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Somali Culture. Fast Facts. Population 1975--10,428,043 2000 estimates—9-14 million 44 percent of population below age 14 Heaviest populations of US Somalis are in Minneapolis and Saint Paul, Washington, DC; Columbus, Ohio; NYC; Buffalo; Kansas City; San Diego; San Francisco; Seattle.
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Fast Facts • Population • 1975--10,428,043 • 2000 estimates—9-14 million • 44 percent of population below age 14 • Heaviest populations of US Somalis are in Minneapolis and Saint Paul, Washington, DC; Columbus, Ohio; NYC; Buffalo; Kansas City; San Diego; San Francisco; Seattle
History & Colonization • The French controlled the northernmost region (now Djibouti) • British colonized northern Somalia creating a country called British Somaliland, • Italians governed southern Somalia, creating Italian Somaliland, • Ethiopia controlled the inland region of the Ogaden • Kenya controlled land on its northern border inhabited by Somalis, called the Northern Frontier District (NFD).
Clan Structure • Clan identity is central to identity • Children memorize paternal ancestry from young age • Most of Somalia’s armed clashes since 1991 have been fought in the name of clan, often as a result of manipulation of clannism by political leaders • Remember: just because there are 2 Somali students in a class doesn’t mean they will get along!
Languages • Rich oral tradition • No written language until 1972 • Somali= official language • 16.6 speakers worldwide • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qu-S4MDvCoc • http://somaliaholland.free.fr/somali_language.htm • Arabic • Some older generations in northern Somalis speak French, Southern Somalis speak Italian
Music • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThgWQPq-RPE http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUMzqW0l0G8
Religion • Majority Sunni Muslim • Fasting during Ramadan—ninth month of Muslim calendar year • Teenage immigrants in US faced with many challenges that oppose faith • Dating • alcohol
Helpful Links • FAQs about Somali culture and conversation norms: • http://www.intercultures.ca/cil-cai/ci-ic-eng.asp?iso=so#cn-2 • Immigration history and barriers in the classroom: • http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=3&ved=0CC0QFjAC&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.macrothink.org%2Fjournal%2Findex.php%2Fije%2Farticle%2Fdownload%2F334%2F325&ei=KwpIVJyrA-mIiwLk_4AQ&usg=AFQjCNHiYiEIM_nwbR7logYv4bB2HeUJ_g&bvm=bv.77880786,d.cGE