Somalia-A Cultural Analysis
Somalia is a formerly colonized country on the western coast of Africa. Its sovereign history began in 1960 and it has had a rich and interesting history ever since. This essay will serve as a cultural analysis and will cover several key points. These points include the history of Somalia, the major characteristics that define the culture of Somalia, how these characteristics should be considered in the planning and execution of company level operations, how they are similar and different from common American characteristics and values, and how these similarities and differences can affect future relations and strategic planning. Finally, the conclusion will summarize the key points and discuss closing remarks.
History
Somalia lies on the northeastern edge of the African coast in the Somali Peninsula which is also known as the Horn of Africa. Its northern boundary is the Gulf of Aden, its eastern boundary is the Indian Ocean, its western boundary is Djibouti and Ethiopia, and its southern boundary is Kenya (Somalia History). The land area of Somalia comprises nearly 250,000 square miles of the African coast and is roughly the size of the U.S. State of Texas (Somalia History).
Somalia’s climate is very hot with alternating seasons of wet and dry. Plant life is relatively thin and spread out with the exceptions of the coastal and river regions. These areas provide water and plant life that is suitable for livestock to thrive. There are two rivers in Somalia. Their names are the Jubba and the Shabeelle. Both rivers originate in Ethiopia and make their way down into the country of Somalia. Only the Jubba flows all the way to the Indian Ocean however, as the Shabeele runs in a ...
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...ven a written language. The themes of Somali poetry include politics, history, and philosophy (Somalia History). Another classic and popular form of literature includes the glorification of people and animals. More modern novels depict the struggles of modern Somali people and more specifically Somali women. In addition to literature, Somali people are also fond of the stage play and often attend the theatre.
Works Cited
Manuszak, J.T. 1994. The United States Army in Somalia 1992-1994. http://www.history.army.mil/brochures/Somalia/Somalia.htm#p5. Electronic
Somalia. 2014. 2 June 2014. http://www.everyculture.com/Sa-Th/Somalia.html. Electronic
Somalia History. 2014. 2 June 2014. http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/Africa/Somalia-HISTORY.html. Electronic
U.S. Army. Army Doctrine Publications 5-0. Washington D.C..: Department of the Army, 2012. Print
Civil War is another shared similarity between both Somalia and the United States. In 1991, following the overthrow of the dictator, Siad Barre, Somalia descended into anarchy. With no government presence to maintain some type of order, clan-based warlords began competing with each other, thus beginning civil unjust. While northern parts of Somalia, as well as the self-declared “Republic of Somaliland,” have remained somewhat peaceful, internal fighting flares up with little to no warning. Since 1991, it is estimated that 350, 000 to 1,000,000 Somalia’s have died due to the lack...
In order to understand the full scope of genocide in Somalia and how it will affect other countries, we must understand their culture. This way you can determine if any outside assistance, such as the United States giving aid, would be accepted or unwanted. Cultural knowledge can also give outside countries insight to “how” and “when” relationships can` be established.
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Where is Honduras located? What are some main landforms? What food do Hondurans eat? What language do Hondurans speak? How did Honduras become Honduras? These are all questions you might have, and in this paper all will be answered. You will learn more about the geography, society, people, their lifestyles, and the history of Honduras.
Africa has a regular coastline characterized by few indentations. Because of the smooth coastline, natural harbors were non-existent. Today, however, there are important coastal cities, such as Lagos and Dakar. With the exception of the Mediterranean coast, most of the coastline is low-lying , generally narrow and rising sharply to high elevations. The African climate and topography varies greatly. Although temperatures are usually high, due to being so close to the equator, rainfall, soil quality and elevations are of various degrees. Because most of the African continent has not been covered by water for millions of years, soils have developed according to their weathering e...
Liberia owes its establishment to the American Colonization Society; founded in 1816 to resettle freed American slaves in Africa. An attempt at colonization in Sierra Leone had failed in 1815. Six years later native rulers granted a tract of land on Cape Mesurado, at the mouth of the Saint Paul River, to U.S. representatives, and the first Americo-Liberians, led by Jehudi Ashmun, began the settlement. In 1824 an American agent for the society, Ralph Randolph Gurley, named the new colony Liberia and the Cape Mesurado settlement Monrovia. Other separate settlements were established along the coast during the next 20 years. Soon, however, conflicts arose between the settlers and the society in the United States. By the time Joseph Jenkins Roberts became the first black governor in 1841, the decision had been made to give the colonists almost full control of the government. A constitution modeled on that of the United States was drawn up, and Liberia became an independent republic in July 1847. Roberts was its first president, serving until 1856. Liberia was recognized by Britain in 1848, by France in 1852 and by the United States in 1862. The Americo-Liberian communities eked out a precarious existence during the 19th century. Claims over i nterior territory were disputed not only by the indigenous Mandinka (also known as Mandingo or Malinke), Kru, and Gola peoples, but also by European states that did not recognize Liberian jurisdiction over the interior. U.S. support led to a series of agreements with Britain and France between 1892 and 1911, which marked the present boundaries. (Liberian control over the interior peoples, however, was not completely assured until the 1940s.) Loans from Britain and the United States partially eased the country's financial difficulties. Liberia declared war on Germany on August 14, 1917, which gave the Allies an additional base in West Africa during World War I (1914-1918). In 1926 the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company opened a rubber plantation on 400,000 hectares (1 million acres) of land granted by the Liberian government the year before. Rubber production became the mainstay of the nation's economy.
