Somalia in Perspective: Orientation Guide and Somali Cultural Orientation: Geography, History, Economy, Security, Mogadishu, Berbera, Merca, The Guban, Karkaar Mountains, Evil Eye, Khat, Piracy

This is a professionally-formatted, free flowing ebook reproduction of unique, up-to-date guides produced by the Department of Defense that provide comprehensive information about all aspects of life in Somalia, with a special emphasis on geography, history, the economy, society, security and military matters, religion, traditions, urban and rural life, ethnic groups, crime, the environment, government, holidays, gender issues and much more.

CHAPTER 1: PROFILE * Introduction * Geography * Climate * Bodies of Water * Cities * Mogadishu * Hargeysa * Berbera * Kismaayo * Merca * History * Early History * Independent Somalia * Conflict and Instability * Recent History * Government * Media * Economy * Ethnic Groups * Languages * Somali * Other Languages: Arabic, English, Italian, and Swahili * Chapter 1 Assessment * CHAPTER 2: RELIGION * Introduction * Sufism * Salafism, Wahhabism, and Somali Saalixiya Sufism * Religion and Government * Religious Conventions * The Shahada * The Quran * Religion and Gender * Religious Events and Holidays * Muharram * Maulid al-Nabi * Ramadan * Eid al-Fitr * Eid al-Adha * Roobdoon * Buildings of Worship * Behavior in Buildings of Worship * Chapter 2 Assessment * CHAPTER 3: TRADITIONS * Introduction * Honor and Values * Rifles * Patriarchy * Codes of Politeness * Greetings * Appropriate Language * Social Interaction and Communication Style * Eye Contact * Touching * Male-Female Interaction * Hospitality and Gifts * Exchanging Gifts * Eating Habits * Beverages * Khat * Dress Codes * General Rules of Dress * Nonreligious Traditional Events * Processions * Firing Rifles * Dos and Don'ts * Chapter 3 Assessment * CHAPTER 4: URBAN LIFE * Introduction * Urbanization Issues * Work Problems in Urban Areas * Health Issues * Education * Food * Sharing Food * Markets and Street Vendors * Traffic and Transportation * Gathering Information * Chapter 4 Assessment * CHAPTER 5: RURAL LIFE * Introduction * Somali Clan Structure * Land Distribution * Economy * Rural Transportation * Rural Healthcare * The Evil Eye * Education * Regional Ways of Life * Wandering Herders * Farmer-Herders * At the Checkpoint Border Crossings and Checkpoints * Unrelated Males and Females * Addressing Women * Landmines * Chapter 5 Assessment * CHAPTER 6: FAMILY LIFE * Introduction * The Somali Family and Household * Speaking with Somali Family Members * Addressing Women * Addressing Men * Elders, Adolescents, and Children * The Somali Life Cycle * Somali Naming Conventions * Differentiation by Clan Names * Prefixes and Suffixes in Somali Names * Nicknames or Naanays * The Origins of Names * CHAPTER 1: GEOGRAPHY * Introduction * Physical Terrain and Topographic Features * The Guban * The Karkaar Mountains * The Ogo Plateau * Southern Somali Plateau and Coastal Plain * Climate * Major Cities * Mogadishu * Hargeysa * Berbera * Kismaayo * Merca * Major Rivers * Environmental Concerns * Natural Hazards * Chapter 1 Assessment * CHAPTER 2: HISTORY * Introduction * Ancient History * Coastal Trade and the Emergence of Islam * External Interests, Internal Divisions * World War II * Independence * The Government of General Siad Barre * Instability * Transitional Governments * Islamic Insurgency * Chapter 2 Assessment * CHAPTER 3: ECONOMY * Introduction * Agriculture and Food Production * Industry * Energy * Natural Resources * Trade * Banking and Finance * Hawala * Standard of Living * Employment * Public vs. Private Sector * Outlook * Chapter 3 Assessment * CHAPTER 4: SOCIETY * Introduction * Ethnic Groups * Languages * Somali * Other Languages: Arabic, English, Italian, and Swahili * Religion * Gender Issues * Traditional Dress * Cuisine * Arts * Literature * Music and Dance * Folk Arts * Sports and Recreation * Chapter 4 Assessment * CHAPTER 5: SECURITY * Introduction * U.S.-Somali Relations * Relations with Neighboring Countries * Kenya * Ethiopia * Djibouti * Eritrea * Yemen