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According to the Human Development Index (HDI), Somalia is one of the worst countries in the world. The Somali race is afflicted by chronic political instability, economic deprivation, warfare, famine, and many other catastrophic problems. For some Somalis there is a tendency to blame others for our misfortunes. But I say the disastrous condition of Somalis stems from a backwards culture that is inhospitable to the construction and maintenance of a strong and viable nation-state. The solution to Somalia's problems must involve radical change. It must involve placing certain cultural practices and beliefs —e.g, patriarchy, tribalism, excessive superstition—under the guillotine. Look at all the advanced nations of the world: all of them have reached their positions only after radical changes swept their cultures. Without radical change, I do not believe Somalia will ever advance to any respectable stage of human development—even if it were to somehow recover significant natural resources. For those of you who disagree with me, who want to respond to this post in hostility and denial, remember this: you are a refugee.


Besides the language, eating a banana with every meal, hagbad, qabiil beefs, female genital mutilation, is Somali culture still relevant today? I thought we became more Arabs than Arabs themselves, while every Somali home is identical to the other in terms fadhi carbeed, names of children and when this generation become parents of teenagers, there will be a separate mum's and dad's Hookah warning their children not to touch it with a sign of 'death penalty if you touch it.' Culture always re-invents itself.

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