The Withering of "WARYAA" in Diaspora

Raising a Child in Diaspora without Teaching WARYAA

2. Raising a Child in Diaspora without Teaching WARYAA

Not long ago, I attended a wedding while visiting Nairobi, Kenya. I was "hanging out" in the backyard with various other males' friends and family members who were helping with last minute arrangements. As I was listening to the buzz of the different conversations going on simultaneously in the hallway, I was struck by the diversity of languages being spoken.

In one corner, two teenagers were talking excitedly in Dutch; one woman in the backyard was talking to her daughter in French. In the lobby, two young teens were smooth talking in Chinese. Ironically, one man nearby the entrance gate was scolding his young daughter in Japanese. Other languages heard in the house include Swedish, Spanish, Italian, Swahili, Finish, and English.

 I could only but reflect on the vast expansiveness of the Somali Diaspora. As a Somali parent living in Diaspora, I often wonder what the future holds for future generations of WARYAA born or brought up in Diaspora. Will Somali communities in Diaspora form the tight knit bonds that hold cultures and WARYAA together as is often the case for East Indians and Chinese? Or will we completely assimilate into our host countries, adopting the dominant beliefs and value systems? It is a question we need to be asking ourselves, especially as many Somalis begin to have families and settle down in the West.

The stark reality is that the WARYAA children of the next generations will be more English, Dutch, American, Canadian, Italian, or Australian —among many others, than Somali.

It is highly unlikely that these children will be able to speak Somali well, let alone understand the deep poetry and music of our WARYAA rich culture.

For Somali parents in Diaspora attempting to raise children with a semblance of cultural awareness, the task is a challenging one. However, there are some important steps one can take to ensure a sense of connection with Somali culture. Here are a few tips that I think may help parents instill a sense of Somaliness— ‘SOMALINIMO’ in their WARYAA teens in the dominant culture.

First, enforce a WARYAA only language policy in the house. Encourage children to speak strictly WARYAA in the house. I know the suggestion is easier said than done, especially after the children enter school and surrounded by non WARYAA enclave neighbor friends.

However, even if only basic comprehension is achieved, that is an accomplishment. If possible, try to live in an area where there are other Somali children to foster a feeling of community like Dixon/Kipling area in Toronto, Canada and/or its vicinity. 

Secondly, send children to Madras —DUGSI QURAAN for Islamic teaching and WARYAA— mother tongue learning schools after ‘normal’ school hours. The importance in giving children a basic Islamic education and WARYAA learning cannot be over-emphasized.

Thirdly, when the children are going out, encourage them to wear a T-shirts or hats that have WARYAA logo on it, to show off their identity to the enclave neighbors. As I know of, there is a WARYAA shop in Toronto, Canada, where these culturally clothes are sold. It’s beyond one’s imagination that how this garments of WARYAA printing on it can play a vital role by the retention of WARYAA identity alive in Diaspora.

Thus, it can help the Somali young teens to develop confidence, self-esteem and their unique identity within a multicultural host society. If possible, customize your car plate in a way that WARYAA name tag is displayed to attract subconsciously the other driver’s attention.

Fourthly, organize a trip to Somalia or to neighboring countries at least once in a child's youth. If possible, travel back to Somalia to acquaint the children with their culture. They will thus develop an appreciation of the validity of different ways of perceiving and encoding experiences and of organizing interpersonal relations to reach a deeper appreciation of their own personal identity and values.