Somali units of measurement

A number of units of measurement were used in Somalia to measure length, mass, area, capacity, etc. Metric system adopted in 1950, and has been compulsory since 1972 in Somalia.^[1]

System before metric system

A number of units were used. These units were local and varied with materials and provinces.

Length

Several units were used to measure length. One top was equal to 3.92 m.^[1]^[2] One cubito was equal to 1/7 top.^[1]^[2]

Mass

A number of units were used to measure mass. One rottolo (pound) was equal to 0.448 kg.^[1]^[2] Some other units are given below:

1 okia (ounce) = 1⁄16 rottolo

1 frasla = 36 rottolo

1 gisla = 360 rottolo.^[1]^[2]

Area

One darat was equal to 8000 m².^[2]

Capacity

Two main systems, dry and liquid, were used.

Dry

Several units were used to measure dry capacity. One chela was equal to 1.359 L.^[1]^[2] Some other units were given below:

1 tabla = 15 chela

1 gisla = 120 chela.^[1]^[2]

Liquid

One caba was equal to 0.453 L.^[1]^[2]

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h Cardarelli, F. (2003). Encyclopaedia of Scientific Units, Weights and Measures. Their SI Equivalences and Origins. London: Springer. pp. 172. ISBN 978-1-4471-1122-1.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h Washburn, E.W. (1926). International Critical Tables of Numerical Data, Physics, Chemistry and Technology. Vol. 1. New York: McGraw-Hil Book Company, Inc. pp. 11, 12.

[:esu172-1] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h Cardarelli, F. (2003). Encyclopaedia of Scientific Units, Weights and Measures. Their SI Equivalences and Origins. London: Springer. pp. 172. ISBN 978-1-4471-1122-1.

[:ict11_12-2] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h Washburn, E.W. (1926). International Critical Tables of Numerical Data, Physics, Chemistry and Technology. Vol. 1. New York: McGraw-Hil Book Company, Inc. pp. 11, 12.

[1]

[2]