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 touch on a bit of my journey and some "aha moments" I've had recently. It's never over and as Nipsey Hussle used to say "The Marathon Continues". Fol...
May 04, 2023•18 min•Ep. 49
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 - Jaango 6:20- Dhulkii Hooyo- Ali Dhaanto 7:40- Sanadguuraadii Ogadenia- Suldaan Seerar 9:02- Yarta Dheerey- Ali Dhaanto 10:45- Hakaraamo Seegin - Ilkacase Qays ft. Xariir Axmed 11:50- Iska Iloow- Ilkacase Qays 14:30- Dhibsaday Fogaantaada- Xariir Axmed 17:50- Shabax 20:00- Galmudug- Ilkacase Qays 21:27- Sool- Ahmed Budul 23:35- Do...
Apr 23, 2023•49 min•Ep. 48
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 culturally rooted but honest perspective. This conservation touches on making sense of Somali identity in the diaspora, the state of the community and ultimate...
Apr 22, 2023•50 min•Ep. 47
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- Kabo Hoo II Kabo - Ilkacase ft. Farxiya Fiska 21:52- Warda Xaashi Ninkeedu- Baashe Delta 23:05- Xabiibi Bad Baadana Wan Aroos - Rahma Hassan and ...
Feb 14, 2023•47 min
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 this episode, I didn't talk too much but really compiled a bunch of her tunes for my 50th podcast episode. What better way to celebrate!! Enjoy this epis...
Nov 24, 2022•43 min•Ep. 46
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!
Nov 10, 2022•34 min•Ep. 45
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.fatumaadar.com, instagram.com/fatumaadar. Enjoy this episode!
Oct 27, 2022•44 min•Ep. 44
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 to the songs that female artists left us with.
Oct 06, 2022•28 min•Ep. 43
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 taken to reclaim her language and the pride she’s found in doing so. We talk about the challenges o...
Sep 02, 2022•40 min•Ep. 42
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 Rwanda exemplify that! There is this phrase at the genocide memorial: “kwibuka: remember-unite-renew” and everywhere you go in Kigali the greenery + cl...
Aug 18, 2022•45 min•Ep. 41
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 him along the way, and what life in Europe has taught him so far. This is a story about movement, a...
Aug 04, 2022•46 min•Ep. 40
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!
Jul 07, 2022•28 min•Ep. 39
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, mentorship and public policy. He has bright dreams for his future and it was a pleasure to speak to him...
Jun 23, 2022•43 min•Ep. 38
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!
Jun 09, 2022•20 min•Ep. 37
In this episode, I'm rounding out Season 2 and introducing Season 3. Stay tuned for more!
Apr 14, 2022•16 min•Ep. 36
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 more about how I perceive Ismaaciil and how through his artistry and work, Ismaaciil is giving the Somali community much to be proud of and accessibili...
Mar 29, 2022•22 min•Ep. 35
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???
Mar 24, 2022•28 min•Ep. 34
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 memory. Through songs, stories, and the echoes of history, I trace my evolving relationship with Som...
Mar 18, 2022•42 min•Ep. 33
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 this episode and stay tuned for more.
Mar 08, 2022•22 min•Ep. 32
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 Fogaantaada - Xariir Axmed Wajiyaal is Xasuusta - Muna Miski & Nimcaan Hilaac Waa Amaanta - Muna ...
Feb 25, 2022•46 min
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
Dec 30, 2021•37 min•Ep. 31
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 inspired by him. It is very encouraging and necessary to usher in new norms when it comes to relating to...
Dec 02, 2021•29 min•Ep. 30
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!!
Nov 18, 2021•20 min•Ep. 29
In this episode I talk to Hoda Ali who we previously talked to in S2EP9. The Gravediggers Wife ft. Omar Abdi. Hoda has combined her love for film and community throughout her career and we talk about that journey here. We discuss the ways in which Somalis are coming together, creating and recreating notions of identity, community and belonging in the diaspora. We also of course discuss the homeland and the ways Somali creativity is shining these days. Enjoy this episode!
Nov 04, 2021•29 min•Ep. 28
In this episode I reflect on and discuss Oct 21, 1969, the day the Somali nation was changed forever. Its been over 50 years since Barre took up power but the way he shaped Somali nationalism, community and identity has altered us forever. This episode is titled "Ubaxii Kacaanka 50 years later" as a way to make sense of how the young kids who were raised on his ideologies are now mature adults who are identifying themselves in a way that works for them. Your childhood does not have to circumscri...
Oct 22, 2021•33 min•Ep. 27
This episode of Ragga Dambe was recorded after the Toronto premier of The Gravedigger's Wife, the recent Somali film that's buzzing across the world. It is the first mainstream film in Somali, with Somali actors and directed by a Somali. At the Toronto premier, Somalis came out to watch a film in their native language and Omar Abdi, the lead actor and Hoda Ali speak about this screening, the film and their impressions. Enjoy this episode!
Oct 14, 2021•27 min•Ep. 26
This episode features Sagal Ali, the founder and Executive Director of the Somali Arts Foundation (SAF), the first contemporary art institution in Somalia. She also served as the former Deputy Secretary General for Somalia National Commission for UNESCO. She is a champion of culture, arts, free-expression and is a great force for positive social change. She shares some of her brilliance and experience of working and living in Mogadishu/East Africa for the past five years. To connect with Sagal a...
Oct 07, 2021•51 min•Ep. 25
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 always be the voice of the people. Enjoy this episode. Follow isirka on instagram.com/_ISIRKA.
Sep 23, 2021•26 min•Ep. 24
In this episode I talk to Anisa Hagi-Mohamed, a writer and creative behind My Diasporic Diary and Designs for Dhaqan, who is bringing us to reflect, embrace our language, and doing it all with positivity. Anisa has been curating a lot of positive and honest conversations across the Somali online space, and making Somali language a lil bit more palatable for the next generation. I appreciate the commitment to language, culture with a lil pizzazz and negating toxicity. Check her out on her socials...
Sep 09, 2021•37 min•Ep. 23
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.
Aug 25, 2021•23 min•Ep. 22
