The culture of Somaliland encompasses a wide range of Somali activity and Islamic structures that give Somaliland a rich cultural and historical heritage. Nomadic and Arab Islamic cultural significance have also played a key role on Somaliland's cultural history.
The clan structure is the main pillar of Somali culture. Somalis all hail from the same tribe, which is divided into six main clans and loads of subclans. The nomadic lifestyle also exerts a major influence on Somali culture.
Somalis can be quiet and dignified, with a tendency to ignore strangers, but have a tremendous oral (often poetic) tradition. Written Somali is a very young language (the Somali Latin script was established in 1973), and spelling variation, especially of place names, is very common. English is widely used in Somaliland.
All Somalis are Sunni Muslims and Islam is extremely important to the Somali sense of national identity. Most women wear headscarves, and arranged marriage is still the norm in rural areas.