Somali studies

Somali Studies is the scholarly term for research concerning Somalis and Somalia and related ethnic groups in the Horn of Africa. It consists of several disciplines such as Anthropology, Sociology, Linguistics, Historiography and Archaeology. It draws from old Somali chronicles and oral literature as well as written accounts and traditions about Somalis and Somalia from European explorers and neighbouring regions in the Horn of Africa and the Middle East. Since 1980, prominent Somalist scholars from around the world have annually gathered either in Somalia or a different country to hold the International Congress of Somali Studies.

History of Somali Studies

Prominent Somalist Scholars

• Said Sheikh Samatar - Linguistics and Sociology
• Mohamed Haji Mukhtar - History
• Mohamed Diriye Abdullahi - Linguistics
• Ali Jimale Ahmed - History and Linguistics
• Abdi Mohamed Kusow - Sociology and Anthropology
• Martin Orwin - Linguistics
• Enrico Cerulli - History and Linguistics
• Abdurahman Moalim Abdullahi Badiyow - History and Somali Politics
• Ahmed Ismail Samater- International Relations
• Abdi Ismail Samater- Geography
• Mustafa Abdullahi Feiruz - Linguistics
• Mohamed Abdi Gandi - Anthropology

Award ceremonies and conferences

Since the early 1970's, the Academy of Somali Studies began to hold professional award-winning poetry competitions after having been inspired by the traditional poetry competitions annually held throughout Somalia. The Somali Studies Association recognizes Somali scholars whose work concerning Somali studies stands out with the Musa Galaal award, named after the Somali polymath. In 1994, Charles L. Geshekter, Professor of History at California State University, Chico, created an endowment for this award. Geshekter's mother and Musa Galaal (1914-1980) were friends. A financial prize is awarded annually.

Somali Studies journals

• Bildhaan: an International Journal of Somali Studies
• Horn of Africa: an Independent Journal
• Anglo-Somali Society Journal

References and further reading

• Proceedings of the First International Congress of Somali Studies, edited by Adam M. Hussein and Charles L. Geshekter. Atlanta: Scholars Press, 1992.
• Somali Studies: Land of the People by Anita Suleiman, 1991
• Proceedings of the Second International Congress of Somali Studies by T.Labahn, 1984

External links

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