Interior of one of Somalia’s ancient Masjids (taken 1937). Bit disturbing to see colonial flags hoisted inside the mosque. Either it was hoisted specifically for the picture (part of Italy’s propaganda campaign) or it was a norm. Allaahu Aclam
Jul 25 2014
Can You Hear Me? – 1994
A short poem written in 1994 by Amina Ahmed Yusuf during the height of Somalia’s man-made famine in 1993 where over 300,000 Somalis perished. It is written through the eyes of a young Somali child. “Can You Hear Me? Can you hear me? Can I be heard? As you poke me, dear doctor, with your […]
Jul 13 2014
Soomaali waa Kuma? / Who is Somali? – Abwaan Cabdulqaadir Xirsi Yamyam
Cabdulqaadir Xirsi Siyaad (Abwaan Yamyam), beautifully defined the meaning of Soomaalinimo in a poem that he devised during the 1977 war. A master piece, that professes the Somali ethos, leaving out our bad characteristics hehe Cabdi Maxamed and Shaafici Saciid eloquently translated the Somali version in to English, although, one can never truly render Somali […]
Jul 13 2014
Saddex kolkaan bartay baan ka gaboobey
Murtidan hoosta ku qoran oo laga heli karo buugga la yiraahdo Madhaafaanka Murtida (The essential wisdom – pub. 1973) oo uu qoray Yuusuf Meygaag Samatar, waa buug xambaarsan murti iyo maahmaahyo. Yuusuf wuxuu ka mid ahaa Xubnihii Guddigga Far Soomaaliga (1972). Saddex kolkaan bartay baan ka gaboobey:- 1. Dab ololintii. 2. Awr carraabinteed. 3. Carruur […]
Jul 13 2014
Ina Faarax Jaamac Siyaad – Somalia
Ina Jaamac Faarax Siyaad (1930 – 1993), a Pan-Somalist and a poet from Djibouti, wrote the following in 1954 as part of a series of poems celebrating Pan-Somalism: The distant plains of our loving land Rise forth into the night O’er the green vales a sad plaintive moan Distinctly sounds the light From the heart […]
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