In Somali culture, clan honour is closely tied to women’s dignity, a deeply rooted belief that shapes both traditions and conflict. The concept of irdh, a feminized vision of honour derived from the Qur’an, encompasses values like nobility, pride, and chivalry. In this worldview, harm or insult to a woman is seen as a collective affront to her entire clan, capable of triggering prolonged violence. A notable example from 20 years ago saw two clans engage in a three-year conflict, resulting in over 300 deaths, after a young man from one clan made flirtatious remarks to a girl from another. Under Somali customary law (xeer), verbal insults (af xumayn and af lagaadayn) between the sexes, especially across clan lines, are treated as serious offenses, often resolved through livestock or monetary compensation. However, in tense inter-clan contexts, such incidents can ignite large-scale conflict. This paradox, where women are both venerated and controlled, stems partly from patriarchal structures aimed at maintaining clan purity and preventing intermarriage. Somali poet Hadraawi’s celebrated work “Hooyo” (Mother) offers a more compassionate vision, challenging and softening these rigid norms. The irdh tradition remains a potent cultural force, influencing Somali social cohesion, disputes, and the politics of honour.