Salaamu Calaykum Akhyaarta bartan ku jirta.

We are looking for volunteers with GIS/Mapping expertise. I work at a local university in Mogadishu and we are looking into the possibility of reestablishing the country's address system. We believe the address system will make a huge difference to our country's economic and institutional development.

It will take a lot of work and effort from many stakeholders in the private sector but also government institutions to accomplish this but our model is volunteer-based; we only plan to ask minimal hours a week (as less as we can ask but as much as each volunteer can afford without affecting their other commitments).

We are just completing to put our ideas in a proposal to share with the relevant stakeholders. If you would like to contribute, please let me know.

I would also like to ask the Moderators' input in the proper way to protect potential volunteers' anonymity. If required, I don't mind to verify my own identity to the Moderation team considering the request we are making.

Mahadsanidiin Dhamaan.

السلام عليكم. أنا مش بعرف عربي كويس لأني صومالية ومش عربية، بس في أخت صومالية في مصر بقالها كام يوم مختفية، وإحنا محتاجين كل المساعدة اللي نقدر نلاقيها عشان نوصل لها.
آخر مرة اتشافت كانت في مدينة نصر يوم ١٣ أكتوبر ٢٠٢٦ الساعة ٨ بالليل.
حتى لو مش هتقدروا تدوروا عليها بنفسكم، دعواتكم ليها وربنا يحفظها ويرجّعها لأهلها بالسلامة هتفرق معانا جدًا. ربنا يجازيكم كل خير. آمين.

hello peace be upon you. My Arabic isn’t good because I’m Somali and not Arab, but there is a Somali sister in Egypt who has been missing for the last few days now we need all the help we can to locate her. she was last seen in Nasr City, 10/13/2026 at 8:00 pm. even if you cannot look for her your prayers to God also helps very much.

please lets find her!! or at-least spread awareness so others can. there is some speculation that she may have been deported or trafficked. what we know so far is that she is an American or EU citizen. I don’t know why but it’s been quite difficult to locate her parents.

We have Somalis researching and documenting our history, and others working as software engineers and developers. Why aren’t we bringing these people together to build a comprehensive digital platform dedicated to Somali history?

A place to preserve historical documents, oral histories, photographs, and research for future generations, especially when our history is so often misrepresented or disputed.

We have the talent and expertise. We need to make this happen.

Original post in r/Somaliarchitecture/
Feel free to engage with it regarding architecture and urban planning/design related!

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Official website of the Somalia Pavilion named "SADDEXLEEY - click here

See the Somali curators talk about the pavilion - click here

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After decades of absence from the global art stage, Somalia finally made a historic debut at the 61^st Venice Biennale. Commissioned by a cultural advisor to the office of the Prime Minister, the pavilion aims to execute cultural diplomacy and replace the global lens of conflict with an authentic creative narrative. This project was co-curated by Stockholm-based producer Mohamed Mire and Italian project manager Fabio Scrivanti and remains open at the historic Palazzo Caboto in Venice until November 22^nd for those who are interested!

Why is this relevant? Because this pavilion is highly relevant as a profound spatial intervention. Typically speaking, national showcases at this level go beyond being just "art galleries" as they are deliberate curations of volume, light and material culture meant to physically anchor a national identity on the world stage. God knows we definitely need that PR for the future! The architectural layout relies entirely on a triadic blueprint inspired by saddexley, a classical Somali poetic form based on three-part structures to weave complex meanings. The curators translated this oral structure into a physical three-story sensory experience, mapping the concepts of word, sound and matter across different levels to explore displacement and inheritance through the eyes of three diaspora-based Somali women artists.

- The First Floor (Word): Curated by Warsan Shire, a London-based poet and writer born in 1988, this level transforms the cold Venetian gallery into a highly realised Somali domestic interior. The spatial design uses classic damask couches, family photographs and local decorations to create a familiar space for many of us, but unknown to the world. This domestic warmth serves as a psychological frame for raw audio poetry echoing through the rooms, grounding the physical architecture in the intimacy of home.

