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Somalia
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Customs and Culture
Customs and Culture
About the People
Most Somali have had little exposure to Western cultures, or any culture outside Somalia. Even though larger clans claim higher status, Somali consider themselves to be equal, and subservient to no-one but Allah. Unlike in some Muslim countries, women can own property and manage businesses, though they occupy an essential position in the extended family. Somali value self-reliance, respect and tradition. .Expressions of gratitude are rare, since it involves reciprocal giving.
Cultural Attributes
Even though larger clans claim higher status, Somalis consider themselves to be equal, and subservient to no one but Allah. Unlike in some Muslim countries, women can own property and manage businesses, though they occupy an essential position in the extended family. Somali value self-reliance, respect, and tradition. Expressions of gratitude are rare since they involve reciprocal giving. Western culture has not influenced many Somalis.
Horn of Africa's Proud Heart
Greetings, Gestures & Visiting
Men shake hands three times before placing their hands on their hearts. Women shake hands and then often kiss the hand they shook. Somalis usually do not touch members of the opposite sex.
Diet
Locally produced meats and imported rice are on the urban table. In rural areas, the staples are sorghum, millet, corn and sesame. The nomadic peoples use milk for yogurt, and meat from camels and goats, supplemented by grains traded for animals. In the urban areas, people eat pancakes from flour or millet for breakfast, rice or millet served with milk and ghee for lunch, and a snack of milk or bean dish for supper.
Family
Loyalty and devotion to the family is important, and families always help each other when in need. This help will be returned if there is a need at another time. Good deeds bring honor to the family, clan and society, and vice versa. Due to repeated drought, strict priority is given to an order of assistance. For example, the extended family of the father takes precedence. Children of urban relatives are taken in.
Dating Customs
The concept of dating does not exist in Somalia, but young people take part in traditional dances. Virginity is valued in women at the time of marriage. Members of the same clan have been favored for marriage. Both families celebrate the wedding with a large feast. Couples often have a seven-day honeymoon. Divorce is legal.
Recreation
The favorite leisure activity of adult Somalis is conversation with their friends and relatives. Women entertain each other at home. Often they light incense burners made of gypsum during these visits and pass their hair over small vents in the burners to scent it with fragrant smoke. In the north, coffee shops (which actually sell only tea) are the favorite.
Holidays
Foundation of the Somali Republic
7/1Independence
26 June (1960) in Somaliland
Christmas
12/25Christmas
Somalia is a predominantly Muslim country where beliefs are based on the fact that Jesus Christ was merely a prophet of Allah. Thus, the beliefs and traditions that go with the celebrations of Christmas are not found in the country.
They do however; celebrate a festival that can be compared with the fervor and festivity that is part of the Christmas season. This festival usually happens during the month of November or December. The festival is called Eid al-Adha or the Festival of Sacrifice. The festival is also called as Eid el-Kibir, Bari Eid, BaedEid or BakriEid in Somalia. This occasion commemorates the sacrifice of the prophet Abraham of his own son when God asked him to give Him his son by offering it as a sacrifice. Traditions for this day are for Muslims all over the world to sacrifice an animal during the day. This is to symbolize the fact that after God said to Abraham that he needs not to kill his son for Him, he offered a sacrifice of a ram instead.
Customs of the Somalis are to eat a portion of the animal that was sacrificed that is about one third of the animal sacrificed. Another one third is to be given to friends and the remaining one third is to be given to the poor. The traditions are also a sign of obedience to Allah as exemplified by Abraham.
During the day of the festival, it has been the custom of the family to gather and pray together in the mosques and temples of their faith. This usually includes visit to family members and relatives that they may have not seen for a while. The tradition of giving gifts is somewhat similar to the traditions of Christians in Christmas gift giving.
Dates of Interest
- July 1st
A cultural festival celebrated in various parts of Somalia, featuring traditional music, dance, and other cultural activities.
How do people greet each other in Somalia?
