Fact 1: Land of Poets
Known as the nation of bards due to its rich oral tradition, Somalia has earned the nickname as the land of poets. Storytelling, particularly in the form of poetry, is greatly valued in Somali culture and is handed down through generations. There, poetry serves as a medium to convey history, laws, and life lessons.
Fact 2: Unique Saving Habits
Somalis had an interesting and unique way of saving money traditionally. They used to buy camels, store money, and other valuables in them as a type of savings account. It was an easy way to keep their entities safe since stealing camels is considered taboo.
Fact 3: The Somali Language
The Somali language did not have a written form until 1972. Before that, the oral tradition was so strong that essential information such as contracts, laws, and historical events were recorded and passed down through generations orally. The Latin script was adopted as the official script of the Somali language under the leadership of then-President Siad Barre.
Fact 4: Distinctive Flag
The flag of Somalia stands out distinctly as it is one of only two national flags in the world that features a star of five points with each point representing a region where the Somali ethnic groups reside.
Fact 5: Somali Calendar
Unique to its culture, Somalia uses a calendar style different from the Gregorian calendar used worldwide. Known as the Somali calendar, it starts its year on the first day of the expected first rainfall.
Fact 6: A Nation of Nomads
You'll find that Somalia has one of the highest populations of nomadic individuals in the world. It’s estimated that about 60% of the country's population follow a nomadic or semi-nomadic lifestyle, primarily for livestock rearing.
Fact 7: Rich in Natural Resources
Youngest country in terms of geological age, Somalia possesses an abundance of natural resources that remain largely unexploited due to political instability. From oil and gas to uranium, tin, and gypsum, the country is rich in resources.
Fact 8: The Camel Country
Somalia has the highest camel population in the world and significantly depends on it, as camels play a huge role in their culture and livelihood, particularly with the nomadic tribes. Camel milk is also a staple in the Somali diet.
Fact 9: Two Equal Length Seasons
Somalia experiences two seasons of equal length annually. These are "Gu" which is the main rainy season, and "Jiilaal," the primary dry season.
Fact 10: Home to a Dynamic Ecosystem
Somalia boasts of a very varied and vibrant ecosystem, home to various animal species, including elephants, giraffes, cheetahs, lions, and hundreds of bird species. The Somali Wild Ass and the Golden Mole are among the unique fauna found in Somalia.
Fact 11: The Somalia-Ethiopian Coffee Connection
Coffee, one of Ethiopia's main exports, is said to have originated in Somalia then spread to Ethiopia around the 13th century.
Fact 12: Oldest Evidence of Pharaonic Expedition
Ancient cave paintings discovered in Somalia provide the oldest evidence of an Egyptian Pharaonic expedition. These were found in Laas Geel, which houses rock art estimated to be up to 5,000 years old.
Fact 13: Home to Decades-Old Civil Wars
Unfortunately, Somalia has been embroiled in civil wars for several decades, primarily from 1986 till now. This has severely impacted the country's stability and development.
Fact 14: The Horn of Africa
Somalia is often referred to as the "Horn of Africa" due to its geographical shape. It juts out into the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean, resembling the horn of a rhinoceros.
Fact 15: Shebelle River
Shebelle River, one of the two perennial rivers in Somalia, may vanish in the southern part of Somalia, only to reappear again during heavy rainfall.
Fact 16: A Purely Oral Agreement
There were no formal marriage ceremonies in ancient Somali culture. Instead, couples simply agreed to live together, and that implied they were married.
Fact 17: Ancient Maritime History
Somalia boasts of an ancient maritime history. The Somalis had trade networks and contacts with other civilizations, including the Roman and Greek empires, as well as Egypt, Persia, and India, as far back as the 1st century CE.
Fact 18: World Record in Speaking Most Languages
Somalia holds the world record for the number of languages spoken by an individual. Abdi Bile Abdi, a retired middle-distance runner and world champion, speaks eight languages fluently.
Fact 19: The Unique Somali Ajuuraan State
In the 15th and 17th centuries, the Ajuuraan State, a Somali Empire, built an impressive irrigation system with dams and canals to aid in farming and water conservation.
Fact 20: Ancient Patchwork of Sultanates
In its ancient history, Somalia was comprised of several powerful Sultanates, each with an individual Sultan or ruler. These included the Sultanate of Ifat, Mogadishu Sultanate, Warsangali Sultanate, and the Sultanate of Geledi, among others.