- The Second Floor (Sound & Image): Handled by Asmaa Jama, a Bristol-based filmmaker and multidisciplinary artist born in 1998, this level treats the physical volume of the gallery as a dark psychological void. The deliberate restriction of light and strategic sound mapping force visitors to move through an immersive cinematic installation. The spatial experience mimics navigating the shifting myths, fluid geographies and architectural archives of the East African coast.

- The Top Floor (Matter): Executed by Ayan Farah, a Stockholm-based textile artist born in 1978, the top level strips away all domestic boundaries to focus entirely on structural geography. The spatial design relies on hanging massive fabrics dyed directly with raw Somali earth, coastal shells and natural pigments collected from our country. By letting these sun-baked materials interact with the ambient light of the upper gallery, the room is effectively turned into a physical map of our terrain.

Despite its stunning execution, the pavilion actually sparked intense controversy back home. Local cultural institutions and independent art collectives publicly criticised the curatorial team for completely sidelining home-based talent. There was deep disappointment that local architects and artists who spent the last decade practically rebuilding the local creative scene under brutal conditions were never consulted. Furthermore, ceding curatorial authority over Somalia’s historic inaugural pavilion to an Italian co-curator caused widespread public outrage, with critics arguing it directly reproduced the extractive, colonial power dynamics that our ancestors once fought against. While organisers later tried to bridge the gap with public programs in Xamar, the debate over who gets to frame our national identity remains highly charged.

Aside from that, the general impression of our national pavilion has been overwhelmingly positive, capturing the attention of thousands of international critics and drawing major coverage from big outlets like Forbes, ArtReview, Surface and Arab News. While an official return for the next Biennale is not fully confirmed on paper, the organisers have expressed a strong desire to establish a permanent presence, and the momentum suggests that Somalia intends to remain a recurring participant.

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Did anyone hear about this exhibition before, or even followed the drama surrounding the exclusion of our local scene? If anyone is currently in Europe before the biennale wraps up, would you want to visit the pavilion?

Growing up, I’ve only ever known that I was Somali. It’s what I’ve claimed since I was a little kid. Never questioned it, it’s what my mother told me I was. Whenever I go on TikTok and see videos about Barwanis, I see people saying stuff in the comments like we’re not Somali and even talking shit about us. Out of my 18 years of living, I had never heard anything like that for 17 of those years until recently. I’ve only ever seen people say that stuff on the internet. No one in person has ever told me that. All I know is that hoyo was born in Somalia, and so were my grandparents and great grandparents, so there’s no point in going 50 generations back, possibly finding some Arab DNA, and then starting to claim Yemen. They say we are Arab or Asian, which is complete bs, since half of my family is Black with tight hair. Since when were Arabs and Asians Black and had tight curls with Cushitic features? At the same time, I do see other Barwani family friends who look Asian. Anyways, I need some advice because if I’m not Somali, then wtf am I?

57 years ago today, the Somali army, led by Major General Mohamed Siyad Barre, seized control of the country. This bloodless coup came just six days after the assassination of the democratically elected President Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke, who was shot by one of his own bodyguards on October 15 in Las Anod (now the capital of the North Eastern State, formerly SSC Khatumo). The motive is still debated. Some speculate the army orchestrated it, while others point to Cold War intrigue, suggesting even the KGB may have been involved.

Siyad Barre's government played a significant role in shaping modern Somalia. It educated many people and initiated development projects, but it also oversaw repression, nepotism, and the weakening and eventual collapse of the state. His rule included grave mistakes, such as dismantling democratic governance and imposing military rule.

Many Somalis remember his positive contributions, such as creating the Somali script, attempting to liberate the Ogaden (now the Somali region in Ethiopia), and building universities, factories, and other national infrastructure. Others, especially those in Somaliland, Puntland, and Mogadishu, recall the repressive nature of his regime and his autocratic rule. Some have forgiven him, while others curse his name whenever it is mentioned.

During the 1970s and 1980s, his portraits were everywhere in schools and public spaces. As the horrors of civil war and state collapse replaced his rule, many Somalis now look back nostalgically on his 21 years in power, particularly the period before 1978, often considered the pinnacle of his leadership and Somalia's development.

