sentences:  The form of Somali verse is marked by "hikaad" (or alliteration) and an unwritten practice of meter.Somalis also have a rich oral tradition when it comes to ancient folktales, stories which were passed on from generation to generation.Tales such as "Dhegdheer the cannibal woman" were told to little children as a way to instill discipline in them since the dreaded "Dhegdheer" was said to pay a visit at night to all those who had been naughty.