In several parts of the Horn of Africa, sleeping in trees is not a curiosity or cultural spectacle — it is a practical adaptation shaped by climate, ecology, and lived experience. For communities navigating extreme heat, biting insects, and the threat of ground-dwelling animals, elevated rest can offer a simple but effective solution.
The Horn of Africa — comprising countries such as Somalia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Djibouti — is home to vast arid and semi-arid landscapes. In many rural and pastoral regions, daytime temperatures can be intense, and the retained ground heat often makes sleeping indoors or at ground level uncomfortable well into the night.
A Response to Heat
In hot, dry environments, cooler air tends to circulate more freely above ground level. By sleeping in trees — often on makeshift platforms or sturdy branches — individuals can benefit from improved airflow and a noticeable drop in temperature. The elevation also reduces direct exposure to heat radiating from the earth after sunset.
For pastoralist communities who move with their livestock, tree-based sleeping arrangements can be temporary and flexible. Rather than constructing permanent structures in remote grazing areas, climbing a tree may provide a quick and resource-efficient resting option.
Protection from Insects and Animals
Beyond temperature control, elevation serves another crucial purpose: protection. Many parts of the Horn are home to insects that become particularly active at night, including mosquitoes that carry diseases. While sleeping in trees does not eliminate the risk entirely, it can reduce exposure compared to ground-level rest.
Wild animals and snakes also pose dangers in certain rural areas. Sleeping above ground creates a physical barrier against unexpected encounters with predators or livestock disturbances. For communities accustomed to living close to nature, such strategies are rooted in practical knowledge passed down through generations.
Indigenous Knowledge and Environmental Adaptation
This practice reflects a broader pattern of environmental adaptation seen across arid regions. Rather than relying solely on built infrastructure, many communities develop strategies that align with available natural resources. Trees become not only sources of shade and sustenance but also protective shelters.
Such customs are often misunderstood when viewed from outside contexts. However, in regions where electricity, air conditioning, or permanent housing may be limited, these methods represent resilience and ingenuity rather than hardship alone.
Changing Realities
As urbanisation increases in cities like Mogadishu and Addis Ababa, traditional practices such as tree-sleeping are less common in urban environments. Yet in rural and pastoral areas, particularly during seasonal migrations or extreme heatwaves, the practice endures.
In a world grappling with rising temperatures and climate volatility, the lived adaptations of communities in the Horn of Africa offer insight into how human survival strategies evolve in response to environmental pressures. Sleeping in trees, in this context, is neither primitive nor symbolic — it is a rational, experience-based response to the realities of place.
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