Greetings differ by gender: men shake hands three times before placing their hands on their hearts, while women shake hands and often kiss the hand they shook.
Do
- Use "Ma nahad baa" (Is there peace?) in the north or "nahad miya" in the south
- Use the Islamic greeting "Asalaamu aleikum"
Don’t
- Don't touch members of the opposite sex
What are dining customs like in Somalia?
People gather around a communal bowl or platter set on a mat and eat with the right hand from the portion directly in front of them.
Do
- Wash your hands in a bowl of water before and after eating
- Eat only from the portion directly in front of you
- Accept larger servings if you are a guest
Don’t
- Don't use your left hand to touch food, as it is reserved for personal hygiene
- Don't overindulge in food, as it is not acceptable
Good to know
- Men and women often eat separately outside the immediate family
- Men are traditionally served first, with women and children eating later
- Guests are offered larger servings
What should I know about etiquette and visiting in Somalia?
Somalis value self-reliance, respect and tradition, and consider themselves equal, subservient to no one but Allah. There is no expectation of a gift when visiting.
Do
- Announce your presence before entering a family compound
- Visit in the late afternoon when work is finished, or at night in country areas
Good to know
- Men and women usually socialize separately
- Expressions of gratitude are rare, since they involve reciprocal giving
- Hosts usually serve sweet spicy tea with milk and other refreshments
What should I wear in Somalia?
Men often wear a flowing plaid kilt ("ma'awiis") with a turban or embroidered cap, while women wear long flowing dresses with shawls and head scarves.
Good to know
- Northern women wear the long "direh" over petticoats
- Southern women favor the "guntino" wrapped around the waist and tied over one shoulder
- All women wear shawls and head scarves
What do gestures mean in Somalia?
Hands are used expressively in conversation, often with sweeping arm gestures while the eyes follow the direction of the hand movement.
Good to know
- A quick twist of the hand and wrist means nothing or no
- A thumb under the chin indicates one is full
- Snapping the fingers can mean "so on" or "long ago"
What is family life like in Somalia?
Loyalty and devotion to the family is important, and families always help each other in need, with good deeds bringing honor to the family, clan and society.
Good to know
- The extended family of the father takes precedence in assistance
- Children of urban relatives are often taken in
- Women can own property and manage businesses but hold an essential place in the extended family
What do people do for fun in Somalia?
The favorite leisure activity of adult Somalis is conversation with friends and relatives, with men gathering in coffee (tea) shops and playing games of skill.
Good to know
- Men play shah, a game similar to chess, and compete in running, wrestling and jumping
- Women entertain each other at home and scent their hair with fragrant incense smoke
- Families cherish telling ancient tales while sitting outside in the moonlight
- Boys enjoy football, volleyball and basketball, while girls enjoy basketball, dolls and dancing
Last updated: 2026-07-12 · Sources: CountryReports
Photos of Somalia
Photos of Somalia
Travel and Tourism
Travel and Tourism
- Travel Alert Status
- Level 4: Do Not Travel
- Currency
- Somali shilling (SOS)
- Time Difference
- UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
- Climate
- Climate is the primary factor in much of Somali life. For the large nomadic population, the timing and amount of rainfall are crucial determinants of the adequacy of grazing and the prospects of relative prosperity. During droughts such as in 1974-75 and 1984-85, starvation can occur. Somalis recognize four seasons, two rainy (gu and day) and two dry (jiilaal and hagaa). The gu rains begin in April and last until June, producing a fresh supply of pasture and turning the desert into a flowering garden for a brief period. Lush vegetation covers most of the land, especially the central grazing plateau, where grass grows tall. The gu season is followed by the drought (July-September) and the hagaa by the day rains (October-November). Next is jiilaal (December-March), the harshest season for pastoralists and their herds. Most of the country receives less than 500 millimeters of rain annually, and a large area encompassing the northeast and much of northern Somalia gets as little as 50 to 150 millimeters. However, certain higher areas in the north record more than 500 millimeters a year, as do some coastal sites. The southwest receives 330 to 500 millimeters. Generally, rainfall takes the form of showers or localized torrential rains and is highly variable. Mean daily maximum temperatures throughout the country range from 30° C to 40° C, except at higher elevations and along the Indian Ocean coast. Mean daily minimum temperatures vary from 20° C to more than 30° C. Northern Somalia experiences the most significant temperature extremes, ranging from below-freezing in the highlands in December to more than 45° C in July in the coastal plain skirting the Gulf of Aden. The north's relative humidity ranges from about 40 percent in midafternoon to 85 percent at night, varying somewhat with the season. During the colder months, December to February, fog often restricts visibility at higher elevations. Temperatures in the south are less extreme, ranging from about 20° C to 40° C. The hottest months are February through April. Coastal readings are usually five to ten degrees cooler than those inland. The coastal zone's relative humidity usually remains about 70 percent, even during the dry seasons.
