“Hooyo” is a poem-turned-song by Ahmed Nur Yusuf, born in Baargaal (Bari region) in 1938. Ahmed was a teacher and a prominent poet at the Ministry of Education and Training. He devised this poem to highlight the essence of motherhood: Oh mother, [the wheels of] worldly affairs you inject with your resilient strength Unwavering love […]
Jun 28 2015
26 June 1960
Fifty-five years ago, on this auspicious day, when the British Union Jack was lowered in what was then known as British Somaliland only for it to be replaced by the Somali flag; one northern Somali poet was given the honours to conjure a poem-turned-song to commemorate this joyful day. It was none other than Abwaan […]
Jun 23 2015
Cumar-ku-Joog monument near Berbera
A (renovated) memorial stone on the outskirts of Dacar Budhuq village (near Berbera Somaliland). Top part of the inscription reads 1939 – 1945; signifying the timeline of WW II. Story goes that it was erected by the British Empire in honour of a local Somali soldier, Cumar Axmed Amaan (Cumar ku-Joog), who was killed defending […]
Jun 23 2015
Sheikh town
Sheikh, a dusty little town with an amazing receptive atmosphere. Given that I am a huge Somali history enthusiast, I had to check out the Fardawsa ruins. The ruins are undated but some suggest they are from a pre-Islaamic epoch. There are several mass-graves — graves containing remains of the ancient Somalis. Had to venture […]
Jun 23 2015
Laas-Geel caves (Pictures)
We commenced on a failed visit yesterday evening to Laas-Geel (an archeological site some 60km from Hargeisa). Getting briefly lost in a pitch-black environment, equipped with small torches and being entertained by hyenas’ hysterical laughter, we managed to find the correct site a day later (at a good time) alxamdullilah and see the remains left […]
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