“CARING FOR OUR CHILDREN – THE SOMALI TRADITION” by Safia Giama

UNICEF Somalia has released a new publication entitled “Caring for Our Children – the Somali Tradition” by Safia Giama. It describes the ways in which Somali tradition supports, protects and promotes the development and well-being of children in their first months of life and through the years of early childhood. 

The research done by Safia Giama reveals how these early childhood care practices are often encapsulated in song, poetry and folktales, underlining the enduring significance of the rich Somali oral tradition. 

Numerous proverbs and sayings are used to illustrate the text, which clearly sets out how Somali traditional nurturing of the young child - right from the moment of birth – recognises and protects the infant’s special status and needs. One proverb sums this up extremely aptly as it declares, “A tree that grows sideways when young cannot be straightened out when old – geed yaraan ku qallocday weynaan laguma toosiyo.”

The text is introduced with a message from the UNICEF Somalia Representative, Dr Gianfranco Rotigliano. It includes a short section re-telling folktales which demonstrate the emphasis placed by families and communities on celebrating and carefully fostering the young child’s development. Striking full colour photographs by Liba Taylor and Radhika Chalassani are used as illustration. 

This publication is being issued in conjunction with the launch of the annual UNICEF report “The State of the World’s Children 2001” which has early childhood care and development as its theme. The report notes how “the very earliest years of a child’s life influence how the rest of childhood and adolescence unfolds.” Stressing the importance of early childhood development programmes, it details the lives of parents and other caregivers striving to protect the rights and meet the needs of these young children. With regard to policy formulation the report states, “No reasonable plan for human development can wait idly for the 18 years of childhood to pass before taking measures to protect the rights of the child.”

Safia Mohamed Giama is a Somali-Canadian trained as a food security specialist.  A student of Somali culture, in her quest for positive aspects and commonalities Safia collects Somali children's stories and nursery rhymes.  These, in preparation for publication, focus on the aspirations and hopes for peace of the Somali community.  Safia has two children, a son and a daughter - her first audience in listening to her story collection.  She lives in Nairobi, Kenya where she works as a freelance consultant.

Further copies of “Caring for Our Children – the Somali Tradition” (English text) and the State of the World’s Children Report 2001 are available free of charge from the UNICEF USSC address above. Please contact the Communication Section. A Somali language version of “Caring for our Children” is planned for publication during 2001.