- Airports
- 60
Read the full travel guide — health, safety, vaccinations, disease risk, sanitation, and transit details.
View full travel guideRecipes
Recipes
History
History
Historical Eras
Ancient & Medieval
3000 BCE – 1500
Known to ancient Egyptians as the Land of Punt, the Somali coast sustained millennia of trade with Egypt, Arabia, Greece, and China. Arab settlers established the Sultanate of Adel on the Gulf of Aden around 600 CE, and Somali clans gradually adopted Islam and developed a pastoral nomadic culture that would define the region for centuries.
Sultanates Era
1500 – 1891
Following the disintegration of the Adel Sultanate around 1500, Somalia fragmented into smaller clan-based polities and sultanates. Egypt briefly occupied coastal towns in 1875, and the Somali interior remained shaped by Islamic scholarship, clan confederation, and the Indian Ocean trade network, with Bantu communities also present in the agricultural south.
Colonial Period
1891 – 1960
Britain, Italy, and France partitioned Somali-inhabited lands into separate protectorates, while Ethiopia absorbed the Ogaden and Britain's Kenya claimed the Northern Frontier District. Resistance was fierce — most notably Mohammed Abdullah Hassan's two-decade Dervish insurgency against British rule — but colonial borders ultimately divided the Somali people into five separate territories.
Independence & Democracy
1960 – 1969
British Somaliland and Italian Somalia merged on July 1, 1960, forming the Somali Republic. Despite border conflicts with Ethiopia over the Ogaden and challenges integrating two distinct colonial administrations, Somalia functioned as a genuine parliamentary democracy, with governments regularly changed through elections — a rare achievement in post-colonial Africa.
Siad Barre Dictatorship
1969 – 1991
Major General Mohamed Siad Barre seized power in a bloodless coup on October 21, 1969, proclaiming scientific socialism and renaming the country the Somali Democratic Republic. His regime launched a disastrous war against Ethiopia over the Ogaden (1977–78), suffered a catastrophic drought in 1974–75, and ultimately collapsed by deliberately inflaming interclan rivalries until armed militias tore the state apart.
Civil War & Fragmentation
1991 – present
Siad Barre fled Mogadishu on January 27, 1991, leaving a power vacuum filled by warring clan militias. Somaliland declared independence in the north, Puntland established autonomy in 1998, and successive internationally backed governments struggled to assert authority amid persistent conflict. A UN intervention (1993–95), the rise of the Islamic Courts Union, and ongoing al-Shabaab insurgency have kept Somalia in protracted instability.
Overview
Shaykh Abdulaziz Mosque, one of Mogadishu’s oldest
Timeline of Key Events
600
Arab tribes establish the sultanate of Adel on the Gulf of Aden coast.
Arab tribes establish the sultanate of Adel on the Gulf of Aden coast.
800
Somali people begin to migrate from Yemen.
Somali people begin to migrate from Yemen.
1500
Sultanate of Adel disintegrates into small states.
