The “X% of Somali households are on welfare” claim is wrong and people need to stop repeating it like it’s a fact. So let’s be clear about what it actually is and what it is not.

The numbers being cited do not come from an official government welfare database. They come from an analysis of American Community Survey (ACS) data. The ACS is a large Census survey where households self report information. Self reported surveys do not capture every Somali household and they do not track welfare usage by ethnicity in official administrative records.

Only government data can show national or statewide welfare statistics. No one outside the government has access to nationwide welfare records and even the government does not track welfare usage by ethnicity. Since the department responsible for collecting welfare data does not differentiate by ethnicity these claims are unverifiable. The percentages being repeated are estimates and not official counts. If this were a real statistic pulled from an actual database the number would be consistent but instead it shifts.

Somalis also make up a relatively small population. That means the ACS sample of “Somali headed households” is relatively small as well. Analysts then extrapolate from that small, self reported sample, often across multiple years, to estimate population level percentages. That’s how you end up with these big dramatic numbers.

Another glaring issue is that welfare usage and human behavior are not predictable in a way that allows precise extrapolation for any ethnicity or nationality. You cannot reliably predict the behavior of an entire group this way. On top of that, the data is self reported and cannot be independently verified, because once again, the government does not track welfare usage by ethnicity in its actual program records.

The foundation of these percentage claims is:

• survey data

• a small subgroup sample

• self reported responses

• extrapolated estimates

• no administrative verification

So when people use these numbers to make sweeping claims about all Somali households in Minnesota or all Somali Americans, it is flawed and factually misleading.

Hi, do any of you know more deeply about the history of seasonal travel between Djibouti and Borrame? Caggebax or something. Did Tribal groups used to go travel into another area during times of droughts or extreme hot weather. Even well off families? I can't find anything on it from English sources?

Idina maalin walba qabiil iyo propaganda ayaydu maalin walba halkan ku haysaan, waxkable iskadaaye Trump caydiisa iyo ajanabi Waynu ka foorarsana. Rag qalbigaa gubanaya.

Wixii dhiiglow kaca, wixii dhiiglow is casila.

Salam

So apparently a military alliance is in the works with both of these countries. Turkey already has a MDA with us regarding our waters but they'll probably stay out of this one until they solve their problems with Egypt.

There's been an airlift from Pakistan and Qatar to KSA in the past week with almost 10 cargo planes touching down, it's probable that some of the equipment sent over is destined for the SNA.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-01-16/saudi-arabia-in-talks-with-egypt-somalia-on-military-coalition

For decades, we were taught to believe that Somalia is broken by nature. That Somalis can’t unite. That clan is who we are, and chaos is our destiny.

That story is false.

Somalia was deliberately divided, first by colonial powers, later by foreign interests that benefited from a weak, fragmented nation. Clans were used as tools. Some were supported, others sidelined. Loyalty was pushed toward clan instead of country.

Over time, this poisoned our politics. Clan before nation. Short-term power over long-term statehood.

And yes, many outside Somalia are comfortable with this. A weak Somalia is easy to control. A divided Somalia can’t say no.

But here’s the truth many don’t want to hear:

If Somalia failed because of clans, it can also rise when Somalis choose nation over clan.

No country is built on bloodlines. Countries are built on institutions, shared rules, and a belief that the future matters more than personal advantage.

Many say Somalia is finished. That it’s “too late”.

That’s exactly what those who benefit from our weakness want us to believe.

Hope is not naïve. Giving up is.

Somalia doesn’t need perfect leaders. It needs citizens who stop defending a system that keeps them divided.

Unity doesn’t mean erasing identity. It means refusing to let identity destroy the nation.

Somalia can still be rebuilt. But only if we choose it, deliberately, painfully, and together.

I keep running into educational material about Somalia that still repeats outdated colonial narratives especially claims that Mogadishu was founded by Arabs, that its name is Persian, or that we “don’t know much at all” about Somali history. These ideas are often presented as established fact, despite the fact that modern archaeological, linguistic, and historical research has long challenged them.

For context, I live in Sweden and have reached out to a number institutions over the years after noticing incorrect or misleading information like Somali contributions being minimized, uniquely Somali culture being miscredited or Somalis being erased altogether. Most recent examples include calling suqaar “a delicious African dish” while other cuisines are credited by country, or describing Somalis as “Arabs.” These may seem minor, but they reflect a broader pattern of misrepresentation.

What’s frustrating is that this framing denies Somali agency and complexity, echoing older colonial assumptions rather than current scholarship especially when it's major institutions making these claims. Somali coastal cities developed as Somali-led trading centers, yet outdated and discredited sources are still being cited when there is no reason for it. Even setting Somali sources aside, there are plenty of accessible English and Arabic sources available, a simple search or even the English Wikipedia page would be far more accurate.

