Somalia

THE COUNTRY

Somalia is officially referred to as the Federal Republic of Somalia. It is divided in to four regions: Southern Somalia, Central Somalia, Puntland and Somaliland. The capital city is Mogadishu. The Somali shilling is the national currency, although the US Dollar is mostly preferred. In 1960 the independent Somali Republic under a civilian government was formed.

THE GEOGRAPHY             

 The country is strategically located at the mouth of the Bab el Mandeb gateway to the Red Sea and the Suez Canal. Somalia occupies the tip of a region that due to its resemblance on the map to a rhinoceros’ horn is commonly referred to as the horn of Africa.  It is bordered by Ethiopia to the west, Djibouti to the northwest, the Gulf of Aden to the north, the Indian Ocean to the east and Kenya to the southwest.  Somalia has the longest coastline on the continent.

THE HISTORY

The existence of Somalia reaches deep in to the canals of history. In antiquity, it was an important center for commerce with the rest of the ancient world. According to most scholars, it is among the most probable locations of the fabled ancient Land of Punt. Egyptians called it The Land of Punt, “Punt” meaning “the land of spices” from the aromatic plants that grow there.  For a long time Somalia was an unknown country for European explorers until the Portuguese explorers reached the coastal cities of Somalia on their way to India. They called it Terra Incognita, which means the unknown land. These new discoveries encouraged many other European navigators to sail on the Somali coasts.

THE PEOPLE

The ancestral homeland of the Somalis, together with affiliated Cushite peoples, was in the highlands of southern Ethiopia, specifically in the lake regions. Unlike the Bantu who migrated downwards, the Somalis migrated upwards to modern day Somalia. The country has a population of about 10million, with around 85% of local residents being ethnic Somalis. Somali and Arabic are the official languages of Somalia, both of which belong to the Afro-Asiatic family. Most people in the territory are Muslims, the majority being Sunni.

THE CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS

Somalis generally drive on the right or centre. The country has strong Muslim influences hence, it is important to be aware that women must always be covered, even during such activities as swimming. They must always be fully clothed, as Sharia law is strictly enforced, and does not permit women to show much of their bodies or to mingle with men.

THE CUISINE

Somali meals are meat driven, vegetarianism is relatively rare. The overriding characteristic of the country’s diet is that it consists of halal foods (Arabic for "allowable" as opposed to haram: "prohibited"). Somalis are Muslims and under Islamic Law (or Shar'1ah), pork and alcohol are not allowed. The Cuisine of Somalia varies from region to region and consists of an exotic mixture of native Somali, Yemeni, Persian, Turkish, Indian and Italian influences. It is the product of Somalia's rich tradition of trade and commerce. Despite the variety, there remains one thing that unites the various regional cuisines: all food is served halal.

WARNING

Somalia is currently a war zone—quite possibly the most dangerous country in the world to visit—and remains extremely dangerous for independent travel or sightseeing due to armed conflict between Government forces and various warlords/factions (including al-Qaeda linked Al Shabab).