In conservative Somalia, a unique dating app called “Guurdoon” has surged in popularity since its launch in October 2022. However, unlike Tinder or Bumble, which are geared toward casual dating, Guurdoon aims to help users find a life partner for marriage.
According to its founders, The app has attracted tens of thousands of subscribers. On Guurdoon, users don’t swipe left or right on profiles and photos like on Western dating apps. Instead, they start by answering a series of questions, such as selecting their marital status preference or indicating whether they seek a partner with a job. Based on their responses, the app suggests potential matches.
Rahma Hussein, a 23-year-old nurse, has found Guurdoon to be a valuable platform. She doesn’t regret spending 23,000 Somali shillings (less than one euro on the black market) to access the app. “It works very well and is easy to use,” she shares. “It’s less difficult than physically meeting strangers. When you interact with someone online, you can ask them all the questions you want and ensure they’re right for you before you meet them,” she smiles.
Abdifatah Adan, a tuktuk driver in Mogadishu, also uses the app. He appreciates that it suggested around eight potential matches based on his partner’s preferences. “I just need to make up my mind and choose one,” he explains.
The Guardian app was developed by the Guryosamo association, founded in 2012 to promote marriage and assist young people who desire to marry but lack the financial means to do so in Somalia, a country plagued by civil war and insurgency. Ahmed Abshir Geedi, the director of Guryosamo, notes that societal structures have eroded in Somalia, including the institution of the family.
Recognizing the need to address these issues and promote healthy relationships, Guryosamo initiated the idea of Guurdoon. Geedi explains, “We understood the need to promote a platform where people of all ages can meet and find each other as partners since our young people are mainly on social networks these days.”
However, in this traditional and overwhelmingly Muslim society, the app is considered entirely new, and some individuals find its use confusing or even contradictory to cultural norms.
Abdifatah Adan shared his app use with his mother, who found it amusing but expressed concerns about potential deception through technology. Rahma Hussein uses the app discreetly, only when she’s with friends who are also registered users. Due to cultural norms, she hasn’t informed her parents about it.
Considering the clash with cultural values and norms, Mohamed Yasin, a 35-year-old divorced father, initially hesitated to download the app. Still, he ultimately decided to try to find a new wife.
Like Western dating apps, Guurdoon has its share of uncertainties and users who may not provide accurate information. Muhidin Abdinur, a user from Mogadishu, acknowledges this but remains optimistic, saying, “My intentions are good, so I’m sure I’ll get a ‘match.’ Even if I don’t find a suitable marriage partner, it will give me more experience connecting with others.”
Guurdoon represents a novel approach to matchmaking, bridging tradition and modern technology for those searching for lifelong companionship in a society that values religion and cultural norms.
For more tech news and insights, visit Rwanda Tech News, and explore similar topics and trends in the world of technology.
