How often do we allow tribalism, political rivalry, personal ego, or old grievances to consume our energy while poverty, unemployment, insecurity, and missed opportunities threaten our future?
The Story of Two Tribes and an Egg!
By Prof. Nassir Hussein Kahin. Inspired by Swift’s timeless satire in Gulliver’s Travels, this allegory reminds us that societies often become consumed by symbolic disputes while neglecting the challenges that truly determine their future.
The tale of the two tribes and the egg reminds us that many societies today waste precious energy on petty divisions—be they tribal, cultural, or ideological. Just as the following story’s two tribes nearly destroy themselves over a trivial difference, so too do nations risk calamity when they fail to prioritize unity and common sense over discord.
For Somalilanders, this story carries an urgent message: A paradigm shift to rise above tribalism, to embrace their shared identity, and to work collectively for peace, unity, prosperity, and international recognition on the global stage. Only by valuing unity and mutual respect can societies achieve greatness, leaving behind a legacy of hope for future generations. So, Let us get on the Peace Train and ensure the journey is one of harmony, not discord.
As the wise say, Reer Somaliland Meel Barwaaqo Leh Ayey U Guurayaan. Eyduna ha ka daba cido…Wah..Wah Wah….! (Somalilanders are on a long journey, one of peace and prosperity. Let the fools bark like a lonely abandoned dog at them “Wah..Wah
Here is the Timeless Allegory :
In a distant land, two peculiar tribes inhabited neighboring islands separated by a shimmering gulf. These diminutive people, standing no taller than three feet, had lived for generations steeped in animosity and stubborn pride. The tribes had named themselves with equal swagger: the Reer Dabaweyne, proudly calling themselves the “Big Ass Tribe,” and the Reer Dabayare, who equally zealously embraced their identity as the “Small Ass Tribe.”
The source of their hatred? An egg. Not the egg itself but the audaciously trivial question of how one should crack it before cooking.
The Big Ass Tribe maintained that the egg must be cracked on its larger end, declaring this method a sacred tradition and a sign of strength. Meanwhile, the Small Ass Tribe vehemently argued that cracking the smaller end was not only proper but divinely blessed. Each side saw the other’s approach as a ridiculous affront to decency. Their debates turned to grudges, and their grudges festered into generational hostility. Wars were fought. Songs of defiance were sung. And for all this effort, the eggs remained, as always, deliciously edible.
A Storm of Change
One fateful night, a monstrous storm swept through the islands, unleashing winds that roared louder than tribal war drums. Waves battered the land, leaving both tribes scrambling to shelter themselves and their precious eggs. When dawn broke, the devastation was clear: entire sections of both islands had been swallowed by the sea.
Yet, the storm carried with it a peculiar gift. On the shores of the Reer Dabaweyne’s island lay a man—no ordinary man, but a towering figure at least five times their size. Muscular and imposing, his unconscious body stretched across the sand like a fallen colossus.
The tribespeople, though wary, were curious. It took hundreds of their miniature horses to transport him to the only structure large enough to house him: the King’s palace. There, under the watchful eyes of the Big Ass King himself, the man was nursed back to health.
A Visitor of Uncommon Perspective
When the stranger awoke, he was overwhelmed by the hospitality of his tiny hosts. Though he towered over them physically, their kindness moved him. He bowed deeply to the King and said, “Your Majesty, I owe my life to your people. Ask anything of me, and I shall repay your generosity tenfold.”
The King, whose royal brow carried the weight of generations of egg-related feuds, saw an opportunity. Leaning forward in his grand chair, he declared, “Mighty stranger, we ask that you become our Commander-in-Chief. Lead us to victory over the cursed Reer Dabayare. Conquer their island, and finally, unite both lands under the one true tradition: cracking eggs on the larger end!”
The giant man blinked. “Pardon me, Your Majesty,” he said, stroking his chin. “But… you mean to tell me this whole feud is about how to crack an egg?”
The King straightened, visibly offended. “This is no trivial matter! It is about dignity, tradition, and righteousness!”
The man, suppressing a chuckle, replied, “Your Majesty, with all due respect, might I offer an alternative solution?”
A Lesson in Unity
Over the next week, the giant visited both islands, observing their customs, meeting their people, and tasting their eggs. Despite their differences, he noticed striking similarities: their love of family, their songs of resilience, and their shared ingenuity in using their limited resources.
Gathering both tribes on a neutral sandbar, he addressed them: “Noble Reer Dabayare and Reer Dabaweyne, you are far more alike than you care to admit. Your feud over an egg is as fragile as the shell itself. Why not focus on what you share rather than what divides you? Together, you could build a future far brighter than your past.”
At first, the tribes grumbled, muttering about the impossibility of unity. But slowly, his words began to sink in. The storms had shown them the fragility of their islands and the necessity of cooperation. Perhaps, they thought, it was time to crack open a new way of thinking.
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Prof. Nassir Hussein Kahin is a researcher, educator, journalist, and geopolitical analyst specializing in the Horn of Africa, the Red Sea, international law, diplomacy, and strategic affairs. To read Full Bio click on this link: ABOUT THE AUTHORProf. Nassir Hussein Kahin
