Editing Somaliland (section)

== Culture ==
{{Main|Culture of Somaliland}}
[[File:Hargeisa (28986744304).jpg|thumb|People in Hargeisa]]

The main clans of Somaliland: [[Isaaq]] ([[Garhajis]], [[Habr Je'lo]], [[Habr Awal]], [[Arap]], Ayub), [[Harti]] ([[Dhulbahante]], [[Warsangali]], Kaskiqabe, Gahayle), [[Dir (clan)|Dir]] ([[Gadabuursi]], [[Issa (clan)|Issa]], Magaadle) and [[Madhiban]]. Other smaller clans include: Jibraahil, Akisho, and others.

The [[clan]] groupings of the Somali people are important [[Social group|social unit]]s, and have a central role in Somali culture and politics. Clans are [[Patrilineality|patrilineal]] and are often divided into sub-clans, sometimes with many sub-divisions.<ref name="dqGsr">{{cite web|url=https://www.gsdrc.org/docs/open/hdq949.pdf|title=Somali networks: Structure of clan and society|language=en|access-date=18 February 2020|archive-date=7 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807093901/https://www.gsdrc.org/docs/open/hdq949.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Somali society is traditionally ethnically [[endogamy|endogamous]]. To extend ties of alliance, marriage is often to another [[Ethnic Somalis|ethnic Somali]] from a different clan. Thus, for example, a 1954 study observed that in 89 marriages contracted by men of the [[Dhulbahante]] clan, 55 (62%) were with women of Dhulbahante sub-clans other than those of their husbands; 30 (33.7%) were with women of surrounding clans of other clan families ([[Isaaq]], 28; [[Hawiye]], 3); and 3 (4.3%) were with women of other clans of the [[Darod]] clan family ([[Majerteen]] 2, [[Ogaden (clan)|Ogaden]] 1).<ref name="HAhCu">Ioan M. Lewis, ''Blood and Bone: The Call of Kinship in Somali Society'', (Red Sea Press: 1994), p.51</ref>

=== Arts ===
{{Main|Somali art}}
[[File:Hadrawi.jpg|thumb|135px|left|[[Hadrawi]], a prominent Somali poet and songwriter]]

[[Islam]] and poetry have been described as the twin pillars of Somali culture. Somali poetry is mainly oral, with both male and female poets. They use things that are common in the Somali language as metaphors. Almost all Somalis are [[Sunni Muslim]]s and Islam is vitally important to the Somali sense of [[national identity]]. Most Somalis do not belong to a specific mosque or sect and can pray in any mosque they find.<ref name="somarel" />

Celebrations come in the form of religious festivities. Two of the most important are [[Eid ul-Adha]] and [[Eid ul-Fitr]], which marks the end of the fasting month. Families get dressed up to visit one another, and money is donated to the poor. Other holidays include 26 June and 18 May, which celebrate British Somaliland's independence and the Somaliland region's establishment, respectively; the latter, however, is not recognised by the international community.<ref name="nbKjg">{{cite web|url=https://somalilandlaw.com/Official_Public_Holidays.pdf|title=Official Public Holidays – Somaliland Law ›|language=en|access-date=18 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180820112428/http://www.somalilandlaw.com/Official_Public_Holidays.pdf|archive-date=20 August 2018}}</ref>
[[File:Henna for hair.jpg|thumb|right|[[Henna]] powder is mixed with water and then applied on the hair.]]

In the [[nomad]]ic culture, where one's possessions are frequently moved, there is little reason for the [[plastic arts]] to be highly developed. Somalis embellish and decorate their woven and wooden milk jugs (''haamo''; the most decorative jugs are made in [[Ceerigaabo]]) as well as wooden headrests.{{citation needed|date=May 2021}} Traditional dance is also important, though mainly as a form of courtship among young people. One such dance known as ''Ciyaar Soomaali'' is a local favourite.<ref name="2cpce">{{cite web|url=https://www.horndiplomat.com/2018/06/30/reviving-somali-culture-through-folk-dances/|title=Reviving Somali Culture through Folk Dances|date=30 June 2018|language=en|access-date=18 February 2020}}</ref>

An important form of art in Somali culture is [[henna]] art. The custom of applying henna dates back to antiquity. During special occasions, a Somali woman's hands and feet are expected to be covered in decorative [[mendhi]]. Girls and women usually apply or decorate their hands and feet in henna on festive celebrations like [[Muslim holidays|Eid]] or weddings. The henna designs vary from very simple to highly intricate. Somali designs vary, with some more modern and simple while others are traditional and intricate. Traditionally, only women apply it as [[body art]], as it is considered a feminine custom. Henna is not only applied on the hands and feet but is also used as a [[dye]]. Somali men and women alike use henna as a dye to change their hair colour. Women are free to apply henna on their hair as most of the time they are wearing a [[hijab]].<ref name="YjLlr">{{cite web|url=http://www.nzdl.org/gsdlmod?e=d-00000-00---off-0cdl--00-0----0-10-0---0---0direct-10---4-------0-1l--11-en-50---20-about---00-0-1-00-0--4----0-0-11-10-0utfZz-8-00&cl=CL1.180&d=HASHc6a2e25764a7dc0163f0f5.3.6&gt=1|title=Somali women at heart of henna business – NGO henna project in Somalia|language=en|access-date=18 February 2020}}</ref>{{failed verification|date=May 2021}}

=== Sport ===
{{Main|Sports in Somaliland}}
[[File:Somaliland National Football Team.jpg|thumb|right|The [[Somaliland national football team]] at a friendly match.]]
Popular sports in Somaliland include [[Association football|football]], track, field, and basketball.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.somtribune.com/2019/04/03/women-and-athletics-sports-in-somaliland|title=Women and Athletics, Sports in Somaliland|website=Som Tribune|date=3 April 2019 |language=en|access-date=16 March 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://punditarena.com/other-sports/mgleeson/conifa-through-the-years-are-you-ready-for-somaliland-2020|title=CONIFA Through the Years: Are You Ready for Somaliland 2020?|website=Pundit Arena|language=en|access-date=16 March 2020|archive-date=23 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210623112347/https://punditarena.com/other-sports/mgleeson/conifa-through-the-years-are-you-ready-for-somaliland-2020/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Somaliland has a [[Somaliland national football team|national football team]], though it is not a member of [[FIFA]] or the [[Confederation of African Football]].<ref name="BBC Sport 2018">{{cite web | title=Starting a national team in a country that doesn't exist | website=BBC Sport | date=19 November 2018 | url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/46185221 | access-date=5 April 2024}}</ref>