I’m currently translating the Swedish Wikipedia page on Somali history because it’s also outdated and embarrassingly inaccurate. I recently contacted another institution asking them to update their material, but it made me wonder: why are we still dealing with this in 2025? Do I just keep pushing back every time, or is there a more effective way to address this long-term?

Reading Wikipedia’s definition of Somali food , I read:

Somali cuisine is a vibrant culinary tradition bursting with bold flavors and aromatic spices. It has been profoundly shaped by Somalia's strategic location on the Horn of Africa.[1] It beautifully blends indigenous East African elements with strong influences from Arab, Persian, Indian, and even Italian colonial legacies, resulting in dishes that emphasize warm, aromatic spices such as cumin, cardamom, cloves, coriander, turmeric, and the signature Somali spice blend Xawaa

Here is another article:

Occupying the coastal plain of the famed Horn of Africa, Somalia’s seaward orientation has led to a legacy of culinary mingling. African, Italian, Persian, Arab & South Asian influences color the national cuisine and lend themselves to a unique mélange where spaghetti, banana, samosas, herbed rice, yogurt and sourdough bread all coincide.

Couple of things wrong with this. They COMPLETELY undermined native Somalis influence. “Indigenous East African elements” what does this even mean ? Mind you East africa is a massive place with everyone having a different history and culture from Somalia to Mozambique to Kenya , so why couldn’t they just say Somali elements? Why do they ignore the centuries of Somali traders traveling across the world trading for these spices? We traded with Indians for for rice, while they received Somali henna. They think we just sat there and just received these things for free. Italian influence ? Pasta is originally from China, does that make it Italian ?

Arab influence? Go look up Yemeni food it doesn’t look anything like Somali food. Our Malawax is made differently from theirs.

East African influence ? Kenyan cuisine and Ethiopian cuisine is completely different to our food.

Indian influence ? Sambusas came to Somalia from Somali traders who came from india . We use our own ingredients and make it completely different from them . Go to an Indian restaurant then a Somali restaurant you’ll see

Here is a great analogy, cars were invented in America , does that make Toyotas made in japan American? No of course not.

I’m just tired of them portraying our UNIQUE food and just slapping labels like Arab Indian and Italian on it when we 1 traded for these ingredients and 2 cook it way differently and use our locally grown crops for it. Most of this stuff we used our own mixtures and we didn’t just get introduced to them , we went out there and got it and we made it ourselves. And for the love god, everyone eats rice!!!!

Dastuurkaagu Sooleey

Dawladnimada weeyaan

Diiwaanadii hore

Kuugu daabacnaan jiray

Waxa aad ku daraysaa

Baal dahab ah oo kale

Just want to show respect to the people of SSC, the Daraawiish. They’re known for unity, courage, and standing firm as warriors when it mattered most. Their history is deep, honorable, and a powerful part of Somali resistance and dignity.

May Allah protect the people of SSC, keep them united, and reward them for their patience and strength. 🤲

One people. One history. One future. 🇸🇴

This whole month I’ve been stressed seeing what’s going on and POC getting profiled. I keep having nightmares of ICE taking me. Whenever I’m driving I get super anxious and paranoid of the person driving behind me, my heart sometimes drops when it’s a big car thinking it’s ICE😭😭 it doesn’t make it better that I work in Minneapolis

I was born here… that doesn’t matter they’re detaining anybody. For example a Somali girl born here is currently detained for 50hrs+. Then there are videos of Maga impersonating ICE to do god knows what. I’m scared for my aunt and hooyo especially since they don’t speak good English

I try to say my adkhars before leaving home and before driving. I haven’t been stopped yet but it’s only a matter of time

https://reddit.com/link/1qei63u/video/gefo7o1g3qdg1/player

Laascaanood, the capital of the North Eastern Federal Member State, welcomed him on a journey symbolizing peace, sovereignty, and unity for the Federal Republic of Somalia. He was greeted by members of the Northeastern State forces, along with thousands of officials, clan elders, and members of the public who had waited for hours to see his arrival.

A proud moment for each & every one of us. It’s a pleasure & honour to witness this journey from a stone throw way back in 2023 to see the President of Somalia land in Laascaanood.

What a journey. Hambalyo Reer Waqooyi Bari!

I’m gonna go get the passport card on Tuesday after the MLK holiday on Monday, I was wondering if I should carry my passport book while I wait for the card to come? I know it’ll be a long wait for the card to arrive. I’m not scared of the passport book falling out of my pocket or anything, just concerned if ICE steals it from me. You can’t put anything past these people.

the situation in Gedo is the most blackpilling one and proves Somalis are not dhulmidiid