THE
INTERNATIONAL
STARS
OF SOMALIA
Bringing
to Minnesota
Midnimo
MEANS UNITY
“I thought Somali music was dead! Through Midnimo,
I have seen that Somali music is alive in Minnesota!”
— Maryan Mursal, “Mother of Somalia” and 2015 Midnimo Artist
THE
INTERNATIONAL
STARS
OF SOMALIA
Somalia’s rich musical history stretches back hundreds of years, mixing ancient Somali
folklore and poetry with instrumentation and musical elements shared with other Islamic,
Arab, and African traditions. As an oral, nomadic culture, the emphasis of music was and
continues to be on the lyrics, poetic verses that often carry meanings and messages much
deeper than the words themselves. Often called “Nation of Poets,” the poetic verse was
the heart of daily life in Somalia. Poets and singers were leaders and highly sought after
mentors who shared their skills and knowledge of the art form with the next generation.
Throughout the centuries, poets and musicians played a role in revolution, protesting
corrupt local and colonial powers. Many faced jail and exile. In the wake of independence
from British and Italian rule in 1960, the newly-established government recognized the
power of artists’ voices and formed several government-sponsored music and dance
troupes to forge its national vision. Among them was Waaberi Group. Waaberi, meaning
“dawn,” featured the most talented singers, musicians, and dancers in the country.
Singers performed with live instrumentation, primarily rhythm instruments and the
pear-shaped stringed oud. To be accepted into Waaberi was a high honor. With more than
300 members over its 30 year existence, the group was a source of national pride and
toured the world multiple times.
Waaberi Group in an undated photo, with Midnimo artist Maryan Mursal (right).
Cover photo: Dur-Dur Band performing at the Cedar with
Augsburg’s Bob Stacke and Bob’s Band, Midnimo Residency Finale
Concert, MInneapolis.
THECEDAR.ORG / MIDNIMO
The 70s and 80s were an especially fertile and innovative period in the history of
Somali music. The global rise of funk and disco inspired the incorporation of horns,
guitars and keyboards for a funky pop sound. Groups like Dur-Dur Band became
underground stars of a booming music scene in nightclubs in Mogadishu and Hargeisa.
Despite these influences, Somali music maintained its own unique sound with a
continued emphasis on poetic lyrics and deep roots in traditional musical forms.
Dhaanto, an ancient song-dance adopted and practiced on horseback by Somali Dervish
soldiers in the 20th century, has since emerged and remained popular in contemporary
music. The beats, which many believe to have influenced reggae, bring crowds to
their feet. Qaarami, a style that developed in the 40s, is still going strong. Known for
telling stories, often about love, these ballad-like tunes are based in the familiar
pentatonic or Western blues scale and are often referred to as “Somali jazz.” A number
of traditional instruments, namely the reeme (roaring drum), shagal (metal hoe-blades),
shunuuf (ankle rattles), shambal (wooden clappers), malkad (flute), and sumaari
(double clarinet), while often reproduced on keyboard, are sounds that continue
to shape Somali music today.
When political instability increased in Somalia, artists were among the first to be
impacted. As vocal leaders who often spoke out against corruption and oppression,
their lives were in danger and their work was censored. Civil war broke out in 1991.
Musical groups disbanded and artists fled. Instruments and recordings were looted,
and much of the country’s live musical traditions were nearly destroyed. Many of
the world’s most prominent Somali artists are now based in other areas of Africa,
the United States, Canada, the UK, and across Scandinavia, where some have worked
to rebuild their careers from scratch. In the international diaspora, most Somali singers
work with Somali producers to create electronic backing tracks for performances
at weddings and cultural events. There are very few live Somali bands anywhere in
the world. But that hasn’t detracted from these artists’ star power.
The National Theatre of Somalia after its reopening in 2012.
While a small number of Somali artists, namely London-based artists Aar Maanta and
Maryan Mursal, are recognized by the larger global music industry, most are finding
a way to thrive outside of it. The emergence of YouTube in the early 2000s has created
a platform for these artists to share their music publicly, freely, and throughout the
world, without the need for a market-based industry to record and distribute their
work. Somali artists frequently collaborate across seas. Many artists forgo albums
to release singles through videos on YouTube and independently promote their work
through social media channels. The most popular artists’ videos receive hundreds of
thousands of views practically overnight. Many artists sustain their professional lives
through touring and performances, most often in suburban hotels where Somali
cultural and entertainment events take place throughout the world.
Midnimo, the Somali word for “unity,” is a program that brings these international
stars to Minnesota for residencies and events that increase understanding of Somali
culture through music. Minnesota, now home to as many as 200,000 Somalis, is
considered by some to be the “capital of the Somali diaspora,” a vibrant community
where Midnimo is thriving.
Performers at The National Theatre of Somalia in the 1960s.
