(18-05-23) MOGADISHU – The sun blazes down mercilessly on the gritty streets of Mogadishu, the heart of Somalia, casting long shadows that hold stories of resilience and survival. Amidst this landscape, Abdikarim Abukar, a 23-year-old Somali man, carves out his existence. With hands hardened by necessity, yet still skilled in their craft, he shapes intricate items from discarded camel bones – an art inherited from his father.
In a country where soaring unemployment rates are a stark reality, Abdikarim’s story, though not unique, stands as a testament to the human spirit’s resilience. Despite the odds, his determination and resolve to illuminate a path many Somalis have been coerced to tread.
“I have been working directly since 2013. What I learned from my father, Alhamdulillah, is what I was raised on, and now I pass it on to my children,” Abdikarim confesses with a hint of pride interlaced with wistfulness. His journey, however, is checkered with challenges extending beyond the craft itself.
The hurdles are not just economic, but societal and security-related as well. His work, creating beauty from waste, is often perceived as unworthy by his fellow Somalis. Furthermore, the looming threat of Al-Shabaab, the extremist group that has inflicted chaos across the region, casts a long, ominous shadow over his daily struggles.
Acquiring the raw materials for his craft – the discarded camel bones destined for burning – is an uphill task. They bear a price, both monetary and in terms of personal safety. “There is no other choice but to pay. Our lives depend on it. We pay, and we are satisfied to do so. It is better than burning if the people in charge here take money from me,” Abdikarim states grimly.
In a land parched for employment opportunities, his story serves as a stark reminder of the trials endured by many Somalis. Yet, his resilience, resourcefulness, and sheer determination echo loudly amidst the dusty lanes of Mogadishu.
Abdikarim’s tale uncovers the harsh realities of Somalia’s employment crisis, where in the absence of formal jobs, individuals are compelled to innovate and adapt. His narrative offers an unflinching view of the Somali labour market, characterized by underemployment, informal work, and a critical dearth of decent work opportunities.
Despite these daunting hardships, Abdikarim remains a beacon of hope. His story, along with countless others in Somalia, showcases resilience as not just a virtue, but a fundamental means of survival. Yet, it also serves as a call to arms for the government and the international community to invest in sustainable job creation, and vocational training, and to bolster the informal sector that many Somalis depend on to subsist.
As the sun dips below the horizon of Mogadishu, Abdikarim continues to mould his destiny, one camel bone at a time. He’s not merely creating beads or accessories for women; he’s crafting a lifeline for his family, a future for his children, and a beacon of hope for others in similar circumstances.
© Photos by: Abdishukri Haybe
