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ISBN: 0-9726615-1-4
Library of Congress Catalog Number:
2005939091
Classification: Culture, Language,
Literature, History/Africa
Author: Anwar Maxamed Diiriye
Publisher: Gobaad Communications & Press
Language: Bilingual (Somali & English)
Gobaadpress@gmail.com
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
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.
Book Signing Ceremony
Location: Brain Coyle Community
Center
420 15th Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55454
Date: Saturday, August 12,
2006
Time: 5:00 - 8:00pm
Title:
Literature of Somali
Onomastics & Proverbs
Author:
Anwar Maxamed Diiriye
Publisher:
Gobaad Communications & Press
E-mail:
Gobaadpress@gmail.com
Xafladda Walqalka Buug
Cusub
Madasha:
Brain Coyle Community Center
420 15th Avenue
South
Minneapolis, MN
55454
Tariikhda:
Sabti, August 12, 2006
Amminta:
5:00 - 8:00pm
Magaca:
Literature of Somali Onomastics &
Proverbs
(Barshada Xikmadda
Magacyada &
Maahmaahaha Soomaalida)
Allifaha:
Anwar Maxamed Diiriye
Soo-saare:
Gobaad Communications & Press
Farriin-tebiye:
Gobaadpress@gmail.com
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