My Culture : Somali names

My culture

Me in August in Beeyo Baxday, Northern Hargeisa

By Abdikarim Garruun

Somali names

Many people, including the young generation of Somalis, think that Somali names are just names and have no meaning at all.  But their opinion would change if they knew more about Somali culture because this one unique aspect of Somali culture is different from other cultures in the world.

Like  other nations in Africa and the word, Somalia has its own customs and culture. The culture of Somali people is broad and close to Islamic religion. Their way of living was shaped by their activities and environment. They are nomads and pastoralists. Let's  look  at how Somali people are named.A name is word given to a person, place, thing to separate the person, place or thing from an other. A name is a means of showing how people, countries, lands are different each other. Every creation on earth has a unique names that makes it different from the others.

Somali names are an important aspect of Somali culture. The names of Somali people have a mass of meaning, a unique purpose, because they preserve our heritage, language, culture and customs.We can divide Somali names into two parts. The first part is called the Route or the base " jirida ama asalka". This part of people’s names are those names originated from Somali language, and it is the widest part of Somali names.  The other parts of Somali names are in a small part originated from the Arabic language. So let's talk about the first part. This is  the point I want to show you more.  Give your ear and attention to the coming examples to know more about the secrets of Somali names.

Somali names reveal the heritage, culture and geographic origin of a person. When a child is born to a family, a father has the responsibility to choose good name that is related to the child’s place and time, such as the environment, peace, war, climate or  family travels. For example if a man is called Geelle, his father has named him after the fact that the family has a lot of camels. Geel means camels, and Geelle means the one who has camels.

Colaad means he was born a time of war. If a man is called Rooble, this means that he was born at a time when  rain has come. If a man is called Waabari, it means he was born in early morning. If a man is called Geedi, it means that man was a born on a day or a night when the family moving from one place to another, as Somali nomads do.  Guuleed is named for a day that community reached a victory.  Ayaanle means good fortune. Warmoog means his father or mother died when he was born.  Guhaad, Guure, Faarax, Barre, Boore and a thousand other names for boys each has a beautiful meaning behind it.

For girls, if a girl is named Sagal, it means she was born when a group of  clouds ready to rain covered the sky. Saxarla means she has no wickedness or evil. Siraad means lighting or shying when born. Riyaaq means happiness. Gobaad means  she has a good family. Filsan means very beautiful or good looking. Qalanjo  so beautiful.Warla means her mother died when she was born. Baydan, Cutiya, Cudbi , Farow, Nafiisa, Quman, Kaaha, Luul, Maandeeq, Deeqa and so on.

Somali names are an important part of Somali language. They reflect our culture, and are a unique sign that Somali people differ from other communities. I would like to you to remember you that you catch your names, and believe that you have as unique a culture as any other community in the world. Keep and always be proud for your culture and customs. For the last twenty years much of our culture and heritage has been destroyed and lost. But not our names.Somali people, especially the young generation, have done a lot bad things to our culture. Every day we see a lot of Somalia’s young generation adopting other cultures, and nothing know about their culture.  It is better to begin now, instead of waiting until death.  We the people who have this culture, we are the people who can keep the culture and develop their culture.

Somali names have an influence on me and every Somali person. Look back at the names of your uncle, grandmother or grandfather. Each of the them has an original Somali name. For example,my uncle’s unique name is Garruun, which means  strong stick. They call him after when they seen his strength and his  ability to do what he wants. I, Abdikarim always bear in mind that I was given a good name, although it is Somali, but i will give my children insha Allah  a good Somali name. Lastly, I am encouraging every Somali person who reads this article to take my advice and save his culture by giving Somali names to his children.

Abdikarim Garruun

Writter and blogger
ckgaruun@gmail.com