Dhegdheer: A Scary Somali Folktale

by Marian A. Hassan, Betsy Bowen (Illustrator)

The Somali Bilingual Book Project reflects the Minnesota Humanities Commission's commitment to promote and preserve heritage languages and increase English literacy skills of refugee and immigrant families. About the In this hair-raising cautionary tale from Somalia, the Hargega Valley is plagued by the monstrous Dhegdheer, who gobbles up anyone unlucky enough to cross her path. A widow and her young son try to escape her. Will they be Dhegdheer's next meal or will their virtue save them and help bring an end to Dhegdheer's reign of terror?

Genres: Picture Books, Africa, Folk Tales

32 pages, Hardcover

First published November 15, 2006

Reviews

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Presented in both English and Somali, this bilingual picture book relates the traditional Somali folktale of the Dhegdheer, a monstrous cannibal whose depredations have transformed the Hargega Valley into a wasteland. When a blameless widow and her young child happen by, they are saved by the kindness of the Dhegdheer's daughter, and the forces of natural justice.

A cautionary tale, The Dhegdheer is part of the Minnesota Humanities Commission's "Somali Bilingual Book Project," and offers a fascinating glimpse of a folk tradition that is virtually unknown in the United States. The accompanying illustrations by Betsy Bowen are appropriately creepy. Ideal for young readers who love scary stories.

[Monster]

Dhegdeer is a monstrous cannibal woman endowed with incredible strength, speed, and hearing, whose evil ways have cursed the lush Hargrega Valley in Somalia, turning it into a desert wasteland. She builds a hut next to her house to lure and trap unwary travelers needing shelter and water, and enspells Bowdheer, a jar in which she stores human flesh, to alert her if anyone touches it. When an exhausted mother and child see the hut and stop to rest, Dhegdeer’s daughter warns them that they are in grave danger. As she looks for food for the weary travelers, she accidentally bumps into Bowdheer, who wakes a very hungry Dhegdeer.

Dhegdeer is a character from Somali folklore used to scare children into good behavior. Parents caution their children not to wander away “or Dhegdeer will get you”. Betsy Bowen’s illustrations carry out that ominous theme. Vivid colors are painted in broad strokes over black gesso, giving the illustrations a shadowy feel. While figures are outlined in black, they are indistinct. Only the faces of the main characters are shown with detail, and Dheghdeer’s appearance and expression are frightening indeed, especially presented in closeup. No child would want to see that face in person!

This book is a project of the Minnesota Humanities Commission and Somali Bilingual Book Project, which is intended to preserve heritage languages (there is a considerable Somali population in Minnesota) and increase English literacy skills for refugees. As a bilingual title, the same text appears in both English and Somali on facing pages, and can be enjoyed in either language. Teachers may find possible curriculum connections with this book as well.

Dhegdeer may appeal to upper elementary kids and (even though it’s a picture book) middle school kids looking for a scare, but it’s also an original title that would be a fine addition to any collection of folktales, and is sure to draw in reluctant readers in need of an arresting text, whether they are bilingual or not. Highly recommended for folktale collections in the public library and in elementary and middle school library media centers.

Review by Kirsten Kowalewski

[Melle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delight to read -- a story that espouses cleverness and goodness (especially in the face of terrifying forces and circumstances), and a great level of scary/suspenseful for all ages (Dhegdheer ranks right up there with Krampus and Satan for mythological folk monsters). I love side-by-side bilingual books, and the formatting for this was done well. Woodcut illustrations never grab me, but these didn't detract from the reading experience and were more atmospheric; the text was what definitely stood out here.

[KurokN · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a Somali child growing up in Norway, I vividly recall stumbling upon this book. It was perhaps the only Somali book available in my elementary school library. I am immensely grateful to the author for creating such a treasure. Marian's work opened up a world of representation and connection for me, and I cannot thank her enough :)

[Alice · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is one of a series of attractive bilingual Somali books designed to strengthen families' English literacy skills. Finally I have progressed enough in Somali to read the Somali side first, then the English!

The cautionary tale, about a predatory female cannibal, is gruesomely scary (American parents might want to check the content first). Realizing that this terror--a mother and child hiding in a hut while an enemy searches for them--might actually express the experience of the refugee is sobering. I liked the ending. At the climax, the fleeing mother and child are granted safe passage over a river, while the cruel Dhegdheer drowns. Justice is served, and peace returns to the land, with overtones of the "Crossing the Red Sea" story.

[Asad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Somali Cultural falktale and good book to read with whole family.

[Abdirasak · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm wondering