Identity is a contested term but what does it mean to be Somali these days in the Western World? This is an issue I have grappled with and I think most young Somalis in the West face similar identity issues on a daily occurrence that affect our daily thoughts and actions!

Many of us live in multicultural societies represented by a diverse and mosaic set of identities but it’s difficult to create 'our' own distinct identity amongst already established cultures. Many of you will agree this failure to create a single Somali identity has induced a lot of problems for our young people who are surrounded by more influential cultures around whether it be it ‘hip-hop’ ‘Islamic’ ‘African’ ‘Arab’ or even ‘western’ identities, even though Somali culture is influenced by these cultures!

This has led to many self-hating people in our community. In fact, there are more self-hating Somalis than in most other communities. These people are quick to deny their sense of self and often have an inferiority complex. This has had a disastrous consequence for the already strained Somali identity. Gone are the days when a big forehead and being skinny or wearing a penguin style hijab and having a limited grasp of English were key features that identified a Somalis from amongst the crowd.

Many of those who self-hating are discovering new ways to turn their backs on being Somali! And are instead banking on new lifestyles that are detrimental to our very existence. This brain flight has been caused by our own apathy and indifference.

Please dispel the misconceptions on Somali culture and do you best to rescue any self-hating Somali in our midst from losing their rightful and deserved place in the world.

What can you do to help?

Mentor young people
Celebrate Somali cultural heritage
Promote and foster an appreciation of Somali History
Explain the complex issues affecting Somalis

Thanks! your efforts are appreciated!

As Somalis we generally tend to perceive our settlement in the western world in temporary terms. The older generation and particularly women, generally express emotional orientation towards Somalia and are often absorbed by events at home. From my observations, we often talk about current events in our host countries, but it’s from a social habit rather than a keen interest in the affairs of the host society.

Moreover we rarely establish social relations with members of the mainstream community partly due to linguistic and cultural barriers and of course perceived racism. So for most Somalis, contact with the local people is very limited as is their knowledge of British, American, Canadian or even European life and customs. This voluntary segregation has induced Somali people following a daily pattern that greatly constraints interactions with the mainstream community. Our main leisure pursuits are informal social visits to the homes of relatives and friends. Men and women usually spend their time in khat chewing sessions to create a nostalgic romantisation of life back home. Additionally wedding receptions, Eid festivities and the occasional Somali concerts or cultural events one-off social events offer some connection with Somalia.

Many Somali families are headed by a single mother, whatever the circumstances, welfare benefits usually become the sole income for the family with the state replacing the husband/father as the Family provider. Even when families do stay together, Somalis suffer from high levels of unemployment and are therefore receiving benefits. This obviously impacts on the individuals’ self-esteem and confidence and deprives them of the status they once had as father, worker and provider

What’s more the resurgence of clan consciousness, partly due to the political polarisation in the Somali peninsula creates further factions, thus effectively inhibiting a community spirit or a united front for a fair share of community grants.
It is also crucial to recognise that even within own community; we are highly segregated, often having the strongest bond with clan allegiance as opposed to the Somali national identity. The Somali community is consequently tribally segregated across London for instance. Somalis in different parts of London constitute different clans. For instance Somalis in Tower Hamlets are predominately from Somaliland. While Somalis in Islington are mostly from Puntland and south central Somalia. But it seems as though times are changing, as younger generations, both those escaping violence at home and those born here are renegotiating their Somali identity and their relationship to the UK in a new context.

Despite Somalis now in the western for more than 25 years, I think it’s fair to say we are a community in a state of flux: unsettled, neglected and fragmented in both attitude and orientation.