Sultanate of Adel disintegrates into small states.
1800
Many Bantu people were taken from their homes and sold as slaves in Somalia.
Many Bantu people from Malawi, Mozambique and Tanzania were taken from their homes and sold as slaves in Somalia.
1875
Egypt occupies towns on Somali coast and parts of the interior.
Egypt occupies towns on Somali coast and parts of the interior.
1887
Britain proclaims protectorate over Somaliland.
Britain proclaims protectorate over Somaliland.
1888
Anglo-French agreement defines boundary between Somali possessions of the two countries.
Anglo-French agreement defines boundary between Somali possessions of the two countries.
Read the full history profile — narrative overview, defining eras, and the complete timeline in one place.
View expanded historyInteresting Facts
Interesting Facts
Somalia has the world's lowest health budget at 1.5% of it's Gross Domestic Product.
Although the country is named after its people, Somalis also live in many neighbouring countries due to the partitioning of eastern Africa by colonial powers.
Traditionally, age in Somalia is calculated by the number of gu’s a person has lived. Gu is also normally the peak season for marriages, contests and dispute settlements.
A 14th century travelogue by Ibn Battuta praises the city of Mogadishu for its size, wealth and beautiful handmade cloth of red and yellow.
See every fact — trivia, oddities, and curious tidbits gathered from across the country.
View all interesting factsGeography and Environment
Geography and Environment
- Terrain
- mostly flat to undulating plateau rising to hills in north
- Climate
- Climate is the primary factor in much of Somali life. For the large nomadic population, the timing and amount of rainfall are crucial determinants of the adequacy of grazing and the prospects of relative prosperity. During droughts such as occurred during 1974-75 and 1984-85, starvation can occur. Somalis recognize four seasons, two rainy (gu and day) and two dry (jiilaal and hagaa). The gu rains begin in April and last until June, producing a fresh supply of pasture and for a brief period turning the desert into a flowering garden. Lush vegetation covers most of the land, especially the central grazing plateau where grass grows tall. Milk and meat abound, water is plentiful, and animals do not require much care. The clans, reprieved from four months' drought, assemble to engage alternately in banter and poetic exchange or in a new cycle of hereditary feuds. They also offer sacrifices to Allah and to the founding clan ancestors, whose blessings they seek. Numerous social functions occur: marriages are contracted, outstanding disputes are settled or exacerbated, and a person's age is calculated in terms of the number of gus he or she has lived. The gu season is followed by the hagaa drought (July-September) and the hagaa by the day rains (October-November). Next is jiilaal (December-March), the harshest season for pastoralists and their herds. Most of the country receives less than 500 millimeters of rain annually, and a large area encompassing the northeast and much of northern Somalia receives as little as 50 to 150 millimeters. Certain higher areas in the north, however, record more than 500 millimeters a year, as do some coastal sites. The southwest receives 330 to 500 millimeters. Generally, rainfall takes the form of showers or localized torrential rains and is extremely variable. Mean daily maximum temperatures throughout the country range from 30° C to 40° C, except at higher elevations and along the Indian Ocean coast. Mean daily minimum temperatures vary from 20° C to more than 30° C. Northern Somalia experiences the greatest temperature extremes, with readings ranging from below freezing in the highlands in December to more than 45° C in July in the coastal plain skirting the Gulf of Aden. The north's relative humidity ranges from about 40 percent in midafternoon to 85 percent at night, varying somewhat with the season. During the colder months, December to February, visibility at higher elevations is often restricted by fog. Temperatures in the south are less extreme, ranging from about 20° C to 40° C. The hottest months are February through April. Coastal readings are usually five to ten degrees cooler than those inland. The coastal zone's relative humidity usually remains about 70 percent even during the dry seasons.
- Natural Hazards
- recurring droughts; frequent dust storms over eastern plains in summer; floods during rainy season
- Current Environmental Issues
- famine; use of contaminated water contributes to human health problems; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification
Read the full geography and environment profile — terrain, climate, natural resources, hazards, land use, and international agreements.
