa was dominated by two great themes: the southward expansion of the Somali from the Gulf of Aden littoral and the development by Arab and Persian Muslim settlers of a ring of coastal trading towns dating from at least the 10th century ce. By this time, Islam was firmly established in the northern ports of Seylac (Zeila) and Berbera and at Marca, Baraawe, and Mogadishu on the Indian Ocean coast in the south. These centres were engaged in a lively trade, with connections as far as China. Initially the trend of expansion was from these coastal centres inland, especially in the north.

Probably by the 10th century the country from the Gulf of Aden coast inland had been occupied first by Somali nomads and then, to their south and west, by various groups of pastoral Oromo who apparently had expanded from their traditional homelands in southwestern Ethiopia. To the south of these Cushitic-speaking Somali and Oromo-the "Berberi" of classical times and of the Arab geographers-the fertile lands between the Shabeelle and Jubba rivers were occupied, partly at least, by sedentary Bantu tribes of the Nyika confederacy, whose ancient capital was Shungwaya. Remnants of the Zanj, as these people were known to the Arab geographers, still survive in this region, but their strongest contemporary representatives are found among the coastal Bantu, of whom the Pokomo live along the Tana River in northern Kenya. Another smaller allied population consisted of the ancestors of the scattered bands of hunters of northern Kenya and southern Somalia known as the Wa-Ribi, or the Wa-Boni, a people whose appearance and mode of existence recall those of the San of other areas of Africa.

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Somalia - Culture, Traditions, Cuisine: The varied cultural life of the Somali includes both traditional activities and, especially in the towns, many modern interests. Cultural activities consist primarily of poetry, folk dancing, the performance of plays, and singing.

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How you might navigate distanced learning with Somali students.

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How you might navigate distanced learning with Somali students.

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Find Out How Somali Students Are Tackling Distance Learning