Wisdom is Content Out of the Knowledge
 

Anwar Maxamed Diiriye
 

Published By:
 

Gobaad Communications & Press
 

P. O Box 141091, Minneapolis, MN 55414

Table of Contents 

• Dedication----------------------------------------------------------------------4

• Map of Somali Inhabited Territories-----------------------------------------5

• Acknowledgements------------------------------------------------------------6

• Forward-------------------------------------------------------------------------7

• A Note on the Spelling of Somali names------------------------------------9

• Introduction--------------------------------------------------------------------12

Chapter One

• Indigenous Names ------------------------------------------------------------27

Chapter Two

• Arabic or Islamic Names-----------------------------------------------------90

Chapter Three

• Somali Proverbs with English Translation---------------------------------112

Chapter Four

• Selected Non-Somali Proverbs---------------------------------------------170

Appendixes--------------------------------------------------------------------216

Abbreviations------------------------------------------------------------------226
A Note on the Author--------------------------------------------------------227

Selected References & Bibliography --------------------------------------228

Foreword

This Somali-English dictionary of Somali onomastics and proverbs is the result of a monumental effort on the part of the young Somali scholar, Mr. Anwar Maxamed Diiriye. It attempts to produce a reliable reference work that can serve not only the needs of any outsiders curious about Somali language and culture but also the crying needs of a new Somali generation in the diaspora who are either cut off or alienated from such culture.

The work is divided into two parts: a straight-forward translation of Somali diction and a second part, which attempts to illuminate traditional proverbs; the foundation of all wisdom in any preliterate society. But before we proceed any farther, a word on the long and brilliant “Introduction” is in order. This section of the work is an excellent overview of Somali and Muslim cultures. Then, there is a very lucid and highly informative discourse on the practice of naming all things in the physical and natural world; beginning with “Prophet” Adam up to the present. This is where the intriguing title of the work comes from. According to Webster’s English Dictionary, Onomastics means: the study of the origin and history of proper names. Mr. Diiriye, citing sources, writes as follows:

A name is simply a word, phrase or sentence by which a human being is by it, he or she is identified, called, described, distinguished and classified. Nothing on earth and in much of the heavens exists without a name…A name conveys history, culture, heritage, language and a consciousness of self-image and pride. Onomastics (study of names) involves many disciplines such as history, geography, linguistics, literature, philosophy, anthropology, psychology, sociology, theology, and even the legal and medical sciences... In all, identity is the underlying feature and the principal one.

Mr. Diiriye has a nice format which allows him to first give the Somali term, then its Anglicized version or equivalent, and finally its meaning in English. For instance, Baxsan or Bahsan (Good, Nice); Diiriye or Dirie (Comforter, Warmer); Caaggan or Aggan (Abstinent) Shacni or Sha’ni (Elegant); etc.

Now back to the spelling and proper rendering of Somali language sounds. At one point Mr. Diiriye juxtaposes the modern spelling of names in the new Latinized Somali script with their traditional Anglicized spellings. For instance, Abdulrahman is now spelt as Cabdulraxmaan; which accurately reflects the Somali language’s guttural proclivities. This not only represents the guttural sounds; but also accurate vowel values.

A third part of the work is a brave attempt by Mr. Diiriye to universalize all of African and Middle Eastern cultures through this medium. He includes in this work many Arab, Berber, Bushman, Igbo, Pigmy, Swahili, Yoruba and even English sayings and proverbs. Here are some examples in Shona, they say “One who applies proverbs gets what he wants”; in Somali, we have “A man with a sense of humor is never at a loss for words of action,” in Sierra Leone, they say “Proverbs are the daughters of experience,” and in Yoruba, one saying goes like this: “A wise man who knows proverbs reconciles difficulties”.

This is not only a toure de force on the part of Mr. Diiriye, but also a very valuable tool for all students of traditional culture. The only weakness I can note here is perhaps the ambitious nature of this work, given its limited scope. I think that one short-coming can be easily corrected.

Dr. Abdi A. Sheik-Abdi 
Author & Scholar

A resolute collector with keen observation, Anwar Maxamed Diiriye provides us in this pioneering book with a wealth of information about and insight to the naming tradition in Somali society, an important subject that has not received the scholarly attention it deserves. Equally important is the collection of Somali proverbs contained in the book with English equivalents. The combination of these two aspects makes this book a worthy contribution to the preservation of the endangered Somali oral tradition, an essential read to students of Somali culture and comparative literature.
 

Dr. Maxamed Daahir Afrax - Novelist, Critic, Playwright, Journalist & Literary Scholar. London, UK.

‘This book deals with two things, which a brave and generous Somali is afraid to lose: dignity (his name) and wisdom (proverbs).'

Dr. Georgi Kapchits - Author and scholar of Somali Wisdom. Moscow, Russia.

This book is a generous gift from Mr. Diiriye to Somali people. The Somali proverbs have an important role in the lives of Somali society. Nomadic people in Somalia were frequently using proverbs when they held an important speech. The proverbs itself is a collection of selected words, bearing wisdom which attracted too many cultures. This book gives great opportunity for young Somalis who are bilingual, particularly those who know the value of different cultures. Mr. Diiriye succeeded the renascence of Somali culture and identity.

Aamina Siciid - Author, Poet & Medical Scientist. Stockholm, Sweden. 

 "The work conveyed in this book is a pioneer in its kind and timely. On one hand, in a period when many Somalis are spread all over the globe and detached from their ancestral land and culture, the information depicted here is expected to bridge the cultural deficit of the expatriated Somalis. On the other hand, this work will be significantly beneficial for researchers interested in the science of the Somali Onomastics." 

Dr. Cismaan Salaad Xirsi - Associate Professor and a Poet, Regina University, Canada.

This is a unique book. Many people will admire, read or reference it in choosing meaningful names for their children, or to use the proverbs in their best context. It really is for both public and poetic reference.

Siciid Saalax Axmed – Educator, Playwright, Filmmaker & Literary Scholar. Minneapolis, MN. 

ISBN: 0-9726615-1-4
 

Library of Congress Catalog Number: 2005939091
 

Description: Culture, Language, Literature, History/Africa
 

Author: Anwar Maxamed Diiriye

Publisher: Gobaad Communications & Press