Somalis’ multiple and changing identities

Civil wars and social unrests instigate divisions, they dig up the dirty and unravel secrets; they create challenges and new opportunities. Because of the civil war in Somalia, there is a huge debate around Somalis’ multiple identities that rages within the Somali community either in the Diaspora or back home where Islamists and secular forces are fighting for the control of the soul of their nation. You only need to surf some Somali websites particularly those frequented by the young to see how the issue is being hotly contested.
In a response to an article that I published on – “Al-Shabab: who are they and what they want?” http://www.maalmaha.com/?p=9com/?p=9some readers were critical of my suggestion that Somalis have multiple identities and ideologies that need to be nurtured and protected. In their responses, some were quite happy to accept that a Somali is first of all Muslim, for them, their Muslim identity was more important than their ethnic identity. Others disagreed with that and asserted that Somali is first of all Somali and then Muslim. While another group was content to acknowledge that Somali can hold other identities acquired through belief, ideology, or citizenship, so for them it not unusual to hear Somali-socialist, Somali-democrat, Somali-Christian, Somali-atheist, and Somali-American.
From the onset I must stress that this article is not about indulging in the anthropology of Somalis’ ethnicity. It is merely an attempt to highlight changing identities and allegiances that Somalis, like many other societies, have been experiencing through time; and how have they been coping with the anxieties created by sometimes contradicting identities and the consequential characters they create. Also, the article is not about encouraging or implanting seeds of further division within Somalis but to modestly underline realities that cannot be ignored, realities that if used constructively and positively can create a harmonious, tolerant and strong Somali society. Furthermore, I must emphasize that despite some differences, Somalis are generally considered as one of the most homogeneous society in African, if not the only, and that is their strength.
The following list encapsulates the thrust of debates on Somalis’ changing and multiple identities:
Somali-Muslim or Muslim-Somali?, Somali or Somalilander?, Somali-Hawiye or Hawiye-Somali?, Somali-Darood or Darood-Somali?, Somali-Muslim-Sufi or Somali-Muslim-Wahabi?, Somali-Djiboutian or Djiboutian-Somali?, Somali-Kenyan or Kenyan-Somali?, Somali-Ethiopian or Ethiopian-Somali?, Somali-American or American-Somali? Somali-Bantu or Bantu-Somali?, Somali-Puntlander or Puntlander-Somali?, Somali-African or African-Somali?,Somali-Arab or Arab-Somali?,Somali-Socialist? Somali-Democrat?, Somali-Christian?, Somali-Atheist?
The above list shows how Somalis particularly the young would describe themselves when asked about their real identities and allegiance. In internet chat rooms and social networks, the young are quite happy to reveal their inner beliefs, fears and ideologies without fear of retribution because they can remain anonymous and their privacy is protected. In their description of themselves, some of them would emphasise on a particular identity (as in Italics), for instance Somalilander or Puntlander over Somali, Muslim-Somali over Somali-Muslim, Somali-Kenyan and so on. Also, some ascribed themselves to traditional divisive clan identity.
The list also reflects uneasiness within the old generation, which one would have thought that they would be very much sure about their identities. After all, young folks’ inner thoughts and feelings are an expression of doubts in old generation’s mindset. An example of the old generation’s ambivalence over their identity is when an aging man was asked about his real identity and allegiance in the time of troubles, he reluctantly admitted that he is Somalilander, or Muslim-Somali, or even calls for his sub clan to save his skin according to the situation.
Having highlighted the apprehensions caused by these shifting identities, the question then is how Somalis’ have coped with uncertainties associated with these changes. Although it is open for contestation, here are some answers from history and present times.
Before colonisation, Somali speaking people would have strong allegiance to their clans and therefore would have identified themselves as such; therefore, a Garaad would have identified himself as Majeerteen-Darood-Somali. It is questionable whether a Garaad would have identified himself as a Muslim-Majerteen-Darood-Somali. Because, at the time, for a nomad being a member of the clan would probably have taken priority over being Somali or Muslim maybe because awareness of Somaalinimo and Islamism might not have been stronger, particularly in rural communities, the majority, where such concepts were not understood very well. In other words, a nomad or pastoralist was secure about his clan identity, as this provided him with security and safety net in times of hardship.
