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     | Unrecorded Date Help! I am a librarian from Minneapolis Public Library. Because we have such a large population of Somali speakers here, the library is trying to buy more books, CDs and videos in Somali. Our collection of Somali materials is very, very limited and I'm having trouble finding publishers of videos, CDs and books. If you know of a good Somali language book, music or video publisher, can you post this information here? Please give me any information that you can about the publisher, too. If you have an address, phone number, or website that would be very helpful to me. Also, please tell me what they publish. Do they specialize in books, music or videos? What kinds? I'm interested in children's materials, non-fiction, popular adult fiction... Heck, I'm interested in practically anything that Somali people want to read, hear or view. If you don't know publishers, can anyone give me the names of some popular Somali authors or musical artists? Are there any Somali classics that no library should be without? Please let me know. I'm really, really interested in hearing what Somali people think is the best from their culture, and I will appreciate any answers any of you can give me. One last request: I (alas) do not speak or read Somali, which is why I am asking you for advice. Could you please post your answers in English? Thanks. Sincerely, Hilary Moon Murphy
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| | Unrecorded Date Suggestion: I just want to point out that Somalis are not interested in reading or viewing music books. Islam prohibits such thing and we (somalis) do not include MUSIC as part of our cultures. Neither Somali children nor their families will ever look for or be interested in finding music books or musical artists. Therefore, anything about music wheater it's (music played by somalis) hip hop, classical, country, or rap won't be helpful to Somalis and their children instead it would be waste of money, space and time. However, you may see some kids that are already Americanized and want such books. I wouldn't consider music as part of the Somali culture because less than 1/3 of the Somalis acutally listen music. I do not know if there are any Somali publishers in the United States but there are few in Canada. I don't exactly know their addresses but you can find them by searching on the net or by looking the Somali newspapers for ads.
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| | Unrecorded Date Cawil-- Thank you for your input about music and Somali culture. I will keep it in mind. How do religious Somalis feel about videos (non-musical)? I notice that the Somalis who use Minneapolis Public Library check out quite a few videos, but these may be a more Americanized sample. I've tried doing some searches on the net for Somali publishers, with variable success. Most of the ones I've found so far are for publishers already represented in the library's collection. And I've only seen one Somali newspaper so far and it did not contain ads for Somali publishers, but I will keep looking. Do you have any recommended authors? Or subjects that would be of special interest to Somalis? We do try to stock books on Islam and Somali folktales, but I would be interested in your opinions. Hilary
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| | Unrecorded Date Cawil: Why are you lying bro? Most somalis listen to music and read fiction books. Brother, please do not try to impose your believes or thoughts on other people. How can you talk like that on behalf of all somalis? You can Say "Islam doesn't allow music" But most Somalis like all other people and love entertainment. HMM: Here are some links that may take you to the right people: Iftiin Publishers: http://somalinet.com/iftiin/ Goday Books/Xayir Books: http://www3.sympatico.ca/aosman/sbe.html Then click "Products" Here are some all time best seller Somali novels: 1- Aqoondaro waa u nacab jeceel - Ignorance is the enemy of love (Both English and somali editition are in circulation) True story 2- Adeegto - The maid - (in somali) love Story of Elmi Bodhari (somali) True story, Elmi beame acronym for Love in Somalis. Please find these books and Somalis will love you forever. I hope other visitors to this page will add more. Jamal
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| | Unrecorded Date Cawil: Why are you lying bro? Most somalis listen to music and read fiction books. Brother, please do not try to impose your believes or thoughts on other people. How can you talk like that on behalf of all somalis? You can Say "Islam doesn't allow music" But most Somalis like all other people and love entertainment. HMM: Here are some links that may take you to the right people: Iftiin Publishers: http://somalinet.com/iftiin/ Goday Books/Xayir Books: http://www3.sympatico.ca/aosman/sbe.html Then click "Products" Here are some all time best seller Somali novels: 1- Aqoondaro waa u nacab jeceel - Ignorance is the enemy of love (Both English and somali editition are in circulation) True story 2- Adeegto - The maid - (in somali) love Story of Elmi Bodhari (somali) True story, Elmi beame acronym for Love in Somalis. Please find these books and Somalis will love you forever. I hope other visitors to this page will add more.
