header
Search:

Create an account |
Spelling Checker
Somali | Af Soomaali

Spelling Checker
Higgaadda Afsoomaaliga
ee
REDSEA-ONLINE


Calendar Conversion

GREGORIAN

ISLAMIC


SOMALI


Photo of the Week
Suggest one

Somaliland - I too love you!

Somaliland - I too love you!



Wisdom of the Day

...daily updates...

Qalinkaa wax suureeya,
Kugu sima halkaad doonto,
Saaxiib kal furan weeye,
Sunto fara ku hayntiisa,
Weligaa ha sii deynin.
"Sahra" - M I W Hadraawi

suugaan


A Note of my teachers


read it more


11/11/2007: Submitted for publication via web
A critical review on “People on the Move”
by By Prof. Jama Adan Ali

Upon my close reading of the book, I have found it quite interesting and attractive. It begins with a scene of comfort rainfall and love. In his first encounter with the girl, Samir, only after short squabbles over the dirt spilled onto her dress by the wheel of his car which slipped into a pothole filled with water, had cleverly managed to court her and offer her a ride to their house. This was later ensued by a mutual love which developed by degrees and then reached into its heights. Also into the deep down recess of his heart was flourishing another love – love for his country. Samir exercised his love within an indigenous environment.

The author then twists the story. Here begins conflicts between the principle character, Samir, on one hand and external forces on the other. Samir enjoyed life, but only for a short while. Things turned ugly and unfavorable overnight. Sabrin defects because of jealousy and suspicions planted between them by another girl, and the loving power of his country and people is abruptly undermined by Gedi’s influence on migration to lands beyond the sea.

In the first case, Samir showed less resistance to keep or restore Sabrin. “…The thing that I don’t understand about my girl friend is that she is with some other man and I want to disappear.” He so simply gave way to a despair. His argument with Gedi over the issue of migration was nevertheless powerful and convincing, though, at the end of their debate, he surrendered or gave in. He repeated frequently that there was “no place like home to live”. “To tell you the truth, I like this country and I will always be.” He reasoned out why he wanted to stay and live in his country than go and migrate: “…I mean let us stay and trust our country. I believe if we study hard, work hard we can fly and touch the sky; building good future for all. I am begging you please, make up your mind and let us stay…”

Then not certain or sure of himself and wasn’t able to know how they will reach their destination or what could happen to them in the middle of their adventure, Samir merely accompanied with three boys of his age who were much bedeviled by the juvenile syndrome of Europe. The boys left Hargeisa in a strong, safari vehicle – Surfe – which smuggled them to Ethiopia. This trip was immediately followed by another which took them to The Sudan.

Here Samir’s vigorousness, energy or eloquence had abruptly subsided. He has been all along, since they left Hargeisa, quite, except when he was taking part in the conversations they shared during their journeys. There were no thrilling actions or risks or rather challenges that would require of him to react and appear as a hero.

One important and noticeable feature in the succeeding events of the story is apparently the quickness or rather the frequencies of movements or travels from one place to another; they were stopovers only.

In their third leg of the adventure, the boys, after a brief stay, probably for a night or two in Khartoum, had launched another trip to Libya en route the Sahara Desert, but had unfortunately their Toyota broken in the middle of the desert. While the driver and his assistant were busy repairing the vehicle, the boys waited impatiently and in vain at a tree near the car, for the outcome of the repairing activity. It was getting dark and was also dangerous and frightening all around the area. The wind was blowing and was making fearful noises over heaps of infinite stretches of sand dunes and, worst of all, not a sign of life was to be seen or heard within their vicinity. The author depicts a dreadful situation and an atmosphere of uncertainties and suspense. The reader is prompted to ask the question: “Will they perish in that vast, uninhabited land or survive and get across it in peace to their immediate destination – Libya - ?” In that particular situation, it was Gedi, not the principal character, Samir, who spelled out the boys some of the fear and clouds of uncertainties that loomed over in darkness by narrating similar adventures he experienced before.

The arrival in Libya was peaceful, but their stay in the country was never long, however. In a few days’ time the boys with another team of illegal infiltrators had boarded two boats sailing for Europe. The boats were overloaded with passengers though they were not the type made to go far into the sea or carry passengers from place to place. They were small and meant only for recreational purposes. The weather changed and severe storm hit the boats causing one to sink and leave its passengers floating or dying in the sea.

