It is said that ancient Somali tribes have had several pacts (good or bad) with serpents (Somali: mas). Some use a designated name to call them so as not to upset them. Some tribes boasted of an innate connection with snakes. A connection that was established when their progenitor was born and was put on […]

When the European ‘scramble for Africa’ began in the late 19th century, the ancient Somali city Marka was infamously known amongst the Europeans as a city hostile to foreigners. Whilst the Darawiish forces were waging anti-colonial campaigns in northern Somalia, similiar campaigns were being conducted in southern Somalia. One particular instance was the Biyomaal anti-colonial […]

Mohammed Tukaale composed the lyrics of this famed song (Ducaysane Wiilkayoow – Oh my blessed son – sung by Hassan Aden Samatar) with the intention to advise his son with words full of wisdom and the struggle that life will throw at him. It carries a symbolic message revealing the natural and intricate bond between […]

I have received an email, telling the story of a Somali brother who was seriously injured in a car accident back in January 2013. He underwent several critical stages with the latest stage being in a permanent comatose. His family and friends have commenced a noble project to fund-raise the cost of his transportation from […]

The following poem, composed by Ali Mire Awale, carries words of wisdom to his elderly daughters whom he reminds to never forget the struggle he underwent to raise them as a single father. Ali Mire Awale was one of the first batch of Somali teachers in 1960. An established scholar, he is credited to have […]