Somalia was one of the few key countries that internationally lobbied heavily for Mozambique’s self-determination and definitive end to the 470 years of Portuguese colonial rule. In 1975, when Mozambique was granted independence and the Portuguese flag was lowered for the final time, the only head of state that was in attendance at Mozambique’s independence […]
Sep 18 2018
Oh, the things we remember!
I’m continually amazed at some of the stuff we can indelibly recall as kids—inconsequential details involving our childhood experiences—yet I can barely remember the name of someone I’ve met several times, or the last movie I saw. One of my earliest autobiographical memories that still lingers around in my long-term repository involves a nameless female […]
Sep 6 2018
Palestine Farm in Somalia
Historical tidbit: In the early 1970s, Somalia presented the Palestinian Liberation Organisation (PLO) an opportunity to invest in a 500-hectare farm west of Mogadishu. The farm originally belonged to an Italian businessman, and he sold it before permanently leaving the country. Somalia facilitated the project by allowing the import of the required equipment to operate […]
Jul 22 2018
Generational reverse-role-address in the Somali language
One linguistic device that is found in the Somali language — and a few other languages such as Georgian, Turkish, Russian, Romanian, Italian and Arabic — is the generational reverse-role-address. In the Somali language, children (and adults) address their father and mother in the usual way, calling them “aabbo” (father) or “hooyo” (mother). Now the […]
Oct 27 2017
‘You’re Going Where’? Travel Series
I have been working on a travel series that aims to dispel the familiar image of war, poverty and terrorism when one imagines Africa. Synopsis: ‘You’re Going Where?’ is an inspiring travel series, highlighting epic landscapes and unforgettable cultures, to the often trying times that come with visiting unknown destinations. ‘You’re Going Where’ chronicles the […]
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