Sunday August 25, 2024
Graduates and instructors of the Somali language program pose for a group photo after receiving their certificates. The program, hosted by the Somali Digital Media Academy (SODMA), aims to help non-native Somali speakers integrate into Somali society. Credit: SODMA
Mogadishu (HOL) — In Mogadishu, a surprising trend is emerging: skilled professionals from war-torn countries like Sudan, Syria, and Yemen are seeking refuge and a fresh start in Somalia. As they rebuild their lives, they face an unexpected challenge—mastering the Somali language, a key to integrating into society.
Somalia's cities have become unexpected havens for professionals like Professor Abdiwahab Dayib Bashir, an academic from Sudan. With an academic career that has spanned continents, Abdiwahab came to Mogadishu not only to teach but to immerse himself in the language that would allow him to connect deeply with his new environment.
"'I came to Somalia to become a university lecturer,' Abdiwahab told the BBC. 'But I knew that to connect with the people here truly, I had to learn Somali.'"
Abdiwahab's grasp of Somali is functional but far from perfect. He can navigate basic conversations, yet the subtleties often escape him. 'Speaking is difficult for me,' he concedes, 'but I understand it. I am gradually continuing with my Somali language learning and integration with the Somali community that I live with.'"
For a year and a half, Mogadishu has been Abdiwahab's home. This is not his first time in Somalia—his academic pursuits have brought him here before. However, this time feels different. Before Sudan's conflict tore through his homeland, he was a senior lecturer at the International University of Africa in Khartoum. Now, at Mogadishu's City University, he teaches political science—a subject that in this context is as much about survival as it is about theory.
Abdiwahab has found his rhythm in the simple exchanges of everyday life. "Learning takes just two months, and conversing is normal," he reflects, though his tone suggests the journey is ongoing. "Talking to bajaj drivers, in hotels, and in cafes is normal."
Professor Abdiwahab Dayib Bashir, a Sudanese academic, who has embraced the challenge of learning Somali to better connect with his students and community in Mogadishu.Credit: SODMA
Abdulhakeem, a Yemeni student, shares a similar journey. Driven by necessity, he left his family behind in war-torn Yemen to seek education and a new future in Somalia.
In his BBC interview, Abdulhakeem's Somali is interspersed with Arabic phrases—similar to many Somalis. His progress is steady but slow, and his frequent use of "Yes, friend" reveals his struggle.
"My Somali is broken, just like Xamar Jajab," Abdiwahab joked at the graduation ceremony, referencing Mogadishu's bustling port district. It was a moment of humour but also a candid acknowledgment of the challenges he continues to face.
Their teacher, Mohamed Osman Ibrahim, has led them through the complexities of Somali, a language with its unique consonants and rolling vowels. "The main challenge was the difference between the two languages," Mohamed explained. "These people are not native Somali speakers and primarily speak Arabic. The most difficult part was pronouncing the letters "DH" and "G," which exist in Somali but not in Arabic.
The journey has been difficult. Some students progressed slowly, their learning marked by small victories and setbacks. 'Even after living in Somalia for a long time, many still struggle with the language,' Mohamed says.
Of the twenty foreign students who started, only six completed the course. Life in Mogadishu can be unforgiving, and the pressures of survival often trump academic pursuits. For those who finished, the achievement is both linguistic and personal.
Abdirahman Yusuf Hassan, the director of Sodma Institute, sees this effort as more than just language learning. "Just as Somalis learn other languages abroad, it's important for foreigners here to learn Somali. It's respectful and holds deep meaning for us."
According to the Somali Refugee and Displaced Persons Agency, thousands of foreign refugees—hailing from Sudan, Syria, Yemen, and beyond—are now part of Somalia's urban fabric. Hassan believes there's a poetic justice in this: Somalia, once fractured by violence, now teaches its language to those fleeing their own wars. As Somalia rebuilds, so do the lives of those seeking a fresh start.
Abdulhakeem Jamal, a Yemeni student in Mogadishu, reflects on his journey of learning Somali as part of his quest to build a new life in Somalia.Credit: SODMA