In this part, the development of events or episodes is rather striking and provoking emotions. It is dangerous and fatalistic. The author has employed a unique style to involve the reader. It is full of thrilling actions and challenges. It is not, however, Samir but his friend Gedi who survived the wreck of the drowned boat and painfully to grope for Samir’s hand to save his life.

The concluding part of the story, the arrival of the boys in London, sheds light on events pertaining to travelers’ views on Europe, in general and more so on the impact of white man’s behavior and culture on Somalis living in Europe, either as residents or as refugees. Samir’s role as the principle character is reactivated. He and his friend, Gedi, had immediately reacted to the new environment, which was entirely different from the one they had experienced in Hargeisa. Europe is highly developed, but life is really hard and not easy to adjust for the foreigner.

When Samir and his friend stayed for a short time, they applied for a job in a company but were refused, because they didn’t know the language nor had driving licenses should they were given the jobs. They weather was bad, too, and most of their mates or friends were lazy to work or go to school to study. They rather stayed indoors watching movies or playing video games to pass time, in upstairs apartments located in inferior areas of the city. Worst of all, these people ignored their centuries old traditions and adopted naively the life style of the white man.

Despite all these difficulties Samir studied and went back home. He married Sabrin and lived comfortably in this country.

It is as though the author is trying to contrast or highlight the difference in cultures between Europe and Somaliland. It was Samir who carried out this mission and experienced the differences between the two cultures. It was also him who was dissatisfied with the vulnerabilities of Somalis towards the cultures of the white man. Hence, it would appear from here that the author was primarily writing on Tahrib (People on the Move), but had somewhere towards the end of the story tackled exhaustively on another important topic which might have been buried inside him, but had unexpectedly surfaced in the story and had marvelously dominated the story and subsequently minimized the effectiveness of the title – (People on the Move).

Finally, I am very much impressed with the language and style which the author has used, and the effectiveness of his power to put across his message to his audience.



The views published here are solely those of its authors (By Prof. Jama Adan Ali) and do not necessarily reflect those of REDSEA-ONLINE.COM.
All articles on redsea-online

