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The Aqal Soomaali / Nomadic Hut
The Somali Museum is now home to the first ever Aqal Soomaali / Nomadic Hut to be built in Minnesota.
Much of Somalia was historically a nomadic society. Daily life centered around herding camels, building a homestead, and raising children in tight family groups. Nomadic Somalis lived in homes like this one. The nomadic homes are precisely designed so that families can dismantle the structure, pack it on to the backs of their camels, and re-build it in a new home. In Somali language, this home is called an Aqal.
Much of Somalia was historically a nomadic society. Daily life centered around herding camels, building a homestead, and raising children in tight family groups. Nomadic Somalis lived in homes like this one. The nomadic homes are precisely designed so that families can dismantle the structure, pack it on to the backs of their camels, and re-build it in a new home. In Somali language, this home is called an Aqal.
A quickly decreasing but still significant segment of Somalia continues to live the nomadic lifestyle today, and many others live in rural areas in established towns and villages.
Minnesotan-Somalis come from diverse backgrounds; some come from nomadic livelihoods, some grew up in big cities, and others lived in countries all over the world before moving to Minnesota. Family bonds, hard work, and faith are deep and ancient pillars of the community’s values, and Somalis in Minnesota trace these values to their heritage in traditional society.