|
|
We are Somali Bantu group who was brought in Somalia as slave in the 19th Century by the agents of the Sultan of Zanzibar and Sayid Barkash and particularly suffered persecution and marginalization in Somalia. We originally sought resettlement to Tanzania in 1993 – 1994, and to Mozambique in 1997-1998 before the US designated the Somali Bantu As “persecuted” and considered for resettlement in the USA in 1999. As persecuted minority group in Somali, we had endured continual marginalization in Somali since our arrival in the 19th century. Although we had lived in Somalia for approximately two centuries we were in many ways viewed and treated as foreigners because of cultural, linguistic and physical appearance which really distinguish us from the other Somali Refugees who have been resettled in USA. Since we were considered racial minorities within the Somali nation-State we had endured a series of violent encounters that shaped our relation to the State and regional Somali society. Such encounters including enslavement, forced labor on colonial plantations, periodic pastoralist raids, and forceful land dispossession in the biggest political land group in Somali history presaged our vulnerability, in the violence of civil war. When the Somali State collapsed, we disproportionaly faced genocidal assault, banditry, and wide spread rapping. During our stays in Somalia the Somali people used to describe us the Adoon and Habash, which translate as “Slave”. Some Somali also called us Ooji which in Italian means “today” and refers to the Somali’s perception of the Somali Bantu as lacking the ability to think beyond the moment. We kindly send a vote of thanks to the Government of the USA, because we didn’t know what freedom was, and we have been let out of the cage and we don’t want to go back to Somalia. We got a country that respects the voice of it’s people, value the life of everyone, and it is our firm believe that being in the USA will merit changes and make us think less over the past. Social Structures of the Somali Bantu Discrimination
against the Bantu in Somalia largely prevented them from inter-marrying with the other groups (Somali an) and thus receiving
the protection those clan affiliations normally bring. Discrimination against the Bantu was not confined to marriage alone, but engulfed every aspect of our live. As marginalized group, the Bantu lacked true representation in politics and access to the Government services, Educational opportunities, and professional positions in the private sector. This exclusion also resulted in economic development policies and resources allocations that didn’t take into account of Bantu wishes and priorities. Some Somali Bantu still maintain the tribal identities of their ancestral country of origin. However, unlike the nomadic Somalis, who clan affiliation and tribe identification sacrosanct and critical to survive, most Bantu people identify themselves by their place of residence, which, for those with strong cultural ties to Tanzania, often corresponds to their ceremonial kin grouping. Relations between Bantu and other Somalis Although the Somali Population in the USA may not openly hostile to the Bantu, and some cases genuinely willing to assist them, service providers should not assume that there will be immediate mutual Trust and respect between the Bantu and Somalis. Service providers should use the same caution and sensitivity with regards to translation or interpretation and Case management with the Bantu. Education Background
Since education was out of reach in the Bantu residential areas in Somalia, most children worked on their parents farms instead
of attending school. As formal education has only begun to be available in the refugee camps, educators in the USA may find
Bantu parents reluctant or unable to participate in their children’s education. Therefore, there is need to do an intensive
adult literacy campaign for adult Bantu refugees. Without literacy skills, Somali Bantu adults will be unable to participate
in the modern economy and integrate into mainstream America society. Style
of Communication Bantus are not accustomed to being interviewed
and answering questions in a linear, sequential way, many Women or Men are not able to give the exact age of their children,
and use weather markers or particular events rather than specific dates to answer questions a bout date of birth and other
family history. Only after along conversations with many follow up questions can the appropriate information be determined
and most of them are uncommonly open and honest to their answer compared to other groups. Language and Literacy The Somali Language has
distinct regional variants. The two main variant are Af Maay (pronounced Afmaay) and Af Maxaa (roughly pronounced
Af Mahaa) we the Somali Bantu group speak the Af Maay, also, known as Maay Maay, both languages
served as official languages until 1972 when the government determined that Af Maxaa which is the language spoken
by the Somali to be the official written language in Somalia. But Zigua is another Somali-Bantu tribal language which
is totally different from these two mentioned variant languages. Most people refer to this language as Mashunguli. Like
the MaayMaay, it was not recognized by the former government as an official written language.This decision further isolated
and hindered the Somali Bantu from participating in mainstream Somali political, government services, and education. Af Maay
and AF Mahaa share some similarities in their written but are different in their spoken forms. Somali-Bantus in Somalia
speak two main languages and they are: Maay-Maay and Mashunguli. We therefore, ask the service providers in Syracuse to try
using MaayMaay-speaking or Mashunguli-speaking people to interpret and translate. The AF Maay AF maay uses the Roman
alphabet with minor modifications to accommodate unique pronunciation. Af Maay consists of 24 Consonants and five
Vowels. Consonants are: b ,p t, jh, d, th, r, sh, dh, g, gh ,f, q, k ,l, m ,n, ng, ny, w ,h ,y, of these, fifteen are pronounced
almost as they are in English: b, d, f, g, h ,j, k, l, m, n, sh,t, w ,and y. Af maay does not use the English letters:
c, v, x ,and z. Vowels are: a, e, i, o, u. for example; Barbaar “youth”, heped “chest” Some Basic Af-Maay expression Af
Maay
English
Bariitheenaa? Goodmorning Nebed kibariini. indeed, it’s a good morning Hergeleenaa? How is your day? Fadheew Sit down Maghaagha? What is your name? Aw Father So’ Meat Dhuuri ihaayi I am sick Kooy come Maalmo Sitimaangka Days of the week Sabtih Saturday Ehed Sunday Isniing Monday Telaadih Tuesday Arbaaa Wednesday Kamiis Thursday Jumaa Friday Gibliyaalkih Directions Barih East Orish (iri-dhiimi) west Tukut north Koofur south
Some Basic Af-Mashunguli expression Af-Mashunguli English Mtondowedhi? (Mgona Vihi? Good morning? Kwahakika, nimtondowedhi Indeed, it is a good morning Kusinada Vihi? How is your day? Wetangwa aani?(Weye Zinadako?) What is your name? Tate Father Mame Mother Miye nimnyoje(nalamua) I am sick Nyama Meat Soo Come Hita Go Ikala Sit down Soo hano(Soo kuno) Come here
Qibla Directions Ulwawiro(Ziwa ikulawira) East Uswero(ziwa ikudhiswa) West Kaskazini(Qibla,Ikudhukirwa) North Kusini South
Days of the Week Asnini(Juma nratu) Monday Talaza(Juma nne) Tuesday Arba(Juma Tano) Wednesday Hamisi(Alhamisi) Thursday Juma Friday Sebti Saturday Juma mosi Sunday
Summary/Cultural
background information Some Somali Bantus understand
the Somali language but they Speak Maay Maay which is their native language. The six main Somali Bantu tribes are Magindo, Makuo,Manyasa,Yao,Zalamo and zigua. Each tribe has many clans and subl-clans.
|