ISIRKA

S3EP9. A Reflection on Hargeysa. In this episode I asked a couple people to share their reflections about our capital city. The same themes came up in each reflection: Home, Hope and Opportunity (+ Home of Somali Arts & Culture) . The uniqueness of Hargeysa lies in the stories and love each person has for the city. Enjoy this episode and stay tuned for more!

S3EP8. In this episode I talk to Fatuma Adar, a Somali-Canadian writer/creative who most recently produced Dixon Road, a musical about a Somali family who recently arrived to Toronto in the early 90's. In this conversation we touch on her journey of becoming a writer and navigating first generation expectations. This was such a great conversation and check out Fatuma's work online @ https://www.fa...

S3EP6. In this episode, I sit down with Habo Zainab Dahir — a Somali language educator, writer, and cultural enthusiast. Born in England and raised between the UK and Somalia/Somaliland, Habo shares her deeply personal journey of reconnecting with the Somali language and embracing her identity across different homelands. Through stories of migration, memory, and meaning, Habo reflects on what it’s...

S3EP4. In this episode, I reconnect with Guleid, someone I first met in Hargeisa back in 2015. I never thought we’d being having this conversation all these years later about his harrowing journey from Hargeisa to Italy. He opens up about the path he took to get there — the hopes, the hardships, and the realities of migration. He reflects on what it meant to leave home, the experiences that shaped...

S3.EP3. This episode features Mustafa Saeed, a photographer and graphic designer based in Hargeysa. We spoke more about his journey, his current plans and what he has coming up in the future. He is someone committed to enhancing the visual arts scene at home. Enjoy this episode!

In this episode (my first in person recording!!) I speak to SayidCali Ahmed who's a rising senior at Westminster College in Missouri. We spoke at Princeton University where he is taking summer courses as apart of the prestigious Junior Summer Institute. SayidCali is an Abaarso Alum who went on to work at the boarding school after graduation. That experience led him towards a love of education, men...

S2EP16. How Far Would You Travel for Love? (Pt. 2) | Exploring Somali Identity Through Time, Sound, and Memory In this episode, I continue a personal journey through time, sound, and space — using Somali music as a portal into the layered meanings of Somalinimo (Somali Identity). This is part two of a reflection on love, not just in the romantic sense, but love as belonging, longing, and cultural...

Its Feb the month of love, so I put together a couple of my fav recent Somali love songs. Did I forget any of your favorites? Let me know! Tracklist Jacayl wa Habaar Qabe - CABDULQAADIR HASAN NAGEEYE Dhadigaba Aduunbaa- Lafoole Caashaq Raagay Meel Mari - Yurub Geenyo Ka Maydho Wixii Kusoo Maray - Cabdi Ciise Cajuun & Nimco Dareen Qalamaanyo - Amina Abdillahi & Axmed Cali Cigaal Dhibsaday Fogaantaa...

In this week's episode I talk to DJ Amal, a Female DJ based in Toronto, Canada. We talked about Somali music of course and a bit of her journey. Whereas there are many male DJs in the Somali music scene, there are not too many women DJs In this convo Amal sheds light on her experience and her hopes for Somali music in the future. Follow her on Instagram and TikTok at DJ_Amalx

This episode of Ragga Dambe is on Khadar Keyow, the young prince of Somali music. While Keyow shot to popularity for his overzealous nature and boyish charm, he offers the Somali people and his fans alike so much more. Through his artistry and personal example he is encouraging us all to be better and do better. The idea of 'Ragga Dambe: A profile on Somali male artists and vulnerability' was insp...

This quick episode is paying respect to how Somali music and arts is killing it this past month. I talk on Suldaan Seeraar's London show, the screening of The Gravedigger's wife at the National Theatre in Mogadishu and Nimco Happy. After this fall, we can not say there is not space for Somalis in the arts, or that Somali music doesn't bang. Viva Fanka!!

This is the second episode of the Ragga Dambe series featuring K'naan and his recent song with Sharma Boy "Waayo Waayo". I spoke about them both in the first episode of Ragga Dambe but this episode offers a bit more into this series, into K'naan's artistry and about this fire collabo. This song has excited young and old about Somali music, displays the tenacity of Somali music and how music will a...

This episode is commemorating a whole year of this podcast, I can't believe ISIRKA is still going. I'm enjoying this process and hope you're enjoying It as well. In this episode, I reflect on ways I'm finding meaning and connection in this reflective exercise.

This episode features Sagal Bihi who is currently a Member of Somali Federal Parliament, House of the People. In this episode she takes us on a timeline of her activism and subsequently how development has looked like in Mogadishu. The title of this episode comes from the late John Lewis of GA's personal ideologies around being a positive force for change in your society. He said, "When you see so...

Another one for the Ladies that came before us. Playlist: Hablayahow Hadmaan Gursaan Doontaan - Sado Ali, Qamar Harawo, Hibo Nuura, Feynus Sh. Dahir Beled Xawo- Binti Cumar Gacal Xaafuun- Khadra Dahir Cige Jaceeyl - Fadumo Ahmed Dhimbil Bal Qofyahow- Sahra Ahmed Walee Aniga Caashaqu - Saynab Cige Naftaydaa Ku Jiraban- Sado Ali Dhayal- Sahra Ali Hassan Markaad Iga Magnaatide- Asha Abdow Malaika Taw...

So if you ever wanted to hear parts of my experience (all of it - the good, the bad and anything in between) of going back home, here it is! This episode is discussing my master's thesis research on diaspora returnees, "When reality crashes the imagination" and we discuss how my trip home crashed my imagination of it. Suhur has come back and we go to 2015, 2016 and to the future to discuss my enga...

Includes: Ahmed Zaki'-Goobile Nagib Wadane Kaabe Nuur Daalacay - Somaliland and Hoobey  Hodan Abdirahman & others - Benadir  Abdulqadir Jubba - Daawo Dacaalada  Suldan Seeraar - Hargeysa Abdulqadir Sulub- Heestii Rabasso Hasan Adan Samatar - Beledweyne Fardussa VIP - Boorama Ali Dhaanto -Dhulka Hooyo Nimco Dareen- Dhaanto Somaliland  Last song: Hassan Adan Samatar - Balanbalis/ Sida Meel Barwaaqo...

"You know very well who you are - Don't let them hold you down, reach for the stars" - Notorious BIG This episode is dedicated to my late friend who embodied that Biggie quote, and held up eastern and western culture together in a great way. One of the first people I met & was truly a great person. RIP my dude

As a lil thank you to my listeners so far, enjoy this mix- it might just be your hooyo's playlist or your fav!! Let me know what you think!

Check out his documentary,   Limit to Submission Read my piece about him: https://isirka.com/writings/with-strong-roots-one-will-bloom-beyond-belief-in-the-memory-of-dr-hussein-tanzani-adam

Check their youtube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjApCe1x162dGg7Y9hYyUHw

My dad's life is shaped by speaking out, connecting to people and enjoying life. In this episode he takes us through his life to gain a better sense of what experiences led to the person he is today. Like he loves to tell people,THE SKY IS THE LIMIT!

A lil love letter to Xamar/Mogadishu. In this episode, I continue the journey from where my mom's story took us: Mogadishu. Here I share my reflections of visiting this great Somali city.

In the town of Gabiley, Somaliland lovers plant trees on the side of the road. My grandpa planted his roots here and I came back to visit years after his passing. The town that rooted him, brought me peace and appreciation for the small things. "Kill All but the crows" documentary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNBTlc2wHU8