"A beloved child has many names" is a universal saying.
We call it Ayuuto (sic; Italian), Hagbad, and many other names.
If you see someone constructing a new home overseas,
If you see a new immigrant who has risked high seas to come to Europe,
If you see a Somali driving a new car,
If you see a Somali going back home to brag about overseas life,
If you have witnessed an increase in charitable enterprises amongst somalis in recent years,
If you meet a woman spot a new set of dahab, a new dirac, yes, even a new husband.
If someone you knew back home has in recent years amassed some wealth,
If you see the above and more…
Chances are that there is Ayuuto/Hagbad involved.
In human history, savings and borrowing has always been characterized by the notion of trust. Banks, saving societies and almost all lenders trust that those involved will fulfill their obligations.
In Bangaladesh, Mohamed Younis, initiated an Ayuuto/Hagbad like scheme to help poor women to start business. He earned recognition and the Nobel Prize.
To students of the social sciences like your correspondent, Ayuuto/Hangab is more than a saving scheme.
It is a testament of how we somalis can build trust.
At a time when we have weak institutions, Ayuuto/Hagbad has survived.
Historically, the aim of Ayuuto/hagbad was not to enrich another party. It was a simple mechanism that ensure that housewives could buy things like perfumes, uunsi, lubaan, a garbisaar here and there or a new kettle or use it to visit family.
The husband, as the breadwinner provided the housewife with money to cover necessities. There was no time for excess. The housewife went in the morning to find bargains in order to feed the family. She went from butcher to butcher, from grocery to grocery in order to save a penny or two. She than saved this for ayuuto/hagbad. When it was her time she used it astutely.
Today, it is a banking system for diaspora somalis. You might overhear a woman/man telling a relative that he/she does not have the money now but is engaged in Ayuuto!
Someone was telling your correspondent the other day that there are more men involved than women.
How did ayuuto/hagbad trust survive when all other institutions have broken down? Could we learn something from Ayuuto/Hagbad schemes that will lead to the creation of a better society?
Wondering.
