Storytelling
is an important part of Somali culture. For generations Somalis have entertained
each other with stories about daemons, dangerous animal, cannibals,
etc. Storytelling unlike poetry stays within the family and friends.
The family may get together in the evening and enjoy couple of stories.
A girl or a boy who is reluctant to help around the house can always be
bribed by the promise
of a story at the end of the day. Some of the happiest memories of Somalis
centre on these evenings, sitting outside on the sand in the moonlight.
Sometimes fathers tell religious or tribal stories, or an older sister
will tell one of the ancient tales Somalis have told for generations,
of arrawelo, Sinbad, Cigaal Shidaad and Juha.
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