Photo Credits: Sutika Sipus, Jon Behm, Jeremiah Ringsmuth, Pat O’Loughlin, Greenroom Magazine,
Liban Hussein, and archival photos.
MIDNIMO RESIDENCIES
“Listening to Dur-Dur Band play live reminded me
of when I last visited the National Theatre of Somalia
in Mogadishu more than twenty years ago.
I haven’t heard sounds like that in twenty years.”
— Abdul Ibrahim, Somali music promoter and Cedar Artist Coordinator
Launched in Minneapolis in 2014 by The Cedar and Augsburg College, Midnimo has
grown throughout the state in partnership with Minnesota State University, Mankato
Department of Music Performance Series; Paramount Center for the Arts in St.Cloud;
and St.Cloud State University.
The Cedar works with Somali artists to build full live bands, working with local musicians
and flying in Somali musicians and instrumentalists from different parts of the world.
Support artists for the residencies have included Bob’s Band, a group of students and
alumni from Augsburg College led by Music Chair Emeritus Bob Stacke; Somali artists
Toronto-based keyboardist Abdulwahab Nagi, London-based bassist Hassan Cujeri, and
Minnesota-based percussionist Abdirizak Kahiye (Harbi); along with a host of local
musicians led by deVon Russell Gray. Augsburg alumnus Steve Herzog has transcribed
dozens of Somali tunes into sheet music for the supporting musicians.
Midnimo residencies last several weeks and include discussions, workshops, education
programs, campus collaborations, and community-based activities in venues throughout
Minneapolis, Mankato, and St. Cloud. Each city’s residency culminates in a public finale
performance. Through these activities, Midnimo engages K-12 and college students,
families, and Somali and non-Somali audience members of all ages.
By providing a platform for the world’s leading Somali artists, Midnimo is reviving Somalia’s
rich musical traditions while building intercultural unity and understanding in the heart of
the largest Somali diaspora in North America.
If your school, group, or organization would like to participate,
please contact The Cedar at 612-338-2674.
THECEDAR.ORG / MIDNIMO
MIDNIMO ARTISTS
TALEEX BAND
OCTOBER 26 - 31, 2014
Taleex Band’s mission is to celebrate and preserve Somalia’s musical traditions. The group
promotes peace and tribal reconciliation while highlighting the beauty of Somali culture.
Its members were taught traditionally from a young age in the home, where poetry,
songwriting, and dancing were highly valued skills passed on by elders in the family. One
vocalist, Sahra Cumar Dhuule, was mentored by her father, Cumar Dhuule Cali, who is widely
viewed as one of the greatest Somali singer/songwriters. Others in the group also studied
under mentors, including the formally-trained songwriter and composer, Hasan Adan Samatar,
and the prominent Somali poet and songwriter, Hadraawi. With extensive recording and
performance histories as individuals, the group quickly gained traction when they formed
in December 2013. They are often invited to play cultural events and welcome concerts for
visiting dignitaries.
TALEEX BAND
DUR-DUR BAND
NOVEMBER 8-17, 2014
Formed in the 1980s, Dur-Dur Band was one of the most famous groups in Mogadishu’s
underground music scene. Characterized by reverb-drenched vocals over layers of irresistible
funky guitars, horns, and synths, Dur-Dur Band blended Somali and West African music
with American funk and disco, earning their reputation as Somalia’s “last great party band.”
They disbanded when war broke out in Somalia and the members fled. In 2014, seven of
the band’s remaining members were reunited from Cincinnati, London, and Toronto for
their Midnimo residency at The Cedar. While many recordings of Somali bands were lost or
destroyed, Dur-Dur Band’s 1987 album, Volume 5, was reissued to critical acclaim in 2013
by Awesome Tapes from Africa, helping to preserve this band’s musical legacy.
DUR-DUR BAND
NORTH AMERICA SUPER STARS
FEBRUARY 8- 14, 2015
Dalmar Yare and Hodan Abdirahman began both their musical careers and friendship as
founding backup singers for the renowned Somali hip-hop group, Waayaha Cusub. As vocal
activists against violence and corruption, Waayaha Cusub was frequently threatened and
under attack. Fearing for their safety, the two backup singers fled to the United States.
Abdirahman emigrated first, followed by Yare. They spent the next few years displaced and
separated, unable to settle in a place where they could continue their work. In 2012, they
finally reconnected in Minnesota and formed North America Super Stars. Featuring fellow
artists and friends, including the prominent singers Ilkacase and Iskalaji, this collective
performs qaarami at weddings and cultural events in the Twin Cities and beyond. Their
trademark is an irresistible pop sensibility and charm that uplifts audiences wherever they go.
