Two previous posts about Djibouti presented legends of Afar music, this post features an iconic Somali poet, singer, and actor. Abdi Aadan Haad was born in 1940 in Hargeisa, which was then part of the British Somaliland Protectorate and is today the capital of Somaliland. Somalis throughout the world recognize Abdi Qays--the nickname Qays comes from a role that Abdi played in a representation of the play Layla and Majnoun in Djibouti--as one of the most forceful opponents of Major General Mohamed Siad Barre who, in 1969, overthrew the Somali Republic and instituted a one-party Marxist-Leninist communist state.
Abdi Qays used his poetic and artistic talents to critique Siad Barre's pan-Somali ideology and anti-democratic governance. His outspokenness got him imprisoned and pushed into exile in Djibouti, where he lived for several years in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. Today, Abdi Qays lives, once again, in Hargeisa, where for many years, in recognition of his achievements, he received a government stipend.
The recordings featured in this post were made in the studios of Radio Djibouti, the transfers were made directly from the original Radio Djibouti reels. Five of the selections are duos with Amina Abdallahi, known as Barni.
Download Abdi Aadan Haad (Abdi Qays)
Amina Abdallahi was born in Borama, in western Somaliland, on the border with Ethiopia. She was one of the first female Somali entertainers, part of a small group of pioneers who had the courage to start performing (as singers and actors) in the 1970s. Barni spent most of her career in Djibouti, where she met and married Abdi Qays. Their duos are some of the most famous Somali recordings made in Djibouti. Amina Abdallahi currently lives in Borama.
Enjoy!
I particularly like track 11.
This post draws on the writing of Kenedid A. Hassan.
thanks for sharing. lovely recordings. some really special sounds from djibouti and the surrounding area.
ReplyDeletesongs like this are some of my favorite:
https://youtu.be/xzPI_h9e67A
https://youtu.be/yItmfD_qDnQ
https://youtu.be/of5W19XmVzQ
https://youtu.be/55lmhR3E26k
https://youtu.be/Lalf9lUA7wE
https://youtu.be/EKy5Bw4qg4k
https://youtu.be/lqA3FRYhEws
https://youtu.be/4ZM__JSeSWc
https://youtu.be/vKtXGpxEBSU
https://youtu.be/LGYef7CLreE
https://youtu.be/B7Ex3DDHUm4
one of the best youtube channels all around. the music and artwork is usually always top notch.
thanks again
Thanks Matthew, appreciated! Do you have a link to Kenedid A. Hassan's writing? I’m curious about some of his assertions: 1. Cabdi Qays was imo not opposed to Pan-Somalism but he’s against the dictatorship. In an attempt to discredit him in the eyes of the public, who were (almost) all for the reunification of Somali-speaking regions, the regime conveniently interpreted one of his songs, in the early 70s, as anti-irredentist. Later in the 80s, he supported the secessionist Somaliland. That’s understandable, given the region – where he hails from - was bombarded by the Gov’t and he himself was imprisoned multiple times. 2. "She was one of the first female Somali entertainers, part of a small group of pioneers who had the courage to start performing (as singers and actors) in the 1970s"! Even one of her great-aunties, khadiija Balwo , was a touring artist (singer and actress) in the 1940s.
ReplyDeleteSanaag, thank you for your comments. As you have probably surmised, I have no first-hand knowledge of Somali history or politics. My description of Abdi Qays political convictions is drawn from Kenedid A. Hassan's chapter 'Pan-Somalist Discourse and New Modes of Nationalist Expression in the Somali Horn: From Somali Poetic Resistance to Djibouti's Gacan Macaan'. This chapter was published in the collection 'Music and Dance in Eastern Africa, current research in Humanities and Social Sciences', edited by Kahithe Kiiru and Maina wa Mutonya (http://ifra-nairobi.net/2111). The author bio says that Kenedid A. Hassan is Associate Professor at Mount Kenya University and the director of the Centre for Frankincense, Environmental and Social Studies. 'He is currently ivolved in several ongoing research projects focusing on the Horn of Africa: the international frankincense trade, journalism and democracy in Somaliland, and the development of nationalist discourses in relatio to poetic and musical expressions in Djibouti, Somaliland, and Somalia. Kenedid hold a PhD in Sociology from the Université du Québec in Montreal.
DeleteThanks for the info. I was particularly surprised by the statement about the female pioneer artists in the 1970s, which looks like a new one in the realm of myths about Somali music.
Delete