Najaax Harun
Hagool, 2024

The hangool, a traditional tool of Somali nomads, is used both as a walking staff and to protect livestock from predators. However, its historical uses extend beyond these practical functions—it was once a means of controlling women within the household. Though such practices have faded in contemporary times, their echoes persist. The form of the woman in this painting is drawn from the silhouette of the camel, a prized animal in Somali culture, central to life and tradition, symbolized by the custom of offering a hundred camels as dowry. The parallels between women and camels, from a Somali perspective, are striking—both are seen as valuable, yet subject to control. Here, the hangool becomes a metaphor for the enduring force of patriarchy, under which women remain constrained. The honor tied to marriage, shaped by male perspectives, continues to be accepted, often unquestioned, reflecting the complex layers of societal influence still at play.

Najaax Harun, under the mercy of hangool, 2024, acrylic and oil pastel, 100 × 100 cm

From a young age, I questioned the concept of dowry—why it is given to the woman, and why men are the ones offering it. If marriage is a mutual agreement, what is the need for this exchange? As I grew older and engaged in conversations with both women and men, I came to understand that many women see the size of their dowry as a reflection of their honor and social status. Among peers, there is an eagerness to learn how much a friend’s dowry was, as if this figure measures her worth. For men, dowry often signifies power—an indication of financial prowess. Beyond the couple, the woman’s family also plays a role, negotiating the dowry as if bargaining for a prized possession they have nurtured, now seeking compensation that reflects her value. While religion intersects with these practices, my painting does not focus on that aspect. Rather, it offers a commentary on how the community views women as commodities, their worth determined by monetary exchange.

Najaax Harun, Sept. 2024