• Africa,  African Great Lakes,  The Somali people

    The Somali people

    The Somali people are a Cushitic ethnic group indigenous to the Horn of Africa, encompassing Somalia, Somaliland, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Djibouti. They are one of Africa’s largest ethnic groups, with an estimated population of 25.8 million. Their homeland, characterized by arid and semi-arid regions, has profoundly shaped their culture and lifestyle. Somalis speak Somali, a Cushitic language that is part of the Afroasiatic language family. The language plays a crucial role in preserving their cultural heritage and identity. Somali society is predominantly Sunni Muslim, and Islam significantly influences their customs, social norms, and festivals. Historically, the Somali people trace their ancestry to the ancient Land of Punt, a region mentioned…