Somali music is the type of music that comes from Somalia. It is based on the musical styles, methods, and types of sounds used by the Somali people. In Somali, it is called "Muusiga Soomaaliya."

Overview

The Somali people have a rich musical tradition based on stories and songs passed down through generations. Somali music often uses a pentatonic scale, which means it includes five musical notes in each octave. This is different from a heptatonic scale, which has seven notes, like the major scale used in many other types of music. At first, Somali music may sound similar to music from nearby areas such as Oromo in Ethiopia, Sudan, or the Arabian Peninsula. However, it has its own unique sounds and styles. Somali songs are usually created through teamwork between people who write the words (lahamiste), people who compose the music (abwaan), and people who sing (odka or "voice"). The Somali word for dance is ciyaar.

Traditional instruments often used in Somali music include the oud lute (kaban). These instruments are often played with small drums and a reed flute in the background. However, loud drumming and metal sounds are not common in Somali music. In the river and coastal areas of Somalia, many different traditional instruments are used, including:

• Membranophones: nasaro, mokhoddon, and masoondhe (large and heavy drums), reeme, jabbu, and yoome (small drums);
• Aerophones: malkad and siinbaar (flutes), sumaari (double clarinet), fuugwo (trumpet), buun, muufe, and gees-goodir (horns);
• Idiophones: shagal (metal clappers), shanbaal (wooden clappers), shunuuf (vegetable ankle rattles), tenegyo (xylophone);
• Chordophones: shareero (lyre), kinaandha (lute), madhuube (thumb piano), seese (one-chord violin).

History

Somali popular music began with the balwo style, which was started by Abdi Sinimo. He became famous in the early 1940s. This style later led to the creation of the Heelo style of Somali music. Abdi’s work and love for music changed Somali music forever.

The introduction of melody in modern Somali songs is credited to Abdullahi Qarshe. He is known for using the kaban (oud) as an instrument to accompany Somali music. Qarshe is called the "father of Somali music" by many Somalis.

Many qaraami songs from this time are still popular today. This style is mostly played on the kaban (oud). Important kaban players in the 1950s included Ali Feiruz and Mohamed Nahari.

During the rule of the Supreme Revolutionary Council in Somalia, music was not allowed except for a small amount of music approved by the government. Many protest songs were created during this time, especially by people in Somaliland who were trying to gain independence from the government of Somalia, including under the Barre regime.

Bands like Waaberi and Horseed have a small following outside Somalia. Other musicians, such as Ahmed Ali Egal, Maryam Mursal, and Waayaha Cusub, have combined traditional Somali music with pop, rock and roll, bossa nova, jazz, and other modern styles.

Music recorded in the 1970s was saved in Hargeisa by being buried underground. It is now available at the Red Sea Foundation in the Hargeisa Cultural Center and at Radio Hargeisa. The Barre regime controlled the music scene, with bands and music production managed by the government. The police, army, and national penitentiary operated bands. More female singers were encouraged than in most parts of East Africa. Most musicians left the country before 1991. Hiddo Dhawr is now the only live music venue in the city.

Music institutions

The first radio station in Somalia to broadcast popular Somali music was Radio Kudu, located in Hargeisa, which is now known as Somaliland. The first song played on the station was written by Guroon Jire in 1940 in both English and Somali. The following year, the station was renamed Radio Somali. At that time, Mohamed Saeed, also known as Guroon Jire, led the music department. Today, music is regularly broadcast on state-run Radio Hargeisa, several private studios, such as Sony Music Somaliland, which is part of Sony Music Entertainment, as well as on radio and television networks like Horn Cable Television, a private company based in Somaliland.

List of Somali musicians and musical groups

• Aar maanta
• Abdi Sinimo
• Abdullahi Qarshe
• Ahmed Gacayte
• Ahmed Mooge Liban
• Dur-Dur Band
• Guduuda 'Arwo
• Hasan Adan Samatar
• Hassan Sheikh Mumin
• Jiim Sheikh Muumin
• Khadija Qalanjo
• K'naan
• Mohamed Nuur Giriig
• Saado Ali Warsame
• Waayaha Cusub
• Mohamed Sulayman Tubeec
• Hudeidi
• Xiddigaha Geeska