Somalia-Traditions+And+Culture

Men- usually wear western style pants or a plaid ma’awis (kilt) western shirts and shawls. Women- wear dresses, Direh, a long billowing dress that is worn over petticoats, a Coantino, a four-yard cloth tied over the shoulders and draped around the waist, Toob, commonly worn throughout Africa, Hijab, and head scarves are common
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 * Clothing-**

Assalam alaikum (peace be upon you) Nabad miyaa (is their peace) Subah wanaagsan (good morning) Galab wanaagsan (good afternoon) Habeeb wanaagsan (good night)
 * Customs-** Somali greet each other with handshakes, but never with the opposite sex.

A swift movement of the hand can mean “nothing” or “no” Snapping your fingers can mean “long ago” or “so on” A thumb under your chin indicates “fullness” It’s impolite to point the sole of your foot/shoe at another person It’s impolite to use the index finger to call somebody (like calling a dog) The American’s sign of “thumbs up” is considered obscene
 * Hand gestures-**

and try to get their parents to establish a courtship for them. Marriages in the rural areas are usually arranged. Dating one on one doesn’t happen until after the engagement or until the marriage contract is signed. Usually, weddings are spread over 3 nights of dancing and singing, where women and men celebrate separately. The groom has to give a bridal token to the bride’s family.
 * Dating and marriage-** Dating is not the same in Somalia as it is in the west. Young urban people usually meet in universities or at work

Most music is traditional Somali music using native instruments such as the Batar drum. A popular artist by the name of Maryam Mursal has started to fuse traditional music with a tint of rock, bossa nova, hip hop, and jazz which is changing the face of music in Somalia.
 * Music-**

Maryam Mursal

Listen to some Somali music. http://banadir-city.com/classic_music/somali_classic_music_1.html

A typical Somali day starts with a flat bread called canjero or laxoo, liver, or cereal made of millet or cornmeal. A lunch meal is the biggest meal of the day and is made up mainly of rice and noodles and sometimes meat. Dinner is the smallest meal and is mostly just beans, muffo (patties made from oats or corn) or a small salade. Somalis love spiced tea, but sheep, goat, and camel's milk i is the most popular.
 * Food-**

Milk is an important food in Somalia. Men who travel a lot, either herding camels or other times, may drink up to 9 liters a day. These travelers store their milk in a haan, a covered pitcher, or a wooden basket which keeps the milk cold even in the heat.

1. Food information: "Eating the Somali Way." __Eating the Somali Way__. <[|http://www.cp-pc.ca/english/somalia/eating.html>.] 2. Music information about Maryam Mursal: "Maryam Mursal." __Wikipedia__. <[|http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maryam_Mursal>.] 3. Customs and Gestures:"Somali Culture and Customs." __Minnesota Department of Human Rights__. <[|http://www.humanrights.state.mn.us/somali_culture.html>.] 4. Link to Somali music: http://banadir-city.com/classic_music/somali_classic_music_1.html
 * Resources:**