Dedicated to exploring identity, culture and belonging
ISIRKA is a podcast dedicated to exploring identity, culture and belonging within a Somali context. It offers a unique blend of interviews, stories, and music, interwoven with socio-cultural commentary on Somali music and the evolving notions of identity. Each episode delves into the rich tapestry of Somali heritage, providing listeners with an intimate look at the cultural nuances and personal narratives that shape the Somali experience. Whether through heartfelt stories or insightful discussions, ISIRKA captures the essence of Somali identity in all its diversity. Below are a few episodes that I’ve personally chosen to give listeners insight as to what ISIRKA’s all about. Enjoy!
Interviews with notable Somali change makers, in the diaspora and at home
In this episode I talked to Dr. Hassan Ali Daoud from Somaliland. We discuss his personal activism around healthcare reform and his engagement with international educational opportunities to bring change to the healthcare sector in the Somali regions.
In this episode I talked to the popular Somali artist, Nimcaan Hilaac about his engagement and activism within the Somali region. Despite his age and fragmented political notions of Somali identity, he has gone beyond restrictions to carve a path of his own. This conversation is in Somali.
In this episode, we reflect on the legacy and personhood of Dr. Hussein ‘Tanzani’ Adam, the Somali academic pioneer. He was the first Somali to receive a PhD from Harvard University in the 70s and spent his professional career in service to Somalis and Somali engagement with the world.
in this episode I spoke to Sagal Bihi, who was a member of parliament in Mogadishu at the time. We go through a journey of her activism and subsequently how development has looked like in Mogadishu. She comes from a family background of people who were in service to the Somali nation state and she reflects on that in this episode as well. Must listen!!
In these two episodes Nasra Ismail reflects on her life and work since returning from spending 5 years working in the Horn of Africa. When she last left the region she was the Director of the Somali NGO consortium. At this stage of her life, she is reflecting on her life journey from leaving Somalia as a refugee and how to make sense of “repair”.
Interviews with Somali Creatives
In this episode I talked to Fatuma Adar, a Somali-Canadian playwright and writer. We spoke on the heels of her debut production, A Dixon Tale, a musical about a Somali family who recently arrived to Toronto in the early 90’s. Dixon is a neighborhood in Toronto’s West End known for having a large Somali community. We spoke about first-generation expectations and her journey of becoming a writer.
This beautiful conversation was with Khadija Charif and Mohamoud Mumin of Soomaal House of Art, a Somali art gallery and artists collective in Minneapolis, MN. We spoke intimately about identity, mentorship and our connections to Somali identity.
In this episode I spoke to Sagal Ali, the founder and Executive Director of the Somali Arts Foundation (SAF), the first contemporary art institution in Somalia. She shares some of her brilliance and experience of working and living in Mogadishu/East Africa for the past five years.
In this conversation I spoke to DJ Amal, one of the only contemporary Somali female DJs based in Toronto, Canada. We spoke about the ever-changing Somali music landscape and her journey thus far.
My personal reflections and storytelling
One of my favorite episodes. I touch on Hargeysa, notions of diaspora and my late friend. In true ISIRKA fashion, we go across various physical and psychological landscapes to add more nuance to this Somali identity.
I am truly my father’s child, in this episode we share with the world parts of his story and how he has navigated Somali identity and cultural norms.
In this episode, I asked some friends and family to share what Hargeysa means to them. I combined narratives, reflections and songs to bring a piece of this beautiful city to life. The Home of Somali Arts and Culture, I will forever praise you Hargeysa (as the infamous song by Awale Adan goes)
In this episode I reflect on my favorite childhood memory of going to Italy as a child. There, I met the first and only iteration of the cool, carefree auntie in my life that changed me forever.
in this episode, I skillfully combine reflections and songs to bring to life the journey I’ve gone through to make sense of Somali identity throughout the years. I love combining different mediums to bring my message to life.
Ragga Dambe Episodes | A series on Somali male artists and vulnerability
This episode reflects on the purpose of the Ragga Dambe series, highlighting Somali male artists and vulnerability with a focus on K’naan, the first mainstream Somali male artist I knew of.
This episode is an interview with Mustafe Saeed, a Hargeysa based graphic designer and photographer. He also runs Fankeena, a youth-led multipurpose art platform in the city.
This episode is a music mix and commentary on the work of the talented singer and musician, Qamar Suugaani.
In this episode I reflect and share more about the talented young prince of Somali music, Khadar Keyow. Based in Mogadishu, despite all the hurdles in his way he is an excellent artist and someone who has understood the role an artist has to positively impact society.
ISIRKA 