Oh, forgot to add the autobiography is by a man named Ibrahim Ismail from the then British Somaliland Protectorate. It covers a number of things, like his childhood in northern Somalia and Aden, and his experiences as a seaman in the early 20th century.

SomaliPhilosopher;941056 wrote: How did you get the PDF? I did a quick google search after your post, couldnt seem to find it. Care to share some background on this book? Who wrote it? What script was it written in? ecttt por favor It was published in 1977 in a journal called Africa: Rivista trimestrale di studi e documentazione dell’Istituto italiano per l’Africa e l’Oriente that I was able to access online after some digging (I first learned about the autobiography in a footnote, then found the full autobiography). Richard Pankhurst does a good job of explaining the context there, before publishing the autobiography in its entirety. It was written in English, not Somali.

STOIC;941051 wrote: You must flattered by the attention from the shababs in this forum from our ever random alpha to this thread..Warya SP dhumar qabiil maaleeh iskaa ceeli nimaankaa...hahaa PS Though I'm senior..my Somali cultural music is limited..So no comment for the topic... I am flattered

SomaliPhilosopher;941053 wrote: Please do Safferz. May you share how you acquired it? I think I may have stumbled upon it reading some of Pankhurst's other work (not my favourite scholar and pro-Ethiopian but he has some good work). I wasn't able to attach it here since the file is too big, but I've linked it from my Dropbox account so hopefully this works: Part 1 and Part 2.

I have a file of perhaps the oldest written Somali memoir (in English) from 1928, "The Life and Adventures of a Somali," which was published by Richard Pankhurst in the 1970s. Really interesting stuff. Let me see if I can attach it here, otherwise I'll gladly email it to anyone who is interested.

lool Wadani, you do have the hometown advantage (both Toronto and Hargeisa), but I think you're projecting as much as poor SP here Can't I just keep playing the SOL field?

Please. Who said I ever agreed to a date with you SP?

SomaliPhilosopher;941033 wrote: Oba, I am going to have this song playing in my car to set the mood for my next date Is your date in the red light district?

Mooge;940956 wrote: lol@ monkey picture. leave my waxar safferz ninyoow. this is not open for a debate. Your waxar? :mad:

SomaliPhilosopher;941024 wrote: Safferz is from a respectable familiy, you see lool my mom, yes. And I didn't know until I stepped off the plane in Hargeisa and was the one person pulled aside and escorted to the VIP section I ain't mad. STOIC;941029 wrote: University libraries are exclusive and I can see why they charge, but I think it is the government responsibility (of course through tax payers) to build at least one free library!They need to diffuse a broad knowledge to the average self-improving citizens with all the foreign aid they get. I’m glad you were interested and made some suggestions..See with all the fadhikutiriir we do here hahhaa (Me, Odweyne, Mintid, Ngonge, Xaaji and all others interested) I think we can mobilize something in the next Somaliland get- together functions that are held in our local communities... I agree with you, and it's important that these public institutions are available because you can see that people there are interested in knowledge and education, particularly women. Literacy classes are hugely popular, but books are not as easily accessible as they should (although I've seen photocopies of materials like textbooks being circulated). There are public libraries in Mogadishu and Garowe I believe, and I'd imagine other cities too, so it's a shame that Hargeisa is behind in this regard.

No problem. Peace to our YouTube archivists

Wow, did you click "tribal-class" for the full article? They are all named after various ethnic groups, not only African but Native Canadian/American groups as well.

SomaliPhilosopher;941017 wrote: Oba, we should download this video before dalmar gives in to the pressure of removing the video. Us 'modern' somalis are a bunch of debbie downers. It's been up for a few years now, so I don't think he cares what modern prudes think. He has a great channel and seems to appreciate the importance of preserving our history.

