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Black History Month 2018

Mohamud used to be a leader in his community and was Chief of his tribe. He was used to making decisions and leading others… Sometimes he is very homesick, and dreams of returning to his homeland.

Mohamud Guild lives at Bustaan Raada, Gateway’s Somali sheltered scheme in Bethnal Green. Older people choose these schemes to benefit from living in a like-minded community with a scheme coordinator on hand to support them to overcome any language or cultural barriers.

Mohamud arrived in the UK at the time of the London 7/7 bombings in 2007. He arrived to join his son, who had been injured in the Somalian Civil War and had come over to the UK after that. Mohamud is from the Northern part of Somalia known as Somaliland.

This area used to be a British protectorate until June 1960. Four days later it united with Somalia to become one country known as the Republic of Somalia. However there was unrest following the unification of the two countries which culminated in a Civil War in 1991. The northern region is now again a semi-autonomous country known as Somaliland, however it is not internationally recognised.

Mohamud said that he found the UK very different; the climate, the language, the religion and culture. It took a long time to integrate and adapt. Many Somalis from his generation still struggle to integrate, primarily due to the language barrier.

Mohamud used to be a leader in his community and was Chief of his tribe. He was used to making decisions and leading others. He now struggles as he has to ask others for help and call his granddaughter to go with him for appointments. Sometimes he sits in his room and doesn’t know what to do with himself.

Sometimes he is very homesick, and dreams of returning to his homeland. He goes back to Somaliland but only for short holidays, as the fact he is a pensioner and receives benefits means he can’t spend too long out of the country.

Mohamud lived in a nomadic society in Somaliland. The tribe would move around with the cattle, herding them to different areas for food. He traded in camels, sheep, milk and sent these to other Arab countries. This lifestyle was a great source of pride for Mohamud and his tribe. He was proud to lead his community, and enjoyed a simple existence living off the land. The culture in Somaliland is polite, down to earth and generous. People take care of each other and share everything they have.

Mohamud said, “When you come back to the same place you left ten, twenty years ago and reflect on what you used to have, it’s a very powerful feeling. You remember simple tasks you used to do, such as milking a camel. It takes you back to the life you used to live. That feeling is something you have to live with, once you have left”.

“The Civil War meant you had to go. There was nothing left, you couldn’t stay in a war zone. But it was a forced journey.  I never wanted to leave my country. I was lucky enough to have family in the UK who brought me here.”

Mohamud feels there is a strong Somali community here in the UK, and he is proud to be a British Somali. He has celebrated Black History Month before, and enjoyed the music, food and dancing. He enjoys the chance to celebrate his identity. He feels it’s important for everyone to know their history, and know who they are.

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