With this Somali Ethnic Studies curriculum, we aim to engage high school students – Somali-American and others – in what makes this Horn of Africa country so compelling. Whether it’s Somalia’s status as the first democratic republic in Africa, its geopolitical bridge between North and East Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and South Asia, precious minerals, rich fishing waters, their ability to refute colonization, or their predominantly oral culture, there is much to be learned from this country and its culturally diverse peoples.

In general, the learning objectives for these units on history, geography, and culture are:

1. Students will be able to describe at least three of the most significant developments in Somali history before and during colonization, and how they contribute to Somali-American experiences.
2. Students will be able to describe the main features of the Somali landscape and how they affect Somali perspectives and practices.
3. Students will be able to name at least four Somali products and perspectives that contribute to Somali-American identities.

By the end of these two units on history, geography, and culture (which incorporate some exposure to Somali language as well) we expect that students will have gained an appreciation for the strengths and struggles of the Somali people, exploring the wisdom of an oral history captured in poetry, their abilities to settle and resettle in new lands, the roots of their entrepreneurialism, and their steadfast beliefs in family and faith that undergird the diaspora. With this background, we trust that students’ ability to compare and contrast the Somali experience with that of Somali-Americans, and identities of all sorts, will be better informed.

These two units are an introduction to help better understand the current global issues: the aftermath of the Somali civil war, climate change, resettlement of a diaspora, predatory practices of neighboring countries’ terrorist organizations, and recovery from famine, as well as cultural strengths such as family, faith, and entrepreneurialism. We see the emergence of the concept of a “Greater Somalia” that reaches beyond its current borders. We plan to further develop this curriculum to include units on identity and political conflict (i.e., more recent Somali history) and are so grateful for your interest in these foundational chapters.

How Tos

Please consider this your invitation to adapt the curriculum. Make it your own! We have tried to provide enough context (in the form of “Backgrounders” for each lesson) so that even an educator who is not of Somali heritage feels comfortable with the material.

Each lesson has a corresponding slide deck and related assessment materials. Group work is an opportunity for social and emotional learning, so the attendant assessment focuses on that. Guidance is also offered for differentiation of instruction and assessment.

While we have offered estimated times for each activity, these are simply guidelines. Any lesson could be expanded or contracted. 

Even if your focus is not Somali Ethnic Studies, we hope that (for example) the writers’ workshop approach to capturing community leaders’ stories may be relevant.

While we have strived to offer African-authored materials wherever possible, we also hope those resources – whether print or electronic – will only increase in the future.

Unit One

The first unit addresses geographical and historical aspects of Somalia and its people. We explore how climate and various push-and-pull factors influence Somali history and aided the Somalis in resisting colonization. The goal is to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of what Somalia looked like before colonization, during colonial times, and up to independence, so that future units on political conflict and identity are rooted in some basic understandings. 

Key themes included the concept of Greater Somalia (“Somali Wayn”) and the enduring issues created by colonial divisions, as well as the role of the Dervish movement and its leader, Sayyid Mohamed Abdulle Hassan, in challenging imperialism. We also examine the contributions of the Somali Youth League in leading Somalia toward independence. 

Unit Two

In the second unit, we focus on Somali culture to help students understand daily interactions within the community, covering topics such as the role of traditional leaders (“hogaanka dhaqanka”) and the roles of women as leaders, gender dynamics, marriage customs, values such as honor and generosity, and the significance of various types of Somali poetry and dance.

Please note that this curriculum is a work in progress, and several themes and historical aspects are yet to be addressed. As noted, we plan to develop additional units in the future. A forthcoming unit will focus on Somali identity, examining both the Somali community in Somalia and the diaspora. Another will delve into political conflict, addressing the Somali civil war and its underlying causes, including the effects of the Cold War on Somalia, the colonial legacy, piracy from a Somali perspective, media framing, and the emergence of Islamist ideologies and groups. 

We also will explore the contributions of the Somali diaspora, particularly in Minnesota and in Somalia, and are considering lessons on the clan system and its significance, the role of the Sufi sect in Somali history, and trade across the Indian Ocean.

Thank you for delving in! We hope you discover helpful resources and that you will help us shape units to come.

Table of Contents

Unit 1: History and Geography

• Exploring the Geographic and Climatic Landscape of Somalia: Influences on Culture and Economy
• The Strategic Location of Somalia
• Origins of the Somali People
• The Early Dynasties of Somalia
• Imperialism
• The Dervish Resistance: Sayid Mohamed Abdulle Hassan and His Resistance Against Colonialism
• The Colonization of Somalia and Its Impact
• Somalia’s Journey to Independence
• Elders’ Storytelling Sessions

Unit 2: Culture

• What is Culture?
• Exploring Somali Culture
• Marriage in Somali Culture
• Generosity and Honor
• Introduction to Somali Family and Kinship
• The Role of Elders
• Basic Etiquette in Somali Culture
• Somali Traditional Dances
• Somali Poetry