Q. I'm doing a project at school about the culture of Somalia and I wanted to see what answers I would get.
But what about the dance, music and sports?
A. It would be easier to answer if your question was more specific. Somali culture contrasts a lot with Western culture. It shares more similarities with Italian, Greek, any Asian, and Middle Eastern cultures rather than West European cultures. So based on the likelihood that you're in the West, I'm guessing that you haven't been immersed in these cultures.
Just to clear up any misconceptions, I'm going to speak only about traditional Somali culture, not politics.
Somali culture is very family-oriented and is also very community-oriented. People are close with their extended family and children don't ordinarily move out of their family home until they get married. Elders are respected and are traditionally given a high position and regard in society as leading discussions regarding law (according to traditional Somali xeer law - you can look that up on Wikipedia), advice the traditional kings or other leaders, the older women pass on stories, lessons, etc. Nature is considered a part of life, unlike today's Western society. Everything relates to nature. When discussing beauty, law, clan sections, systems, and other things it is traditionally spoken in terms of nature. This can be seen through Somali poetry, songs, traditional philosophies or beliefs about life and death, etc.
Poetry is highly important in Somali culture as is religion. Poetry and religion is considered to be the two pillars of Somali culture. Even before the arrival of Islam to Somalia, Somalia had a religious belief system very similar in almost all regards to ancient Egyptian religion except for the fact that it appears to have been monotheistic. Although a minority, there were also Jews in Somalia who, although they are Muslims today, are still known for being Jewish.
Poetry in Somalia takes on many forms and functions. Riddles or other puzzling questions or situations are sometimes used to test another person's wit and intelligence. Wit or cleverness is highly valued. Poetry and song come together in a variety of forms, one of which is buranbur. Buranbur is a custom that originated in north-east Somalia and is still typically used there that is used at parties (usually weddings). It is created by, recited, and heard by women. The poetic lyrics compliment the bride and her family and is said in a sort of sing-song manner in time with a drum beat. At intervals, the drum beat picks up and the lyrics are paused while the women dance, then it continues on.
Camels were first domesticated by Somalis and so it's no surprise to observe the importance of camels in Somali culture. Camels are considered the most valuable herd animal and are very valuable to nomads or rural Somalis. They traditionally had currency and were given in dowry (as was gold and other items).
Music: Somali music is very similar to the cultural music of Nubia, Ethiopian, Eritrean, Djibouti and other similar cultural groups. There is a Wikipedia page on this, here's an excerpt: "Most Somali songs are pentatonic; that is, they only use five pitches per octave in contrast to a heptatonic (seven note) scale such as the major scale. Somali songs are usually the product of collaboration between lyricists (midho), songwriters (lahan), and singers ('odka or "voice")." There are different forms of music for different functions. Sometimes they involve a drum, sometimes just a stringed instrument and sometimes a native flute and they can also involve a combination of these. Modern Somali music involves just about any instrument typically used in music worldwide.
Traditonal Somali music: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKYjr6mzQ2Q
Modern Somali music: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjTSD_yFQMg&feature=channel_video_title
Dance: There are many different kinds of dance, for different occasions. Somali traditional folk dance involved more than one person, sometimes the dance was used to tell a story like this dance:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfOQ8npe0Lo
I would think that the male's part would traditionally be danced with a Somali sword, as is common in some parts of the Horn.
Before this folk dance a woman passes around a sort of urn that has incense burning in it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5b9l6LXss3I&feature=channel_video_title
Sports: I'm not familiar with Somali traditional sports. Today, soccer (or football as it's known outside of North America) is hugely popular. Somalis are sometimes known as good sprint runners.
Who are the top 5 hottest African models?
Q. In your opinion who do you think are the top 5 hottest African models, it doesn't matter if they are working or not working currently as models
Ohh I forgot to mention that they have to be female.
A. Not in any order, but in my opinion this is what makes them as the top hottest African models:
1. Iman(Somalia)
I feel she was one of the first African models from Africa that made international success, and not only paved the way for black African models like Liya or Oluchi but she help pave the way for all black female models world wide from America like Tyra Banks or Europe like Naomi Campbell. The first time I knew or found out about her actually was in Micheal Jackson's video "Do you remember the time" when she played the Queen & that is one of my favorite Micheal Jackson music videos. To me she is one of top models in the world and a good business women(since she opened her make-up line many years ago):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4648ln2b52A
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LeiFF0gvqcc
2. Oluchi Onweagba(Nigerian)
The first Black female model that has signed to Victoria Secrets and made international success was Tyra Banks, and at her prime she was the only one which I never understood, it wasn't to a few years before Tyra Banks retirement that 2 new black models signed with Victoria's Secrets, which was Oluchi Onweagba(Black African) & Selita Ebanks(Black Caribbean). The first time I found out she signed up with Victoria's secrets I was happy, not only because she is from my parents country but because she is the only(actually the first) dark skinned black model(and African) I have seen represent Victoria Secrets and over the years she has gotten international success. Right now she is one of the top African models of today & represents the beauty of a dark skinned black women. besides being a model she owns her own modeling agency & will be the host of the new show: West Africa's Next top Model.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-dX60sCEgA&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRmEYqgv7M0&feature=related
3. Liya kebede(Ethiopian)
I feel Liya is on the top of her game now, and one of the current top African models of today. She was the First black model to sign with Estee launder. Not only is she a model but she is a fashion designer. I remember the first time I knew of her I would see her as a model but I never knew her name it was when she appeared on the Oprah show and was acknowledge as being the first black model signed with Estee Launder, she seems to have a cool personality and not caught up with the fame.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYD4eQMQD00
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gSX1X1dTcE
4. Joelle Kayembe(Congo)
Besides Liya Kebede, Oluchi Onweagba, Agbani Darego, Motang Motheba, Selita Ebanks, I feel she is representing the beauty of black African women, and black women worldwide. Also I feel she high lighting the beauty of dark skinned black women, particualrily, especially in western media. She plus, Oluchi, Gabrielle Union, Jessica White show that dark skinned black women are pretty, that not all dark skinned black women from Africa look like Alek Wek
http://www.fashionmodeldirectory.com/models/joelle_kayembe/photos/
http://www.yummie.co.za/content/joelle-kayembe-gallery.htm
5. Agbani Darego(Nigerian)
I Found out about her when she became the first black/Black African model to win Miss world in 2001. She seems very down to earth & elegant, right now she is modeling for L'OREAL Cosmetics. So to me these credentials make her on the top 5 list in my opinion.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThI1o7Lozb0&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxKWLRdqYQw&feature=related
What culture are you obsessed with beside your own?
Q. Or like?
Mine: Indian, I love their music, food,cloths, and culture soooo much.
@ Nick, I find this to be very pretty.
http://dressesindian.com/images/Indian_dresses_518dic.jpg
A. Native American, Egyptian, and Ethiopian.
I like Indian music too. Bollywood movies are 4 hours long! You have to set time aside for those lol
Check out this Tamil song that's mostly in English. Really good background music (like most Indian songs): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YR12Z8f1Dh8
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