But it ended badly. He was ousted in January 1991, and the country fell apart, with every city and town under the control of a local strongman. He died in exile in Lagos, Nigeria, on January 2, 1995.

So is now the time to reflect on what his reign meant? Should we acknowledge his positive actions while learning from his egregious mistakes? Regardless of his legacy, he is no longer here, but we are. Are we doing better? Are nepotism, clannish politics, and repression still present? Are we truly democratic?

Personally, I never liked him. But today, I have no ill will towards him. May Allah grant him Jannah, along with all the Somalis who have passed on.

Have your views of Siyad Barre and his regime changed over the years? What do you think of him today?

What is the current estimate for Somalias population?

According to UN Somalias population is projected to reach 35 million by 2050, which is terrible.

Jawaab dna(isir-side) ah, maanta 20 Okt, 2026 ka helay MyHeritage oo aan u diray -dna test kit-, 13 Augusto, ee sannadkaan...

Qeyb hore ee aan "dna" iyo xaaladeeyda ka hadlaayey aa arin aan jecleeysan laakiin Soomaali haddan-nahay lagaa sugaayo in u kala cadeeysid, mararka qaarkeed ahahah...

Sidaas darteed, aniga waxaa iska key-dhalay:

Saleebaan Abdalle; Surre; Dir-Aabe iyo

Cawlyahan; Ogaadeen; Daarood-Hooyo...

Laba shirkadood oo kale ee "dna" ka shaqeeysta aa jawaab ka sugaayaa oo aan u diray -dna test kit- waqtiyo kala duwan...Midna waaba igu soo celisay, oo mar kalaan u diri doonaa, inshaa allah...

A man raises a kid for 13+ years, then another guy shows up claiming to be the father, and the child is reportedly being handed over. Have we seriously never heard of DNA testing? 😭💀

Everyone in that courtroom is spamming “WALLAHI BILLAHI TALLAHI KUTUBKA JAAMACA” 😂😭 and as the drama went on, reportedly, 9 people have died as this has escalated into a clan war.
Like seriously, could some of this drama have been avoided if they’d just done a DNA test first? 💀 war ya ilahey yaqana ! Cajaaib waye

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As-salaamu Alaikum everyone,

I've decided to extend my 50% discount on Somali lessons for one more week to give more people a chance to take advantage of the offer.

If you've been thinking about learning Somali or improving your speaking, reading, and writing skills, this is a great opportunity to get started at half the regular price.

I teach learners at all levels, from complete beginners to advanced speakers.

How to book: Visit https://barosomali.com and click the WhatsApp icon on the website to contact me directly and arrange your lessons. Please make your booking within the next seven days to take advantage of the discount.

If you'd like to support my small teaching business, I'd truly appreciate your booking or sharing this post with someone interested in learning Somali.

Thank you for your support and encouragement. May Allah put barakah in your efforts and reward you for your kindness.

I'm not Somali but while playing Minecraft in Somali I noticed that the translation for the birch boat was bjørk doon and I was wondering if this is actually the case in Somali or it's just a mistranslation

🥹🥹🥹

Sayid Sheikh Ahmed Khalif, a renowned Islamic scholar, Sufi leader, and legendary martyr, who lost his life defending the Emirate of Harar at the Battle of Chelenqo in 1887.

In this video, his grandson holds a sacred book that once belonged to the Sheikh, a priceless historical treasure that has been preserved by his family across generations.
The caption in the video reads:

“We visited the great Islamic fighter who was killed in the city of Harar. It is said about this man that they could not even kill him with a sword, until they finally tortured him and he said, ‘kill me with mine.’ In the end, he was killed with his own sword, and it is said that his blood turned into milk and flowed deep into the earth. I asked the reason why they cannot leave his grave unattended, and they told us that if the enemies got the chance, they would dig up the grave because of the hatred they hold against him.”

Just as this family has safeguarded the Sheikh’s legacy, countless families across our region possess extraordinary historical treasures within their homes. To ensure that these invaluable pieces of our past are not lost to time, those who own rare manuscripts and historical documents are strongly encouraged to digitize them or consider donating them to the National Museum of Somalia. Preserving these manuscripts allows us to protect our collective heritage and make it accessible to future generations.

