Although Somaliland does not immediately remind visitors of the sweet taste of love, I recently came across a story which - in its dramaturgy and romantic touch - resembles much the Italian story of Romeo and Juliet. It’s the story of Elmi Bodheri, a Somali poet little known outside Somaliland.Bodheri's poems were inspired by a tragic and true tale of "forbidden love". While working in a bakery in Berbera town, a young woman of exceptional beauty named Hodhan entered the room to buy some bread. As she said "good morning" to him, he instantly fell in love with her. He could not sleep; he could not eat or drink. He was struck by her beauty
In a conservative society, it was forbidden for any man to contact any woman or express his feelings without permission; and besides, he was a mere baker and she was from a richer family of higher social standing.
The tradition would have been for his family to approach her family and formally meet. But this was not possible due to their relative social standing. He finally got a chance to see her again. He heard that she would be visiting a neighbour. But he never saw Hodhan, he fell asleep and was angry at himself for missing his chance to see her.
"I have heard that other men have stepped forward to claim the girl on whom my mind was set. Wind, swear to be by the everlasting one that you will carry my words though the air. Tell her that stone houses and walls would have felt the pain. Tell her that termite hills would have sprouted green grass if they had but heard these words of mine.
Courage and stoicism were valued in Somali nomadic culture, but open talk about love and affection was not tolerated. His clan became worried that he was now at marrying age, but was not interested in anyone other than Hodhan. They brought four beautiful young women to him, and they uncovered the top part of their dresses to show him their breasts, then he was asked to choose one amongst the four girls as his bride. He refused.
Later, he became distraught; a "different man" after learning that she was to be married to another man richer than himself and from the same social class as her. He was inconsolable. Hodhan used to cry too when she saw all these poetry and people criticizing her for not going to him.
Bodheri was finally persuaded to marry and leave Berbera, but he kept dreaming of Hodhan and talking to his wife as if she was her. Unable to tolerate this, she left him and Bodheri returned to Berbera, where he died in 1947; his body is buried in a dusty cemetery in Berbera. The tale says that Bodheri died of a broken heart, childless and still in his youth.
Bodheri left behind an extraordinary collection of poems of unrequited love, inspirational to this day. Musicians have used his words to create music and dance from Somali, Ethiopia, Kenya and surrounding regions his words, which broke with taboo and are still recited by heart by many Somalis today
Bodheris bakery is still operational up to today and could become one of Berberas tourist attractions...
