S5EP12. In this episode, I talk to Dr. Christina Woolner, the author of Love Songs in Motion: Voicing Intimacy in Somaliland, to explore the deep cultural significance of Somali love songs. Together, we unpack the ways music, poetry, and performance shape expressions of intimacy, identity, and social connection in Somaliland. Dr. Woolner shares her…

S5EP11. This episode is a music mix highlighting the singers that were apart of this year's London Somali Week Festival. You know I love the music and I truly enjoyed the singers that were apart of this year's festival. For a full track list:5:07- "Biyo Dhacay"- Nimco Yasiin8:29- "Bal Soo Orad" - Dalmar Yare11:11- "Saameyn"- Hanad Bandz13:34- Ashqa…

S5EP10. Reclaiming one's roots goes on a journey with documentary film maker and artist, Kasim Wise. We discuss his Fashion film and his first documentary, "Somaliland Ha Nolato" which screened at the BFI (British Film Institute) and in Hargeysa. In this conversation we discuss both screenings and the journey from inception to the present. This is …

S5EP9. Another Music Mix but this one is focusing on the contemporary love songs that I've really enjoyed this year. This episode is mainly to bring together Mursal Muse and Hodan Abdirahman's duets but there's a couple of other great songs on this mix as well. For a full track list:2:00- "Wan Dhabawday"- Mursal Muse and Hodan Abdirahman 4:50- "Qal…

S5EP8. Another year of ISIRKA, and a bit of a reflection and appreciation of the journey. I do these reflections every so often but this one is in honor of four years of the podcast.By ISIRKA

S5EP7. This mix is of Saado Ali Warsame songs. On the eve of Somalia independence day, I’d like to share the music of one of the only Somali woman singers who had a political platform.By ISIRKA

S5EP6. This Ragga Dambe episode features the young sensation, Saalax Sanaag. Enjoy these love songs!!By ISIRKA

S5EP5. This episode is a conversation I had with one of my favorite singers, Nimcaan Hilaac! We went on a journey- across time and space to discuss his career - as a singer and activist across the Horn of Africa. I learned alot about Nimcaan's work during this conversation and was impressed about what he was able to do at such a young age.…

S5EP4. This mix of Nimcaan Hilaac's songs is a complement to the interview I had with him. I really went back into his discography and pulled his earlier songs that I really liked and mixed in some newer ones. I enjoyed putting this mix together and hope you do as well1By ISIRKA

S5EP3. I'm bringing back the Ragga Dambe series for this episode on Qamar Suugaani. It's a bit longer because Qamar has hits. This episode was a long time in the making and I really enjoyed putting this together!!By ISIRKA

S5EP2. Will this entire season be about Somali love songs? Maybe! This episode is a compilation of the ultimate lovergirl, Yurub Geenyo's songs. Nothing will bring to your feels like a Yurub Geenyo song!! Enjoy this episode almost as much as I did.By ISIRKA

S5EP1. This episode is kicking off this new season dedicated to appreciating Somali music. This episode in particular is focusing on LOVE within a Somali context. For the tracklist of this episode:08:56: Saxarla- Maxamed Mooge12:00- Adaa Dumar Ugu Sitoo- Qamar Suugani14:24- Jamasho- Ahmed Mooge & Sahra Ahmed18:27- Cunaabi- Muuse Qalinle and Saado A…

S4EP15. This episode is wrap up of 2023, Isirka and the learnings that I've gained so far. Suhur moderated this conversation as we discuss the future for ISIRKA as well. Enjoy this episode and Happy New Year!By ISIRKA

S4EP14. This episode is a true reflection episode on claiming and taking up space within your cultural heritage. This is the last episode of Season 4, Hardly Home, Always Repping. Stay tuned for more from ISIRKA.By ISIRKA

S4EP13. This episode is a conversation with Hassan Ali Daoud, who is a medical doctor 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. This was a fantastic conversation and please follow Hassan's …

