LITERATORS' CORNER

Following profound exploration of western books and ideologies alongside several observations of our long cultural and traditional practices passed down from one generation to another, I wondered why negative competitions are prominent among Somali societies in all regions. I believe that I have found answers to this nagging question, and here is what I think. Let us Firstly compare good parenting, education, children upbringing, and personal development in general. Children in western societies are encouraged to build personal boundaries, develop individual competence, and embrace their unique and individual identities. This is in contrast to Somali society where one would easily observe that children are raised with an awful or terrible mindset rooted in negative competition and unhealthy comparison. Most times, you hear parents telling their children: 'Be like Hebel and Hebel, Hebel is better than you' , or 'Hebel is crazier than that person!' Not even adults are...

At a time when the Somali society held tenaciously to beliefs that a good woman's place was in her home and that she had no business engaging in public life or seeking education; as either path would only soil the honour of such a woman's family; 'crazy' Edna was born into the prestigious household of Doctor Adan Ismail and she was determined to change the narrative; not only for herself, but for every Somali female child. The story in her memoir, A Woman of First , is a testament to this very fact.  From a very young age, Edna was quite conscious of the fact that she was different from other girls, for example, she sought the company of boys, participated in their games, attended classes with them, and joined her father on his daily rounds as the first Somali medical doctor. Her father's love for his profession, devotion to treating the sick among his people, and the awful experience of losing two siblings at infancy would inspire Edna's life-long dreams: to pu...

                           Divine Punishment                                       -- Ahmed Mohamed Ahmed Once there was a young man who lived in a small village far away from the city. His name is Hussein.  He was nicknamed Stallion because of his physical appearance for he was giant of a man and was even more intimidating because of his taciturnity; he was not given to talking too much and avoided sitting and talking to anyone for too long.       The village Hussein lived contained not too many people and everyone in the village knew Hussein as one who would never deliberately harm another unless provoked.     One day, a very jealous and aggressive man called Kasim came to the village. He was surprised by Hussein's comportment.       'Such a giant of a man, y...

The Story of Haji Abdikarin Hussain (Waraabe)                                           --Nabiha Abidlahi Haji Abdikarin was born in 1905 in a town near Hargeisa called Toon. He was a kind man, and a good person. The story goes that a certain man had killed his father when he was very young. When he grew up to become an adult and wise enough, his uncles told him of this man who had killed his father. At this time, Somali people upheld a revenge system which permitted the killing of a person who deliberately kills someone else. When they told Abdikarin Hussain of how this man killed his father, it aroused his chagrin and he collected his guns. Together with his uncles, they traced out where the man lived and went to the place.  The journey was quite far, it took Haji Abdikarin and his uncles many days to arrive at the place. When they finally arrived at the pl...

If Only... by Bodle Mohamed Once upon a time,  there was a boy who lived in a small town. The boy's name was Khadar, and he lived with his father. His mother died when he was four years old. One day, one of his friend in school told him, "there is a party at my house tonight; it is my birthday, will you come?" Khadar answered affirmatively. After School, Khadar went home and met his father watching television, he asked his father if it was okay to attend the party at his friend's house that night. He father said no. Khadar felt angry that his father refused him from attending his friend's birthday party. He yelled at his father, and then left the house angrily. After about four hours which the son did not return home, Khadar's father went looking for him. While he was searching for his son that evening, he noticed that some robbers were attempting to steal from a small shop. Khadar's father knew that if he called the police, they...