I still want to live in the beauty of my past

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