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The Last Nomad


In her brilliant memoir, Salh chronicles the unique survival skills and folklore...
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What are some differences Salh observes in Canada, and what skills and strategies did she lean on in her new environment? Have you ever had to adjust to a different society and culture?

Created: 08/25/22

Replies: 5

Posted Aug. 25, 2022 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
davinamw

Join Date: 10/15/10

Posts: 3442

What are some differences Salh observes in Canada, and what skills and strategies did she lean on in her new environment? Have you ever had to adjust to a different society and culture?

When the author landed in Canada during the winter, she had never seen snow before, let alone any of the things most people in North America take for granted, like elevators and washing machines.


Posted Aug. 26, 2022 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
TonyiaR

Join Date: 06/27/21

Posts: 10

RE: What are some differences Salh ...

She use he nomadic skills for getting around, the kindness of people to confide in with people and share stories, the need for independence (like Ethiopian women she me), willingness to exploration, defining what she wanted her world to be (abandoned some Somalia traditions, like dating Ethiopian. She thought of her grandmother and mother’s strong skills; independence, defining their lives and not having a man to tell her what to do all the time. I feel I adjust to White American values, culture all the time. I had to adjust to my husband’s Jamaican culture with his family, food, dress, celebrations/festivities and changed role of men with children (like involved more with caring for their children, like feeding, changing a diaper, dressing.


Posted Aug. 26, 2022 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
Gabi

Join Date: 02/22/21

Posts: 99

RE: What are some differences Salh ...

Salh’s innate curiosity, sense of adventure and observational skills (the later developed when herding goats and exploring the desert) served her well when it came to watching and understanding her new environment (for example, riding an escalator, mastering public transportation). Her early dedication to learning, whether it be her desert role or in the school room, propelled her to excel initially in her ESL and high school classes and then university. In the education system, she not only learned but found her community which also helped her adapt.

As part of a corporate expat family, my childhood until university was spent outside the US. With each new country (and there were 3), there was an adjustment period as we learned about our new home’s culture. My Mom who loved meeting new people (even when hindered by language), trying new things, and embracing daily adventures set the positive tone for our family’s adjustment. Ironically, the hardest adjustment I had was “coming back” to the US (the fourth country) by myself where it was assumed I would fit in because I was an American. Instead, I had a 17 year gap in American culture and history - I knew next to nothing about US pop culture, I knew more about Global events than US events, the food was different, etc. I was lost…and quite honestly, hated it until I realized I needed to approach my transition like I did in the other foreign countries…I had to learn about what was supposedly my culture and society. At least…I knew the language.


Posted Aug. 27, 2022 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
carriem

Join Date: 10/19/20

Posts: 237

RE: What are some differences Salh ...

Salh uses the skills learned early in life as nomad thus having the determination to find her way around a new city and asserting herself to her teacher Rosalyn when she needed help who gladly helps academically and emotionally... She had to rescue herself from Sada who was determined to keep her locked in at home or as Salh saw it a cage and the skills she learned from her grandmother gave her that strength to secretly pack her bags and run away and evenly marry with her family permission and start a new life. I never had to adjust to a different culture but both of my parents were immigrants.


Posted Aug. 28, 2022 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
djcminor

Join Date: 03/14/19

Posts: 208

RE: What are some differences Salh ...

I can't imagine what a shock it must have been to land in Canada. For Shugri, a washing machine was a wonder! Then her sister uses her like a maid, giving her more chores than she can possibly accomplish. At first, Shugri does her best to accomplish all the tasks, but there are far too many. Shugri's skills from the nomadic life do help her because she figures out how to get around in Canada even though that first bus ride made her extremely anxious.


Posted Aug. 29, 2022 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
scgirl

Join Date: 06/05/18

Posts: 245

RE: What are some differences Salh ...

Shugri wrote that even Kenya was more advance technologically than Somali, so her time in Canada came as quite a shock. Her family was relatively poor but still had comforts that she was surprised at - especially the washer and dryer since she had always had to wash clothes by hand. Her trip on the bus was confusing as she didn't know how to open the door when she needed to.

I have never really had to adjust to a different society and culture. We moved to South Carolina from Maryland and while there were differences, it was not a drastic change.


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