The Beauty and the peace of the Somali culture;
An interview with my mother
It is a way back
and I have come so far but there is something I long for, almost a craving. I miss
those days I would wake up to a calm morning, the sweet scent of serenity
brushing my face. I would stand in front of our hut and watch the beautiful sun
as it rises, I would be so taken away. Then my mother would call me to sit with
her and take camel milk and meat, enough for me and her in a heero (our traditional
wooden bowl).Recalls my mother.
“I would go
with my fellows from the village to the dam (we call it ceel) to give water to
our herds of goats and cows, then would take them around to graze. Some dams
were very Far. sometimes we would walk long distances; we always danced, sang
and laughed all the way. The boys danced to outdo each other and we cheered,”
she says as she starts to dance and clap joyfully to show me her own dancing,
which was familiar by then.
My mother
talks of pastoral democracy where men and women were allowed to carry out their
pastoral errands as they wished she says they shared a lot and worked hand in
hand unlike today where women and men are guarded from each other.
She talks of
some celebrations like dabshiid (lighting the fire) which was done to usher in
the Somali solar calendar. During this festival they lit small bonfires and
everyone tried to jump over it. Some burning sticks were thrown to the sky.
She talks of
Kalgaceel (love) and Nabaad (peace).she says there was a peaceful co-existence
and harmony among the Somali communities. In case of misunderstandings there
was the egalitarian council (Shir) to solve their problems. Sometimes the
aggrieved would be paid Diya in case of damages and there was always a peaceful
solution unlike today where we rely on the bullet for an answer.
She talks of
the long and beautiful cornrow her mother made for her,
“she would
divide my hair into portions and make beautiful cornrows that fell on either
side of my shoulders, and whenever she sold Sixiin (Ghee) she would buy me new
Guntiino (dressing garment),”she says, “and she would promise me a beautiful Shaash to cover
my head and Garbasaar(shawl) when I get married.”
Now I get to
ask my mother about one ornament she values most, a wooden heart -shaped pendant.
One thing that amazes me is that she keeps on cleaning and oiling it. It is remnant
of her beaded necklace that she always wore though while back the necklace cut
off .I proposed to buy her a modern chain (gold or silver) but she refused saying
she will make herself a beaded Somali necklace.
“My
grandfather made this necklace for me when I was only ten years. He was a
talented man,” she says tears brimming in her eyes, “he did a lot of wood
carving and pottery, every one respected his profession. Every evening we would
sit around a bonfire and he told us stories like one about Laas Geel (a famous
rock painting), he recited Gabaay (oral poetry) and we said after him to learn.
If only time could turn back these are the moments I would love to re-live.” she
signs as she concludes.
CAMEL QUEEN
28/09/2012
