Thursday, June 14, 2012

Farhiya Abdi - Somalia's hot chic Basketballer



Farhiya Abdi is another nomad who makes history. She is the first Somali girl to join the American WNBA! That news made headlines in every Somalian blog. This of course is needed motivation for the thousands of Somali girls who have been victimized by the 20 year old civil war. No wonder therefore that nomads and particularly Somali girls hold her as a role model and motivate them to resist tyranny and achieve success.

Young Farhia's family came to Sweden in 1980 and is the youngest of seven children. By 14 she was a good player. She was last playing for the Czech team Frisco brno and won quick accolades - MVP of the Under 16, Sweden's Forward Player of the Year, Young Player of the Year and other titles not to mention contributing to Frisco's fantastic achievements. Her induction into the WNBA makes her the first Somali and the first Swede to be drafted into the NBA. The 6-feet-2 Farhiya will play for the LA Sparks.

Ahoooooooy! Another nomad making history. We love you, Farhiya!




Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Somalia's Living Shakespeare


He wrote hundreds of peoms. His poems are translated in dozens of languages. He is a reference of contemporary litrature. He has written some of the greatest Somali songs like Beletweyne. His presence is as imposing as his poems.

This living legend - called by some as Somalia's Shakespeare - is Mohamed Ibrahim Warsame better known as Hadrawi. Born in Burco in Northern Somalia, Hadrawi settled early in Aden and came back to Somalia when it got its independence. He has a rich life of experience as a student and teacher of Lafole University, Director of the art division of the Academy of Science, Arts and Litrature in Mogadishu and was one of the pillars of Radio Mogadishu and the National Theatre. A prolific critic of contemparary life, he fell out with the military government afte he wrote his famous Sinlay and play Tawaawac resulting in a solitary confinement for 5 years. As the country went into a quigmire of civil war, he cried with his poems and went into the field for peace. In 2003 he started his famous Peace March in the Mogadishu he did not see for decades and marched with similar minded Somalis for 500 KM to the seaport of Kismayo.  In 2011 he again visited Mogadishu carrying symbolic aid to the hundreds of refugees from the people of Northern Somalia (Somaliland). One never to hide his love for the Somali people which is the subject of many of his poems, he said that the thing he loves most is the togetherness and unity of the Somali people.


Hadrawi now is living in Hargeysa and makes visits schools and universities kindling the love of litrature in the hearts of young people. He also visits Somalis across the globe where his appearance attracts hundreds of Somalians.

He is indeed a living legend.