The Poetry of Gurracan Used for Women

The Somali poetry is one of the tools used to convey the history of the Somali people, their behavior, their social thinking, how they coexist, and their overall ethics. Poetry, as a rule, is a vessel that preserves the intellect, culture, and experiences of both the living and those who lived before. Poetic speech that is passed down from generation to generation bequeaths wisdom and knowledge to society; it can also keep alive perspectives worthy of reconsideration.

If we simply define it, poetry is a speech expressed artistically, with a feeling or a manner different from ordinary speech. It is divided into two main categories: verse and prose. The verse includes poetry, couplets, ballads, and modern songs. Prose includes proverbs, storytelling, anecdotes, and traditional wisdom.

Somali poetry is rich in describing goodness and narrating the lives of the Somali people. It showcases the beauty of the environments, the animals that people raise, the matters they share, and the relationships between men and women.

When specifically looking at women's poetry, there are many sayings and verses that criticize Somali women. Some of the proverbs, songs, and poems portray women as individuals lacking broad thinking or reliable intellect. They draw a general conclusion about their intelligence and capabilities, without considering that every girl is a person with intellect, thoughts, and the ability to influence her life.

This type of poetry can create a sense of inferiority in Somali women that they do not deserve. It may happen that a girl growing up, when she hears many times that women cannot do anything or that their advice cannot be taken, becomes hesitant to express her opinion. These sayings can also be used to silence women who want to speak about their rights, needs, and things they are not satisfied with.

Women and men are people created by God, each with rights and responsibilities. The Somali girl, like other women in the world, wants to play a role in her life, while holding onto her religion, doing what God commands, and avoiding what He forbids.

However, there are situations where a girl faces negative perceptions from society. What she sees as wrong is sometimes presented as right, using proverbs and poems as justification. Now, let us look at some of the proverbs used for women:

“Women are children with big feet.”

“The reward belongs to men, and the call belongs to women.”

“Men are few in wisdom, and women are not present.”

“If a family wants to be led astray, it is the aunt who takes the lead.”

“Men speak, while women are in business.”

“The girl is in a bad place.”

“A meeting of women exceeding five is a misfortune.”

“Neither your uncle nor your wife should be overly strong.”

“Men distinguish with a stick, while women are with a rope.”

“Your sister is not trustworthy, so do not rely on her.”

“A woman's secret cannot be reached.”

“Women and children should not play with each other.”

“Women and a little bit of wealth do not exist.”

“A woman's voice and the rain from the sky cannot be predicted.”

“If you are a woman and you are rejected, the men who came after you are not the ones you knew.”

“A fool and a woman do not rise from the ground.”

“Advice falls upon women as a burden.”

“A woman is brought into a gathering with lies, but she is treated with truth.”

“A woman does not think of a man she knows.”

“Women and donkeys both benefit from the wilderness.”

“A woman is a calamity that is needed.”

“Your secret is not to be told to a woman.”

“A woman's tongue is a sword that does not spare.”

“A girl can give birth to a man.”

“In a small family, a woman is often neglected.”

These proverbs and many others are used against women. If read carefully, it becomes apparent that many of them describe women in a negative light. Some compare women to children; others distance them from advice, leadership, or confidence. Thus, a brief statement can become a general judgment used to evaluate women, instead of considering each individual's intellect and achievements.

Aside from the proverbs, there are poems and songs that discuss women, which some poets and artists have described as things to be avoided. Among them is this verse:

Poem: “If women are relied upon for advice”

If women are relied upon for advice, they will be lost,

Wherever they turn, they will all be confused,

They will lead you into darkness and a pit,

They laugh at you at first, then they will betray you,

Women are their own intellect, caught between two extremes.

Song:

She is a woman,

And women are children,

When they enter your home,

And during the nights with you,

A spirit sings for them.

These verses show us that Somali women are often spoken of in ways that do not honor them in parts of the literature. This statement can be further reinforced as proverbs, poems, or songs can easily stick in memory, and then be repeated without considering the negative perspective they convey about women.

It is also worth remembering that Somali women are not only subjects of literature. They have also created, performed, and passed down songs and poems. One of the records of Somali songs mentions 193 songs created by Somali women. This creative role expands the image of women as seen in literature.

If the earlier generation of Somalis spoke so poorly of women, today it is evident the role women play in various aspects of life, whether in politics, education, work, or community care. They undertake significant tasks that are indispensable. Therefore, the current generation is tasked with reflecting on and reconsidering the derogatory remarks that have been used against women, and to avoid perpetuating phrases laden with contempt. Literature can be preserved, while at the same time thoughtfully analyzing the ideas and content it conveys.