Somaliland: 90 Year Old Somali Writing in Arabic Script

This letter, penned by a husband in Berbera to his wife back in his home town Burao, carries quite a history and illustrates the Somali writing in Arabic script that is known as “Far Wadaad in Somali”. It was written about 90 years when the Somali language was not even officially written, by utilizing an Arabic script that some might have been proficient in it. As the letter indicates, at that time, it was difficult to get jobs in Berbera.

“Berbera to Burao 18 Dulqida 1351
May Allah protect my beloved wife Haban Wa’ays, Amen. In addition to this, I got what was in the letter you wrote to me. For all this time, I was hassling for you. It has been said: Oh Allah don’t punish someone who has known nothing of the situation; you wouldn’t get what I am up to. Know that I am about to come soon. Borrow for the kids from anyone. Recently Bakal was away in Kalabaydh, if he comes back get our loan from him”
your husband
Salad Dirir

“Berber to Burao 18 Sadatal 1351
Oridaydii wanaagsanayd Haban Wacays Eebahay ha dhawro, Aamiin. Intaas waxaa ii raaca, waraaqdaadii qortey wixii ku yiil gartey. Anigu intaas waxaan ku maqnaa carcararkiinuun. Waxaase la yidhi Eebow niman waxba ogeyn ha cadaabin, idinkuse iima war haysaan. Haatan muda laba dhawra inaan imaado ayaan ku wadaa sidaa u ogaada. Carruurtiina dhulkaas amaah uga qaad, ninkii Bakal waa dhowna waa Kalabaydh ku maqnaa hadduu yimaado amaahdeynu ku lahayn ka qaad.
Sidaa iyo nabad
Ninkaagii
Salad Dirir”

Ahmed J Yassin
Email; ajyassin4@gmail.com
Clinical Laboratory Professional MT(ASCP) & Somaliland case Advocate