Somalis coded clan power rivalries into date words to evade speech bans

Evidence

Now, however, since it had become the accepted etiquette amongst the élite to refuse to reveal clan identity and to profess no more definite allegiance than that of ‘Somali’, people began increasingly to refer to their present loyalties as though they had only historical significance. It thus became acceptable to discuss clan allegiance, and even to inquire into the clan particulars of a stranger, in terms of his ‘ex-tribe’. Indeed, the word ‘ex’ was adopted into Somali, and now provided a perfectly acceptable means of establishing those details of clan affiliation which are in a way similar to, but so much more important than what is conveyed by a Londoner’s ‘address’. — I.M. Lewis, I. M. Lewis, A Modern History of the Somali_ Nation…, 428 (#exemplifies, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Somalis coded clan power blocs as dates to critique Siyad’s rule safely; Somali elites adopted the word ‘ex-tribe’ to veil ongoing clan loyalties — I.M. Lewis, I. M. Lewis, A Modern History of the Somali_ Nation…, 428; Siyad banned all clan references, forcing circumlocution in Somali (+2 more)

Related

• Somalis coded clan power blocs as dates to critique Siyad’s rule safely (similarity 0.96)
• Somali elites adopted the word ‘ex-tribe’ to veil ongoing clan loyalties (similarity 0.93)
• Siyad banned all clan references, forcing circumlocution in Somali (similarity 0.87)
• Somali leaders suppressed clan identity through burials and linguistic denial (similarity 0.84)
• Sheikh Ali and Egal’s anti-constitution campaign weaponized clan identity for patronage gains (similarity 0.83)
• Somali law banned tribal party names and derogatory clan occupational labels (similarity 0.82)
• The Somali clan system is flexible and compatible with modern life, not atavistic (similarity 0.78)

Broader Connections

• Somali elites adopted the word ‘ex-tribe’ to veil ongoing clan loyalties #exemplifies (0.55) — I.M. Lewis, I. M. Lewis, A Modern History of the Somali_ Nation…, 428