Strong Somali Woman

Strong Somali women

Islam gives many meanings to the veil traditionally worn by many Somali women in public places. It was not until the late 1980s that the women in Somalia resorted to the use of the veil more commonly: by using it they felt safer in turbulent urban conditions.
Besides religion, several traditions govern the life in Somalia and elsewhere in Africa. For example, arranged marriages are common in Somalia, as is circumcision of girls, which is, despite education, still practiced not only in Somalia, but also in Sudan and Nigeria. Tiilikainen wishes that research would help change the conception of silent and oppressed Muslim women.
"The women I interviewed showed much courage and a sense of humour; strength that impressed me a great deal. They have many resources we cannot perhaps even imagine: women's sense of community, solidarity and closeness and their family networks extending beyond state borders."
The respondents in the research compared their situation with their life in Somalia. Although in traditional Somali culture the women's task is to take care of children and home, many study and work. Continuing studies or getting a job has, however, proven difficult in Finland.
"Somali women tend to have many children in Finland because they have nothing else to do, no studies, no work, no business. It is here in Finland that the Somali women have really been cornered, they have no work opportunities; they live in isolation. They say they are like the disabled, unable to leave home and only suitable for looking after children," said one of the respondents.
When Somali women reflect their status with that of Western women, the conclusion is perhaps different than we Finns would expect. Many respondents were surprised about the custom of changing one's maiden name in marriage. A Somali woman retains her surname in marriage although the children have their father's name.
Somali women find women's dependency in relationships odd. "Finnish women are stuck to their spouses like bark to a tree. Women are unable to trust themselves; they are always with men," said one respondent.
"In Finland spouses are important to each other in a different way than in the Somali culture where people have extensive family networks. Somali women also receive much support from their own families which reduces the dependency on one's spouse," Tiilikainen says.
Women also brought the drawbacks of their traditional status into the open. For example, polygamy made possible by their religion was much criticised. After having arrived in Finland, many women had started to ponder questions related to the division of work at home. A mother of six chil-dren living apart from her husband said, "Somali men don't understand that culture and life are different here. Men go and see their mates and stay out late at night and women have to take care of everything."
On the social level, participation of Somali women has been scarce and this is an issue they feel needs to be redressed.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• somalia
• mogadishu
• hamar
• xaamari
• somaliland
• africa
• african
• kismayo
• barawa

[socoro25]

THATS A WOMAN ON THE FIRST PIC......

[somaliking01]

You Always come up with nice video collection...!!!!!! Thanks

[YemSom]

Absolutely astonishing I must say! It sure brings back a good recollection.

Thank you for making this memorable video.

5Stars.

~Fatima

[kiukas6]

They apparently have nothing else to do in Somalia either. Wish they would return and let us be...

[MrSivram28]

@socoro25 The woman in the first pic looks like she has mud or black paint on her face.

[watchdogbrb]

@7geordie

[watchdogbrb]

@7geordie lmao

[90rashad]

@gerxtru you already answered your question.

[itstopcatbitch]

1:33 looks like the sudanese bread

Beautiful!!!! :)

[WupeViasco]

3:01 is pretty.

[gerxtru]

@chocolatechipcokies I ntoiced after i posted the comment

[chocolatechipcokies]

@gerxtru um, i didn't make this video though.

[gerxtru]

@chocolatechipcokies Yes what I wanted to say is it seems like in the "Beautiful" videos the Dark people usually get left out & yes I know most of the models are dark. I was just saying but thank you this is a beautiful video