To break up all the social media chatter around the Somali political situation, a new ISIRKA mix focused on the fictive imagination of a love struck society. Which songs do you like most? I went across time and space and brought together some favorites, some songs from the 60's, some contemporary songs and of course some classic qaraami songs. Enjo…

S4EP12. This episode is a fantastic conversation with Aziz Faarah on reclaiming and learning how to engage with our cultural heritage and language. We recorded this conversation right on the heels of the Somali Centre for Cultural Recreation's exhibit at Nuit Blanche on September 23. In this conversation we discuss Aziz's connection to home, langua…

S4EP11. This episode is pt. 2 of the conversation with Khadija Charif and Mohamud Mumin of Soomaal House. We touched on Khadija's latest exhibit, The Blooming Lotus Flower that had just premiered at Soomaal House. We touch on identity, gender and art in this conversation. This episode also illuminates the beauty of giving each other their flowers w…

The title is self explanatory but I had a great summer in Minneapolis!By ISIRKA

S4EP9. This episode features artists Mohamud Mumin (http://hundredmp.com) and Khadija Charif (https://khadijacharif.pixieset.com) of Soomaal House, a Somali gallery & artists collective in Minneapolis, MN. We discuss their art, positionally and Somali cultural art forms. This is pt.1 of a two part conversation with the artists. Check out their work…

S4EP8. This is part 2 of a conversation with Nasra Ismail on Crisis to Repair. This episode in particular focuses on repair and what that looks like. It was a great conversation and I hope you've enjoyed hearing more from Nasra. Read here for more: https://www.alliancemagazine.org/feature/lessons-in-repair/…

S4EP7. This episode is capturing some of the hot songs that are popping this summer sung by the current queens of Somali music. This mix includes, highlights and celebrates the work of Shaadiyo Sharaf, Nadira Neyruus, Roda Kayf, Haboon Nuura and Miss Xiis. Enjoy this mix!!By ISIRKA

S4EP6. Crisis to Repair Pt. 1. This is part 1 of a conversation with Nasra Ismail on Crisis to Repair. We discuss her life she since the last time we spoke on Isirka (deep in the pandemic) and the ways she's been able to re-examine her life and sense of normal. Pt.2 focusing on repair will be dropping next week, Stay tuned!…

S4EP5. This episode is in honor and appreciation of Hodan Abdirahman Dheere, one of my current fav singers.By ISIRKA

S4EP4. In this episode I reflect on my favorite childhood memory of going to Italy for the summer. It wasn't a luxury vacation but a way to see family and have a change of scenery. This was one of the first trips that set a foundation for making my world a little bigger and showed me by example how sweet life could be. Italy continues to nourish my…

S4EP3. In this episode, I reflect on my positionally in regards to being Somali and diaspora. This episode is titled "Beyond the Box" to envision and imagine what we are beyond the rigid sense of identity we currently hold. ISIRKA has been a great way to own how I navigate and make sense of these identities. I share some lessons, some examples of g…

S4EP2. I recorded this episode in Fall 2022, after I had an amazing summer across East Africa. This episode and reflection only touches on a bit of what it was like there for me, in regards to identity, culture and belonging. There is so much more I have to share about East Africa and I truly loved being there. It was home in a comfortable and fami…

Stay along for journey here!By ISIRKA

S3EP15. Ending off the podcast with an English translation of my mom's podcast episode about her story and experiences. Thank you to those who have been tuned in and please follow isirka on instagram for more. Support ISIRKA here: https://bmc.link/isirkamBy ISIRKA

S3EP14. Another music mix! This mix is of contemporary singers singing songs of the great female artists that came before them! Support ISIRKA here: https://bmc.link/isirkamBy ISIRKA

S3EP13. Isirka Reflections. This podcast originally served as a way for me to document my stories and experiences in traveling to Somali lands + across the diaspora. However, now after a couple years of producing this podcast centered on identity, culture and belonging I've learned a few things and want to grow in different ways. In this episode, I…

