I have lived with the Somali people in many places, including Juba, Nairobi and Kenya’s Kakuma and Dadaab refugee camps. In all the places my path crossed with these wonderful and beautiful people, I taught their children in both primary and high schools. One man, Abdi Osman, became my closest associate and a comrade. There is one unique thing about the Somalis: If they become your friend that turns into a brotherhood.
But I have this question: Where do the Somalis get their money from? Why are they rich? Is it that Somalis hate being broke or living in poverty? I will give some answers to the above questions.
Somalis are generally polygamous: An average Somali man marries three to four wives and would normally have 15 or more children, with a single wife producing between five and eight. About five to six of their 20 children would most likely prosper. It would then be upon these children to manage the family, including their mothers and father. They would be paying school fees, feeding, providing shelter and other needs to the family. The philosophy of helping each other is entrenched in the Somali blood. For instance, if two to three people join hands, they would be helped to set up a business, and once it is up, they would apportion the money among themselves, and if possible, begin their individual businesses. Somalis trust themselves, and because of that, it is easy to lend a relative money to begin their own businesses.
The other thing that makes Somalis so prosperous is the culture of supporting one another. For instance, when one starts a business: a wholesale or a retail shop; not at one point would a Somali buy items from a shop that does not belong to their own. It is in this belief that buying your brother’s items helps them get richer quickly, in order for the same to help another Somali in need. In other words, buying from a non-Somali is a recipe for delaying your very own brother from getting rich.
Are Somalis rich because they have the money or help each other, or do they know how to manage money wisely?
I asked four non-Somalis this question: What would you do if I gave each of you US$100,000 right now?
Respondent A said that she would build a warehouse to keep her market items. She continued that she would buy goods from Kenya and Uganda and hire a plane to transport the items to her village. The remaining money would be used for building a good mansion in her town, and she would save some US$25,000. Respondent B said he would construct a 30 rooms rental house, and lease them at reasonable prices. The rent would go straight to his bank account. With time, he would recoup US$100,000.
Respondent C said she would invest some of the money in large-scale farming and employ widows and orphans. She would use the remaining money to open a hotel in her town. The last respondent, D, said she would use part of the money to raise poultry and build a private clinic to help the local communities fight diseases. She stressed that the prices of drugs and consultation would be low, to enable access to many. Lastly, she would establish a large plantation, which would help reduce the food shortages in her village.
Their narratives totally differ from what two Somali men told me. The first one said he would look for another Somali, join hands, and have US$200,000. Together, they would begin a cement export trade. If they bought 10,000 bags of cement worth US$80,000, at US$8 per bag, they would remain with US$120,000. They would buy other building materials, hire a track and a driver, and save the rest in a bank account. Once those items are sold, they would make a profit US$350,000.
The other way is to loan that money to those who need it, to be repaid with an interest within a month or two. At least US100,000 would be repaid at US$150,000 USD once the loanee has made a better investment.
Somalis support each other by spending money on their shops, hotels, restaurants and possibly investing in Somali banks. Somalis never transfer money using other banks. That is the level of support that they accord each other.
Give a Somali some coins, they would first think of how to multiply it, but give the same amount to a South Sudanese, or an Ethiopian Anyuak man: he would first patronize an expensive hotel with friends, and when done, shop for clothes, if possible cars, and dish the remaining money to relatives and friends. Slowly, that money would be no more. He would probably voyage to live in expensive hotels. In a few months, he would be looking like he had descended from hell. No more money!
Someone once told me that Somalis were brilliant at dealing with business because of their paradigm shift. They would import cheap things from China and sell them at better prices to earn minimum profits.
We may all have money, but how we use it differs. Having money is one thing, but spending it wisely is another thing. Somalis are a proud community. They create jobs, not because of how much money you were making, but because of their ways of making it. Every community has a hidden talent and for the Somalis, it is multiplying small amounts of money.
What talent do South Sudanese have? Farming, peacemaking or fighting? The Somalis’ hidden talent is making money and growing small businesses. What would you do if you got SSP2 million today? What are the principles that you would use to multiply the little you have?
I was once told that one would never get rich by saving in an account, but finding ways to invest.
Somalis have solid family attachments. A typical household has minimum eight children. Due to strong family ties, Somalis support all the members. Once a Somali takes a loan or scrounges money, their clan or community will be traced and they would be paid back. The community indemnifies one.
Somalis have conflicts, but they are based on natural possessions like water and pasture, given that they are pastoralists. Other conflicts may be based on politics, especially during elections, but are never prolonged. Somalis do not spend much on rent. One home may host 10 to 20 members living happily. Somalis do not charge their own people highly. They reduce rent, especially for shops, but multiply the same for others to recover the low payments made by their people. Somalis can buy goods at low prices from a fellow Somali person and sell it at a higher price to non-Somalis. Somalis, at most times, do not own individual businesses. They co-own the business as families or friends, usually based on trust and supporting themselves. If you pilfer, you will be forgiven for the first time, but a repeat would not go unpunished. Religion also plays a bigger role: Trust is built based on religion. Somalis believe in giving and helping. You give today to be helped tomorrow.
We agonize because we do not support or trust each other. We gluttonously depend on one person in a family, instead of finding something meaningful to help with. One should rely on family members for a month or two, but not in perpetuity. Why don’t we teach each other how to fish instead of getting them ready fish every day? How about instilling in our people the Somali values? Plan, invest and harvest. Remember, tomorrow belongs to those who plan for it now.
The writer, Peter Okello, is a PhD student at the Hiroshima University, Japan, pursuing International Peace and Co-existence. He can be reached via email pokello50@gmail.com
The views expressed in ‘opinion’ articles published by Radio Tamazuj are solely those of the writer. The veracity of any claims made is the responsibility of the author, not Radio Tamazuj.