Somali blog – somalimind.com
  • HOME
  • GENERAL
  • HISTORY
  • Politics
  • How to get in touch

Somali Blog - Somalimind.com

RSS FeedTwitterFacebook
Feb 21 2017

Mahatma Ghandi and Adan (Somali soldier)

Posted by M Shire
Tweet

Mahatma Gandhi’s reflective encounter with Adan, a Somali soldier who deserted from the British Army in the 1920s (in his own words):

“Adan was a young Somali soldier who was sentenced to ten years’ hard labour for desertion from the British Army, which he had joined during the War. He was transferred by the Aden Jail authorities. Adan had served four years when we were admitted. He was practically illiterate. He could read the Koran with difficulty, but could not copy it correctly, if at all. He was able to speak Urdu fairly fluently and was anxious to learn Urdu. With the permission of the Superintendent, I tried to teach him, but the learning of the alphabet proved too great a strain upon him and he left it. With all that he was quick-witted and sharp as a needle. He took the greatest interest in religious matters. He was a devout Mussalman, offered his prayers regularly including the midnight one, and never missed the Ramzan fast. The rosary was his constant companion. When he was free, he used to recite selections from the Koran. He would often engage me in a discussion on complete fasts according to the Hindu custom as also on ahimsa. He was a brave man. He was very courteous, but never cringing. He was of an excitable nature and, therefore, often quarreled with the bardasi or his fellow-warder. We had, therefore Sometimes to arbitrate between them. Being a soldier and amenable to reason, he would accept the award, but he would put his case boldly and cogently. Adan was the longest with us. I treasure Adan’s affection. He was most attentive to me. He would see to it that I got my food at the appointed time.

He was sad if I ever became ill and anticipated all my wants. He would not let me exert myself for anything. He was anxious to be discharged or at least to be transferred to Aden. I tried hard. I drew up petitions for him. The Superintendent too, tried his best. But the decision rested with the Aden authorities. Hope was held out to him that he would be discharged before the end of last year. I do hope he is already discharged. The little service I rendered gave rise to deep personal attachment. It was a sad parting when Adan was transferred to another part of the prison.”

(The collected works of Mahatma Gandhi, Volume 28)

Tags: British Empire, Ghandi, India, somalia

Comments (1)

Add a comment Top
  1. Ali
    27/03/2017

    Ale haw naxariisto

    Reply

Add a comment Cancel Reply

About Me

M Shire

Salam, welcome to my blog!

RECENT POSTS

  • Djibouti Ep. 1 | Horn of Africa | You’re Going Where? Travel Series | Full Documentary HD
  • Indeed, Allaah is ever watching over you
  • Hooyo (mother) and Aabbo (father)
  • He shaped you and then made your shapes beautiful
  • Nidaamka Federaalka Soomaaliya

RECENT COMMENTS

  • Liban Awale Jama on Rare historical images of the day-to-day life of Somali nomads
  • Mohamed abdulbari on Baardheere Religious Scholars
  • Mohammed M Hilowle on Tusaale Waalid — Parental example
  • Mohammed Ibrahim Shire on Nasiib Buundo: a forgotten Somali Bantu anti-colonial leader
  • A.M.A on Nasiib Buundo: a forgotten Somali Bantu anti-colonial leader

ARCHIVES

  • April 2020
  • December 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • May 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • September 2018
  • July 2018
  • October 2017
  • February 2017
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • February 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • June 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • September 2012
  • August 2012
  • July 2012
  • June 2012

Archives

  • April 2020
  • December 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • May 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • September 2018
  • July 2018
  • October 2017
  • February 2017
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • February 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • June 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • September 2012
  • August 2012
  • July 2012
  • June 2012

CATEGORIES

  • General
  • History
  • Politics

LINKS

  • Facebook

Categories

  • General
  • History
  • Politics
  • Uncategorized

Contact Me

Somalimind.com 2018. All rights reserved.