View full geographyPeople & Demographics
People & Demographics
Languages Spoken
Somali (official), Arabic, Italian, English
- Somalia
- Arabic
- Italian
Population
- Population
- 10,112,453
- Population in Major Urban Areas
- MOGADISHU (capital) 1.554 million
- Nationality Noun
- Somali(s)
- Ethnic Groups
- Somali 85%, Bantu and other non-Somali 15% (including Arabs 30,000)
- Language Note
- Standard Somali with its diverse scripts based on clan affiliation, is now written in Latin script. Literacy has increased dramatically. English, Italian and Arabic are spoken by educated Somali. The Somali language stems from the Cushitic language family.
Education
- Literacy Definition
- age 15 and over can read and write
Health Information
- Major Infectious Diseases — degree of risk
- very high
Read the full people and society profile — demographics, health, education, religion, languages, and notable people.
View full people and societyGovernment & Politics
Government & Politics
Country Identity
- Country Name
- Somalia
- Former Name
- Somali Republic, Somali Democratic Republic
Government Structure
- Government Type
- no permanent national government; transitional, parliamentary national government
- Legal System
- no national system; Shari'a and secular courts are in some localities
- Executive Branch
- chief of state: Transitional Federal President Abdullahi YUSUF Ahmed (since 14 October 2004); note - a transitional governing entity with a five-year mandate, known as the Transitional Federal Institutions (TFIs), was established in October 2004; the TFI relocated to Somalia in June 2004, but its members remain divided between Mogadishu and Jowhar inside Somalia, and the government continues to struggle to establish effective governance in the country head of government: Prime Minister Ali Mohamed GHEDI (since 24 December 2004) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister and approved by the Transitional Federal Assembly election results: Abdullahi YUSUF Ahmed, the former leader of the semi-autonomous Puntland region of Somalia, was elected president by the Transitional Federal Assembly
- Legislative Branch
- unicameral National Assembly note: fledgling parliament; a 275-member Transitional Federal Assembly; the new parliament consists of 61 seats assigned to each of four large clan groups (Darod, Digil-Mirifle, Dir, and Hawiye) with the remaining 31 seats divided between minority clans
- Judicial Branch
- following the breakdown of the central government, most regions have reverted to local forms of conflict resolution, either secular, traditional Somali customary law, or Shari'a (Islamic) law with a provision for appeal of all sentences
- Suffrage
- 18 years of age; universal
- Constitution
- 25 August 1979, presidential approval 23 September 1979
- Independence
- 1 July 1960 (from a merger of British Somaliland, which became independent from the UK on 26 June 1960, and Italian Somaliland, which became independent from the Italian-administered UN trusteeship on 1 July 1960, to form the Somali Republic)
- National Holiday
- Foundation of the Somali Republic, 1 July (1960); note - 26 June (1960) in Somaliland
Capital City
- Capital Name
- Mogadishu
- Capital - geographic coordinate
- 2 04 N, 45 20 E
- Capital Time Difference
- UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
several theories attempt to explain the city's name; one of the more plausible is that it derives from "maq'ad-i-shah" meaning "the seat of the shah," reflecting the city's links with Persia
Military
Branches: National Security Force (NSF): Somali Army
Embassy / Diplomatic Mission
There is no U.S. Embassy in Somalia. If you are going to live in or visit Somalia, please take the time to tell our Embassy in Kenya about your trip. If you enroll your trip, we can keep you up to date with important safety and security announcements. It will also help your friends and family get in touch with you in an emergency. Here’s the link to the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program. Travelers to Somalia should register with the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya.
U.S. Embassy Kenya
United Nations Avenue, Gigiri, Nairobi, Kenya
Telephone: (254) (20) 363-6000
After-hours emergency: (254) (20) 363-6170
Fax: (254) (20) 363-6410
Email: kenya_acs@state.gov
Read the full government profile — flag symbolism, national anthem, and other national symbols.
