article

Dualism in Somali notions of power

Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland • 93 • Published In 1963 • Pages: 109-116

By: Lewis, I. M..

Abstract

Somali distinguish sharply between secular and religious power. Feuds between lineages and DIA-paying groups are decided through physical fighting. The victory of a group is never attributed to supernatural power but plainly to superior strength in number of warriors. Religious power is considered to be purely a matter of men of religion (sheikhs and waadads) who at least ideally are not involved in feuds and fighting. Through their religious power they are able to call blessings on people from God, which the average man, as warrior, can do insufficiently, only. Sorcery is of little significance amongst the Somali, who apparently due to their pre-occupation with physical fighting have little need for means of spiritual aggression. Cursing is, however, feared from Sab-bondsmen, who, as a numerically small and economically dependent group, can never take up physical fighting against a Somali-group.

HRAF PubDate

1997

Region

Africa

Sub Region

Eastern Africa

Document Type

article

Evaluation

Creator Type

Ethnologist

Document Rating

4: Excellent Secondary Data

5: Excellent Primary Data

Analyst

John Beierle ; Sigrid Khera ; 1970-1974

Field Date

1955-1957

Coverage Date

not specified

Coverage Place

Somalia, Djibouti, and southeastern Ethiopia

Notes

by I. M. Lewis

Includes bibliographical references (p. 116)

LCCN

sn79006341

LCSH

Somalis