| Learn the local customs of Somalia. Tips and photos posted by real travelers and Somalia locals. Map |
 | Somalia Local Customs | Tips 1 - 10 of 11 |  |
Suuli is the generic term for toilet. I found it a most useful word to not only say, but to write down as well. I would also make friends with the hotels as they will always let you use their clean toilets if you have introduced yourself first.
Please feel free to add this to your "Custom Travel Guide" and print it off before you go! Leave a Comment
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If you are travelling independently like I did, you may want someone to show you around. The hotels will set you up with a fantastically overpriced ‘Official’ Guide and or/taxi. Don’t bother. The city of Hargeisa and Somaliland are safe. Also there is no such thing as an ‘Official’ tour guide here. I met MR. MAHAMED AHMED WARSAME in the market area and he showed me around for several days. I paid him less than I would from a Tour Agent who approached m in the street and had a fantastic time. Mahamed used to work for an American company, speaks excellent English and Italian and is well educated. He introduced me to loads of people and also held several impromptu meetings in the market where curious local people wanted to talk to me. I also invited him to dinner and he told me all about the history and culture of Somaliland. He works with the Ministry of Sports and Youth mostly on projects involving Basketball and Soccer.
He can be contacted through his friend Mr. Abdirahman Ibrahim Jama. His email is:
gorod@hotmail.com Telephone is 252 1 302 767. Leave a Comment
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The citizens of Somaliland are very patriotic and proud of their country and independence. They NEVER want to be reunited with Somalia. They have had peace for 16 years and wish to keep it that way. You will find the flag and its colours all over Hargiesa.
Their flag represents their unique country. The flag is divided up as follows:
GREEN: The world and the environment (not Islam)
WHITE: Peace
RED: War before ‘Independence’
ARABIC WRITING AT THE TOP: To paraphrase ‘The name of God is Allah and his Prophet is Mohammed'
BLACK STAR: Represents the people. On the old Somalia flag the star was white. The old regime used the white star on jet fighters used to bomb civilians in 1988. Leave a Comment
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Water is really heavy and many homes and businesses do not have running water. So they use donkeys. These little fellows are super strong for their size and you will see them hauling water around on small metal carriages all over the place. If you get a chance, slip these little guys a piece of fruit, they would appreciate it. Leave a Comment
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All across Hargeisa you will see what looks like stone bunkers for very small trees. Somaliland suffers from deforestation and you will see a lot of people cooking with charcoal and wood. The stones are put around small trees so that they will not be burned. The city of Hargeisa is trying to add a lot more trees back into the city. Leave a Comment
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Visiting Somalia?
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In Somaliland the Electrical current is 220V (50HzHz) and they use British style 3 square pin plugs (pictured). Modern electrical sockets have a switch to turn it off while putting in and removing your electrical plug. Older ones do not have this safety device. The current is strong enough to kill you. I found out to my horror that sometimes hotels plug in round pin European plugs and this does work (pictured) but is really unsafe. If you have European appliances I would suggest you get an approved adaptor before you go. Leave a Comment
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 New Mother and baby by Adam911
Also be careful or taking pictures/video of governmen/military areas. Leave a Comment
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Before you get too excited, just remember that all wives must be treated exactly equally or her family will take offence and you would not want that. What this means is that if you have 4 wives, then you must have 4 houses. If one is given a car, all 4 get a car. If you live in an apartment building, then you would have to have an apartment on 4 levels. Also, time must be spent equally with all. You don’t get to just stay with the one who is not mad at you right now. Essentially you would have to be a rich man to have 4 wives. Most men have to save up just to have the first wife. Sometimes a man may do well and take a second wife. Anything beyond that is extremely rare. Just nice that you have the option if you are a man. Leave a Comment
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Somaliland is +3 hours ahead of GMT (or UTC). Unlike neighbouring Ethiopia, you can talk about the same time without worrying about local variances. You can express it in European (24 hour clock) time if you wish. Leave a Comment
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