A number you see everywhere

By Omar Ibrahim Hussein (PhD).

In the West some numbers are considered unlucky. Number 13 is considered to be unlucky. For that reason, in high rising buildings, the number is skipped to avoid misfortune. The Chinese is said to skip 4 to 5 as they believe 4 is unlucky. For that reason if a number is say 84 it will be numbered 85 to avoid misfortune. That ignited my curiosity about the numbers. Are there some numbers that are really lucky or unlucky as some belief? I want to share with you the magic number that I see everywhere. The number is 5.

Universally a 5 star symbolizes higher quality. A group who desert from the main are called the 5th column, normally one would call them the second column not the 5th. The biggest military institution is called the Pentagon--- the 5 cornered building in Washington DC. which is the world’s center of power. Thus the world revolves around number 5. Globally people used to observe different working days; some seven, some six, and some 5. Now all is settled with 5 working days.

From the religious point of view, the number is sacred. As a Muslim, one has to pray 5 times a day and observe the 5 pillars of Islam. By creation; humans have 5 fingers, 5 toes, and 5 senses.

From the Somali perspective, number 5 is equally an important number. We call a girl “shan ka roon” better than 5 if she is all rounded… better than the best. We call the man who supports women… “dumar shaneyee” as though they were only 4 to be 5 with his addition. We believe wealth is composed of 5, as they call it the “Shanta maal al aduun”.

Politically the number was correct. During the struggle for independence, the 5 Somalis was the buzz word and nothing less or more was politically acceptable. The Somali flag has a 5 cornered star to symbolize the 5 Somalis. It was the only number we sang about in adulation.

“Shantu way is hooyoo isku so helobe”. The 5 are from the same mother; was the most popular song then. “Shanto oo is waheshada ee wacneydaa calan inay wadaagaanee wanaagsaneydaa”.

It would have been excellent if the 5 were together under one flag.

We got our independence in June 26, 1960 and we had it only for 5 days. Some politicians argued then for a 5 year self rule before the union, so that we could get a very good feel how to govern before we fall for the union. Some belief the 5 year could have made a difference. However, emotions were high and the union took place on schedule on 1 st July.

Is it an accident that what was called the Western Somalis; the Ogaden Region; the Reserved and Haud; has finally and forever settled with the 5 th district in Somali Ethiopia?

Number 5 reappears in the Somali tribal system too; as the multitude of clan system has been reduced to 5 after a long and tedious meeting in Arta. Because the number is magic, it is expected the new clan system will stick.

Both the Houses of Parliament and the Elder’s terms of office are 5years. The Election commission’ term of office is 5 years too. The term of office of our President is 5 years.

The current President was elected for 5 years as Vice President and 5 years as a President. He worked in 5 different professions; as an intelligent officer; a Diplomat; a Governor, a Vice President and finally as a President. He has 5 children too. Both his name; and his grand father’s name are composed of 5 letters; very interesting revelation. Many people belief that the President is lucky, may be because he has a number of 5ves in his belt… the magic number. I don’t know whether the two leaders of the two other parties have 5ves in their lives or as much 5ves as he has. But there is a probability that the current President with a number of 5ves in his life will have a better chance of winning the forth coming election for another 5-year term solely predicted on the magic number. It looks as though things are shaping in that direction these days.

Somalilanders are now squarely pinning their hopes of recognition on the Pentagon --- the 5-cornered military institution in Washington. With the Pentagon --- the magic number on our side, the chances of recognition are much brighter than ever before.

If I look back, the number was there with me too and I consider myself as extremely lucky. As a son of a poor farmer, I used to run 5 miles to school and 5 miles back to home in early days of my schooling. The 5 mile running paid off handsomely and the son of the poor father attained the highest educational qualifications normally reserved for the sons of millionaires.

In my family, we were 5 boys and 5 girls. I was circumcised at the age of 5 and joined a Quranic school at the age of 5. In the area where I was born and raised, there was a town called the 5 miles. It was 5 miles away from where I was born and 5 miles away from both my schools in Aw-barre and Amoud and 5 miles away from both Borama and Dilla. Therefore, number 5 was the centre of my universe in my earlier years. I went to 5 different stages of educational institutions as well as 5 professional institutions. Now I live in the 5th floor in an apartment building which I have not consciously chosen. As you see, I am all 5 and I expect good things to continue to come my way.

Do you have the magic number in your life as I do? If you do, you are lucky. Check it out. You could be up-to something great.

Omarh1980@hotmail.com