Mwanakuche Farm is a volunteer run, Somali-Bantu-led and serving organization that operates the Mwanakuche Community Garden in Pittsburgh’s Perry South neighborhood and Mwanakuche Farm in Mercer PA. The organization focuses its programs and services on supporting Somali-Bantu community unification, self-sufficiency and integration, while upholding cultural heritage.
The Somali Bantu were formerly farmers in southern Somalias Jubba Valley. They were under the control of other tribes who oppressed them by taking many of the crops that were grown and abusing the farmers if they did not give as much of the crops as they wanted. When war broke out between two opposing tribes, the Somali Bantu people were caught in the crossfire and were attacked because of the crops they grew and the need for food in the nation. Many people died in these attacks, but some were able to escape their villages and flee thousands of miles to the border of Kenya and find some protection in refugee camps.
It is very common to find Somali Bantu families spending time in each other’s homes whether to just hang out or to cook together. Being together is very important to Somali Bantu culture.
Somali Bantu are primarily Muslim in their belief and practices. It is important to remember that religion and culture are very closely intertwined in the lives of the Somali Bantu
Strong family and social networks are important strengths of Somali Bantu culture. Somali Bantu families are traditionally large and multi-generational. Extended family members often live together or nearby, and provide support, social identity and a source of security.
Somalia is a clan-based society, although many Somali- Americans seek to move beyond the conflicts this created in Somalia. Marriage is considered a relationship between two families or clans; however, most marriages are chosen rather than arranged.
The Somali Flash Floods are a group of flash floods that occur annually in the country of Somalia. The floods are a result of the Gu rains, which is the monsoon like rainfall that comes every March in the region. Every year, in the period from March to July, flash floods hit the lower Jubba and lower Shabelle regions of Somalia. .
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Flash floods cause devastation and destruction.
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Population increase has resulted in more people being forced to live in the lower floodplain areas.
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More susceptible to damage and loss of life by the flooding.
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Flood relief channels that were managed by the government are now in disarray following the start of the Somali Civil War
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Flood relief channels, specifically the ones near the Jubba and Shabelle river valleys, are inoperable and not protecting their respective areas.
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2006- the flooding was the most damaging flood in East Africa in 50 years. Reports indicate that the floodwaters drowned the livestock, submerged the crop, swept away homes, and starved the population on scales not seen before impacting at least 300,000 people.
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2007- flood displaced at least 400,000 people.
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2011- flooding displaced at least 1,000 homes.
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2012- at least 25 people were killed by the flooding, 5,000 livestock animals were drowned, and 20,000 people were displaced.
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2013- at least 7 people were killed, and 50,000 displaced.
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2018- 215,000 people have been displaced and over 630,000 affected by floods.
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2019- over 500,000 people were displaced by the floods.
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2020- almost 1 million people were affected by the floods, with 400,000 being displaced. Beledweyne District was the worst hit region, with 25 villages and 85% of the town of Beledweyne being affected. 40% of residents of Jowhar were also displaced from their homes.
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2023 (click photos for current news about Jubba Valley flooding)
27 MARCH, 2023 BY RICHARD DAVIES
By Sahnun AhmedBBC News Somali
15th November 2023, 07:26 EST