The Landscape of Somali Academic Publications: Advancing Scholarly Understanding

 The Landscape of Somali Academic Publications: Advancing Scholarly Understanding

Somali studies is the scholarly term designated for research concerning Somalis and Greater Somalia (Somali studies - Wikipedia, n.d.). This field is a broad, multidisciplinary area of academic inquiry that encompasses several disciplines, including history, sociology, poetry, anthropology, linguistics, geography, historiography, and archaeology (Somali studies - Wikipedia, n.d.). Its primary objective is the promotion of scholarly understanding of the Somali people and the worldwide diaspora communities (Somali studies - Wikipedia, n.d.; About This Journal - ISOS, n.d.). The field draws from old Somali chronicles, records, and oral literature, as well as written traditions and accounts provided by geographers and explorers in the Horn of Africa and the Middle East (Somali studies - Wikipedia, n.d.). The central organization overseeing the field is the Somali Studies International Association (Somali studies - Wikipedia, n.d.).

The Genesis and Scope of Somali Studies

The academic platform for Somali studies has its formal origins in religious, linguistic, and historical research conducted by Somali scholars during the 18th and 19th centuries, notably Shaykh Aidarus and Uways al-Barawi (Somali studies - Wikipedia, n.d.). Later, early 20th-century polymaths, such as Musa Haji Ismail Galal and Osman Yusuf Kenadid, helped integrate disciplines like archaeology, anthropology, and sociology into the field (Somali studies - Wikipedia, n.d.). Kenadid, for instance, published works on various subjects related to Somali history and science, including textbooks focused on Somali philosophy, astronomy, geography, and the Somali language (Somali studies - Wikipedia, n.d.; Wasaaradda Warfaafinta iyo Hanuuninta Dadweynaha, 1974). Galal also documented Somali meteorological, astrological, and calendrical systems (Somali studies - Wikipedia, n.d.). Within anthropology, Somalist scholars have historically documented traditional Somali social systems, such as the clan system and the ancient customary law (Xeer) (Somali studies - Wikipedia, n.d.). Scholars such as Lee V. Cassanelli (1995) have also participated in the International Congress of Somali Studies, highlighting the ongoing nature of this scholarly engagement.

Key Peer-Reviewed Academic Journals

The academic publications concerning Somali studies are primarily disseminated through specialized, peer-reviewed journals. The sources identify three key periodicals serving this field: Somali Studies, Bildhaan, and the Journal of Somali Studies (Somali studies - Wikipedia, n.d.).

1. Somali Studies: A Peer-Reviewed Academic Journal

Somali Studies is a multidisciplinary academic journal dedicated specifically to Somali studies (About This Journal - ISOS, n.d.; Publications - ISOS, 2016). It is published annually by the Institute for Somali Studies (ISOS), a non-profit research center located at Mogadishu University in Somalia (About This Journal - ISOS, n.d.; Publications - ISOS, 2016). ISOS was established on March 5, 2001, with the vision of becoming a leading institute for Somali studies (About This Journal - ISOS, n.d.; Publications - ISOS, 2016).

The journal holds the distinction of being the first journal of its kind issued from Somalia (About This Journal - ISOS, n.d.; Publications - ISOS, 2016). It commenced publication in 2016 with Volume 1 (About This Journal - ISOS, n.d.; Publications - ISOS, 2016). Somali Studies invites scholarly submissions across a broad scope of areas and disciplines on Somalia, the Horn of Africa, and Somali diaspora communities globally, particularly focusing on the social science and humanities disciplines (About This Journal - ISOS, n.d.). A crucial aim is to provide a forum for academic articles that promote scholarly understanding (About This Journal - ISOS, n.d.), and it grants ** special consideration to issues critical to the recovery and rebuilding of Somalia**, a country emerging from civil war (About This Journal - ISOS, n.d.). Examples of articles published in Volume 1 (2016) include research on migration and resettlement patterns of Somalis in the diaspora (Gerrand, 2016), primary school enrolment factors (Mohamoud & Momanyi, 2016), security shaping factors (Addow, 2016), and historical phases of Islamic movements (Abdullahi (Baadiyow), 2016) (Publications - ISOS, 2016).

2. Bildhaan: An International Journal of Somali Studies

Bildhaan: An International Journal of Somali Studies is identified as another main periodical for the field (Somali studies - Wikipedia, n.d.). It is published annually by Macalester College’s International Studies and Programming department in St. Paul, Minnesota (Princeton University Library Catalog, 2022). Bildhaan is a refereed/peer-reviewed international journal of Somali studies (Princeton University Library Catalog, 2022). Its publication began with Volume 1 in 2001 (Princeton University Library Catalog, 2022; Digital Commons Network, 2001). The journal has volumes available online, with the last issue consulted in one source being Volume 22 (2022) (Princeton University Library Catalog, 2022; Digital Commons Network, 2022).

