Women’s History Month: Reconstructing Somalia - Women’s Voices

In this episode we take a rare look at Somalia’s formative, pre-civil war years (1960-90), which saw the birth of soomaalinimo - Somali patriotism. This national mood inspired people to put aside the clan identities so heavily manipulated by the colonial powers and dedicate themselves to the creation of a new, culturally authentic, but also modern, national identity. And this was expressed in gorgeous, lyrical songs with influences from Arab art music, Hindi film songs and rich local traditions. Our principal guide is Lidwien Kapteijns (Professor of History at Wellesley College) whose book Women’s Voices in a Man’s World focuses on popular songs of this hopeful era shaped the changing lives and status of women. We’ll hear beautiful archival recordings and get inside the crucial debates and gender negotiations contained in their lyrics. We’ll also learn why the promise of this all-but-forgotten era have never been realized in Somalia. Produced by Banning Eyre.