Aman: story of a Somali girl

girlfromthenc · (#1 (**permalink**))

I must say this is the last GOOD book that I've read. Anyone else read it?

I don't particularly agree with Somali culture, but it gives a good look at traditional African beliefs .

(sorry but I don't want to spoil the book).

LEILA23 · (#2 (**permalink**))

WHAT IS IT ABOUT SOMALI CULTURE YOU DONT AGREE WITH?

girlfromthenc · (#3 (**permalink**))

For example:

1.) That women are thought to be "loose" if they are seen out eating in resturants. (this needs no explaination)

2.) The belief in female circumcisions (and that if you don't get it done, you're thought not to be a virgin and you'll have a "cow" pussy- in the words of Aman).

3.) That all Somalis are one big family, however there are "classes" of Somalis that must not marry. The jaboos(sp?) being the inferior class. Sorry but I'm having a problem with the idea that every human being born in a certain ethinic group or with a certain ancestry is "inferior".

4.) that Light skinned girls must be covered in black to protect them from the "evil eye". (needs no explaination)

5.) Also don't believe in "renting" little girls10 and 11 years old out as MAIDS in other peoples homes. I think a child is a child, and they should be given time to have a child hood.

[line]

i'll add more later. Sorry, but i read the book a couple of months ago i can't remember EVERYTHING she spoke of.confused3

CeeCee · (#4 (**permalink**))

Girl fron the NC,

..Now that explains why I never or rarely see Somali women eating at the tables with their spouses.

East_African · (#5 (**permalink**))

So all those times in somalia when i ate with my mother and familyon holidaymy mom must have been disguised as a man?

girlfromthenc · (#6 (**permalink**))

East_African wrote:

Quote:

So all those times in somalia when i ate with my mother and familyon holidaymy mom must have been disguised as a man?

Quote:

Well maybe times have changed some of these standards in Somali. The lady in the book, Aman, is growing up in the 1950's when Somali was still under Italian control.

Braveheart · (#7 (**permalink**))

girlfromthenc wrote:

Quote:

For example:

1.) That women are thought to be "loose" if they are seen out eating in resturants. (this needs no explaination)

2.) The belief in female circumcisions (and that if you don't get it done, you're thought not to be a virgin and you'll have a "cow" p***y- in the words of Aman).

3.) That all Somalis are one big family, however there are "classes" of Somalis that must not marry. The jaboos(sp?) being the inferior class. Sorry but I'm having a problem with the idea that every human being born in a certain ethinic group or with a certain ancestry is "inferior".

4.) that Light skinned girls must be covered in black to protect them from the "evil eye". (needs no explaination)

5.) Also don't believe in "renting" little girls10 and 11 years old out as MAIDS in other peoples homes. I think a child is a child, and they should be given time to have a child hood.

[line]

1.) Wrong
2.) This is not islamic and is rarely done anymore, mostly in villages, not in the cities.
3.) This is true though, especially now since there is no real order or government, so ppl are even more tribalistic
4.) LOL, never heard about this one, if anything, the light ones are perceived better....Italian brainwash did its job.
5.) It's Africa, and it's 1950's....there is no such thing as childhood.