SUFI POETRY IN SOMALI

2J6.

Thorny trees which form an important part of the plant

life in Somalia do sometimes figure as an image of hindrance:

Asabaan oodda ka qaadnayoo

And we have removed the thorny branches

from SURATU IS-SABA

(Text 1/111)

Dry grass is also a source of fuel and light:

Almursalaad, Annaba'iyo

Annaasicaat, Cabasa'iyo

Atakwiir, Infidaar baan

0101 geedo ahaynoo

SURATU 'L-MURSALAT , SURATU 'N-NABA:J

SURATU IN-NAZIcAT, SURATU cABASA

SURATU 'T-TAKWIR and SURATU INFITAR

Are not merely flames of burning grass

(Text 1/140-143)

Traditional culture

The Somali pastoralists raise various kinds of livestock

such as camels, sheep, goats, cattle and horses. The camels

are favoured· above the rest of the stock as they are regarded

as the pastoralist's most valuable possession and hence

symbolize his wealth. The absence of camels from a nomadic

hamlet, even if other stock are present, reflects poverty,
while the ownership of a large herd of camels signifies great
wealth. The milch camels and the burden camels are believed

to be the worthiest of the herd; and they are very much