Ayaan: Inheritor of Faded Dreams

Ayaan is based on a true story of a little Somali girl whose world collapsed. She endured a great deal of cruel mistreatment and abuse. It is one of many untold tragic stories of Somali women during the fall of the Somali state and the brutal civil war that followed. And yet they stood proud and confident. It is pride that drives the Somali society. Survival is built on courage and self denial; and Ayaan (whose name means “the fortuneâ€?) had that fortitude. Her story may not conform to the norms of Somali culture and may provoke many self-righteous Somalis. Ayaan was a little girl who had the heart of a giant. Her ill treatment evidences the hatred within the Somali people. Indeed, this story will unmask some of Somalia’s chaotic history. If it doesn’t live up to your expectations, I beg your pardon. Yet I challenge you to allow me to tell you more of the legacy of my country.