Somali

Somali refers to the Somali people and their language. The Somali are an ethnolinguistic group native to the Horn of Africa, primarily concentrated in Somalia. Smaller communities live in Djibouti, Ethiopia's Somali Region, and Kenya, with a large global diaspora.

Somali, or Af-Soomaali, is a Cushitic language of the Afroasiatic family. It is the most widely spoken language by Somalis and has several dialects, with Northern Somali and Benadir being prominent. Standard Somali, based mainly on Northern dialects, is written in Latin script and widely used in education, media, and official contexts; Arabic script has historical use, and Italian and English influence persists.

Somali society has historically combined pastoral and mercantile livelihoods. Clan lineage, known as qabil or reer, structures social organization and resource sharing. Islam is the predominant religion, shaping law, ritual, and daily life; Sufi orders have played notable roles in history. Somali culture emphasizes poetry and oral storytelling, with a tradition of panegyrics and debate.

Historically, Somali polities included the Ajuran, Geledi, and Isaaq sultanates and sultanates along the coast. In the 19th and 20th centuries, colonial powers divided the area between Britain and Italy, achieving independence in 1960 to form the Somali Republic. The country experienced civil conflict beginning in 1991, leading to fragmentation and the emergence of autonomous or self-declared regions, notably Somaliland in the northwest and Puntland in the northeast; the federal government of Somalia has sought re-unification and stabilization.

Today, Somalis participate in global diaspora communities and in regional politics and development efforts. The language, culture, and social practices continue to influence the wider Horn of Africa region.