3. Journal of Somali Studies (JoSS)

The Journal of Somali Studies (JoSS) is a peer-reviewed interdisciplinary scholarly journal dedicated to critical scholarship (Adonis & Abbey Publishers, n.d.). JoSS focuses on the history, culture, politics, and economics of Somali society (Adonis & Abbey Publishers, n.d.). Its scope covers both Somali society on the continent and the Diaspora, while also extending coverage to the Greater Horn of African Countries, including Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan, and Uganda (Adonis & Abbey Publishers, n.d.). JoSS also explicitly welcomes well-researched articles addressing the notions of fragile and failed states (Adonis & Abbey Publishers, n.d.).

JoSS maintains rigorous editorial standards: articles must include an abstract of no more than 150 words that clearly outlines the paper's theoretical framework, method of data collection, key findings, and recommendations (Adonis & Abbey Publishers, n.d.). Notably, the journal requires authors to use the APA 7th edition referencing style (Adonis & Abbey Publishers, n.d.). JoSS is accredited by DHET (the South African regulator of Higher Education) and is indexed by major services, including SCOPUS, IBSS, EBSCO, and Sabinet (Adonis & Abbey Publishers, n.d.).

Filling the Gap for the Somali People

To ensure the academic field of Somali studies effectively promotes scholarly understanding, particularly concerning the Somali people and their recovery, the critical gap that must be urgently addressed involves enhancing local research capacity and democratizing scholarly access (Excerpts from "About This Journal - ISOS", n.d.; Excerpts from "Somali Studies Journal", n.d.). The long-term sustainability and localized relevance of Somali studies fundamentally depend on institutional dedication to minimizing financial and logistical barriers. Efforts to cultivate emerging scholarly talent are evident through established internal programs run by the Institute for Somali Studies (ISOS), such as the Cilmiwadag Platform and SYRI, which actively encourage young and early career research personnel (Excerpts from "About This Journal - ISOS", n.d.; Excerpts from "Somali Studies Journal", n.d.).

However, true promotion of scholarly understanding requires reducing financial impediments for academics, particularly those within the Horn of Africa (Excerpts from "About This Journal - ISOS", n.d.). The Journal of Somali Studies (JoSS) has taken a significant step toward reducing the cost burden for authors by announcing that it will no longer charge Article Processing Charges (APCs) starting in 2024 (Adonis & Abbey Publishers, n.d.). Nevertheless, the commitment to free scholarly access is the indispensable step for bridging the knowledge gap. While accessing digital content for JoSS typically requires institutional or individual subscription fees (Adonis & Abbey Publishers, n.d.), the open-access model demonstrated by Bildhaan: An International Journal of Somali Studies provides a vital blueprint, offering its volumes free online, dating back to 2001 (Digital Commons Network, 2001–2022; Princeton University Library Catalog, n.d.). Such free access is crucial for local Somali academics and researchers, ensuring that critical scholarship focused on themes like national recovery and rebuilding is readily available to those directly engaged in Somalia’s development (Excerpts from "About This Journal - ISOS", n.d.).

In conclusion, academic publications focused on the Somali people must transition fully from restricted repositories to openly accessible resources. By aggressively supporting emerging scholars and eliminating subscription barriers for local researchers, the field can ensure that the critical work addressing issues unique to Somali society—from customary law (Xeer) to post-conflict politics—is localized, sustainable, and directly utilized by the Somali people working toward national progress.

Reference List

Abdullahi (Baadiyow), A. M. (2016). Somalia: Historical Phases of the Islamic Movements. SOMALI STUDIES: A Peer-Reviewed Academic Journal for Somali Studies, 1 (2016).

Addow, S. S. Y. (2016). Somalia Security Shaping Factors: Colonial Legacy, Global Conflicts and State Making Process. SOMALI STUDIES: A Peer-Reviewed Academic Journal for Somali Studies, 1 (2016).

Adonis & Abbey Publishers. (n.d.). Editorial Guideline - JOURNAL OF SOMALI STUDIES: Research on Somalia and the Greater Horn of African Countries.

About This Journal - Institute For Somali Studies - ISOS. (n.d.).

Cassanelli, L. V. (1995). History and Identity in the Somali Diaspora. In History and Identity in the Somali Diaspora.

Digital Commons Network. (2001–2022). Bildhaan: An International Journal of Somali Studies: All Issues.

Gerrand, V. (2016). Migration and Resettlement Patterns of Somalis in the Diaspora: A Case Study of Italy and Australia. SOMALI STUDIES: A Peer-Reviewed Academic Journal for Somali Studies, 1 (2016).

Mohamoud, A., & Momanyi, J. (2016). Primary School Enrolment in Somalia: What are the Enabling or Hindering Factors? SOMALI STUDIES: A Peer-Reviewed Academic Journal for Somali Studies, 1 (2016).

Princeton University Library Catalog. (2022). Bildhaan : an international journal of Somali studies.

Publications - Institute For Somali Studies - ISOS. (2016). Volume 1.

Somali studies - Wikipedia. (n.d.).

Wasaaradda Warfaafinta iyo Hanuuninta Dadweynaha. (1974). The Writing of the Somali Language. (Cited in Somali studies - Wikipedia, n.d.).