View full government detailsEconomy
Economy
Somalia's economy remains shaped by decades of political fragmentation, conflict, and limited central governance, though it has shown notable resilience and gradual recovery in recent years. The self-declared republic of Somaliland in the north operates independently, while Puntland functions as a federal member state with significant autonomy. The federal government in Mogadishu has steadily expanded its authority, but security challenges from al-Shabaab and clan-based rivalries continue to constrain broader development.
Agriculture remains the backbone of the economy, with livestock accounting for roughly 60% of GDP and the majority of export earnings. Camels, goats, sheep, and cattle are exported primarily to Gulf states, with Saudi Arabia, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates being key markets. Periodic livestock bans tied to Rift Valley Fever and other disease concerns have historically disrupted the sector, though exports have largely rebounded. Nomadic and semi-nomadic pastoralists still make up a significant share of the population.
Principal exports include livestock, hides and skins, fish, charcoal, sesame, and bananas, while major imports consist of food products, petroleum, construction materials, manufactured goods, and qat. The small industrial sector, historically based on agricultural processing, remains underdeveloped after years of conflict.
Despite ongoing instability, the service sector has flourished. Telecommunications companies provide affordable mobile and internet services, with some of the lowest international call rates in Africa, and mobile money platforms such as Hormuud's EVC Plus are used by a large majority of adults, making Somalia one of the most cash-light economies in the world. Money transfer operators handle an estimated $1.7 to $2 billion in annual remittances from the Somali diaspora, a critical source of household income. A formal banking sector has gradually re-emerged, and the Central Bank of Somalia has resumed expanded functions.
Mogadishu's markets are active, construction is visible across the capital, and the hospitality sector continues to expand, often under heavy private security. In 2020, Somalia reached the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Decision Point, unlocking significant debt relief from the IMF, World Bank, and bilateral creditors, and in December 2023 the country reached the HIPC Completion Point, leading to the cancellation of more than $4.5 billion in external debt. GDP is estimated at around $11 billion, with growth typically between 3% and 4% annually, though figures should still be interpreted with caution given limited statistical capacity. Recurrent droughts, flooding, locust outbreaks, and security shocks remain persistent risks to economic progress.
Snapshot
- Currency Name and Code
- Somali Shilling (SOS)
- GDP Real Growth Rate
- 2.4%
Banknotes
Budget & Public Finance
- External Debt
- $3,000,000,000 (USD)
- Economic Aid
- $60,000,000 (USD)
Labor, Industry & Trade
- Labor Force by Occupation
- agriculture (mostly pastoral nomadism) 71%; industry and services 29%
- Industries
- a few light industries, including sugar refining, textiles, petroleum refining (mostly shut down), wireless communication
- Agriculture Products
- cattle, sheep, goats; bananas, sorghum, corn, coconuts, rice, sugarcane, mangoes, sesame seeds, beans; fish
- Export Commodities
- livestock, bananas, hides, fish, charcoal, scrap metal
- Export Partners
- UAE 41.8%, Yemen 22.8%, Oman 11.4%
- Import Commodities
- manufactures, petroleum products, foodstuffs, construction materials, qat
- Import Partners
- Djibouti 30.2%, Kenya 14%, Brazil 8.7%, Thailand 4.9%, UK 4.7%, UAE 4.4%
Energy
- Oil Production
- 0 bbl/day
- Oil Consumption
- 5,000 bbl/day
- Oil Reserves
- 0 bbl/day
- Natural Gas Production
- 0 cu m
- Natural Gas Consumption
- 0 cu m
- Natural Gas Imports
- 0 cu m
- Natural Gas Exports
- 0 cu m
- Natural Gas Reserves
- 5,663,000,000 cu m
Communications
- Telephone System
