Possible ancient Somali script?

[JustSomeGuy]

So I found this whilst looking through Wikipedia and thought that it kinda resembles a script. What do you guys think? Could this have been a script used to write Proto-Somali?

Apparently these symbols/letters have been dated back to the Neolithic era. If it’s true, it could be one of the oldest scripts in human history.

And if so, why did this script fall out of use? Why did ancient somalis stop using them?

 

[Khaem]

View attachment 341583
So I found this whilst looking through Wikipedia and thought that it kinda resembles a script. What do you guys think? Could this have been a script used to write Proto-Somali?

Apparently these symbols/letters have been dated back to the Neolithic era. If it’s true, it could be one of the oldest scripts in human history.

And if so, why did this script fall out of use? Why did ancient somalis stop using them?

They were used to mark camels. Each clan had their own symbol they'd mark their camels with. That's what we thought until we found full inscriptions of them around waqooyi.

Search sumado script you'll see many like this. I also remember someone mentioned it was brought up to Siad Barre when he was given different scripts to make official for the Somali language. Barre obviously chose Latin in the end.

 

[Fez]

I wonder if this is a uniquely Somali thing or if other Cushitic tribes had this kind of script

 

[JustSomeGuy]

They were used to mark camels. Each clan had their own symbol they'd mark their camels with. That's what we thought until we found full inscriptions of them around waqooyi.

Do you have a source for these inscriptions in waqooyi?

 

[Khaem]

Do you have a source for these inscriptions in waqooyi?

Not sure but i found Siad Barre's quote on the script

Siad Barre, AUN:

"**We find the Roman alphabet more convenient. It is also international. Most of intellectuals and literate citizens are used to it, and our imported equipment are described in Roman alphabet. Technically, we find its use more viable then any other script. For instance, we have an ancient Somali script which, if we were to get emotional, we would have adopted, but we did not, because we believe in reality. As a free people, we met without the so-called foreign experts, asked ourselves which script would best serve our modern needs, and decided on Roman alphabet. As you know, the use of this new alphabet is now a national fact.**"

 

[Internet Nomad]

Not sure but i found Siad Barre's quote on the script


View attachment 341590View attachment 341591
View attachment 341592

As much as i would want it to be a script it just looks like markings. Its not a script its just pastoralists making symbols overtime.

It could’ve evolved into a script but I don’t understand why it died out in its infancy maybe sabean or arabic took over?

 

[NidarNidar]

As much as i would want it to be a script it just looks like markings. Its not a script its just pastoralists making symbols overtime.

It could’ve evolved into a script but I don’t understand why it died out in its infancy maybe sabean or arabic took over?

Yes, Sabaic writing is found in Sanaag dating back to the 2nd century bc, possible link with T somalis.

 

[Internet Nomad]

Yes, Sabaic writing is found in Sanaag dating back to the 2nd century bc, possible link with T somalis.

View attachment 341597

View attachment 341596

I remember a user saying that the letters in the Somali sabaean writings don’t exactly match with the standard Yemeni sabaean letter’s.

I have no way to verify that claim but it’s interesting.

 

[NidarNidar]

I remember a user saying that the letters in the Somali sabaean writings don’t exactly match with the standard Yemeni sabaean letter’s.

I have no way to verify that claim but it’s interesting.

It was probably used for trade and communication, the Wadaad script most likely replaced it from the 10th century A.D

The 10th century A.D was a special time in Somali history especially surrounding Yusuf bin Ahmad al-Kawneyn commonly known as Aw Barkhadle and his spearhead of Islam in the region, he was Somali(Dir).

A lot of sites in the north are still not properly looked at, archaeologists of the future will have a field day.

 

[Khaem]

As much as i would want it to be a script it just looks like markings. Its not a script its just pastoralists making symbols overtime.

It could’ve evolved into a script but I don’t understand why it died out in its infancy maybe sabean or arabic took over?

Probably arabic script adoption made it die out early

 

[Basra]

View attachment 341583
So I found this whilst looking through Wikipedia and thought that it kinda resembles a script. What do you guys think? Could this have been a script used to write Proto-Somali?

Apparently these symbols/letters have been dated back to the Neolithic era. If it’s true, it could be one of the oldest scripts in human history.

And if so, why did this script fall out of use? Why did ancient somalis stop using them?

Script? Or cave monkeys drivels? U see- it is these kinds of things that make u an atheist huuno. U invest too much on fore fathers and Waaq bullshit