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The Last Nomad


In her brilliant memoir, Salh chronicles the unique survival skills and folklore...
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The author begins each chapter with a Somali proverb. Did any of these ring true to you or remind you of proverbs you have heard from your own culture? Which proverbs resonated with you the most?

Created: 08/25/22

Replies: 12

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

Join Date: 10/15/10

Posts: 3442

The author begins each chapter with a Somali proverb. Did any of these ring true to you or remind you of proverbs you have heard from your own culture? Which proverbs resonated with you the most?

The author was exposed to Somalia's rich oral tradition as a nomad and begins each chapter with a Somali proverb. Did any of these ring true to you or remind you of proverbs you have heard from your own culture? Which proverbs resonated with you the most?


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

Join Date: 01/22/18

Posts: 187

RE: The author begins each chapter with ...

The proverbs in Chapers 2, 4 and 9 are already underlined. Chapter 4's made me smile and 9 made me think and reflect. They did not remind me of any from my family but some had similarities to others I've heard and read.


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

Join Date: 09/21/21

Posts: 22

RE: The author begins each chapter with ...

Right off the bat, the first 'Alongside with me, mother gave birth to an indomitable will.' For myself, I can often be heard telling of my life with a quote from one of my most loved novels, the last line from 'A Woman of Substance', by Barbara Taylor Bradford, 'It is to endure.'


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

Join Date: 02/22/21

Posts: 99

RE: The author begins each chapter with ...

“As each elephant can easily spot the flea on another elephant’s back, so some men can only find fault with others but not with themselves.” (Chapter 9)

This proverb resonated with me as passing judgment without listening and attempting to understand others is seemingly pervasive in the US right now.


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

Join Date: 06/27/21

Posts: 10

RE: The author begins each chapter with ...

I loved the proverbs and the beginning of each chapter. It reminded me of proverbs or words of wisdom my parents would bestow upon us as children to answer questions to deal with life and relationships. Most of the proverbs were saying from our culture that was passed down orally from our African American culture (verse of songs, or sayings) or from the Bible. I can relate to the prover “Only a mother is indispensable.” Mother’s did and sacrificed so much for her children and family, always put others first. It was expected. My mother changed her role as a mother after her daughters graduated from college. She wanted the same opportunities that my father was offering his daughters, like education, lead personal activities and careers.


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

Join Date: 02/06/17

Posts: 438

RE: The author begins each chapter with ...

This was one of my very favorite parts of Sahl's story. It really drove home the importance of storytelling and oral tradition in Somali culture. I find it interesting, given the attitudes expressed toward women, that "Men still blame Eve for everything" is included in this list! In my experience, proverbs teach us new ways of doing or express the importance of a certain behavior. In my mind the word blame would cause me to take a second look at myself (if someone quoted this to me) and check my actions and/or attitude. I didn't get the sense that too many Somali men, at this time, did that! Perhaps this is a proverb shared among women- -said in the same way a southerner might say "bless his heart".


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

Join Date: 10/19/20

Posts: 237

RE: The author begins each chapter with ...

In reflecting on the proverbs, there were a number that spoke to me, and I can see how others would speak to other readers. Three in particular grabbed my attention. “Men still blame Eve for everything” Even today, even though women are accomplished in many areas, in some areas men have the dominant voice, and too many men are still trying to blame women when things go wrong. “Be a mountain yourself; or lean on something like it” We are sounding boards for one another, and we seek both to provide advice and assistance to others, as we also accept advice and assistance. “Necessity is inescapable knot” We do what we must do, and suffer what we must, even though it’s not the best for us [we may not think it’s the best or want to it happen].


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

Join Date: 07/14/12

Posts: 94

RE: The author begins each chapter with ...

I really enjoy books that begin each chapter with a proverb. I try to pause and reflect why the saying will be apt. The two that came to mind (without looking back) are "Men still blame Eve for everything." and "A centipede does not limp for losing a single leg." The first, I think, is self explanatory. The second tells us not to let setbacks deter us from accomplishing our goal.


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

Join Date: 05/07/13

Posts: 105

RE: The author begins each chapter with ...

"Only a mother is indispensable." I received a baby gift almost 50 years ago on motherhood which is full of meaningful quotes for young moms. This proverb reminded me one of the ones in that book. "A mother's heart is a child's classroom."
I have lived through "the golden years" grieving the loss of friends and family members. I have seen through the news all forms of senseless tragedy. When I read"A centipede does not limp for losing a single leg," I thought how true. I also related to the proverb "Oh lord! How sad is the soul that leaves its native land." Immigrants look to America as a place of hope. How sad it is that the ideology of America First is so prevalent.


Posted Aug. 30, 2022 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
scgirl

Join Date: 06/05/18

Posts: 245

RE: The author begins each chapter with ...

I loved this facet of the book as well as how the proverbs had something to do with the chapter. Some quotes which stand out -
"Men still blame Eve for everything." This sadly still seems true.
"Don't ever dig a treacherous hole in the ground; and if you do, do not make it a bottomless pit, for you might just end up in it." This reminds me of "Don't cut off your nose to spite your face."


Posted Sep. 05, 2022 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
Elizabeth

Join Date: 07/10/19

Posts: 54

RE: The author begins each chapter with ...

I love the proverb that begins chapter 9 on p.189. It is reminiscent of the saying, "People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones." It is so easy to find fault with others but to be blind to your own faults.


Posted Sep. 06, 2022 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
Jessica F

Join Date: 05/23/20

Posts: 165

RE: The author begins each chapter with ...

I loved that she opened each chapter with a proverb. It really added to the cultural importance of the nomadic oral traditions. I did not grow up with these kind of teachings, but I did get a kick out of Chapter 4: "Men still blame Eve for everything."


Posted Sep. 07, 2022 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
BJHB

Join Date: 02/05/20

Posts: 19

RE: The author begins each chapter with ...

I disagree with the chapter 3 proverb, “ Only a mother is indispensable”. Perhaps during breast feeding this is true, but mothers can be replaced later in life sometimes with little consequence. In Chapter 11, I’m not sure I understand the proverb, “Necessity is an inescapable knot.”


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