The importance of culture in International business today cannot be underestimated and it is imperative that attention is paid at strategic, organizational and the individual levels. The “Blue Ridge Spain” case elucidates these at all three levels. My analysis of this case is from the perspective of the Spanish corporation, Terralumen S.A. National culture is the shared implicit beliefs and tacit values that truly differentiate one cultural group from another. I will be using Geert Hofstede’s frame work to deconstruct this case into its separate dimensions.
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Ethiopia was the second country, after Armenia, to adopt Christianity as the official religion. Approximately two thirds of the Ethiopian population is Christian; among them, the majority belongs to the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church. Religion plays a major role in everyday life. Moreover, "the Orthodox Church dominates the political, cultural and social life of the population" (A-Z World Culture). Religious life is an important value to the Christian community. Holidays and Festivals are celebrated with great and colorful events. Important Christian holidays include Meskal (Finding of the True Cross), Gena (Christmas), Timkat (Epiphany), and Fasika (Easter). During these festivities, government offices, banks, business offices and retail stores are usually closed. For the three-day celebration of the Christ’s baptism, the Orthodox community gathers in churches for a mass service. As explained in the A-Z World Culture website, the event is celebrated “with colorful and dramatic processions attended by devotees and priests”. The procession is then followed by loud singing and blowing of horns while the priests and members of the Church carry the Tabot (replica of the Ark of the Covenant). Ethiopian Christians’ devotion to religious life is also seen during the fasting periods. For instance during Siklet (Suffering Friday), “devotees abstain from eating dishes containing meat and dairy products” (A-Z World Culture). Ethiopian Christians believe fasting is a way to attain forgiveness for their sins. Some fasting periods are short lasting from a few days to two weeks. Others may last two months, like the Lenten season that leads up to Easter. Easter is one of the greatest Christian holidays. It is actually considered...
Kenya is a republic of East Africa. It is bordered by the Indian Ocean on the southeast. The capital of Kenya is Nairobi. It is located in the south central part of the country. It has a population of 1.5 million. The National Musum of Kenya, the National Theater and the University of Nairobi are in the city.
Burkina Faso is a small country located in Western Africa, north of Ghana, it's total land area is 274,200 sq km. The terrain is mostly flat to dissected, undulating plains; hills in west and southeast. Some of it's natural resources are manganese, limestone, marbleand small deposits of gold. The irrigated land in Burkina Faso is only a mere 160 sq km. The population is 10,422,828 (July 1995 est.) of which 50% is under the age of
Have you ever heard of Botswana? Well, it is a country in Africa. Most people have never heard of Botswana, just like most people do not know that Egypt is in Africa. Pretty interesting? I, myself, had never heard of Botswana until I was selected to spend six weeks on a missionary internship there. I also did not know that Egypt was in Africa until recently. I would not give up my experience in Botswana away for the world. That is not what I am here to tell you about, though. I would love to tell you all about the mission trip and my plans for going back for a two year stay; however, I would like to inform you about the country of Botswana. I would like to begin by telling you where Botswana is. We will then look at this country under South African rule, compared to the independent government of Botswana that now exists. I would also like to have you look at the people and their culture to sho3w you what kind of people they are, and how simply they live and still get along quite well. I hope you enjoy this informational page of a country that many people have never heard about, and maybe it will inspire you to at least make a visit to see if I am telling the truth.
“Red is a positive color in Denmark, but represents witchcraft and death in many African countries,” (Understand and heed, 1991, p.1). Simple understandings, such as this one, can make the difference in a business’ success or failure in a foreign country. Various countries have different customs and beliefs that need to be accustomed to when business are to be successful. American businesses especially have difficulties with this concept. “At times in the past, Americans have not had a good track record of being sensitive to cultural distinctions,” (Understand and heed, 1991, p.3). Perhaps this is because America is made up of so many different cultures that American people have become so used to easily adjusting to each other’s differences that they forget that other cultures are not as flexible. Today, more American’s are becoming more sensitive to the differences of other cultures. This sensitivity and understanding has come with a price, after a long string of business failures. It is not until a business fails miserably in another country that they see the adjustments that should have been made in order for their success to be a possibility. With an understanding and sensitivity to the customs and beliefs of other cultures, it is possible for successful businesses that have originated in western cultures to also be successful in foreign countries as well.
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