The interview of Professor Samatar with the Somali singer

Never have I felt so much hope and gloom at the same time for Somali music and culture; that wonderful aesthetic product by default of the otherwise harsh Somali pastoral life. Onboard a plane from Minneapolis to Washington DC, I read an interview that Professor Ahmed I. Samater conducted with Maryam Omar Ali, commonly known as Aryette, a woman with a passion for Somali music and literature. The lengthy interview which ran over 20 pages was published in Bildhaan, an International Journal of Somali Studies, which I picked up while attending a Tol Convention in Minneapolis in early April.

With an ear for music since childhood, Maryan explained how she managed to possess a collection of about 9000 audio cassettes of Somali music and Somali plays. Among her collection are the original and finest songs of the celebrated singers such as Magool, Mohamed Suleiman, Omar Dhuule, Zahra Ahmed, Maandeeq, Baxsan, Fadumo Qasim and others as well as some of the memorable plays of the sixties and seventies.

They include Shabeel Nagood and Gaarabildhaan, the two great works of the legendary Hassan Sheikh Muumin. She has also in her possession Galbeed waa la xoreeyey by Hassan Abdillaahi Ganay, Kariye’s Jacaylkii Waalaye Aynu Weeraka aadno and Osman Adan Askari’s Wadhafkiyo Shimbirihii War Iskuma Hayaan of which Maryan herself has authored the script and some of the songs.

Somali Music of Somalia

The country of Somalia has come a long way to recovery. It is said that when the people engages in leisure activities; they must be happy. The people of Somalia have come a long way since the Islamic insurgents banned music.

The civilisation of Islamic State of Somalia is connected with its evergreen melodious inheritance. Somali music that would be once heard in all street corners and nooks of Somalia is now dead. It is alleged that the diverseness of the Soamalian people which generates Somalia its musical refinement and heritage. The nation of Somalia has around 2 cultural groups with assorted languages and culture. The ethnic groups that make Somalia include; the Samaal, which includes the Darod, Isaaq, Hawiye, and the Dir clan groups; and the Saab, that includes the Rahanweyn and Digil clans and other smaller clan groups.

This variety has been helpful in adding the music to the platform to which Somali songs and music stand now. For example, the Pashtuns of Somali has been traditionally affiliated with music that does melodious deeds at sacred and social events.

The music in Somali has also been influenced by the other African neighboring states. The Somali music has been classed in four diverse families mainly; Classical and Somali pop music. The diverse musical instruments employed to produce Somali songs and music gives it the distinct characteristics.

Form Somali Culture online.