Somali Web Sites, History Andpolitics

摘要

Purpose - The collapse of the Somali Democratic Republic in 1991 led to a world-wide diaspora. Thernpurpose of this paper is to discuss and analyse Somali web sites in an attempt to demonstrate howrnthey reflect the troubled history and politics of the homeland and continue to interest, involve, bringrntogether and divide Somalis world-wide.rnDesign/methodology/approach - Web sites were divided into categories, and a study of therncommunity/political category was conducted. Visits were made to the Horn of Africa and elsewhere,rnand face-to-face interviews conducted. E-mail contact was maintained with a number of Somalirnwebmasters.rnFindings - Community/political web sites was the most numerous category, with the majority beingrnnamed after a geographical area associated with a group of clan lineages or sub-lineages. They containrnnews, opinion pieces and other features in Somali and on some web sites in Somali and English. Whilernweb sites usually declare that the opinions in articles are those of the authors alone, they are unlikelyrnto publicise views with which they are not in agreement.rnOriginality/value - The paper illustrates how web sites enable members of one diasporarncommunity to keep in touch with a political situation at home that is exceptional, and to involvernthemselves in its controversies, should they wish to do so. It also shows how the web site has brought arnnew dimension to traditional methods of feuding.