Characteristics & Personality
Status:
- High status is characterized by those who: have a strong character, are able to lead, are educated, are wealthy, are able to communicate with everyone, and have knowledge of the Qur'an, tribal and family history.
Role of Men:
Role of Women:
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Family:
- Family is extremely important in the Somali community. The focus of Somali culture is on the family; family is more important than the individual in all aspects of life. Somalis will live with their parents until they get married.
- In times of sickness or marriage, all resources are pooled and it is understood that whatever you have is not only yours. Somalis who have immigrated to the U.S. will send money back to their families and even to close friends and neighbors.
Respect:
- Children and elders share mutual respect. When addressing another family member or friend, words for “aunt,” “uncle,” “brother,” “sister,” and “cousin” are used depending on the person's age relative to the speaker. Respect is paid to the elders of the community. Elders are addressed as "aunt" or "uncle," even if they are strangers.
- According to Islamic tradition, men and women do not touch each other. Thus men shake the hands of other men, and women shake each other's hands.
- Elders are highly respected, so they receive the best of care. Elders expect to be sought out by other members of their community for advice on personal and community matters. Those living in the U.S. find that community ties here aren't that strong. It can often be difficult for elders to come to the U.S. where most of their family is working and there is little to no interaction with their community. Grown children often depend upon their elder parents to care for grandchildren, due to the necessity for women to work. Some elders express feelings of isolation and this can contribute to poorer health
Values & Beliefs
- There is one thing that remains consistent among the Somali people, and that is the importance of family.
- Family is the ultimate source of personal security and identity; the strength of family ties provides security in times of need. The protection of family honor and loyalty are extremely important to Somali families.
- Family is the ultimate source of personal security and identity; the strength of family ties provides security in times of need. The protection of family honor and loyalty are extremely important to Somali families.
Values
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Beliefs
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Customs & Traditions
- The left hand is considered unclean and it is impolite to use the left hand. Right hand is used for daily tasks such as eating, writing, and greeting people. Left-handed preferences are undesired and the parents will actively try to train a child to use the right hand.
- According to Islamic traditions, the common way to greet someone is to say "God bless you" in the native tongue and to shake hands.
- Due to Islamic tradition, men and women do not touch each other.
- Men shake hands of other men and women shake hands of other women.
- Elders are addressed as "aunt" or "uncle," even if they are strangers.
Dress
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Somali Traditional Clothing for Men -
- Traditional male outfit is cotton sheet wrapped around as a skirt and another white piece used as a top.
- A sarong-like garment, worn around the waist, called a macawiis is typically worn by most Somali men.
- some Somali men wear a long ankle-length garment called a khameez.
- Many Somali men wear a colorful turban or an embroidered cap known as koofiyad on their head.
- Some men, mainly in the upper class, wear suits and neckties in order to look more modern and westernized.
Somali Traditional Clothing for Women -
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