Are Somalis Arab or African?
Started 2 days ago by Khadiijo Ciise in Culture
Somalis are primarily African, as they are from Somalia, which is located in the Horn of Africa. Somalia is an East African country, bordered by Ethiopia, D...
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Somalis are primarily African, as they are from Somalia, which is located in the Horn of Africa. Somalia is an East African country, bordered by Ethiopia, Djibouti, and the Gulf of Aden, and the Indian Ocean. While Somalia has strong historical, cultural, and religious ties with the Arab world, particularly through the spread of Islam, the people are generally considered African by their geographical roots and heritage.
The Somali people are part of the Cushitic ethnic group, which belongs to the larger Afroasiatic language family. While their language, Somali, is part of the Cushitic branch of the Afroasiatic family, some aspects of Somali culture, such as the use of Arabic script in writing, Islamic practices, and historical trade connections, have led to some associations with Arab identity.
Overall, while Somalis share cultural and religious ties with Arabs, they are first and foremost Africans in terms of their nationality, ethnic heritage, and geographic origins.
6 Replies
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@khadiijo-ciise
Replied 2 days ago
Somali culture is unique and African, but it's also hard to ignore the Arab influence. They are a product of both African and Arab cultures, which makes them neither fully one nor the other.
@Framoza
A visionary Somali businessman with a strong passion for innovation, honesty, and progress. He is dedicated to empowering the community through entrepreneurship, creativity, and meaningful platforms that serve and uplift people. His work reflects a deep commitment to growth and collaboration.
Replied 2 days ago
It’s confusing when people try to claim that Somalis are African only. The Somali language and culture have Arab influences that make them different from other African groups
@oday_somaliyeed
Replied 2 days ago
I believe it’s unfair to label Somalis as Arab just because of religious ties to Islam. Somalis are Africans, and their roots are deeply embedded in the Horn of Africa, not the Arabian Peninsula.
@Suldaan
@realsomali
@Ayaan_Somalilander
