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Glossary
Aqal
Portable, dome-shaped dwelling of nomads
Aroos
Wedding
Canjeero
Flat, unrisen bread, similar to a pancake
Cariish
Rectangular house
Bakaar
Underground pit used to store grain
Barre, Mohammed Siyaad
President of Somalia, 19691991
Beeraley
Farmers
Clan family
A group of different clans with a sense of identity when engaged in conflict
against other clan families. Example: Daarood
Clan
Upper limit of political action. Has territorial properties and often
a clan head or sultan. Example: Dhulbahante
Daaqsin
Grazing areas
Dambiil
A handwoven bag
Dervish
Known as Daraawiish in Somali. Followers of Sayyid Mohammed Abdullah
Hassan, an anti-colonial religious leader (1856-1920)
Derin/dermo
A handwoven mat
Dhobeey
Crop production areas with heavy soil
Diya-paying group
A group of men linked by lineage and a contractual agreement to support
one another, especially in regard to compensation for injuries and death
against fellow members
Faqash
Derogatory word for supporters of ex-President Mohammed Siyaad Barre
Gaal
Originally the Oromo, now used when referring to any non-Moslems
Geel
Camel(s) [generic]
Ghee
Liquefied butter
Good weather
In Somalia, "good weather" means it is raining.
Greater Somalia
Present Somalia plus the Somali-inhabited areas of Eritrea, Kenya, the
Republic of Djibouti, and the Ogaden region of Ethiopia. Somalis have
spent a considerable amount of energy fighting their neighbors to attain
this goal. The collapse of the Somali state may be partially attributed
to this unrealized goal
Istun
Stick fighting at the start of the solar calendar
Masjid
Mosque or house of worship for Moslems
Macaawiis
Man's sarong or long wrap skirt
Mooryaan
Out-of-control armed militias, often from nomadic backgrounds
Muddul
A round conical dwelling used by farmers
Odkac/Muqmad
Lean, finely cut and fried meat, often kept in oil or melted butter, which
lasts for a long time
Primary lineage
Within a clan, an individual identifies most closely with his/her primary
lineage where descent is patrilineal. Marriage is usually outside the
lineage.
Ramadan
The month of fasting for Moslems
Sar
Urban cement buildings
Soor
Porridge, often made out of sorghum, a mainstay of the diet for southern
farmers
Warlords
Leaders of different militias that control portions of the country
Xaaraan
Ritually unclean, forbidden for Moslems
Xalaal
Clean or ritually pure for Moslems, including the correct slaughter of
animals for food. The opposite of Haraam
Xeeb
Coastal area
Xool Raacato
Nomadic herders
Yarad
Dowry paid to the family of the bride
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REFUGEE FACT SHEET NO.9