1. 15/05/2012 Gathering to commemorate Dr. Abdishakur Shiekh Ali Jowhar - Commemoration committee
2. 11/05/2012 Press Release from Camden Creative: Are you Somali of any age and background, and are moving permane - Camden Creative
3. 20/09/2009 SWF - Events: Saturday, 31 October - Festival Books presents
4. 20/09/2009 SWF - Events: Friday, 30th October - Comedy Night with Boon Xirsi, Prince Abdi, Abdi Bahdoon &other
5. 20/09/2009 SWF - Events: Thursday, 29th October - Film night and Djibouti artist evening
6. 20/09/2009 SWF - Events: Wednesday, 28th October 2009 - One act the play ‘Baqayo Roged’
7. 20/09/2009 SWF - Events: Tuesday, 27 October 2009 - BME involvement in public bodies
8. 20/09/2009 SWF - Events: Monday 26 October 2009 - Young People and citizenship
9. 20/09/2009 SWF - Events: Sunday, 25th October 2009 - Family Day: Storytelling day for children and their parent
10. 20/09/2009 SWF - Events: Saturday, 24th October 2009 - A day of pure poetry
11. 20/09/2009 SWF - Events: Friday, 23rd October 2009 - Launching of the Festival
12. 03/08/2009 Opinion on: Book review - Whose world is it any Way? By Shamis Hussein - Omer Aden E-mail : omerliban@gmail.com
13. 23/07/2009 Mooge/HIBF - Maalinta Lixaad - Isniin 27 Julaay 2009
14. 23/07/2009 Mooge/HIBF - Maalinta shanaad - Axad 26 Julaay 2009
15. 23/07/2009 Mooge/HIBF - Maalinta afraad - Sabti 25 Julaay 2009
16. 23/07/2009 Mooge/HIBF - Maalinta saddexaad - Jimce 24 Julaay 2009
17. 19/07/2009 Mooge/HIBF - Maalinta Labaad - Khamiis 23 Julaay 2009
18. 19/07/2009 Mooge/HIBF - Maalinta Kowaad - Arbaca 22 Julaay 2009
19. 21/02/2009 Xog-waranka Abwaan Cabdilaahi Cawed Cige - Mustafe Sh. Cumar
20. 12/11/2008 "Alliwa": Wargeys 50 Guuradiisii Ay Maanta Tahay - Saddexaad - Axmed Yuusuf Ducaale
21. 11/11/2008 "Alliwa": Wargeys 50 Guuradiisii Ay Maanta Tahay - Labaad - Axmed Yuusuf Ducaale
22. 10/11/2008 "Alliwa": Wargeys 50 Guuradiisii Ay Maanta Tahay - Kowaad - Axmed Yuusuf Ducaale
23. 30/05/2008 Boqorka shaqsiyaddu waa kuma? Qaybtii 1aad - Farduus Siciid Dirir
24. 16/05/2008 HALABUUR, Journal of Somali Literature and Culture - hal-abuur
25. 22/02/2008 Dhagaxtuurkii 1982-kii ee dugsiga sare ee Timacade(qalax) ee Gabiiley, qaybtii 2-aad - Cali Cumar Xasan
26. 22/02/2008 Dhagaxtuurkii 1982 iyo dugsiga sare ee Tima-cade ama Qalax (Gabiley) - Cali Cumar Xasan
27. 22/02/2008 LIX IYO LABAATAN GUURADII DHAGAXTUURKA. QAYBTII AFRAAD. - By Alpha
28. 20/02/2008 QAYBTII SADEXAAD EE LIX IYO LABAATAN GUURADII DHAGAXTUURKA - By Alpha
29. 18/02/2008 LIX IYO LABAATAN GUURADII DHAGAX TUURKA, Qaybtii labaad - By Alpha
30. 17/02/2008 Qaybtii Koowaad 20-Febaury 1982. Lix iyo Labaatan guuradii Dhagax Tuur - By Alpha
31. 11/02/2008 Barmaamij ku saabsan dadka xiskoodu dhiman yahay - Maxamed-Keyse
32. 28/01/2008 Qudbigii Suugaanta – Gabay - Bashiir Good
33. 25/11/2007 Hal-Abuur magazine relaunched - redsea
34. 11/11/2007 Gorfaynta Buugga “People on the Move” ee uu qoray Dayib Cabdi Askar. - Prof. Jaamac Aadan Cali
35. 29/06/2007 Buugga KARAAN: Xadhka-jiid ma gayo maamul Qaybta 2aad - Maxamed Yuusuf (Keyse)
36. 26/06/2007 Shirsannadeedkii Ururka Qoraaga Somaliland oo ka dhacay Stockholm 16/06/2007 - qoraaga.com
