A great Somali poet Hadrawi dies, aged 79

He will be remembered as one of the pioneers of Somali poetry and some called him the Shakespeare of Somalia as his poetry has been translated into various languages.

News Keydmedia Online
18 August 2022

HARGEISA, Somalia – A prominent poet Mohamed Ibrahim Warsame Hadrawi passed away at the age of 79 in the city of Hargeisa city, north of Somalia on Thursday after illness, his family confirmed.

Hadrawi was one of the pioneers of Somali poetry and arguably the greatest poet of the generation having written many notable patriotic and romantic songs. His poetry was translated into various languages.

He will be remembered as one of the pioneers of Somali poetry and some called him the Shakespeare of Somalia as his poetry has been translated into various languages.

Hadrawi was born in Burco city of Togdheer region from a poor nomadic family consisting of one girl and eight boys. In 1953, at the age of nine, he went to live with an uncle in the Yemeni port city of Aden.

He studied at a school in Aden, where he received the nickname "Hadrawi" (Abu Hadra), a pseudonym by which he was popularly known. After Somalia gained independence in 1960, Hadrawi relocated from Aden to Mogadishu, Somalia's capital, and began working for Radio Mogadishu.

In Mogadishu, he both attended and later taught at Lafoole University. He also worked for the government's Department of Information.

In addition to love lyrics, he was a powerful commentator on the political situation and critic of the then military regime in Somalia. Imprisoned between 1973 and 1978.

No doubt Hadrawi will be written in the pages of Somali history as the nation mourns the loss of an icon in art and literature. Hadrawi left a great legacy for the next generations.

He was Poet, songwriter, and Philosopher. In 2012, Hadraawi was awarded the Prince Claus Award for his contributions to peace through his poetry.

His lyrical corpus includes:

Baladweyn - song performed by Hasan Adan Samatar in 1974
Saxarlaay ha Fududaan - sung by Mohamed Mooge Liibaan
Jacayl Dhiig ma Lagu Qoraa? - sung by Magool.

The top leaders across the country, including President Hassan Sheikh and his PM Hamza Abdi Barre as well as former officials, expressed their shock and condoled Hadrawi's death.

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