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.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment