Somalia Music

By | August 12, 2020

Music

In Somalia, music has always played a role in subordinate poetry, which is also reflected in the lack of musical instruments. The only instrument used is the drum, mainly by women who accompany the singing of poetry. In male singing tradition there is absolutely no instrumental accompaniment.

  • Countryaah: Population and demographics of Somalia, including population pyramid, density map, projection, data, and distribution.

After World War II Somalia’s music life underwent major changes. Orchestras with outside instruments were introduced to accompany the poetry recitation, a development that led to today’s city music (heello or hees), which mainly derived impulses from Sudanese jazz.

Somalia’s music is characterized by its blend of both African and Arabic tones but also has its own style. Groups such as Waaberi and Horseed have managed to spread Somali music even outside the country. Singers such as Maryam Mursal (born 1950) and Ahmed Cali Cigal (born 1967) have mixed traditional Somali music with Western music.

Somalia Arts and Literature