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The 'Somalis' are an ethnic group located in the Horn of Africa. The overwhelming majority of Somalis speak the Somali language, which is part of the Cushitic subgroup of the Afro-Asiatic language family. Ethnic Somalis number around 15-17 million and are principally concentrated in Somalia (over 9 million^[12]), Ethiopia (4-5 million), northeast Kenya (up to 1 million, more during times of crisis due to migration), Djibouti (350,000), and an unknown but large number living in non-east African countries and parts of the Middle East, North America and Europe due to the Somali Civil War.

Contents

History

Pan Somalism

Genetics

Geographic distribution

Somali diaspora

Clan and family structure

Authors and musicians

SomalyWood

Islam

See also

References

External links

History

Main articles: History of Somalia

Somalia has experienced a turbulent past and as such, the history of the Somalis is one that is fraught with a great deal of indigenous speculation. Most historians, anthropologists, archaeologists, and other researchers believe that the modern Somalis are descendants of migrants from the northwest in what is today Ethiopia, while others support theories that include an indigenous origin for most Somalis. The Somalis, as a Cushitic-speaking people form a part of a diverse continuum of the larger Afro-Asiatic peoples, but do bear close ties to other Eastern Cushitic peoples including the Oromo, Afar, and Sidama.
Numerous old theories regarding origins in Arabia and other places, in part based upon local beliefs, have largely been discarded as increasing evidence now supports a more indigenous Somali existence in the region that can be traced back to the 1st millennium BCE.^[13] The ancient ancestors of the Somali people appear to have split off from an early Cushitic group, whose geographic origins remain largely speculative, and are referred to as the ''Sam'' who were themselves a sub-type of the Omo-Tana and are believed to have lived in an area roughly corresponding to modern northern Kenya and southern Somalia over 2,000 years ago. These proto-Sam peoples evolved into the bulk of the Somalis as the Sam transitioned into Somaal and later the Somali people. The Somali people are believed to have moved into the Zeila region by at least 750 CE and then expanded into all of what is today Somalia.
It's very likely that Somalis were already influenced with Islam through a small group of Arabs^[14], who settled in parts of East Africa during the time when the Great Ethiopian Emperor Armah of Aksum (or Ashama ibn Abjar) gave sanctuary to Muhammad's followers. But, it wasn't until the coming of Arab traders in the 10th century CE that would significantly shape much of modern Somali culture. Trading communities that were already present since the first century AD, according to the Periplus of the Erythraean Sea, began to trade with the Arabian Peninsula and it significantly altered Somali society as the vast majority converted to Islam. Due to the conversion of the Somalis to Islam, conflict with the neighboring Christians of Ethiopia led to numerous wars from the 13th to the 16th century. After the Somali Ajuuraan Dynasty collapsed in the 18th century, Omani rule started as a trade network spanning much of the Arabian Sea from Zanzibar to Arabia. Thus making Somalia an important center of early trade. In-spite of Arab rule along the coast, the Somali tribes of the interior exercised almost total independence and often raided the coastal settlements until the Arabs began to withdraw by the 19th century. Egypt and Britain both attempted to colonize Somalia with the British having been successful in forming a protectorate over northern Somalia. Italy later claimed the southern portions of Somalia. France ended up colonizing the northern-most Somali region, which is now Djibouti.
Following decades of British and Italian rule, the Somalis formed their own independent state in 1960, while the rest of Somalis gained Independence later (Djibouti in 1977 from France) or are part of neighboring countries Ethiopia (Somali Region) and Kenya (NFD). In 1977, the Ogaden War broke out because the early government of Siad Barre wanted to incorporate Somali-inhabited territories in neighboring countries into Somalia.

Pan Somalism

Main articles: Greater Somalia

Pan Somalism promotes the unification of all Somalis under one flag. Somali people are divided among different countries, such as Somalia, Djibouti, Ethiopia and Kenya, that were created by the former colonial powers. The Siad Barre regime promoted Pan Somalism which led to the Ogaden War between Somalia and Ethiopia.

