in the 14th century in 1331 ebon Battuta the fame moroccan explorer perhaps the
the fame moroccan explorer perhaps the
the fame moroccan explorer perhaps the world’s greatest traveler covered more
world’s greatest traveler covered more
world’s greatest traveler covered more ground than Marco Polo arrived on the
ground than Marco Polo arrived on the
ground than Marco Polo arrived on the Bona Dea Coast in the same city we are
Bona Dea Coast in the same city we are
Bona Dea Coast in the same city we are seated in today what he came across the
seated in today what he came across the
seated in today what he came across the time was the wealthiest most powerful
time was the wealthiest most powerful
time was the wealthiest most powerful city not only in East Africa but some
city not only in East Africa but some
city not only in East Africa but some historians say the Indian Ocean trading
historians say the Indian Ocean trading
historians say the Indian Ocean trading system at large which of course at the
system at large which of course at the
system at large which of course at the time was the centerpiece of the global
time was the centerpiece of the global
time was the centerpiece of the global economy
economy
economy so if Rome was the king of the
so if Rome was the king of the
so if Rome was the king of the Mediterranean Mogadishu certainly was
Mediterranean Mogadishu certainly was
Mediterranean Mogadishu certainly was the pearl of the Indian Ocean
when a bomba – – arrived his ship was
when a bomba – – arrived his ship was anchored off the coast large groups of
anchored off the coast large groups of
anchored off the coast large groups of young Somali men went out to greet him
young Somali men went out to greet him
young Somali men went out to greet him they offered his crew food they placed
they offered his crew food they placed
they offered his crew food they placed them under their protection and they
them under their protection and they
them under their protection and they handled their business affairs for the
handled their business affairs for the
handled their business affairs for the entirety of their stay in Mogadishu such
entirety of their stay in Mogadishu such
entirety of their stay in Mogadishu such renowned hospitality invited traders
renowned hospitality invited traders
renowned hospitality invited traders seafarers merchants Admirals and even
seafarers merchants Admirals and even
seafarers merchants Admirals and even royalty to these shores and I think
royalty to these shores and I think
royalty to these shores and I think anyone who’s been to Somalia will tell
anyone who’s been to Somalia will tell
anyone who’s been to Somalia will tell you that that hospitality has not been
you that that hospitality has not been
you that that hospitality has not been lost these traders and merchants came
lost these traders and merchants came
lost these traders and merchants came from the Arabian Gulf they came from
from the Arabian Gulf they came from
from the Arabian Gulf they came from Persia they came from India where I was
Persia they came from India where I was
Persia they came from India where I was born
born
born hence the court though they they came
hence the court though they they came
hence the court though they they came from Southeast Asia and even China
from Southeast Asia and even China
from Southeast Asia and even China constant exchanges meant that each of
constant exchanges meant that each of
constant exchanges meant that each of these places left an indelible mark on
these places left an indelible mark on
these places left an indelible mark on Somalia’s language dress architecture
Somalia’s language dress architecture
Somalia’s language dress architecture cuisine aesthetic and most curiously
cuisine aesthetic and most curiously
cuisine aesthetic and most curiously Somalia’s music but how many of us know
Somalia’s music but how many of us know
Somalia’s music but how many of us know this history the history of Somalia is
this history the history of Somalia is
this history the history of Somalia is one of the greatest multicultural
one of the greatest multicultural
one of the greatest multicultural crossroads in the world we speak of
crossroads in the world we speak of
crossroads in the world we speak of crossroads like Turkey we celebrate
crossroads like Turkey we celebrate
crossroads like Turkey we celebrate crossroads like Singapore but why not
crossroads like Singapore but why not
crossroads like Singapore but why not Somalia Somalia rarely enters the
Somalia Somalia rarely enters the
Somalia Somalia rarely enters the established narratives of history until
established narratives of history until
established narratives of history until 1991 which is to say it has no agency
1991 which is to say it has no agency
1991 which is to say it has no agency until it has collapsed Africa at large
until it has collapsed Africa at large
until it has collapsed Africa at large is little to no mention or agency until
is little to no mention or agency until
is little to no mention or agency until it is either conquered or colonized or
it is either conquered or colonized or
it is either conquered or colonized or until it has slipped into a violent
until it has slipped into a violent
until it has slipped into a violent state of affairs which then immediately
state of affairs which then immediately
state of affairs which then immediately demands media coverage to fit what
demands media coverage to fit what
demands media coverage to fit what author Chimamanda Adichie calls the
author Chimamanda Adichie calls the
author Chimamanda Adichie calls the danger of the single story but as we
danger of the single story but as we
danger of the single story but as we know history is not a dead thing
know history is not a dead thing
know history is not a dead thing Yvonne van Sertoma the late great
Yvonne van Sertoma the late great
Yvonne van Sertoma the late great Guyanese historian who challenged the
Guyanese historian who challenged the
Guyanese historian who challenged the established perceptions and narratives
established perceptions and narratives
established perceptions and narratives of African history said quote history is
of African history said quote history is
of African history said quote history is not a mere accumulation of facts it is
not a mere accumulation of facts it is
not a mere accumulation of facts it is the creation of a different vision a
the creation of a different vision a
the creation of a different vision a different way of feeling seeing and
different way of feeling seeing and
different way of feeling seeing and believing what happened in history or
believing what happened in history or
believing what happened in history or what we think happened in history
what we think happened in history
what we think happened in history affects our reflexes our prejudices our
affects our reflexes our prejudices our
affects our reflexes our prejudices our conception of ourselves how we conceive
conception of ourselves how we conceive
conception of ourselves how we conceive of others how we treat ourselves and how
of others how we treat ourselves and how
of others how we treat ourselves and how we are treated by others but we must not
we are treated by others but we must not
we are treated by others but we must not seek to revive this history but rather
seek to revive this history but rather
seek to revive this history but rather to return to it because it has been only
to return to it because it has been only
to return to it because it has been only a very small period in the grand scheme
a very small period in the grand scheme
a very small period in the grand scheme of human history in which the peoples
of human history in which the peoples
of human history in which the peoples countries and cultures of the global
countries and cultures of the global
countries and cultures of the global South to which Somalia belongs have not
South to which Somalia belongs have not
South to which Somalia belongs have not enjoyed status at the very apex of world
enjoyed status at the very apex of world
enjoyed status at the very apex of world affairs to craft a route by which to
affairs to craft a route by which to
affairs to craft a route by which to return we need not look back 700 years
return we need not look back 700 years
return we need not look back 700 years to the time of eben Battuta as joyous of
to the time of eben Battuta as joyous of
to the time of eben Battuta as joyous of a journey as that was but I would argue
a journey as that was but I would argue
a journey as that was but I would argue we need look back only 30 to 40 years to
we need look back only 30 to 40 years to
we need look back only 30 to 40 years to the mogadishu of the 1970s and the 1980s
the mogadishu of the 1970s and the 1980s
the mogadishu of the 1970s and the 1980s this era was by no means perfect but it
this era was by no means perfect but it
this era was by no means perfect but it was an era in which spirits were high
was an era in which spirits were high
was an era in which spirits were high and euphoria flowed in abundance
and euphoria flowed in abundance
and euphoria flowed in abundance allowing for a musical and cultural
allowing for a musical and cultural
allowing for a musical and cultural revolution to take place the likes of
revolution to take place the likes of
revolution to take place the likes of which I have never experienced or worked
which I have never experienced or worked
which I have never experienced or worked with before we have to tell that story I
with before we have to tell that story I
with before we have to tell that story I first and foremost I’m a storyteller I
first and foremost I’m a storyteller I
first and foremost I’m a storyteller I began my working life as a journalist
began my working life as a journalist
began my working life as a journalist but working on an international news
but working on an international news
but working on an international news desk where the news images and news
desk where the news images and news
desk where the news images and news stories of Somalia followed a tired and
stories of Somalia followed a tired and
stories of Somalia followed a tired and shallow portrayal a portrayal that was
shallow portrayal a portrayal that was
shallow portrayal a portrayal that was unable to exceed past the bounds of this
unable to exceed past the bounds of this
unable to exceed past the bounds of this single story this inspired me to do
single story this inspired me to do
single story this inspired me to do something different it inspired me to
something different it inspired me to
something different it inspired me to tell real palpable vivid stories
tell real palpable vivid stories
tell real palpable vivid stories that breathed life into an already
that breathed life into an already
that breathed life into an already living history there are many ways to do
living history there are many ways to do
living history there are many ways to do this you can keep these memories fondant
this you can keep these memories fondant
this you can keep these memories fondant alive as the great Nero Dean fara has
alive as the great Nero Dean fara has
alive as the great Nero Dean fara has done through his noir novels you can
done through his noir novels you can
done through his noir novels you can maintain libraries of Somali poetry as a
maintain libraries of Somali poetry as a
maintain libraries of Somali poetry as a company in Stockholm Sweden has done or
company in Stockholm Sweden has done or
company in Stockholm Sweden has done or you can excavate one of the greatest
you can excavate one of the greatest
you can excavate one of the greatest most durable most revealing time
most durable most revealing time
most durable most revealing time capsules and cultural artifacts we have
capsules and cultural artifacts we have
capsules and cultural artifacts we have recorded music in whatever format you
recorded music in whatever format you
recorded music in whatever format you might find it vinyl LPs cassette tapes
might find it vinyl LPs cassette tapes
might find it vinyl LPs cassette tapes master tapes master reels these are the
master tapes master reels these are the
master tapes master reels these are the best and even compositional notebooks
best and even compositional notebooks
best and even compositional notebooks once music is recorded that’s it it is
once music is recorded that’s it it is
once music is recorded that’s it it is forever immortalized a collection of
forever immortalized a collection of
forever immortalized a collection of these recordings forms one of the most
these recordings forms one of the most
these recordings forms one of the most revealing a Stillwater reflection of the
revealing a Stillwater reflection of the
revealing a Stillwater reflection of the social and political happenings of the
social and political happenings of the
social and political happenings of the day you can quite literally feel history
day you can quite literally feel history
day you can quite literally feel history in music its ability to transport time
in music its ability to transport time
in music its ability to transport time and place is quite frankly unrivaled I
and place is quite frankly unrivaled I
and place is quite frankly unrivaled I wanted to find a way to harness the
wanted to find a way to harness the
wanted to find a way to harness the power of music so I started a record
power of music so I started a record
power of music so I started a record label or a music company if you will
label or a music company if you will
label or a music company if you will that seeks to capture and reveal to the
that seeks to capture and reveal to the
that seeks to capture and reveal to the world the music of misunderstood
world the music of misunderstood
world the music of misunderstood cultures the cultures I have worked with
cultures the cultures I have worked with
cultures the cultures I have worked with Haiti in the Caribbean the Cape Verde
Haiti in the Caribbean the Cape Verde
Haiti in the Caribbean the Cape Verde Islands off the coast of West Africa and
Islands off the coast of West Africa and
Islands off the coast of West Africa and now Somalia have all experienced the
now Somalia have all experienced the
now Somalia have all experienced the same trauma the trauma of displacement
same trauma the trauma of displacement
same trauma the trauma of displacement the trauma of many having to forcibly
the trauma of many having to forcibly
the trauma of many having to forcibly leave their home and a trauma of this
leave their home and a trauma of this
leave their home and a trauma of this nature and an exodus of this nature
nature and an exodus of this nature
nature and an exodus of this nature leaves one’s international image fragile
leaves one’s international image fragile
leaves one’s international image fragile and an international image just as once
and an international image just as once
and an international image just as once perception of history determines a great
perception of history determines a great
perception of history determines a great deal of our confidence the first and
deal of our confidence the first and
deal of our confidence the first and most enduring casualty of war I believe
most enduring casualty of war I believe
most enduring casualty of war I believe is the historical grandeur and the
is the historical grandeur and the
is the historical grandeur and the cultural backbone of a people restoring
cultural backbone of a people restoring
cultural backbone of a people restoring that or rather returning to it is as
that or rather returning to it is as
that or rather returning to it is as important if not more than any political
important if not more than any political
important if not more than any political diplomatic or military settlement our
diplomatic or military settlement our
diplomatic or military settlement our project to revive compile
project to revive compile
project to revive compile and make globally available Somali music
and make globally available Somali music
and make globally available Somali music from before the war is at the end of the
from before the war is at the end of the
from before the war is at the end of the day a human story our project seeks to
day a human story our project seeks to
day a human story our project seeks to humanize Somalia my colleagues and I
humanize Somalia my colleagues and I
humanize Somalia my colleagues and I began researching Somali music on
began researching Somali music on
began researching Somali music on YouTube and the Somali language corners
YouTube and the Somali language corners
YouTube and the Somali language corners of the internet where in recent years
of the internet where in recent years
of the internet where in recent years vast amounts of music collections have
vast amounts of music collections have
vast amounts of music collections have been uploaded by people who understand
been uploaded by people who understand
been uploaded by people who understand the value of keeping these songs alive
the value of keeping these songs alive
the value of keeping these songs alive and keeping them alive in any way they
and keeping them alive in any way they
and keeping them alive in any way they can possibly do this uploading of mass
can possibly do this uploading of mass
can possibly do this uploading of mass collections has actually been part of a
collections has actually been part of a
collections has actually been part of a greater trend in the last few years of a
greater trend in the last few years of a
greater trend in the last few years of a greater reassertion of Somali identity
greater reassertion of Somali identity
greater reassertion of Somali identity that the world has seen this trend has
that the world has seen this trend has
that the world has seen this trend has culminated into a movement which has led
culminated into a movement which has led
culminated into a movement which has led to the creation of archives Somali music
to the creation of archives Somali music
to the creation of archives Somali music archives that have been built to last in
archives that have been built to last in
archives that have been built to last in our Gaza the Red Sea foundation amassed
our Gaza the Red Sea foundation amassed
our Gaza the Red Sea foundation amassed and got together a collection of over
and got together a collection of over
and got together a collection of over 10,000 cassette tape recordings the
10,000 cassette tape recordings the
10,000 cassette tape recordings the story of Somali cassette tapes is very
story of Somali cassette tapes is very
story of Somali cassette tapes is very interesting a lot of these cassette
interesting a lot of these cassette
interesting a lot of these cassette tapes were actually dispatched to
tapes were actually dispatched to
tapes were actually dispatched to Djibouti and Kenya during the war to
Djibouti and Kenya during the war to
Djibouti and Kenya during the war to keep them safe and one radio operator
keep them safe and one radio operator
keep them safe and one radio operator told me he even buried them deep under
told me he even buried them deep under
told me he even buried them deep under the ground so that airstrikes could not
the ground so that airstrikes could not
the ground so that airstrikes could not hit them because he understood the value
hit them because he understood the value
hit them because he understood the value of these cultural artifacts and we spent
of these cultural artifacts and we spent
of these cultural artifacts and we spent close to one month 12 hours a day
close to one month 12 hours a day
close to one month 12 hours a day immersing ourselves in this archive
immersing ourselves in this archive
immersing ourselves in this archive digitizing a very large portion of it
digitizing a very large portion of it
digitizing a very large portion of it thankfully for the sweet spicy Somali
thankfully for the sweet spicy Somali
thankfully for the sweet spicy Somali tea we could keep going immersing
tea we could keep going immersing
tea we could keep going immersing ourselves in this archive for as long as
ourselves in this archive for as long as
ourselves in this archive for as long as we did sent us on quite the journey the
we did sent us on quite the journey the
we did sent us on quite the journey the most obvious revelation of this seller
most obvious revelation of this seller
most obvious revelation of this seller of fine aged Somali sounds was that it
of fine aged Somali sounds was that it
of fine aged Somali sounds was that it was quite simply incredible music some
was quite simply incredible music some
was quite simply incredible music some of the best myself or my team had ever
of the best myself or my team had ever
of the best myself or my team had ever heard
heard
heard raucous rhythms rugged horns celestial
raucous rhythms rugged horns celestial
raucous rhythms rugged horns celestial synthesizers and stalking bass lines
synthesizers and stalking bass lines
synthesizers and stalking bass lines came alive alongside majestic voices
came alive alongside majestic voices
came alive alongside majestic voices like Abdullahi Zuffa
like Abdullahi Zuffa
like Abdullahi Zuffa [Applause]
[Music]
[Music] [Applause]
[Music]
[Music] like father mo kasi
like father mo kasi
like father mo kasi [Music]
[Music]
[Music] [Applause]
[Applause]
[Applause] [Music]
[Applause]
[Applause] like he wound it up
like he wound it up
like he wound it up [Music]
these are of course just some of my
these are of course just some of my favorites this talk is too short for me
favorites this talk is too short for me
favorites this talk is too short for me to go into the vast and complex universe
to go into the vast and complex universe
to go into the vast and complex universe that is Somali music the deeper
that is Somali music the deeper
that is Somali music the deeper revelations of this archive evoked the
revelations of this archive evoked the
revelations of this archive evoked the great memories of this city it evoked
great memories of this city it evoked
great memories of this city it evoked the status of Somalia as an
the status of Somalia as an
the status of Somalia as an international cultural junction it
international cultural junction it
international cultural junction it evoked memories of the Aruba the Jazeera
evoked memories of the Aruba the Jazeera
evoked memories of the Aruba the Jazeera and the Juba hotels were youthful bands
and the Juba hotels were youthful bands
and the Juba hotels were youthful bands like if the endured or and sure arrow
like if the endured or and sure arrow
like if the endured or and sure arrow serenaded cosmopolitan crowds it evoke
serenaded cosmopolitan crowds it evoke
serenaded cosmopolitan crowds it evoke memories of the National Theatre where
memories of the National Theatre where
memories of the National Theatre where what Barry provided unforgettable
what Barry provided unforgettable
what Barry provided unforgettable soundtracks
as you can see from this image there are
as you can see from this image there are a great deal of women in the web berry
a great deal of women in the web berry
a great deal of women in the web berry theater troupe and this was perhaps one
theater troupe and this was perhaps one
theater troupe and this was perhaps one of the most potent reminders that this
of the most potent reminders that this
of the most potent reminders that this archive offered was of the empowerment
archive offered was of the empowerment
archive offered was of the empowerment of women in this period of artistic
of women in this period of artistic
of women in this period of artistic endeavor in comparison to neighboring
endeavor in comparison to neighboring
endeavor in comparison to neighboring countries like Ethiopia and Sudan each
countries like Ethiopia and Sudan each
countries like Ethiopia and Sudan each of which has left their mark on Somali
of which has left their mark on Somali
of which has left their mark on Somali music Somali music is set apart by the
music Somali music is set apart by the
music Somali music is set apart by the prevalence of powerful and adored female
prevalence of powerful and adored female
prevalence of powerful and adored female singers female singers like McCool live
singers female singers like McCool live
singers female singers like McCool live father no costume like Hebrew Noah like
father no costume like Hebrew Noah like
father no costume like Hebrew Noah like Marion Musa like Marion hacia like Sarah
Marion Musa like Marion hacia like Sarah
Marion Musa like Marion hacia like Sarah Dawa like sada Ahmad among so many more
Dawa like sada Ahmad among so many more
Dawa like sada Ahmad among so many more who were often more prolific than their
who were often more prolific than their
who were often more prolific than their male counterparts the presence of female
male counterparts the presence of female
male counterparts the presence of female singers is inseparable from the
singers is inseparable from the
singers is inseparable from the evolution of Somali music Kidada here
evolution of Somali music Kidada here
evolution of Somali music Kidada here who performed with both way Barry
who performed with both way Barry
who performed with both way Barry in Hargeisa and Mogadishu told me that
in Hargeisa and Mogadishu told me that
in Hargeisa and Mogadishu told me that through music women became the pride and
through music women became the pride and
through music women became the pride and joy of the public Somali music of days
joy of the public Somali music of days
joy of the public Somali music of days long gone offer a compass through which
long gone offer a compass through which
long gone offer a compass through which Somalia can reclaim its rightful
Somalia can reclaim its rightful
Somalia can reclaim its rightful identity it offers a compass through
identity it offers a compass through
identity it offers a compass through which Somali can reclaim its rightful
which Somali can reclaim its rightful
which Somali can reclaim its rightful image and its rightful history and even
image and its rightful history and even
image and its rightful history and even though we are accessed one of the
though we are accessed one of the
though we are accessed one of the largest archives of its kind
largest archives of its kind
largest archives of its kind we have merely only scratched the
we have merely only scratched the
we have merely only scratched the surface and this then offers an
surface and this then offers an
surface and this then offers an absolutely wonderful opportunity if
absolutely wonderful opportunity if
absolutely wonderful opportunity if someone has been seduced by the
someone has been seduced by the
someone has been seduced by the stereotypes of Somalia and they find
stereotypes of Somalia and they find
stereotypes of Somalia and they find themselves dancing to Somali music in
themselves dancing to Somali music in
themselves dancing to Somali music in London New York Hong Kong Tokyo or
London New York Hong Kong Tokyo or
London New York Hong Kong Tokyo or wherever there is a good chance that
wherever there is a good chance that
wherever there is a good chance that they will never view this place the same
they will never view this place the same
they will never view this place the same again because now they will have to
again because now they will have to
again because now they will have to reconcile with the fact that the single
reconcile with the fact that the single
reconcile with the fact that the single misleading story they have been told
misleading story they have been told
misleading story they have been told about Somalia is being shattered by
about Somalia is being shattered by
about Somalia is being shattered by music of the very highest order
music of the very highest order
music of the very highest order music they perhaps thought not possible
music they perhaps thought not possible
music they perhaps thought not possible in Somalia in your parents basements or
in Somalia in your parents basements or
in Somalia in your parents basements or your grandparents homes or your ons or
your grandparents homes or your ons or
your grandparents homes or your ons or your uncle’s or perhaps even your owning
your uncle’s or perhaps even your owning
your uncle’s or perhaps even your owning you don’t know it there are cassettes
you don’t know it there are cassettes
you don’t know it there are cassettes there are old recordings these sounds
there are old recordings these sounds
there are old recordings these sounds are across the city and across this
are across the city and across this
are across the city and across this country they are in the hands of the
country they are in the hands of the
country they are in the hands of the Diaspora but the real treasures lie here
Diaspora but the real treasures lie here
Diaspora but the real treasures lie here the more of those sounds that can be
the more of those sounds that can be
the more of those sounds that can be revived restored and disseminated
revived restored and disseminated
revived restored and disseminated worldwide will form the most potent
worldwide will form the most potent
worldwide will form the most potent weapon Somalia has in its long struggle
weapon Somalia has in its long struggle
weapon Somalia has in its long struggle to reestablish itself to the grandeur of
to reestablish itself to the grandeur of
to reestablish itself to the grandeur of the 14th century and the swinging city
the 14th century and the swinging city
the 14th century and the swinging city of
of
of from the 1980s and the 1970s when the
from the 1980s and the 1970s when the
from the 1980s and the 1970s when the music of older generations is
music of older generations is
music of older generations is reintegrated into the Somali and global
reintegrated into the Somali and global
reintegrated into the Somali and global imagination it will form the foundation
imagination it will form the foundation
imagination it will form the foundation by which Somali music and once again
by which Somali music and once again
by which Somali music and once again thrive it can even give birth to a
thrive it can even give birth to a
thrive it can even give birth to a nascent Somali music industry and when
nascent Somali music industry and when
nascent Somali music industry and when that industry is able to stand on its
that industry is able to stand on its
that industry is able to stand on its own two feet I can safely assure you
own two feet I can safely assure you
own two feet I can safely assure you there are dance floors around the world
there are dance floors around the world
there are dance floors around the world that are eagerly awaiting these sounds
that are eagerly awaiting these sounds
that are eagerly awaiting these sounds there are DJs around the world eagerly
there are DJs around the world eagerly
there are DJs around the world eagerly waiting to play these sounds and there
waiting to play these sounds and there
waiting to play these sounds and there are live music web venues eagerly
are live music web venues eagerly
are live music web venues eagerly waiting to book and host live Somali
waiting to book and host live Somali
waiting to book and host live Somali bands so dig up revisit return to the
bands so dig up revisit return to the
bands so dig up revisit return to the music that’s so beautifully colors your
music that’s so beautifully colors your
music that’s so beautifully colors your rich history play those songs loud play
rich history play those songs loud play
rich history play those songs loud play them loud for yourself play them loud
them loud for yourself play them loud
them loud for yourself play them loud for Somalia thank you very much
”
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