Somalian Culture Vs American Culture

Introduction

This report investigates the differences between the Somali culture and the Australian Western Culture; the differences in religion, clothing, food, language and arts will all be examined. Somalia, like all countries, has it’s own special traditions and customs which are regularly practiced by its people. Both primary and secondary sources will be used to obtain quality literature.

What factors contribute to the Somali culture?

There are many components, when put together, make up the basis of the Somali culture; some factors, which include the religion, food, clothing, language and arts.

Religion

Islam is the primary religion in Somalia, were 100 percent of the population is Sunni. Islam is a belief system, a culture, a structure

It is also customary for a Somali family and friends to eat on the floor with their hands from the same plate of food. (Promoting Cultural Sensitivity, Chapter 2. Overview of Somali Culture. 2015)

Clothing

In comparison to the attire worn by people in western society wearing jeans, shorts, singlet etc. The people of Somalia have different sets of clothing specifically for each gender. In order to accommodate with the hot weather of Somali, men commonly wear a Ma’awiis, which is a sarong like garment wrapped around the waist. Men also wear a long white garment called Khamiis; it is mostly worn to the mosque for prayer or Eid celebrations. Refer to Fig. 1.

Fig. 1 A group of men wearing the ma’awiis and khamiis

Traditionally Somali men used to wear two white garments, shirt, and shoes, which are made by a shoemaker, those shoes are called Cagba cag or

To dance is to be knowledgeable about the stories of the ancestral heroes. Dancing, unlike painting and singing, is learnt at an early age. This allows large groups of people to demonstrate their clan rights in front of an audience. Dance is also seen as an occasion to entertain and to be entertained and through the work of dance to show their love for families and kin. It is for this reason that dance may be performed at the end of every day in some communities. (Australian indigenous ceremony- song, music and dance | austrlian.gov.au.