Genetics

Genetic genealogy, although a new tool that uses the genes of modern populations to trace their ethnic and geographic origins has also helped pinpoint the possible background of the modern Somalis. According to one prominent study published in the ''European Journal of Human Genetics'' High frequencies of Y chromosome lineages characterized by E3b1, DYS19-11, DYS392-12 in Somali males , the Somalis appear to be more indigenous than previously believed:
The data suggest that the male Somali population is a branch of the East African population − closely related to the Oromos in Ethiopia and North Kenya − with predominant E3b1 cluster lineages that were introduced into the Somali population 4000−5000 years ago, and that the Somali male population has approximately 15% Y chromosomes from Eurasia and approximately 5% from other parts of sub-Saharan Africa. Thus, determining that Somalis and those in the Horn of Africa are of the Elongated African type.
Generally, it is believed that most population movements involve male invaders and an indigenous Somali population, of the same general type as the Ethiopid may been established millennia ago with distinct characteristics that link them to all of their neighbors. This data points towards small paternal contributions from genetically Eurasian populations. Genetic studies also show that there are not any substantial genetic variations between the Amhara of Ethiopia and their Cushitic neighbors, which, if the Semitic branch did not originate in the Horn of Africa, suggests substantial linguistic replacement rather than a large mass invasion from Arabia or elsewhere as an explanation for the languages of the Amhara and other Semitic-speaking peoples in Ethiopia. Overall, the Somalis genetically cluster with their neighbors in the Horn of Africa and represent a unique sub-group of the region.

Geographic distribution

Somalis comprise the majority of Somalia's population at approximately 94% of the total Somalia population. They are traditionally a nomadic ethnic group, but since the late twentieth century, many have moved to the cities. The majority of Somalis can be found between the Jubba and Shabelle Rivers in various cities and towns. Other large Somali populations are found mainly in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Djibouti.

Somali diaspora

Main articles: Somali diaspora


The Somali civil war led to the Somali diaspora, where most of the best educated Somalis left for Northern Europe, The Middle East, and America.
In Europe, the distribution of Somalis by country is hard to measure because Somali communities have grown so quickly in recent years. The 2001 UK census reported 43,691 Somalis, but recent estimates range between 95,000 and 250,000.^[15] In the United Kingdom, London, Sheffield, Birmingham, Cardiff, Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds, and Leicester are home to the largest concentration of Somalis. There are also significant Somali communities in the Netherlands: 21,733 (2005); Norway: 19,656 (2007)⁸; Denmark: 16,564 (2006); and Sweden: 15,294 (2004).
In the United States of America, Minneapolis, Columbus, San Diego, Seattle, Washington, DC, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Portland, Oregon, Denver, Nashville, Lewiston, ME and Cedar Rapids have the largest Somali populations, although they are scattered throughout the continent in small numbers.
Between 1992 and 2005, 64,439 persons born in Somalia were admitted to the United States as refugees, which was the vast majority of total emigration from Somalia during that period. Unlike the European figures, however, this statistic does not include US-born children. (Source: United States Citizenship and Immigration Services)
An estimated 20,000 Somali refugees ended up in the US State of "10,000 Lakes" some 10 years ago with only their clothes on their backs. Today, the city of Minneapolis hosts hundreds of Somali-owned and operated businesses. Colorful stalls inside several malls offer everything from Halal meat, to stylish leather shoes, to the latest fashion for men and women, gold jewelry, money transfer or Xawaala offices, banners advertising the latest Somali movie, video stores fully stocked with nostalgic love songs not found in the mainstream supermarkets, groceries, and boutiques. ^[16] Refugees have surged into the Cedar-Riverside area (in particular, Riverside Plaza) of Minneapolis.
The Somalis are the largest African community in the United Arab Emirates, driven out of their home by years of unrest. Somali businesses line the streets of the Dubai city centre, Deira; internet cafes, hotels, coffee shops, restaurant and import-export businesses are a testimony to the Somalis' entrepreneurial spirit. Star African Air is one of three Somali-owned airlines which have headquarters in Dubai rather than in Somalia.^[17]

Clan and family structure

Main articles: Somali clan


Somalis are split up into many clans and sub-clans, including but not limited to the following major clans:

★ Dir

★ Hawiye

★ Isaaq

★ Darood

★ Rahanweyn (Digil and Mirifle)
Genealogical claims are an important part of Somali tradition and can appear to outsiders as a form of xenophobic isolation.^[18]
Loyalty to one's clan is important and in Somalia it often supersedes any central government authority.
Somali nationalism often relates to ancestral claims of a biblical and Quranic nature as most Somalis claim some sort of relationship with ancient Near Eastern religious figures and peoples. A hierarchical system exists as competing groups claim varying degrees of important ancient ancestral ties. These differing claims of ancestral origin have been historically used by imperialists such as the British and Italians to divide the Somalis and the civil war of the 1980s corresponded to this somewhat artificial ethnic cleavage between northern and southern Somalis. These tribal and political rivalries have continued to afflict the Somali people into the 21st century as no central government has managed to unite the disparate and sometimes hostile tribes.