37. 26/06/2007 Buugga KARAAN Iyo Maansada Kasmo - Maxamed Yuusuf (Keyse)
38. 23/10/2006 Tixda Cabdilaahi Suldaan Timacadde & Ereyga “Soomaali” - Yasin Jaamac Nuux (Suldaan)
39. 13/08/2006 Baroordiiq (Tacsi) Abwaan Axmed Ismaaciil "Qaasin' - aftahan.org
40. 12/08/2006 Tacsi - Ururka Qoraaga Somaliland
41. 02/08/2006 Taariikh ku saabsan magaalooyinka Saylac, Berbera iyo Sheekh - Sayid Maxamed Yusuf "Dhegey"
42. 26/07/2006 Wargelin Muhiim ah: Xafladda Gardaadinta “Guri Waa Haween” ee Magaalooyinka Bristol iyo Cardiff - Maxamed Baashe Xasan
43. 17/07/2006 Book Signing Ceremony - Gobaad Communications & Press
44. 01/07/2006 Milicsiga maansooyinkii Abwaan "Qaasim" (Dad musbaar dhegaha kaga jiraan, maqal ka tuugaaye. 1964 Q. - Sayid Maxamed Yusuf "Dhegey"
45. 01/07/2006 Jebintii Jeelka Madheera Qaybtii 4-aad: Qorahu Wuxuu Soo Saari Doona Buug Ku Dhamaystiran Dhacdadani - Abdirisaq sheekh Ibraahim Kooshin (alpha) — Bristol, Uk
46. 30/06/2006 Milicsiga maansooyinkii dhaxalgalka ahaa ee Abwaan "Qaasim" (Sidii baa ducaaloow biyaha loo dawariya - Sayid Maxamed Yusuf "Dhegey"
47. 10/06/2006 Jabintii Jeelka Madheera Qaybtii 3-aad: Afduubkii Diyaaraddii Somali Airline Ee Afar Iyo Labaatankii - Abdirisaq sheekh Ibraahim Kooshin (Alpha)
48. 08/06/2006 05-JUNE-1988 - JABINTII JEELKA MADHEERRA - Qaybtii 2aad - Abdirisaq Sheekh Ibraahim Kooshin
49. 5/6/2006 05-JUNE-1988 - JABINTII JEELKA MADHEERRA - Abdirisaq Sheekh Ibraahim Kooshin
50. 26/03/2006 OGEYSIIS:TODOBAADKA SOMALILAND EE YURUB - SSE
51. 23/03/2006 Labada Aqal Ee Baarlamaanka Somaliland Oo Wadajir U Qaabiley Qoraa Weyn Oo Kenyaan Ah - somaliland.org
52. 20/03/2006 NETWORK OF DEVELOPMENT RESEARCHERS: HALF-DAY SEMINAR - SSE
53. 14/03/2006 School book with images of Prophet Muhammad banned in Somaliland - BBC Monitoring
54. 27/02/2006 GURI BA’AY - Maxamed Baashe X. Xasan
55. 20/02/2006 Milicso Maalmihii Ina Soo Maray – 20-ka February - Aamina Maxamuud Diiriye, Hargeysa, Somaliland
56. 19/02/2006 GPS: Burco Iyo Horumarku Maxay Ku Colloobeen? - Cabdillaahi Cawed Cige
57. 18/02/2006 XAQ-U-DIRIRKII AAN XUDUUDDA LAHAYN: Ibraahin Sheekh Saleebaan – 1944kii (qaybtii 6aad) - Boobe Yuusuf Ducaale
58. 09/02/2006 XAQ-U-DIRIRKII AAN XUDUUDDA LAHAYN: Ibraahin Sheekh Saleebaan (1944kii – 2006da) Q. 4aad - Boobe Yuusuf Ducaale
59. 08/02/2006 Safar Salaama iyo Xaflad Sagooti ah oo loo Samaynayo Abwaanka Gaarriye - aftahan.com
60. 08/02/2006 XAQ-U-DIRIRKII AAN XUDUUDDA LAHAYN: Ibraahin Sheekh Saleebaan 1944kii – 2006da (Q. 3aad) - Boobe Yuusuf Ducaale
61. 06/02/2006 XAQ-U-DIRIRKII AAN XUDUUDDA LAHAYN: Ibraahin Sheekh Saleebaan (Qormada 2aad) - Boobe Yuusuf Ducaale
62. 04/02/2006 GEERIDII GADHLAY SHEEGAYAAN GACAL HA WAAYAANE - Sayid Maxamed Yusuf "Dhegey"
63. 04/02/2006 XAQ-U-DIRIRKII AAN XUDUUDDA LAHAYN: Marxuun Ibraahin Gadhle - Boobe Yuusuf Ducaale
64. 01/02/2006 Ibraahim Gadhle: Hal Abuur Iyo Gabayaa ka Galbaday Suugaanta Soomaalida - haatuf.net
65. 31/01/2006 Tacsi Geeridii Abwaan Ibraahin Aw Saleebaan (Gadhle) - RSOL
66. 30/01/2006 Sannad wanaagsan - 1427 - RSOL
67. 20/01/2006 Habka Dhismaha Maansada Soomaaliyeed - Cabdi Miigane Guuleed & Maxamed Cabdillaahi Riiraash
(somalistartpage.com)
68. 25/01/2006 Wareysi Dr. Georgi Kapchits - wardheernews.com (Copyright WDN 2006)
