A Somali Perspective on Death, Grief, and Culture

Abstract

Somali families have endured a great deal of upheaval in recent times. The civil war in parts of the country has lasted over two decades. Drought and famine are frequent visitors to a region that is poor and semi-desert. Such circumstances make early death more common than in normal societies, UNDP Human Development Index places life expectancy in Somalia at 51.5 years. When faced with death and loss, Somalis use the same coping strategies common to other Muslims. They immerse themselves in the religion by reading Quran, praying for the deceased, praying for strength and guidance of the bereaved, and reflecting on the Teachings of Prophet Mohammed PBUH and how he dealt with loss. This chapter will inspect loss and grief from different perspectives, before the war, during the war and post-war. Several case studies will be examined to give a broad view of the societal attitudes.