Returning diaspora men transform Mogadishu wedding industry By Dahir Jibril in Mogadishu

[malistar2012]

Returning diaspora men transform Mogadishu wedding industry

By Dahir Jibril in Mogadishu

 

 

 

 

 

Somali men from the diaspora are spending big money on bridal dowries and other wedding costs as they take advantage of safer conditions in Mogadishu to get married.

 

These grooms-to-be are shelling out tens of thousands of dollars to tie the knot. Some are paying thousands of dollars for wedding parties at newly constructed 24-hour service hotels.

 

Faisal Omar, 35, spent 15 years in England as a taxi driver, but returned to Mogadishu in July and spent $20,000 on his wedding on August 5th.

 

"I am happy I was able to get married in my country while it is peaceful, regardless of the amount of money I spent," he told Sabahi. "On my wedding night, I felt as though the ceremony took place in London because I was completely satisfied with the hotel it took place in and how the guests took part in my joyous wedding."

 

"Every afternoon, since the wedding week, my wife and I go to Lido Beach and enjoy each other's company," Omar said. "I could not believe that Mogadishu has become a place of leisure."

 

Farhan Abdi, 29, lived in London for 13 years and worked as a nurse at the Royal London Hospital. He returned to Mogadishu this month.

 

"I am planning to hold my wedding celebration at the banquet hall in Mogadishu's Safari Hotel," he told Sabahi. "I plan to have 300 guests so that we can celebrate with our friends until late at night."

 

"I have a feeling that a lot of money will be spent because the party alone will cost me about $6,000 that night, but ensuring the happiness of the woman I am marrying is more important than the money," he said.

 

Abdi said the total costs would reach about $16,000. "I would spend more money than that on my wedding if I could afford it because this will be a joyous occasion that I have been anticipating for a long time, and I ask God to bless my marriage," he said.

 

Diaspora men changing the matchmaking dynamics

Young Somali men who have lived abroad often have an edge in finding brides over their counterparts who stayed in Somalia. The newcomers have the allure of being more prosperous and therefore a greater catch for brides whose families can hike up dowry prices.

 

This has created a great deal of competition among Mogadishu's eligible bachelors, said Liban Farah, 27, who works at an electronics store in Bakara Market, adding that expatriates' lavish spending on weddings has caused resentment among men who stayed behind.

 

"The marriages of the men from abroad have greatly affected us because when women hear that another woman has been married with $20,000, every woman will tell you she wants a diaspora man," he told Sabahi. "We have been forced to tell women that we are from the diaspora even though we have never left the country."

 

It is understandable for women interested in marriage to seek out men with the financial means to fulfil their wishes and provide for a family, said Anab Yasin, 25, a Hamar Weyne district resident who studied management and business at SIMAD University.

 

Somali bachelors from abroad are regarded as good potential partners because of their seriousness in seeking a wife and their ability to provide, she said. Local bachelors' approach to marriage, on the other hand, lacks substance.

 

"I mean, every bachelor from Mogadishu wants to win a woman over only by telling stories and jokes," she said.

 

Yasin believes women who negotiate a substantial dowry in their marriage contract are in a better position in case of divorce.

 

"It is not a new concept for Somalis to pay a high dowry for a bride," she said, adding that requiring a higher financial commitment to enter into the marriage helps encourage husbands to resolve conflicts that might arise later on.

 

"It is every woman's right to choose," she said. "Thank God for alternatives to men without means who marry women easily and divorce them easily."

[nuune]

And this is the best news from Mogadishu miyaa!

[malistar2012]

These grooms-to-be are shelling out tens of thousands of dollars to tie the knot. Some are paying thousands of dollars for wedding parties at newly constructed 24-hour service hotels.

 

What better news do you want

 

Afhayeenka Xukuumada Soomaaliya Ridwaan Xaaji Cabdiweli ayaa sheegay in gacanta lagu dhigay saddex ka mid ah kooxihii weeraray Haweeneydii u dhalatay Swedish oo maalin ka hor lagu dhaawacay magaalada Muqdisho.

 

Ridwaan Xaaji Cabdiweli ayaa sheegay inay ku raad joogaan labo kale oo ku lug lahaa weerarkan, isagoo tilmaamay in falkii dhowaan dhacay aanu aheyn mid Shabaab ay soo abaabushay.

 

"Waxaa uu ahaa fal weerar ee la rabay in lagu afduubtay, saddex ruux oo dadkii weerarka ka dambeeyay ayaa qabanay, labo kalena waa ku raad-joognaa"ayuu yiri Ridwaan Xaaji Cabdiweli.

Mogadishu security are catching thugs and alshabaab

[Johnny B]

nuune;974579 wrote:

And this is the best news from Mogadishu miyaa!

Haa nooh, nga daa dicayada nooh.

[N.O.R.F]

Such news is only expected Nuune. New roads and buildings alone are too boring to report on. Good news though.

[Cambuulo iyo bun]

these qurbo joogs are messing the game runtii, that amount of money is okay in the west but in somalia? damn ragga meesha jooga waan uu naxey Lmao suuqa laga xirey this is a crazy trend im hearing people marrying for 20-30 k back home sheeko waalan dheh

[Homunculus]

Its great to hear that normalcy is returning to Mogadishu, but there is a whole thread dedicated for general topics. Where are the moderators?

[Johnny B]

^Same sort of idi0t who is willing to spend a fortune on one who is at the service of the Kenyans will ,

but then again, 30k is worth a lifetime sex , a good deal indeed.

[Cambuulo iyo bun]

Apophis;974631 wrote:

What sort of idi0t spends 30k on moryaan pu&&? which has been at the service of Ugandan grunts. A special kind runti.

:mad:

 

isku xishood inaar

[malistar2012]

What sort of idi0t spends 30k on moryaan pu&&? which has been at the service of Ugandan grunts. A special kind runti.

 

Stop hating you broke *** caagedheer only thing you can afford is caanoboor ........... never seen 20k in his life

[Hobbesian_Brute]

Johnny B;974647 wrote:

30k is worth a lifetime sex ,a good deal indeed.

Disturbing mindset, Kant was right after all.

[Bluelicious]

20000 dollars on a wedding? That sounds insane. I think these men might have taken a loan.

[Mad_Mullah]

I feel sorry for the guys in Xamar, how are they going to compete with that Imagine some Somalis from some random countries came to the UK with millions and looking for a wife. Sheekada wa Game Over walllee

[Bluelicious]

^^ I know right sad story for those poor local men they don't stand a chance.