Values Somalis are a proud people. They did not accept the European culture, even during colonial occupation. Somalis value self-reliance, mutual respect, autonomy, friendship, and tradition. Somalis consider themselves subservient to no one accept Allah. Somalis value cleanliness and bathe often.
Some women dye their hair, hands, and feet with henna.
For special occasions such as a wedding, intricate patterns are painted on the women's hands and feet. Somali women generally cover their heads with a scarf. Somali men in Chicago generally wear western clothes outside the home. At home they often prefer to wrap a large cloth around their waist. Somalis commonly greet other people.