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The man who coined that proverb indeed violated women’s rights and also took a dim view on reciprocity in healthy relationships between two partners.
In Somali custom, a 15 year-old girl can be married off to a 60 year-old man. Marriage proposers take another proverb that they think might make her accept the old man: “Naag nin dhali karaa dhaqi kara,” “A woman can live together with a man who is like her father in age.” Therefore, it can be very difficult for that little girl to continue to live with a man who is more than 45 years her senior. It is a gross injustice to force girls into any form of marriage against her will.
There is another saying which is more of a surprise than those previously mentioned: “Naag aadan ku tuman kuuma tacabto,” or “A woman you can’t tread on can’t cultivate.” This may precipitate a widespread denial of women’s rights. Physical force such as beating, slapping and caning are mere tools that husbands can resort to using if need be.
There are many other proverbs that appear to be completely against women’s rights:
“Verdict decided by Female Goes no Farther.” (Gar naagu Goysay Gaadka Ma Dhaafte)
“Women are like tender meat.” (Naagu waa Hi lib Bisil)
“Drought you survive Through Women and Sheep.” (Ide Naagba Abaartaa looga Baxaa)
“Wife and donkey are clout helping you.” (Dumar iyo Dameerba waa Xeeg Daman)
There is an old saying, “Every bad thing belongs to the female.” It is quite amazing that the first rights belong to a male, second rights may go to a camel, and there is no place for women to enjoy the same rights as men do.
It is imperative to know these obsolete traditional practices, for Somali literature demeans the existence of women.
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Ahmed Ali Mire
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Comments
It is quite amazing how your article open my eyes wider Istar A | Apr 22nd, 2005
I am a women, black-african, muslim, somali women. I am advacate for social justice in-equality. I am amazed to learn all the proverbs that has been used by our brothers for the past view centuries. I wonder why we cant change the perspective of some of our brothers regarding women's rights.
One suggestion is that all these proverbs must be deleted from the Somali Literature.
thanks
Mexican woman here! Andrea Arzaba | Oct 30th, 2007
Very interesting text! congratulations
Can We Post this Article in our webpage? Center for Reconciliation & Human.. | Jul 15th, 2008
I want to know if we are allowed to post this article on our webpage.
www.cerehra.blogspot.com
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