S3EP12. Ragga Dambe: Jigjiga Sounds. An appreciation for the dhaanto and various sounds coming from the JigJiga area. Tracklist:0:37- Shaygoosh/Honeymoon dalki hooyo - Jaango6:20- Dhulkii Hooyo- Ali Dhaanto7:40- Sanadguuraadii Ogadenia- Suldaan Seerar9:02- Yarta Dheerey- Ali Dhaanto10:45- Hakaraamo Seegin - Ilkacase Qays ft. Xariir Axmed11:50- Iska…

S3EP11. This episode features Ahmed who is a staunch community advocate, Somali and overall a positive role model. He shared bits of his own story, including his childhood back home in Ethiopia, adapting to the US and developing a passion for running. He runs a social media account, @Shaahoftheday, where he shares more of his thoughts and culturall…

Its Feb - another music mix this time centered on the current tunes. Read Below for the full song list: 02:05- Dhabtuu Jacaylku Yaalaa- Magool 05:11- Saw Ma Tihid- Malyuun Maanka and Khalid Kamil 07:30- Axdi- Hodan Abdirahman & Caamir Zaki 10:14- Hees Amaan 2023- Raaxo Shariif 13:33 - So Gal Laabtan Ku Baahan- Sakriye Kobciye ft. Xamdi Bilan 17:19-…

S3EP10. For the Queen, Sahra Ahmed. I've talked alot about my ancestors and the Ladies that came before us as a way to remember and honor the Somali female artists that reigned and gave us many hits. Sahra Ahmed has been a favorite of mine since I was a child and there's things I've appreciated about her artistry and persona the older I get. In thi…

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…

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 a…

S3EP7. In this episode, I share some reflections about identity, culture and belonging and what that all really manifests like. At the end of the day, this cultural identity is apart of our roots - its apart of our foundation but we can negotiate how we engage with it. Also shoutout to the ladies that came before us, I have been jamming alot lately…

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…

S3EP5. First Stop: Kigali. This episode is a reflection on the first stop of my pan-african tour of Summer 2022. Kigali’s breeze and moderate climate welcomes you to enjoy your time here, just like the people. The people I’ve come across are welcoming and friendly and my favorite statement when I ask for something is “it’s possible”. And boy does R…

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 i…

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!By ISIRKA

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 e…

Hello Everyone, It's been a while but I'm back for Season 3 of ISIRKA! In this episode, I introduce the theme of the new season- Hayaan: A long journey. I'm about to head out on a great adventure -catch me where you can!By ISIRKA

In this episode, I'm rounding out Season 2 and introducing Season 3. Stay tuned for more!By ISIRKA

This episode of Ragga Dambe is on Ismaaciil C. Ubax, a writer, content creator, and a positive social change agent. He has utilized storytelling as a tool for activism through various campaigns. Through his podcast, Codka Ubax, he sheds light on those who are storytellers, change makers and cultural carriers. In this episode though, I share a lil m…

S2EP17. Where is Half the Sky? In this episode I reflect on the place of Somali women in politics and civil society. As we are vying for recognition and legitimate statehood where are the women in this conversation? Across the Somali territories where are the women???By ISIRKA

S2EP16. How Far Would You Travel for Love? (Pt. 2) | Exploring Somali Identity Through Time, Sound, and MemoryIn 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 sen…

S2EP15. INTL WOMEN'S DAY- This day amongst Women's History month is International Women's day! and so of course I had to talk about the ladies that came before us. I share a little bit more about why and what I mean by this term and of course show my appreciation for the Ladies that came before us! Its been a while but I'm excited to be back! Enjoy…

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!TracklistJacayl wa Habaar Qabe - CABDULQAADIR HASAN NAGEEYEDhadigaba Aduunbaa- LafooleCaashaq Raagay Meel Mari - Yurub GeenyoKa Maydho Wixii Kusoo Maray - Cabdi Ciise Cajuun & Nimco DareenQalamaanyo - Amina Abdil…