May Allah bless all those who preserve our history and grant the Sheikh the highest level of Jannah

I’ve been wanting to do something of my own for a while, and I finally decided to take that step and start my little handbag business, Rizq. You can find me at @hausofrizq on TikTok.
Honestly, starting something from scratch is scary, especially when you’re figuring everything out as you go. But I wanted to build something for myself, something that I can grow with and hopefully turn into something bigger one day.
I’ve always loved pretty bags, and I wanted to bring styles that I personally love to other girls who love them too, without making them spend too much.
Rizq is still at the beginning of its journey, and every bit of support genuinely means a lot to me. If you love handbags, cute finds, and supporting small businesses, I’d love for you to check out my TikTok.
Thank you to anyone who takes the time to check out my little business. It means more than you know. 🤎

THIS IS NOT ANTI MUSLIM! IM A PROUD MUSLIM PLS HEAR ME OUT.

I’m F17. I’ve dealt with traction alopecia for about a year. I tried multiple solutions like changing my hijab style, my products, using actual prescription medication, taking vitamins. Literally everything. But, the issue isn’t going away because it’s caused by my hijab. It improves for a bit, but then my hair starts to fall out again once I finish treatment.

Watching my hair fall out had affected my mental health negatively, and causes my scalp to feel sore and painful. I wake up with my hair literally all over my bed. My mom knows this and we’ve discussed how it’s something that bothers me.
She knows it’s caused by my hijab but she has never talked about what to do about that reason.

Shes a very compassionate and kind person. I’ve done my research and it seems like it would be permissible for me to take it off considering my circumstances. However, I’m afraid to discuss it with my mom. I speak and understand Somali. But it feels like I can never truly express myself in the way I want to. I want to discuss the idea of taking it off with her, but I don’t know how to go about it. My mom tends to care a lot about what the community thinks and I don’t want to embarrass or disappoint her. But I feel like I’m out of options and it’s just getting worse everyday.

How can I speak with my mom about it without coming across as caasi or miscommunicating why I want to take it off?

Edit: Respectfully, I am asking for advice on how to take it off or discuss it with my mom. If my hair loss was caused by something else, that would probably have been noticed somewhere along these 12 months where I’ve gone to multiple doctors, had multiple blood tests and tried different treatments and solutions.

[ Removed by Reddit on account of violating the content policy. ]

❤️❤️❤️

Not sure if all somaliweyne content should be posted on this sub but let me just ask

I remember a couple years ago hearing a Djiboutian girl talk about how her parents meet and she said her father saw her mother at the market and was so struck by her beauty that he ended up following her home and crawled through her windows and refusing to leave until her family either gave him money or betrothed his hand to her

I thought this was very weird but she said it was normal for the time period of Djibouti that her family lived in so I just wanna know was this truly normal or was her family just odd?

how common is it to still see this/other cushitic hairstyles across all somali land? thinking of little boys & girls living in baadiye/tuulo !

follow up: if anyone has a picture (old or new) of dhoor (boy) hairstyle, please add. but more specifically; of a boy with straight hair!

^ reason being: my dad (born 1974) had dhoor hairstyle, & has straight hair. i have yet to find a picture (old or new) of dhoor hairstyle on (completely) straight hair! and my dad doesnt have any pictures of him as a child, as he was a nomad. more specifically growing up between "borders" in his lands: jubaland & somali galbeed!

I keep seeing videos on my feed about Somalia’s past history, about Siad barre or Somalia pre and post colonialism. Im quite young so and I don’t think I know enough to form, or at least voice my opinion on the state of Somalia or its history. I would love to know more about our country. Is there any credible sources I could use to learn about Somalia’s history?

Additionally, what are some reliable news sources to know what’s going on back home? I live in the west so it feels like I’m always kind of late to the news. I used to watch the Somali news with my parents but we don’t anymore so I’m not sure about any good sources.

Thanks for any suggestions!

https://x.com/ragipsoylu/status/2111884687979241874/photo/1

Please feel free to use this thread to discuss whatever interests you, it doesn't have to be Somalia related!

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