A Somali Perspective on Death, Grief, and Culture

Abstract

This chapter will deal with Somalis who traditionally occupy the Horn of Africa region, which includes Somalia, Somaliland, Djibouti, and parts of Kenya and Ethiopia. In addition there is a large number of Somalis in the diaspora, people who were displaced by the civil war and sought refuge in countries in Europe, USA, Australia, Africa, and the Middle East. Islam is the common religion for the vast majority, with a very small Christian minority. Therefore, the lifestyle is bound by Islamic traditions. Death, loss, and grief, from the individual, family, and community perspectives will be examined. The effects of the civil war, and the gender aspect of dealing with grief will also be discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved)