Background: Somali Poetry, Past and Present

Somalia is often celebrated as the “Nation of Poets,” reflecting the rich oral culture of the Somali people. The Somali language, as an oral tradition, is classified into two main categories: “Tix” and “Tiraab”. Tix, pronounced as (Tih), encompasses various traditional forms of chanted verse, including “gabay”, “jiifto”, “geeraar”, and “buraambur”. On the other hand, “Tiraab” refers to prose, which includes everyday conversational speech (“hadal”), idioms (“sarbeeb”), proverbs (“maahmaah”), and traditional storytelling.

Much of Somali poetry has been lost over time, but notable classical poets such as Raage Ugaas and Sayyid Maxamed Cabdille Xasan have left a lasting impact. Poetry has served as a powerful medium for resistance against foreign colonization, particularly in the early 20th century.  

Somali poetry can be divided into two primary types: “maanso” and “hees”. Maanso refers to serious poems authored by named poets that often present arguments, exemplified by the “gabay”. In contrast, “hees” represents lighter, sung poems typically accompanied by music, including work songs and dance songs. The gabay genre is the most popular form of Somali poetry, used to express both celebration and grief, as well as to provide political and social commentary. It addresses issues such as colonialism, injustices, conflict resolution, and personal expression through praise and lament.

In the United States, Somali refugees brought their poetic traditions in the 1990s, as they had also to other locations in the Somali diaspora (Norway, England, China, South Africa, etc.) Notable figures like Said Salah Ahmed have played a significant role in promoting Somali poetry in Minnesota, initiating workshops and summer classes to preserve these traditions. In the late 2000s, gang violence impacted Somali youth, prompting Abdi Farah (Abdi Phenomenal) to establish Ka Joog, an organization aimed at changing the narrative. Ka Joog, which means “stay away from it,” focuses on engaging youth through poetry.

Culturally, poets like Hodan Ugas and Ayan Moaden address the challenges faced by the Somali diaspora in English. Their involvement in the film “Somalia: A Nation of Poets” highlights the importance of poetry as a tool for social justice and a means of expressing cultural identity.