But despite this, the centuries' old cultural nationalism of the Somali had at last found a powerful modern political expression. Somali nationalism in fact had gained an impetus and momentum which was to carry it increasingly forward, notwithstanding this continued partition and the continuing force of internal clan rivalries and factionalism. … And certainly few emergent nations could boast a more vigorous and exacting political tradition than that of the democratic pastoral social system where, perforce, every man is a politician and must exercise all his political talents to the uttermost if he is to survive and prosper in this demanding and hostile environment.

I.M. Lewis, I. M. Lewis, A Modern History of the Som…, loc. 375