NORTH AMERICA SUPER STARS
AAR MAANTA
APRIL 5 - 12, 2015
London-based Somali artist Aar Maanta has earned recognition as the “voice of the next
generation of Somalis.” His soulful vocals are often backed by the Urban Nomads, a multicultural live band consisting of Italian bass player Ruth Goller, British/Caribbean saxophonist
and keyboard player Joshua Arise Cutler, French guitarist and sound engineer Thibaut Remy,
and Nepalese/Scottish drummer Pharoah Smeaton Russell. His 2009 debut album Hiddo &
Dhaqan epitomizes the fresh contemporary sound of Afro-hop, fusing traditional Somali
music with Western sounds from jazz, hip-hop, reggae, funk, house, and R&B. A Best
Music Video winner at the Somali Music Awards, Aar Maanta released Somali Songs from
the Diaspora in 2014 as part of his goal to connect with Somalis around the world. In 2017,
he was selected by the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, along with Maryan
Mursal, as one of six East African artists to participate in a multilingual music video campaign
called Dangerous Crossings to spread awareness about the dangers of crossing the Gulf of
Aden and Red Sea from Africa into Yemen. Aar Maanta is one of the few Somali artists that
has cultivated a presence in the larger global music industry. His music is available on Spotify
and iTunes.
AAR MAANTA
MARYAN MURSAL
NOVEMBER 1 - 14, 2015
Maryan Mursal got her start singing in nightclubs in the 1960s. She pioneered her own take
on the popular qaarami style by blending African and Western sounds, dance music and
traditional song, and strong soulful vocals in the style of Etta James. As the first woman to
sing professionally in Somalia, Maryan Mursal became a household name by the age of 16.
After passing an audition at Mogadishu Radio, she began singing as part of Waaberi Group,
as well as managing a solo career. After releasing a song critical of Siad Barre’s political regime,
Mursal was banned for several years. As a result, she shifted careers and became the country’s
first female cab driver. When civil war broke out, Mursal fled Somalia, walking seven months
across the Horn of Africa with her five children before arriving in Djibouti and eventually
gaining asylum in Denmark. Drawing on the journal she kept during her travels, Mursal
completed her debut international album The Journey in 1998. Released on Peter Gabriel’s
Real World Records and produced by members of Afro-Celt Sound System, the album brought
her worldwide recognition that continues to this day.
MARYAN MURSAL
JUBBA
MAY 14 -27, 2016
Jubba was just 19 when he won Somalia’s national singing competition, Heesaha Hirgalay.
Similar to competitions that are popular worldwide today such as “Idol” and “Got Talent,”
young people throughout Somalia in the 1970s signed up for the competition to showcase
their talent in hopes of becoming a star. Winners were recruited to join one of the governmentsponsored song and dance troupes. For Jubba, this was a ticket to Waaberi, the group that
featured the most talented musicians and dancers in the country. During Jubba’s time with
Waaberi in the 1980s, they toured China and the United States and performed in Norway,
United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Djibouti, and at a meeting of the United Nations in Ethiopia.
Among other honors, Jubba has written and performed a song for the Queen of Norway.
He continues to perform and tour and is an active producer creating backing tracks for singers
around the world.
JUBBA
WAAYAHA CUSUB
OCTOBER 2 - NOVEMBER 4, 2016
Waayaha Cusub, meaning “New Era,” is a Somali hip-hop collective founded in Kenya in
2002 by lyricist and rapper Shiine Abdullahi Ali. The group is known for its artistry as well
as its activism. In 2013, Waayaha Cusub established and headlined the “Somali Sunrise
Tour for Peace,” a series of concerts in East Africa that culminated in the first music festival
in Somalia since the start of the war. The Festival included six concerts and reached over
2,000 people, including a group of 850 former al-Shabab youth at a rehabilitation center.
As leaders who speak out against war, violence, and oppressive leadership, the artists have
endured death threats and violent attacks. Regardless, the band has pressed on, receiving
positive media coverage by CNN, Rolling Stone, the Los Angeles Times, Vice Magazine, BBC,
and others. When tensions between Kenya and Somalia heightened in 2014, the group
was forced to seek asylum in the Netherlands where they are completing their newest
album, Nabad Waa Muhim (“Peace is Vital”). The group is the subject of a documentary by
Humanitarian Bazaar, “Live from Mogadishu: Somali Hip Hop’s Journey to Help End the War,”
which covers the group’s impactful tour for peace.
WAAYAHA CUSUB
NIMCO YASIN
MARCH 20 - APRIL 15, 2017
Nimco Yasin rose to fame as a member of the legendary Waaberi Group in the 80s. Yasin
fled Somalia in 1989, shortly before the onset of civil war, and has been based in London
ever since. Known for her striking voice and emotional love ballads, Nimco eloquently
embodies the vintage qaarami sound that Waaberi was known for, while bringing it into
a modern context both lyrically and musically. She has been a vital figure in reviving Somali
traditions. In the summers, she travels to Jigjiga, the Somali region of Ethiopia, to use her
experience as a member of Waaberi to host a popular program that mentors promising
youth in song, dance, and performance modeled after the group.
