A Celebration of British Somali Poetry

Explore how diaspora Somali poets rework an ancient tradition through readings and conversation with award-winning poets, chaired by Christina Woolner. Featuring a line-up of poets including Samatar Elmi, Asmaa Jama, Ibrahim Hirsi, Safiya Mohamed and Zakariye, this event examines how diaspora Somali poets who compose in English are reworking an ancient oral tradition to imagine, reflect and sustain ideas of ‘home’ in the UK and beyond. Poetry has long been a ‘homeland’ of sorts for Somali communities in the Horn of Africa: a space for debate, provocation and reflection, a site of shared cultural memory and a spiritual sanctuary. But what happens to this ‘homeland’ – and the sanctuary words provide – as Somalis move to new geographic, cultural and linguistic locales? Through conversation and performance, hear how poetry that grapples with themes of migration, racism, inter-generational trauma, love, friendship and belonging continues to provoke, inspire and inform Somali- and English-speaking audiences. Chairing the event is Dr Christina Woolner, a social anthropologist whose research explores the sociopolitical dynamics of popular music and poetry in Somaliland and across the Somali diaspora. This event is co-organised by the Southbank Centre and Kayd Somali Arts & Culture as part of the London Literature Festival and Somali Week Festival.