After the imposition of colonisation Somali speaking people might have developed sense of awareness of other Somali speaking peoples who were also Muslims, and who were oppressed by infidel foreign powers. Therefore that historical fact might have helped them or forced them to internalise the concept of Somaalinimo which probably became much stronger during the struggle for independence. In this period Somali speaking people would have accepted being Somali thus getting over the narrow clan identity, and therefore would have accepted and accommodated other Somali-Muslim or Muslim-Somali brothers and sisters.
However, as history is a contested subject, there are some indications that awareness of Somalinimo was already in the nation’s conscience well before colonisation.
During the struggle for independence in 20th century (around 1940s) onward, the urban elite who were leading the struggle would have been proud to be called Somali and would have shied away from traditional clan identities, something they might have seen as backwardness. The guiding identity or principle would probably have been Somaalinimo particularly during the unification process of the two British and Italian protectorates. Arguable, Somaalinimo had prompted Somalis to engage two wars to liberate other fellow Somalis from occupation.
It was in1963 when Somalia joined the O.A.U, and took its right place in the world. Thus asserting Somalis’ African identity, African-Somali in the political conscience born. Concept of Pan-African and its associated ideologies, including liberation, integration, and unification of the content’s nations were probably embraced by Somalis.
During the pseudo liberal democracy period, it seems traditional clan identities were threatening Somaalinimo. And when in 1969 the military regime took over power, one its first task was to suppress clan identity. The introduction of European ideology, Scientific Socialism (Hantiwadaaga Cilmiga ku dhisan), and the concept of revolutionary Somali (kacaanimo) was an attempt to erase clan identities. Believing in an ideology was encouraged as a replacement of clan identity! For almost 20 years a Somali’s identity would have been something like Somali-Socialist-Kacaan or Socialist-Somali. At the time, clan or religious identity such Muslim-Somali or Darood-Somali were something to be scorned of, or something that people practised in private as social or spiritual expression rather than political. Everyone knows the fate of those religious men who challenged the Socialist Secular State’s gender equality project “sinnaanta ragga iyo haweenka”.
It was in 14th of February, 1974 when the military regime endorsed Somalis’ historical (mythical?) claim that their ancestors were Arabs. In that year, Somalia became member of the Arab league. Hence a new identity as Somali-Arab was constructed with emphasis on the latter. At last, a long lost identity found, and a long ambition realised?! The Arabisation process of the nation started and Arabic as second language.
After the collapse of the state in 1991 and the bloody civil war that ensued and as Somalis retreated to their clan hinterlands for protection, new further identities were invented or shall we say re-claimed. The most recognisable and noticeable ones are Somaliland, Puntland and the revival of extreme political Islam that seem to be overtaking Somaalinimo. Furthermore, migration to other alien countries and exposure to their cultures and ideologies has created other new identities. Therefore, hundreds of thousands of young Somalis are being disturbed and confused by these demanding and sometimes contradicting identities. Would they call themselves Somali-Canadian or Canadian-Somali, Somali-Saudi, Somali-Muslim, Muslim-Somali, Puntlander-Somali, Somalilander, Somali-Christian, Somalilander, Somali-Atheist and so on?
In conclusion, it is a reality that over time people change, they take new identities while shedding old ones. Thus, holding multiple and changing identities is not something to be ashamed of because that is a human nature. It also true differences “diversity” can be a source of strength and unity as proved by many great nations like the US where different people from all over the world created one of the most successful nations in the world where almost every one is proud to be American.
So despite differences “diversity”, in my view, to be Somali is strength and something to be proud of. Respect differences and seek Unity in “diversity!”
I am proud to be Somali! ..