NIMCO YASIN
COMING SOON
FARXIYA FISKA
Farxiya Fiska is a London-based Somali singer. Throughout
her career, she has melded traditional influences into her
contemporary popular style to promote love, life, peace and
unity. Fiska recently headlined the high-profile “Homage to
Magool Tour,” the first ever tour of Somali women musicians
in the UK, honoring the legendary singer Magool.
CALI DHAANTO
Cali Dhaanto is a Sweden-based singer and dancer from the
Somali region of Jigjiga, Ethiopia, where he was the long-time
host of “Jigjiga Got Talent.” His stage name, “Dhaanto,” refers
to the traditional Somali song-dance, dhaanto, which he
incorporates into his music and performances. By blending
these traditional elements with a modern sound, his music
appeals to young and elder Somalis worldwide.
MIDNIMO PARTNERS
is a program of
and
THE CEDAR CULTURAL CENTER Minneapolis
The Cedar’s mission is to promote intercultural appreciation and understanding
through the presentation of global music and dance. The Cedar is committed to
artistic excellence and integrity, diversity of programming, support for emerging
artists, and community outreach. Located in the heart of the diverse Cedar Riverside
neighborhood of Minneapolis, The Cedar has been a leader in presenting acclaimed,
innovative musicians from around the world since 1989. The Cedar serves 65,000
people per year with 250 all-ages concerts and artist-led activities featuring musicians
who perform in all genres and traditions.
AUGSBURG COLLEGE Minneapolis
Augsburg College offers more than 50 undergraduate majors and nine graduate
degrees to more than 3,600 students of diverse backgrounds at its campus in
the vibrant center of the Twin Cities and the Rochester site. Augsburg educates
students to be informed citizens, thoughtful stewards, critical thinkers, and
responsible leaders. An Augsburg education is defined by excellence in the liberal
arts and professional studies, is guided by the faith and values of the Lutheran
church, and is shaped by its urban and global settings.
PARAMOUNT CENTER FOR THE ARTS St. Cloud
Paramount Center for the Arts is a comprehensive arts organization featuring a
beautiful 806 -seat theater, a complex of arts studios, and an education outreach
department. It is located in downtown St. Cloud, providing opportunities for
artistic production, creative exploration, arts education, and the enjoyment of
arts and entertainment.
ST. CLOUD STATE UNIVERSITY St. Cloud
St. Cloud State University prepares students for life, work, and citizenship in the
21st century. Key elements of a St. Cloud State education are active and applied
learning, community engagement, sustainability, and global and cultural
understanding and accessibility.
MINNESOTA STATE UNIVERSITY, MANKATO
DEPARTMENT OF MUSIC PERFORMANCE SERIES Mankato
The Minnesota State University, Mankato Department of Music Performance Series
is dedicated to promoting music and education in all of its cultural and stylistic
diversity. This is accomplished through the sponsorship and presentation of concerts,
master classes, clinics, and other outreach activities. The Performance Series serves
as an educational link between our campus, regional schools, and the community.
THECEDAR.ORG/MIDNIMO
MEANS UNITY
Midnimo (Somali for “unity”) is a program launched in 2014 by The Cedar and
Augsburg College that features the world’s leading Somali artists in intensive residencies
that increase understanding of Somali culture through music.
This project is made possible in part by a grant from the
Association of Performing Arts Professionals; Building Bridges:
Arts, Culture and Identity, and Building Bridges: Campus
and Community Engagement grant programs, components
of the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation and Doris Duke
Foundation for Islamic Art.
This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota
through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board,
thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and
cultural heritage fund.
FOUNDATION
This project is supported in part by an award from the
National Endowment for the Arts.
This presentation is supported by the Arts Midwest Touring
Fund, a program of Arts Midwest that is funded by the
National Endowment for the Arts, with additional contributions
from Minnesota State Arts Board and the Crane Group.
This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota
through a Minnesota State Arts Board Operating Support
grant, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and
cultural heritage fund, and a grant from the Wells Fargo
Foundation Minnesota.
®
ADDITIONAL SUPPORT PROVIDED BY MARBROOK FOUNDATION, CAROLYN FOUNDATION, M C VAY FOUNDATION, NASH FOUNDATION,
ELMER L. AND ELEANOR J. ANDERSEN FOUNDATION, AND STILL AIN’T SATISFIED: A FOUNDATION WITH ATTITUDE.
The Cedar’s mission is to promote intercultural appreciation and
understanding through the presentation of global music and dance. The Cedar
is committed to artistic excellence and integrity, diversity of programming,
support for emerging artists, and community outreach.
MIDNIMO CONSORTIUM PARTNERS
is a program of
and
Questions? Contact The Cedar at [email protected] or 612-338-2674