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 research journey, weaving in stories about the lives and voices behind these songs, and how they reflect shifting notions of love, gender, and belong...
Jan 23, 2025•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 80
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 Yasiin 8:29- "Bal Soo Orad" - Dalmar Yare 11:11- "Saameyn"- Hanad Bandz 13:34- Ashqaraar- Farxiya Fiska & Fuad Cadde 17:09- An Anniversary song for Hereri and his wife- Sir Mahamoud Omar 19:10- "Calaf"- Yurub Geenyo & Șir ...
Dec 29, 2024•37 min•Ep. 78
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 part one of a conversation with Kasim Wise so stay tuned for pt2. This conversation highlights the ways in which you can utilize your creativity to se...
Dec 07, 2024•49 min•Ep. 77
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- "Qalbigaan Ka Midawnay"- Ikraan Caraale and Maxamed Maame 7:16- Iga Hiili Caashaqa- Khadar Keeyow 11:20- Adiga Sowmaha- Nimcaan Hilaac 15:30- Ictiraf Jac...
Dec 03, 2024•39 min•Ep. 76
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.
Jul 26, 2024•33 min•Ep. 74
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.
Jun 29, 2024•48 min•Ep. 73
S5EP6. This Ragga Dambe episode features the young sensation, Saalax Sanaag. Enjoy these love songs!!
Jun 14, 2024•36 min•Ep. 72
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.
Jun 01, 2024•52 min•Ep. 71
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 well1
May 31, 2024•57 min•Ep. 70
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!!
May 15, 2024•57 min•Ep. 69
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.
May 02, 2024•39 min•Ep. 68
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 Mooge 12:00- Adaa Dumar Ugu Sitoo- Qamar Suugani 14:24- Jamasho- Ahmed Mooge & Sahra Ahmed 18:27- Cunaabi- Muuse Qalinle and Saado Ali Warsame 22:50 - Hees Xasuus- Deeqsan Abdinasir & Qamar Suugani 25:44- Ismoodsiis- Cabdi Ciise Cajuun & Safiya Tusmo 29:00- Caashaqa...
Apr 10, 2024•41 min•Ep. 67
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!
Dec 08, 2023•48 min•Ep. 66
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.
Nov 17, 2023•31 min•Ep. 65
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 journey on twitter.com/ZeyitAli. The title of this episode comes from a Somali proverb, "If we come together, we can mend a crack in the sky" this con...
Oct 26, 2023•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 64
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. Enjoy this mix!
Oct 18, 2023•52 min
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, language and cultural preservation. Enjoy this conversation ! Check Aziz out on twitter.com/azizfaarah.
Oct 12, 2023•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 63
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 while they are still here, how we are nutured and what elements are necessary to bloom. Enjoy!
Sep 21, 2023•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 61
The title is self explanatory but I had a great summer in Minneapolis!
Sep 15, 2023•28 min•Ep. 62
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 and Soomaal House generally.
Sep 14, 2023•41 min•Ep. 60
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/
Aug 24, 2023•52 min•Ep. 59
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!!
Aug 17, 2023•37 min•Ep. 58
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!
Aug 10, 2023•37 min•Ep. 57
S4EP5. This episode is in honor and appreciation of Hodan Abdirahman Dheere, one of my current fav singers.
Aug 03, 2023•39 min•Ep. 56
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 soul -- and stomach every time I go.
Jul 26, 2023•29 min•Ep. 55
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 growth and some appreciation for the journey- good and bad. Stay connected to ISIRKA on Instagram & ISIRKA.com
Jul 19, 2023•32 min•Ep. 54
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 familiar way and I'm so appreciative! Stay tuned to more of what ISIRKA is doing @ ISIRKA.com
Jul 13, 2023•27 min•Ep. 53
Stay along for journey here!
Jul 01, 2023•21 min•Ep. 52
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/isirkam
May 18, 2023•30 min•Ep. 51
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/isirkam
May 13, 2023•55 min•Ep. 50
