Community Education event offers insight into Somali culture and history

Approximately 160 people filled the Heritage Rooms of the City Center Thursday evening to learn more about the Somali community in Eden Prairie during a Community Education presentation titled “Who are your neighbors – focus on Somali Culture.”

The event, which included a dinner of traditional Somali food, offered an opportunity for Eden Prairie residents to ask questions and learn about Somali culture. Khadra Abdisafad Hirsi and Asad Shane offered a presentation on Somali culture and history.

Shane shared information about Somali history, The land occupied by the Somali people was broken up during a time of colonial powers. For instance, many of the Somalis who now live in Minnesota are originally from a region called Ogaden, which is controlled by Ethiopia. The predominant religion for Somalis is Islam, which centers on the “Five Pillars,” according to the presentation. The five pillars include: “Faith or belief in the oneness of God and the finality of the prophet-hood of Muhammad,” “establishment of the daily prayers,” “concern for and almsgiving to the needy,” “self-purification through fasting,” and “the pilgrimage to Mecca for those who are able.”

Khadra Abdisafad Hirsi explained more recent history of Somalia including the Civil War. According to her presentation, “clan-based factions disagreed upon a form of national government, leading to civil war,” after the ouster of General Barre in 1991. The fighting has continued since then.

Somali culture is very much centered on family. According to the presentation, traditionally, in the Somali culture, men are responsible to be providers and women run the household.
Somali-run businesses are flourishing in the Twin Cities.

Particularly useful are the money wiring or “Hawala” services, which allow Somalis to send money to families back in refugee camps within 24 hours. “I would say most of Somalis at least send a couple hundred dollars a month to their family members back home,” said Hirsi.

Somalis don’t have life insurance or retirement savings, noted Hirsi. Children are meant to provide that insurance.

“When I become older, who’s going to help me? My children.”

Source: Eden Prairie News