A Love Letter to Friendship, Resilience, and the Rich Confusion of Identity
For five days between June 22 and 26, 2025, I wore a new name: Teacher. Though, depending on the tongue that called it. It sounded more like Tija! An affectionate Somali remix that danced its way into my headspace and refused to leave.
This wasn’t your typical training gig.
It was a twist of fate straight out of an African telenovela. Picture this: Abdihakim, whom I once supervised a decade ago, was now playing host and boss-man.
He invited me to train Somali government officials. A poetic role reversal worthy of Netflix rights.
Let me say it now: in my next life, I want to come back Somali. And Teacher. Why? Because Somali people carry the world in their heads, hearts, and passports.
Take Mohamoud.
Born in Garowe, schooled in Somali for primary school. Switched to English for secondary. Studied Health Sciences in Egypt, in Arabic.
Earned a Master’s in Nigeria, where he flirted with Igbo culture. Polished it off with a PhD in Turkey. After learning Turkish for a year. (Turkish! For a year!)
When I asked about his, um, less-than-British command of English. Despite the postdoc, he chuckled and blamed his English teacher. Who now works at General Mohamed Abshir Airport… as a porter.
Yes, the same man came to receive me at the airport. We couldn’t communicate much. Not for lack of effort. Just… syllables.
If that’s the guy who taught Mohamoud English, then he’s lucky to be stringing sentences at all.
The system, to quote Gen Z, did him dirty.
But here’s what’s profound: Mohamoud is not a victim. He is an emblem of Somali tenacity. Wearing the complexity of Somalia’s rich and dynamic history like a scholar’s gown.
He embodies the country’s intersections of culture, clan, and colonization.
His presence reflects its Islamic scholarship and global wanderlust. He represents its resilience through war, aid dependency, and regional diplomacy.
A bit of context on the region…
- Somalia has one of the longest coastlines in Africa. Brushing both the Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden. Not bad for a “Horn,” huh?
- Mogadishu was once a thriving center of trade. Visited by Arab merchants as early as the 10th century. That cultural interweaving never really left.
- Many Somalis identify more with Arab culture than sub-Saharan African identity. Speaking Arabic fluently. Following Gulf fashion trends. And consuming Middle Eastern media like its popcorn.
And yet, here’s the kicker! They are proudly Somali. A paradox? No. A masterclass in embracing complexity.
So, what can we learn…
- Embrace fluid identity. You don’t have to pick one cultural box. Boxes are for shoes.
- Language is not just grammar. It’s access, opportunity, and sometimes, a very awkward airport pickup.
- Resilience is learned. Often in the deep end. In a foreign tongue, with no floaters.
- Friendship transcends roles. From supervisee to supervisor. From Teacher to student. Tables keep turning. And thank God for it.
- Celebrate diversity with curiosity, not suspicion. Just because someone considers themselves more Arab doesn’t make them less African. Identity is not a zero-sum game.
As we closed the week, I felt a surge of gratitude. Not just for Abdihakim’s gesture or Mohamoud’s journey. But for the reminder that friendships forged in dusty corridors. Broken systems can come back full circle, bearing fruit.
If I return as a Somali teacher in my next life, I’ll take it gladly. Whether I’m speaking Somali, Arabic, Turkish, or English. You better call me Tija! with pride.
#Gratitude, #CrossCulturalFriendship, #SomaliStories, #ResilienceWithFlavor, #NextLifeSomaliTeacher
Joseph Ngaara is inspired by people’s life experiences. Do you have an intriguing life story and need to share your triumph or tragedy? Email: j.mungai@hotmail.co.uk
Thank you, Mr. Joseph, for your excellent facilitation and insightful guidance throughout the PMEL training. Your ability to break down complex concepts in planning, monitoring, evaluation, and learning into practical, real-world applications was truly impressive. The sessions on results-based management, logical frameworks, indicators, and data collection tools were particularly valuable.
I appreciate the interactive approach you used, which made the learning process engaging and impactful. This training has strengthened my capacity to design, monitor, and evaluate development projects more effectively.
Thank you once again for your dedication and professionalism.
Mahadsanid macallin Joseph.