- general assessment: the public telecommunications system was almost completely destroyed or dismantled during the civil war; private companies offer limited local fixed-line service and private wireless companies offer service in most major cities while charging the lowest international rates on the continent domestic: local cellular telephone systems have been established in Mogadishu and in several other population centers with one company beginning to provide 3G services in late 2012 international: country code - 252; Mogadishu is a landing point for the EASSy fiber-optic submarine cable system linking East Africa with Europe and North America
- Internet Country Code
- .so
News & Weather
News & Weather
Current Weather
Latest News
Somalia races to save Radio Mogadishu’s fading archive - Al Jazeera
Al Jazeera · 1d ago
Tanzanian-flagged tanker from Yemen hijacked by suspected Somali pirates - ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos
ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos · 1d ago
Somali pirates blamed for seizure of second tanker in three months near Yemen - BBC
BBC · 2d ago
Suspected Somali pirates seize tanker near Yemen amid wave of hijackings - Al Jazeera
Al Jazeera · 2d ago
Feeding Our Future fraud ring's alleged No. 2 appears in court after Somalia arrest - CBS News
CBS News · 2d ago
Turkey still keeps Somalia out of its e-Visa system despite over $1 billion in aid, oil deals and access to the Horn of Africa - Business Insider Africa
Business Insider Africa · 6h ago
Uncle lures two boys to Shabaab father in Somalia - Daily Nation
Daily Nation · 5h ago
Egypt Urges Somalia to Secure Release of Kidnapped Sailors - Garowe Online
Garowe Online · 1d ago
News via Google News
Climate Overview
Climate is the primary factor in much of Somali life. For the large nomadic population, the timing and amount of rainfall are crucial determinants of the adequacy of grazing and the prospects of relative prosperity. During droughts such as in 1974-75 and 1984-85, starvation can occur.
Somalis recognize four seasons, two rainy (gu and day) and two dry (jiilaal and hagaa). The
gu rains begin in April and last until June, producing a fresh supply of pasture and turning the desert into a flowering garden for a brief period. Lush vegetation covers most of the land, especially the central grazing plateau, where grass grows tall. The gu season is followed by the drought (July-September) and the hagaa by the day rains (October-November). Next is jiilaal (December-March), the harshest season for pastoralists and their herds.
Most of the country receives less than 500 millimeters of rain annually, and a large area encompassing the northeast and much of northern Somalia gets as little as 50 to 150 millimeters. However, certain higher areas in the north record more than 500 millimeters a year, as do some coastal sites. The southwest receives 330 to 500 millimeters. Generally, rainfall takes the form of showers or localized torrential rains and is highly variable.
Mean daily maximum temperatures throughout the country range from 30° C to 40° C, except at higher elevations and along the Indian Ocean coast. Mean daily minimum temperatures vary from 20° C to more than 30° C. Northern Somalia experiences the most significant temperature extremes, ranging from below-freezing in the highlands in December to more than 45° C in July in the coastal plain skirting the Gulf of Aden. The north's relative humidity ranges from about 40 percent in midafternoon to 85 percent at night, varying somewhat with the season. During the colder months, December to February, fog often restricts visibility at higher elevations.
Temperatures in the south are less extreme, ranging from about 20° C to 40° C. The hottest months are February through April. Coastal readings are usually five to ten degrees cooler than those inland. The coastal zone's relative humidity usually remains about 70 percent, even during the dry seasons.
Videos
Videos
1 curated YouTube videos.
Source: YouTube
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Somalia?
How do people greet each other in Somalia?
What are dining customs like in Somalia?
What should I know about etiquette and visiting in Somalia?
What should I wear in Somalia?
What do gestures mean in Somalia?
What is family life like in Somalia?
What do people do for fun in Somalia?
What is the capital of Somalia?
Where is Somalia located?
What countries border Somalia?
What religion is practiced in Somalia?
What is the currency of Somalia?
What languages are spoken in Somalia?
What is Somalia's geography like?
What is Somalia known for?
Last reviewed 2026