Why do geeljires hold hands while walking together?

[lone]

It always intrigued me.

 

[SomaliSteel]

In most eastern countries men hold hands when walking together

''Holding hands is the warmest expression of affection between men,'' said Samir Khalaf, a sociology professor at American University of Beirut in Lebanon. ''It's a sign of solidarity and kinship.''

In fact, if a man chooses not to touch another in a greeting, it can be interpreted as a sign of distance or disdain. Kissing cheeks, long handshakes and clutching hands are meant to reflect amity, devotion and most important, equality in status, noted Fuad Ishak Khuri, a social anthropologist, in his book, ''The Body in Islamic Culture'' (2001).

''Arab culture has historically been segregated, so emotions and feelings are channeled to the same sex,'' said Musa Shteiwi, a sociology professor at the University of Jordan. ''Men spend a lot of time together, and these customs grew out of that.''