A Dictionary of Patients' Spiritual & Cultural Values for Health Care ...

African CulturesSomali-American Culture* Somalia is a country that wraps around the Horn of Africa* Somalis may differ in nuances of local lifestyle, but share a uniform language, religion (Muslim) andculture, and trace their heritage to a common ancestor.* Since majority are Muslim, see Muslim information.DemographicsSymbolsClothing orAmuletsLanguageCommunicationDecisionmakingFamily structureFood practices/BeliefsGreetingsNonverbalSpokespersonTime orientation35,760 in the USCultural and Family StructureThe most widely recognized symbol is the camel, because it providestransportation, milk, meat, income, and status to a majority of Somalis.Muslim women cover hairBaby/child may wear bracelet made from string and herbs to ward away EvilEyeWomen may carry a metal object, often a knife, with her at all times to wardoff Evil EyeSomali, the national languageMany social norms are delivered from Islamic traditionCommon greeting is salam alechem (‚God bless you‛) and to shake handIslamic tradition is that men and women do not touch each otherUsually male head of familyLarge extended family includes clans and sub-clansMuslim prohibitions will separate adult men and women in most spheres oflifeMay have religious restrictionsRight hand is considered the clean and polite hand to use for daily taskssuch as eating, writing and greeting peopleOldest male in the family48