69. 18/01/2006 Somaliland Societies in Europe: War saxaafadeed - SSE
70. 31/10/2005 Nin Gumoobay - Ibraahin Yuusuf Axmed
71. 31/10/2005 Dhagartii Oogle (Sheeko) - Ibraahim Yuusuf Axmed
72. 11/10/2005 Somali poetry event: The great Somali poet Maxamed Xaashi Dhamac 'Gaarriye' in UK - redsea
73. 10/09/2005 MADHXINTA AFSOOMAALIGA - Maxamed Bashe X. Xasan
74. 07/09/2005 From Mechanic to Civic Leader: One man's active leadership brings better energy options to an entire - (from awdalnews.com)
75. 03/09/2005 Kuma ayuu ahaa Cabdilaahi Suldaan Maxamed "Timacade" - Abdifatah O. Abdi
76. 28/08/2005 AIDS And Circumcision - Rhoda A. Rageh
77. 28/08/2005 Duumo iyo Duullaan - Ibraahin Yuusuf Axmed ”Hawd”
78. 28/08/2005 Dhibaatooyinka ku xeeran qoraalka afsoomaaliga iyo hirgelintiisa - Maxamed Bashe X. Xasan
79. 14/05/2005 "LADH" waa buug murugo, xiise, xasuus iyo xanuun intaba kugu beeraya - RSOL - Editor
80. 28/02/2005 "Dhagaxtuur Ma Been Baa?" - Boobe Yuusuf Ducaale
81. 18/02/2005 Yusuf Haji Aden Was a Great Educationist - SSE Chairman
82. 18/02/2005 Tacsi Ururka Somaliland Forum - Guddiga Dhexe Somaliland Forum
83. 15/02/2005 Obituary: Yusuf Haji Aden was a great man - Mohamud Tani
84. 17/02/2005 Aas Heer Qaran Ah Oo Loo Sameeyey Abwan Yusuf Xaji Aadan
85. 03/01/2005 Ujeedo Xog Ururuuin Ka Timid Ururka Qoraaga Somaliland - SWA
86. 06/03/2004 Students Uprising Of Feb 20th Observed By SONYO - the Somaliland Times, ISSUE 109, Feb 21, 2004
87. 04/03/2004 Warsaxaafadeed "Ururka Qoraaga Somaliland" - UQS, Sweden
88. 28/02/2004 20-ka February oo markii ugu horeysay laga xusay magaalada London - London (Jam) - from www.jamhuuriya.info
89. 27/02/2004 20-Ka February Oo Loo Aqoonsaday Maalinta Dhallinyarada Somaliland - Haatuf, Hargeysa Feb, 22, 2004
90. 25/02/2004 «Materia Cinese Chinese Matter»: per una comunicazione universale - Elisabetta Marino, l'Unità 06.02.2004
91. 12/02/2004 Bandhig Buug: Jamhuuriya
92. 23/12/2003 “Materia cinese”: i ponti invisibili di Lina Unali - Elisabetta Marino
93. 16/08/2003 The Vice President told youngs in his Party that "My Teachers' Group" is a good example to follow.
94. 20/06/2003 Barre Hagi Elmi Ahmed: Tribute to an unknown martyr - Jama Musse Jama
95. 29/05/2003 Xasuusta Dhagaxtuurka iyo Xuska Macalikayga Maalintaas (20-ka February 1982) - Khadar Ali Gas
96. 24/03/2003 A new section dedicated to the Somali Books
97. 21/01/2003 "Il Gazzettino" newspaper reviewed Layli Goobalay
98. 20/01/2003 Layli Goobalay on "IntercultuRadio" Radio
99. 4/12/2002 "Il Secolo XIX" reviewed Layli Goobalay
100. 3/12/2002 Layli Goobalay on Italian National Radio

Social Community
Join us today

There are currently, 165 guest(s) and 0 member(s) that are online.

Nickname

Password

Don't have a REDSEA account yet? You can create one. It is a free!


What is new


[ News archive ]



REDSEA SHOP
Hargeysa


Hore u gaadh daarta Oriental Hotel


Sheeko iyo Shaahid
Check deadline

Sheeko iyo Shaahid
KULANKA 5aad
ee
TARTAN QARAMEEDKA CURINTA SUUGAANTA


Codka Somaliland

Weekly FM Radio
Minneapolis, USA
in every Sunday


Editor Pick

A brilliant work co-ordinated through many continents
by Rhoda A. Rage.

Read it more


Search With Google

Google

www
redsea-online.com