For generations, many pregnant Somali women have craved and consumed charcoal, a practice deeply ingrained in cultural tradition. Yet, behind this craving lies a serious health risk—one that many fail to acknowledge. While some believe charcoal consumption relieves nausea or provides nutrients, medical experts warn that it poses severe dangers to both mother and child.
Dr. Ahmed Fartaag, an obstetrician, explains that eating charcoal can cause digestive complications, including constipation, stomach pain, and nutrient deficiencies. This unusual craving falls under the medical condition pica, where individuals consume non-food substances such as soil, clay, or charcoal. Some researchers link it to iron deficiency or anemia, common among pregnant women.
Though activated charcoal—a medically treated version—has specific health applications, regular charcoal is highly toxic and should be avoided. Despite this, many Somali charcoal vendors witness pregnant women routinely eating it, often picking it up directly from the ground. Sahra Mahamud, a charcoal seller, recounts how women frequently chew on pieces, treating it as a normal pregnancy craving.
Beyond the personal health risks, charcoal consumption has dire environmental consequences. Somalia has seen a massive depletion of its acacia trees, a primary source of charcoal. Despite a 2012 international ban, Somali charcoal exports—especially to the Gulf region—remain lucrative, further driving deforestation and land degradation.
Somali social activist Khadiija Mahamed Guutaale has been vocal about the dangers of this practice, highlighting both its health risks and environmental destruction. She notes that many Somalis are unaware of the long-term consequences, as charcoal eating continues unchecked.
The question remains: how many more women and unborn children will suffer before this dangerous practice is abandoned? And as Somalia continues to strip its lands for charcoal production, what future will remain for the next generation?
