First and fore most, I must confess that Awdalites are smooth talkers and good communicators. They seem to have both the knowledge and the ability to use persuasive language. They surely have all that makes a good story teller. Depending on the period of time (past, present or the future) in discussion, they get the attention of the listener right from the start and let their emotions talk. They know to deal with negative questions and surely get what ever story into your head.
Ask any Awdalite about the past of Awdalland, and right away he/she gets all geared up, grabs your attention right from the start and finishes with out you scratching your ears and feeling no dull moment. With dynamic voice, he/she tells you all past events whole heartedly with obvious pride. To the Awdalite, it is like words come naturally and with ease puts the right sentences together. Looking you in the eyes, the Awdalite comfortably mentions facts, figures, events and exact dates with supporting poems and sayings of the time.
We (Awdalites) had it all in the 11th – 12th centuries starts the Awdalite, a renowned empire in the horn of Africa stretching from the Red sea to the Hawas Valley with Zeila and Harar as its most famous centers of trade and education and continues telling all about the history of the empire year in year out with out missing an event or a poem.
While listening, you can tell that the words are coming from some where deep down in the heart, and can detect the pride and the energy the Awdalite is feeling. An Awdalite is always honored to speak and to have a chance to reflect the rich heritage of Awdal. An Awdalite talks about the legends that made possible the Adel Empire, and is always proud to mention that it was a legacy made strong through leadership consultations and unity of people working together for a common cause. An Awdalite talks comfortably about the bravery of the people of Adel who defended the empire and who maintained dignity, faith and a vibrant culture which produced great leaders and people who had stood up to challenges.
An Awdalite talks with confidence about the pride of our fore fathers and always mentions the brave nationalists who made the Europeans sign a well thought set of agreements before they were let into Awdal. It is the pride of any Awdalite to always mention the brave people of Adel who demanded the Europeans wash their feet before getting on their boats to avoid taking anything with them including Awdal soil. It was as recent as yesterday when talking about the pride of our fathers, an Awdalite told a story of a proud Awdal citizen accused of cutting trees and arrested by the British in colonial times who told the British judge that he had cut the trees and will cut the trees because "the trees grew in Eeg but not in England" and reminded the judge to mind his own business in the UK. After a long talk, "Adel was our empire and every Awdalite was a prince/princess" concludes the proud orator from Awdal.
One thing obvious from these stories is that they serve as an inspiration to commemorate the contributions of our fore fathers to the history of Awdal.
Shift the gear to the present (current) affairs of Awdal, and all of a sudden the energy of the Awdalite evaporates into thin air. The fast moving car gets a flat tire and slows down. The steering wheel becomes uncontrollable and the car moves all ways. The dynamic voice becomes husky and muffled. The proud Awdalite looks at you with a certain grudging respect and not looking you in the eye. The words come out with hesitation like a tape recorder with low batteries. The Adel genius stands still trembling and trying to choke back the tears. The only thing coming out of the mouth becomes ahs, ums, you know and sentences that make no sense at all.
You wonder what happened to the great communicator from Awdal, and all of a sudden complete sentences that make sense hit your ears. The Awdalite gets into a defensive mode, throws blames on every body and on all kinds of things for the cause of the poor present situation of Awdal. With shrill voice the Awdalite curses nation after nation, the most going to the British and the French. The son/daughter of Adel bites lips. The prince/princess of Adel feels shame. Gloom and frustration descends on the proud Awdalite and tells you through facial expressions that the topic is no longer fun and entertaining. "We shall over come" becomes the favorite repeating word and then slips into bla …bla …bla kind of talk. You realize it is time to digress for a moment.
Change the course to the future, and all of a sudden life comes back to the frustrated Awdalite. The Awdalite becomes energetic and the dynamic voice comes back. You realize the Awdalite is ready for another round of pride talk. You wait for a moment and after a deep breath the Awdalite proudly starts talking. The revived Awdalite again grabs your attention by saying "History repeats itself", you then eagerly listen and a series of "one day" begins. "One day Awdal Empire will come back." ….. "One day we will be respected again." …One day this … one day that…" You wonder when this "one day" is. The Awdalite never stops talking and never mentions when the "one day" is. As soon as you open your mouth to ask when this one day is supposed to come, the Awdalite begins another one day series. So, you are left only to listen.
Among the favorite "one day" series:
One day, Awdal will be a force like it used to be.
One day, Awdal will be respected like it used to be.
One day, Awdal will have its leader.
One day, people of Awdal will unite for the common good.
One day, we will be princes and princesses again in Awdalland.
One day, people of Awdal will take their destiny into their hands and pave their way to prosperity.
One day, Awdal will become the leader of the Somaliland regions politically and economically.
One day, towns and villages of Awdal will be connected with each other by high ways built by our engineers.
One day, Awdal Universities will lead Somaliland in education.
These are just a few of the one day series any Awdalite tells you when it comes to the future of Awdal.
Listening to the "one day" series is like music to my ears. I even developed my own "one day" series.
Add my own "one day" series to the above and you wonder more when this "one day" will come.
Check out my "one day" series:
One day Awdal will be fully developed with its highways covering corner to corner
One day Awdal will have its own health care system accessible and free to all
One day Awdal's education system will be among the best in the world, free to all
One day Awdal will be fully employed with no worries for any one to be left behind
One day Awdal will have its own welfare system and will be able to care for its elders
One day Awdal destiny will be in the hands of its people and will wait for no minister from Hargeisa for a hand out or approval
One day Awdal will develop its coastal resorts and ports and will never be abused for using other ports.
These are a few of the hundreds of "one day" series I developed after Awdal talk observations. Dare to compare the above scenarios and choose the best that suits you. As far as I am concerned; the past is gone and only serves as an inspiration to commemorate the contributions of our fore fathers to the history of Awdal despite odd challenges. The present is boring, degrading and even shame to Awdal and hence, I don't like it. I kind of like the future. The "one day" sounds good and I want that to come. I want to be a proud prince of Awdal again. I want to see Awdal in prosperity where follow Awdalites are happy. I want to see strong Awdal with its great leader again. I want to Awdal myself from the North American cold, retire in Hindheysa and rest in my Borama. I want to vacation in the coastal resorts of Lowyacado and Zeila. I very much want this "one day" to come, and the sooner the better for us all.
Because of my liking of this "one day", it is like it will never come. I tried to figure out when this "one day" is. Whether in the office or at home, I always think about it and try to figure out the "one day" Awdalites are talking about. But to no avail. I gave up and decided to go public. My fellow Awdalites if you please happen to know or can figure out when is this great "one day", please share and let me know. You might even win a prize and your calculations will be printed in Warsan Magazine, a multi-lingual magazine which is published in Ottawa.
In conclusion:
Reer Awdalow, please help me figure out when is this famous "one day."
I don't know much. The only one thing I know for sure is the fact that I can not get there if not together with my fellow Awdalites.
Suleiman Abdi Dugsiye Ottawa, Canada
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