"You can't spend all the money, you can't spend it at all!" There is a strange region in Africa where "there is only money left", the locals are billionaires by birth, almost every family makes a living by selling money, and no one picks up 100 million on the side of the road, why is there such a strange phenomenon?
(Source: Today's Headlines Knowledge Bureau of Everything - African Somaliland people use sacks to hold money, but they are all skinny, why is this)
In the hot land of Africa, there is such a strange little country, and its name is Somaliland.
Despite its small size, the country has made a lasting impression on the world.
As soon as you enter this territory, it is like walking into a city-state full of banknotes, littered with banknotes, and even the streets are lined with stalls with banknote signs.
Situated in the Horn of Africa, this small territory with a twisted history was once colonized by the British until it declared independence in 1991.
At the beginning of its independence, the small and emerging country decided to print a large number of Somali shillings, its own currency, in an attempt to boost its economy.
However, no one expected that this decision would trigger an unprecedented wave of inflation that would completely destroy the value of the shilling.
And just like that, overnight, the people of the entire country became "billionaires".
Penniless poor homes are crammed with banknotes of considerable denominations, and ordinary people live in "gold mines" made of banknotes.
Piles of banknotes are piled up in every corner of the kitchen, bedroom, and living room.
Old shopping bags and sacks are stuffed with banknotes and firmly tied with old hemp rope, becoming all the "assets" that people rely on for survival.
Once a common payment currency, the shilling has lost its value in circulation in the country, almost as much as a pile of waste paper.
This strange scene makes people feel a sense of absurd disobedience.
You see, there was an old man pushing a small old cart full of banknotes, and the high pile was worth a fortune.
But the old man seemed to ignore this, and walked through the streets in peace.
There was a sense of relief in his eyes, this "huge wealth" was nothing more than a heavy burden for him, and they had nowhere to use but to struggle to survive.
In the city of money, everything has changed.
What was originally a currency for trading has now become "evidence" for people to show off their net worth.
You see, the young men are sitting on the piles of bills in front of their houses and selling them, and they want to exchange the banknotes for hard currency that is really valuable.
Imagine that when you pass by one of the stalls, the proprietress warmly greets you: "Sir, do you want to change some money? The money at home is running out and you need to replenish your stock." "
I couldn't help but be amused by this picture, and I tried my best not to laugh out loud.
Isn't this a joke that everyone agrees on? Even the national currency has become a laughing stock.
However, the trauma caused by inflation this time is much more than that.
In a remote corner of the city, a few young people are gathering together, reaching out and sharing a bag of unknown plants.
This is the "Carter Grass" that is prevalent in the local area.
This spiky weed contains an addictive narcotic ingredient that makes it the only way for the poor to find solace when expensive drugs are not available.
Poverty, despair and spiritual desolation have plunged God-blessed Somaliland into dire straits.
The back streets and alleys are full of young people who smoke Carter grass, they are like a group of crazy people who have been abandoned by the world.
Seeing them lying on the pile of banknotes on the side of the street, I lost the last shred of awe of those who claimed to be billionaires.
The road to prosperity is completely blocked, and the younger generation is gradually losing its way.
The government's promise of "education for all" now seems to be a dead letter.
Somaliland, in the midst of economic crisis, is no longer able to provide reliable public services to its people.
Damaged signs and ruins on the roadside are a sign of the severe poverty of public infrastructure.
Children who are supposed to be learning in the classroom are now confined to their homes or on the streets.
For young people in Somaliland, the future is bleak.
Just when the prospect of this land is desperate, a subtle vision regains hope.
A mother hurries through the streets with her two children in her hand to return home before the sun sets.
Yes, for them, no matter how poor their families are, they are still the last haven in the world.
Perhaps it is this little bit of hope that has kept the country alive and well in the face of a huge inflationary shock.
Although the road to the future has been long and bumpy, Somaliland has survived the most brutal part.
As long as the people are united, they will be able to overcome the shadow of inflation and regain the status and authority of the currency in their own country.
Banknotes do not carry "wealth", but people's expectations for a better life.
Someday, the city of banknotes will come back to life, and the colorful banknotes will regain the brilliance of the currency itself.
At that time, people will have a new look and establish a real road to economic take-off.