STOIC;941004 wrote: Saferz, there is no single library in the city of Hargeisa? that is shame for a city without intellectual life.Libraries are means of educating and refining communities.The government and volunteers are needed to advance the life of learning in that city.A sort of tax-supported initiatives are needed.Libraries are for the use and improvements of a society! There are university libraries, but they rely on book donations from foreign countries, institutions and NGOs, and there's a fee for library membership that prevents most non-students from using their resources. They do have the Hargeisa Book Fair every July that's in its sixth year this year, and that seems to be quite popular but of course it's not enough. I met some MPs including the minister of education and the president when I was there and brought this issue up - along with the importance of establishing some sort of humanities/social science research centre at the University of Hargeisa - but I haven't followed up and I'm not sure it's a priority for them.

oba hiloowlow;940636 wrote: true, but i wonder tho, if the song created any controversy? I'm not sure it's controversial in the context a play, where she may be playing a character who is supposed to be clearly marked as immoral and immodest when compared to the "virtuous" and "traditional" female characters. Plays make arguments and always carry a social message. I found the online and will watch later in the week, so I'll have more thoughts then. I've always been interested in how ideas on women and gender circulate in Somali oral literature and popular music, and how those ideas have shifted over time.

STOIC;940991 wrote: Safferz, Calm down I didn't said you were not Somali..lol..let me reread my words.Must have clicked reply quick...haha It's just that you replied directly to my comment that I didn't love Black Mamba Boy with your own comment "the Somali words may have been confusing for non-Somali," so I'm sure you can see how it can be read that way. SomaliPhilosopher;940990 wrote: I'd like to see more modern Somali literature written in the mother tongue. And more diaspora writers to denounce English and begin writing their stories in Somali like my man Ngugi wa thiong'o That's an interesting thought. But I was in Hargeisa recently and I was surprised to learn the city doesn't have a single bookstore or a public library system (and the university libraries are not very good), so I'm not sure about how accessible and available Somali language novels will be to those back home. And then there's the question of literacy...

STOIC;940987 wrote: ^The Somali words may have been confusing for non Somali.I thought it was a riveting story of her dad.I hope also this new book will be a good escape into history and one that tests the strength of fictionalized facts... lmao who said I'm not Somali?

STOIC;940981 wrote: A promising young woman and a young writer at-her best years.A very engaging writer.Read her page turning debut novel black mamba boy.I have it as part of my bookshelves collection; tucked between heavy textbooks and continued education journals.I liked how she deftly conjured her dads story of a dashing adventuresome young Somali man from Hargeisa.She movingly conveyed the life changing journey of her dad.I hope the next book will also be insightful and superbly written with less Somali words. PS Plus she is a sand-diver.Can beat that..haha....will be a must read for one of my young niece who is very much loves reading books.... I didn't love Black Mamba Boy, but I was just happy to see a young Somali woman writing. I'm looking forward to reading her new novel, especially since it takes the perspective of Somali women and deals with more recent Somali history (the dictatorship and the collapse).

SomaliPhilosopher;940980 wrote: How was the book? Bought it a few weeks ago, but I need some enticement to get me started. Well written and engaging, and deeply historical and political. I think you would like it a lot.

SomaliPhilosopher;940974 wrote: Have you read Guban? I had the galleys before it was published Abdi is a good friend and a fantastic writer.

She was also named on Granta's Best of Young British Novelists list this month: " frameborder="0" allowfullscreen>

"The Orchard of Lost Souls" And on a related note, join my Facebook page, Somali Writers' Collective

Wadani;940951 wrote: Alpha if u weren't so smug about ur little song, and hadn't called me out I wouldn't have exposed ur plagiarism...oh well. http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?id=343224979084758&story_fbid=415826188491303 Baby girl you are so Qurux Your face shines like Qorax You smell sweet like Ubax girl don't be like Dhagax I will hold you like Tusbax Baby girl use your Maskax Or i'll throw you like Qodax. Hahahahaaa lmaoo damn I really thought he wrote those lines, I'm disappointed now

Alpha Blondy;940930 wrote: p.s - so does that mean... we're like dating or something, now? Don't get ahead of yourself, all I said is that I'm flattered

Awwww Alpha that's SO SWEET!! *blows you kisses*