Includes bibliographical references (pages 141-142) and index.

Somalia today -- Geography. Peaks and valleys -- The Haud -- Monsoons and droughts -- Hardy plants -- In the wild -- Noble creatures -- Ways of life -- History. Religious clashes -- New beginnings -- Foreign expansion -- Battleground -- Politics -- A new republic -- Government. A fragile union -- Communist coup -- Regime change -- Forming government -- Economy. Main industries -- Farming and herding -- Wealth from the sea -- Manufacturing and natural resources -- By land, sea, and air -- Information and communication -- Environment. Need for conservation -- Losing precious land -- Threatened species -- Waste dumping -- Damage to the seas -- Illegal fishing -- Environmental protection -- Somalis. Population -- Somali society -- Artisanry -- Clothing -- Lifestyle. Family ties -- Social status -- Foreigners -- Marriage and divorce -- Growing up Somali -- Women's roles -- Schools -- City dwellings -- Medical needs -- Homes to go -- Religion. The Five Pillars of Islam -- The holy book -- Sufism and Wahhabism -- Places of worship -- Sainthood -- Widowhood - The politics of religion -- Language. Arabic -- Somali names -- Manners of speaking -- Greetings -- Arts. Influences -- Theater -- A world of stories -- The power of words -- Arts and crafts -- Architecture old and new -- Leisure. A cup of coffee -- The marketplace -- Handicrafts -- Diving in -- Score! -- Out on the town -- Taking a break -- Festivals. Nonreligious celebrations -- The first month -- "Oh Hussein! Oh Hussein!" -- Ashura -- The Prophet's birthday -- The holiest month -- Breaking fast -- In praise of sacrifice -- Marriage celebrations -- Rites of passage -- Food. Popular dishes -- Cooking methods -- Fasting -- Feasting -- Family meals -- Dining out -- Favorite dishes -- Drink -- Map of Somalia -- About the economy -- About the culture -- Timeline -- Glossary.