Somali Christmas Party in Minneapolis

Last night I attended a Somali Christmas party. Yummy-tasting food and desserts, old-school music and dance highlighted the festivity. A well-decorated Christmas tree lit the room. Handsome men and beautiful women of all ages ready to mingle packed the room. At the door, a gorgeous young woman ushered us in with a cordial greeting. Inside, my eyes were exposed to some of the old recycled faces and strangers. For some, it was an ideal social gathering to meet potential mates. For others, a fun place to relieve themselves of the gloominess of the winter. Whatever intentions there were, everyone had a pleasurable evening.

Only a handful of them were dancing conservatively in a circle, moving their bodies moderately with no booty shaking and body contact, entering the ring one after another and sometimes in duo. O yeah, there was a senior citizen woman who exceptionally swung her booty with great excitement. I give her an A+

There were no alcoholic beverages served as anticipated from Somali gatherings. Paradoxically though it may seem, if I may extrapolate an observed trend from smaller circles of trust, majority of the attendees, men and women alike, drink. However, they prefer to drink covertly and are uncomfortable with exposure to the public eye as the ensuing social backlash is severe. I don’t blame them. I fault but the culture.

Things were quite different at the Shiisha place on Central Ave, our next destination. Young Somali women puff on a smoke pipe liberally and with a great pleasure in the presence of Somali men. How much we have progressed. It is said that social progress is measured by how much social progress women have attained. Somali women endured (the majority of them continue to endure) centuries old misogynistic treatments at the hands of male dominated societies. Thanks to America, smoking shiisha is now an acceptable social norm for the female sex. Free at last!
---RELEVANT POSTS: Young Somali Minnesotans and Soul Mate Searching