Nabad iyo Caano! (Peace and Milk) --Part 1--

Bandhiga Asbuuca - “Duullaan” - Asle Niniile, Golol Art Gallery 1983 (Keydmedia.com)

Somali people never knew peace in their short history, One can never Imagine Somalis without war, it was their  ritual, Thus men were divided to Wadaad "Man of Religion" and Waranle "Man of war". Wadaads "Men of Religion" were part of what Somalis called Bir-ma-gaydo "included women, children etc". Waranle's had a code to never put down your spears and be prepared "Hubka dhulka ha dhigin"  in Fact Waran in somali means "Spear" hence waranle "The one with spear".  

Peace for Somalis was a luxurious word along with Milk, rarely you get both. to have full stomach and sleep with peace was heaven on earth. thus Somalis pray for each other by saying "Nabad iyo Caano", Peace and milk. During times of prosperity old grudges resurface and lust for bloodshed is apparent on the red eyes of a nomad. 

Men no matter what and where unless bound by some form of intellectual or moral code are stomach-minded "Calooshii la ciyaar" . If the mind is not nourished and allowed to develop and grow in a healthy way, stomach takes over. For the Somali waranle stomach is the cerebral cortex and the only code of ethics he follows is that of manhood "Raganimo" . 

Animals are stomach-minded, they live to eat and kill to live "law of jungle". Humans as the almighty intended should be superior and think further, think of  what lies beyond, raise  questions why? How? what? etc and get involved in the eschatology and after-life destiny. A purposeful human is the one that only eats to live. A human have emotions and feelings. Feelings and emotions are different from the basic instincts possessed  by animals such as protecting progeny and lust for mating. 

Waranle is an animal that can speak, decide, give and take orders. To a Waranle spilling human blood is like spilling a chalice of milk- sometimes even milk is more valuable!. the sanctity of human life is a concept the stomach can't understand. The idea is not that Waranle is a barbaric savage but he is not far from it. 

In an arid and harsh climate combined with the scarce friends and abundant foes, there was no place for softness in the Somali peninsula. quoting a well known Somali poet will convey the message.
Meeshaad lix ku joogtaan dagaal laabta ka ogaada.
Hadii luqunta la idin jaro, Lugaha meermeersha.

Comrades! If your numbers amount to six, be prepared for a raid.
If the enemy cuts your throats, keep kicking with your legs!

Focusing on Somali literature is enough to infer the warrior culture that somalis inherited from their ancestors!.