History of Music in Somalia

The Somalia music belongs to the musical patterns, methods and beats of Somalia.

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The country, Somalia has a rich musical tradition focused on folk Somali folklore. Many Somali songs are pentatonic. That means, they only utilize five pitches peroctave in contrast to a heptatonic (seven notes) scale such as the major scale. In the first time, Somali music might be wrong for the beats of nearby areas such as Sudan, Arabia or Ethiopia, but it is eventually identifiable by its own distinctive sounds and patterns. Somali songs are frequently the product of cooperation between lyricists (midho), songwriters (lahan), and singers (odka or voice).

Instruments notably included in Somali music include the kaban (oud), frequently with accompaniment by small drums in the background. Ensemble such as Waaberi and Horseed has attained a small following outside of the country. Others, such as Maryam Mursal and Ahmed Cali Cigal have combined folk Somali music with rock and roll, jazz, bossa nova and other current influences.

The initial main type of current Somali music began in the mid-1930s, when the northern Somalia was a part of the British Somaliland Protectorate. This pattern of music was called Xer-Dhaanto, an inventive, urban type of Somali traditional dance and song. That era also saw the rise of the Xaaji Baal Dance Troupe, which became very powerful over the course of its long profession.

Somali renowned music started with the balwo pattern, which was formed by Abdi Sinimo. This pattern started in Dilla and then extent all over the region. It was a combination of current poetry and Somali dance music.

Abduallahi Qarshe emerged to popularity in the early 1940s, as part of the qaraami pattern. Many songs of qarami from this period are still very renowned now. This musical pattern is extremely played on the kaban (oud). The initial Somali kaban players were Ali Feiruz, Mohamed Nahari and other in the 1950s.

During the Siad Barre administration, music was suppressed except for a small amount of formally-sanctioned music, there were many campaign songs produced during that period.

The first radio station in Somalia to air renowned Somalia music was the radio Somali, based in Hargeisa presently, Somali music is also accessible for download on renowned online Somali music portals.

Waaberi, Magol, Mohamed Mooge Liibaan, K’naan, Khadija Qalanjo, Maryam Mursal, Ali Feiruz, Hasam Adan Samatar, Hasan Sheikh Mumin, Dur-Dur, Aar Maanta, Abdi Sinimo, and Abdullahi Qarshe were some of the Somali singers and songwriters.