Somali Clothing Vocabulary

I’ve been finishing up packing, so I’ve definitely got clothing (dharka) on my mind! So, I figure today is as good of a day as any to learn some clothing vocabulary in Somali.

Part 1: Translate-able Dharka Vocabulary

1. shirt = shaati
2. pants = surwaal
3. jacket = jaakad
4. socks = sharaabaad
5. shoes = kabo
6. hijab = xijaab
7. skirt = goonno
8. belt = suun
9. necklace = silsilad
10. bracelet = jijin
11. shawl = shalmad
12. bra = rajabeeto
13. underwear = nigis
14. earring = hilqado

Part 2: Non-Translateable Dharka Vocabulary

There are various items of clothing, well-known in Somali culture (even though not everyone wears them), which don’t really have an English equivalent. Instead, I’ve tried to write up brief definitions for each one.

1. macawis = men’s traditional sarong, tied around the waist
2. koofiyad = men’s hat, often embroidered
3. guntiino = women’s traditional dress, a long cloth draped over the body
4. gorgorad = women’s slip/underskirt, worn with a guntiino
5. dirac = women’s kaftan-style dress
6. shash = headscarf worn by women
7. garbasaar = women’s shawl
8. abaaya = women’s dress with long sleeves