Authors and musicians

Main articles: Music of Somalia

Most Somali songs are about love, but some recall how life was in Somalia before the Somali Civil War and some talk about how Somalis should come together to unite and restore the country to its former glory.

★ Rageh Omaar, Somali British Journalist winner of the 2003 EMMA Best TV Reporter Award.

★ Mohamed Ibrahim Warsame 'Hadrawi', the leading Somali poet of recent times and a philosopher also dubbed as the Somali Shakespeare.

SomalyWood

Main articles: Cinema of Somalia

Although it's nowhere near the level of Hollywood, the Somali Movie Industry also known as Somalywood is taking shape and becoming quite popular in the Somali Communities of the Diaspora and back in Somalia. The Somali Directors Ahmedyare (aka knowledge) and AbdiMalik Isak are on the forefront of this revolution that's taking place in the Somali Society. Somalis are great fans of Bollywood movies and Somali Films are usually love stories mixed with Hollywood orientated action.

Islam

Main articles: Islam in Somalia

The vast majority of Somalis are Sunni Muslims. Practising Islam reinforces distinctions that set Somalis apart from their immediate African neighbors, many of whom are either Christians (particularly the Amhara and others of Ethiopia) or adherents of indigenous African faiths.
After the collapse of the Government numerous Qu'ranic schools have tried to fill in the vacuum. Qu'ranic schools also known as duqsi's remain the basic system of instruction in religion in Somalia. They provide Islamic education for children, thereby filling a clear religious and social role in the country. Known as the most stable local, non-formal education providing basic religious and moral instruction, their strength rests on community support and their use of locally made and widely available teaching materials. The Qu'ranic system, which teaches the greatest number of students relative to the other education sub-sectors, is the only system accessible to nomadic Somalis compared to the urban Somalis who have easier access to education.In 1993 a survey by UNICEF was conducted in which it found among other things, that about 40% of pupils in Qu'ranic schools were girls^[19]this is quite amazing compared to other schools where gender disparity is much larger.
In the Somali diaspora every year multiple Islamic fundraising events are held in cities like Toronto and Minneapolis where Somali scholars and professionals give lectures and answer questions from the audiences.The purpose of these events are usually to fundraise money for a new School or a University in Somalia ,or help Somalis that are struck by floods and droughts or for the funding of a new mosque like the Abuubakar-As-Saddique Mosque^[20] that's now being build in the Twin cities.

See also

★ List of Somalis

References

1. Country profile: Somalia from the BBC
2. Joshua Library
3. BBC News with figures from the 2001 Census
4. The 2000 USA census
5. 2001 Canada Census
6. As of 2006, this figure was estimated to exceed 100,000.
7. http://www.cbs.nl/nl-NL/menu/themas/dossiers/allochtonen/publicaties/artikelen/archief/2006/2006-2040-wm.htm
8. Population 1st January 2006 and 2007 and changes in 2006, by immigrant category and country background
9. People Born Overseas Population and Census Division
10. Country of birth according to age and gender by region 1990-2006
11. Australia 2001 Census Ancestry
12. CIA World Factbook
13. A Country Study: Somalia from The Library of Congress
14. Ethnic Origins of the Somali People
15. Hermione Harris, The Somali community in the UK: What we know and how we know it, Information Centre about Asylum and Refugees in the UK, King's College London, June 2004, accessed 2 March 2007
16. Talking Point by M.M. Afrah Minneapolis, Minnesota (USA) Aug., 12. 2004
17. Somalis cash in on Dubai boom from the BBC
18. Reunification of the Somali People
19. Koranic School Project
20. Abubakar As-Saddique Islamic Center

External links

★ Ethnologue population estimates for Somali speakers

★ US Library of Congress Country Study of Somalia

★ European Journal of Human Genetics-High frequencies of Y chromosome lineages characterized by E3b1, DYS19-11, DYS392-12 in Somali males

★ American Journal of Human Genetics-The Making of the African mtDNA Landscape

★ Somali Immigrant Aid Organization in Canada