Damal – plenty of Mayrax is gathered from this tree. Mayrax is obtained by a long process of separating very thin threads from the bark and branches of the trees. It is used making Kebdaha (sing. Kebed) - which has various uses but is widely used for loading camels or building houses.
Galool – Mayrax is obtained from this tree and it is used as ood – an enclosure for animals. Walking sticks and Hangools are usually preferred to be obtained from the branches of this tree and it is also widely used for building huts.
Dhirindhir – a white liquidy gum substance used as glue is obtained from this shrub. It is also widely used for making enclosures for animals and around the huts.
This tree is widely used for stopping bleeding. I’ve forgotten the name unfortunately. It is used widely by women after birth to stop post natal bleeding.
Bilcil – The bark of this tree is used as Culay to clean the utensils such as Haan, Hadhuub, etc. Goats prefer this tree, for when the leaves fall off, the earth becomes decorated with plenty of them and a feast for goats.
Higlo - This tree’s leaves never fall off come rain or shine. It stays green throughout and lives for a very long time – staying the same throughout. if I were to go to this place in Manshax twenty years later, this tree would still be as in this picture. Camels love eating the leaves of this tree.
Meygaag – This tree is present everywhere in Sool. The dried twigs of this tree are put in the fire for a while and then inserted in the Hadhuub and shaken vigorously – this is called Culay. It is also used to obtain tooth brushes.
Qudhac – An omnipresent tree as the Meygaag. Mayrax is also obtained from this tree. It also bears small fruits known as Qubca which animals love. The Mayrax is made into Kebdo for decorating huts. It is also used to make ood.
You never fail to impress the rest of us man,
as brotha I can only be proud and follow your steps to find the brighter side of our culture. Please let me know where I can buy your books, if u havent published a book already I seriously believe that u should get to it. Stuff I see in this blog is something that should be heard and see by our people and society at large.
Peace, love, and success!
Kulmiye, Thank you very much for the very kind comment walaal. I can only wish to be well-informed about the Somali culture – it is so huge and encompasses a great many things that are now unknown to many of us. But insha-Allah I will post whatever little information I find and share it with you. I do not possess enough knowledge and/or information about the culture to be writing a book about it, but insha-Allah I would love to do that, with some help of course. We will see how things go…
The write up is very resourceful and educative for the young people in towns who have not had the chance to see their culture:bravo
I am doing some project on somali containers, if you the tree used to make diil and surma and traditional baskets please send to me through my email.
these website is very rescourceful; thank you whoever wrote this. i have a project on Somalia and i found this website very useful. Thanks!! :) :) :)
Walaal Shafi,
I wish that many more younger Somalis were as passionate about their culture as you are. As an American who is interested both Somali language and culture, it disappoints me to see Somalis my age who speak less Somali that I do.
Waxaan rabaa inaan barto afka iyo dhaqanka oo dhan.
Waad mahadsantahay!
PLEASE IN NEED THIS TREE (GARASH)
Hello, I was curious if you knew if there was a different name for the talal tree. I just finished a book that has them in it but I can’t find a photo representation or any other info about them.
Sincerely,
Ben Curkendall
Thank you for this very helpful post. Would be grateful if anyone can tell me more about this tree, the boa-boa (boc-boc in Somali spelling?). Apparently it is also known as the Dharkayn tree, and the district of Dharkenley was named after the tree. Can anyone verify this, please? Thank you.