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| | Unrecorded Date I don't understand Cawil why you think you should speak for all Somalis and throw the topic of religion into the discussion. You are doing disservice to our community by suggesting that the majority of us don't have any interest in arts particularly in literature and music. Your views, I am sure aren't shared by many. If the librarian is trying to bring more books and music related to the Somali culture in order to help their growing Somali clients, then we should assist and help her with information as well as suggestions. I am sure there are many artists in Toronto who record Somali music that is classic and contemporary. There are also places where they sell their final products. One I can think of is the store on Weston Ave in Toronto. People who know its name can tell us. There is also the famous author Nuradin Farrah who wrote many novels about his homeland. He writes in English. For the librarian, I suggest that you search the Internet as well as the biggest library in the world in Washington DC; I think its called The Congress Library. I would also encourage anyone with books to donate to a library like this that is interested in accommodating the community anyway they can. Furthermore, people in Minneapolis should participate in helping the library attain these literary books and music. Peace!
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| | Unrecorded Date Asalama Alaykum ALL! TO: HMM! Minneapolis Public Library has alot of Somali visitors. If they're interested in Music and Literature, that is their cause. I can't, however, personally, advertise that which opposes my beliefs. I know for certain that the most of the Somali Community in Minneapolis(or Minnesota) are religious. Just watch on the streets, most of the Somali women are veiled/hijabed. :-) I have been to the Library that is located Dwntwn MPLS---4th/Nicolete...and I noticed they had ALOT of Islamic-related materials(videos, books, CDs, etc)---but I also noticed that they didn't have anything on Somali Language. I'm sure it'd be helpful to alot of somalis to have such variety in their language. If the Library is interested, there is a place where they'll get such variety of Islamic materials. The address is: SOMALI ISLAMIC RELIEF AGENGY! P.O.BOX 33049 Riyadh 11448 Saudi Arabia! Note that most of these materials are free and only need to pay shipping/handling! Also, for more closer(but sale) materials, you can contact the Somali `HALAL` stores in South Minneapolis! ...thanks for your concern in Somali Community! Blessed BE! Peace, Ahmad!
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| | Unrecorded Date Dear Librarian Your effort is appreciated. Somalis have rich literature heritage. But this heritage like its people is in great peril.Again, we thank for your works and we are here to help. HAL-ABUUR(www.halabuur.journal.click2site.com) this is a journal of somali literature and culture. This is also a publishing firm, here you will find all the rising somali writers and thier works. hal-abuur PO BOX 3476 london SE15 5QP UK Hal-abuur also hosts somali section of pen international. Here, you can order M D. Afrax's Maanafaay---by far the most popular somali novel. HAAN ASSOCIATES PO BOX 607, LONDON SW16 1EB This another company that publishes somali related works. Their books include THE ROAD TO ZERO: SOMALI'S SELF-DESTRUCTION by Mohamed Osman Omar. THE SOMALI RESOURCES AND HERITAGE CENTRE (www.magma.ca~alamagan/hadi.htm) here, you will find many books and auditape---including children books. INDIAN UNIVERSTIY PRESS This press published B. W. Adersejewski's An Anthology of Somali Poetry. Margaret Laurence This canadian writer has a two books on the somali people: A Tree For Poverty and The Prophet's Camel Bell--a honest travel work. You can order these books from the same people who brought you her novels: maclean and stewart. Somali Press (somalipress.com) This monthly somali lanaguage newpaper is based in Toronto. I would recomend it. As for the somali music, it is altogether another matter. I must sadly say that the great somali music has become a puplic property, much to the dismay of artist who created. It's commodatiy and people sale and buy as they please. I don't think there is any harm if the library starts its own collections for educational purposes. Here, too you must consult the somali community. I for one will be at your service. I live in the north, let me know if you need any more help. somali
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| | Unrecorded Date Hi librarian. My name is Cimran. I am somalian student who lives in Minneapolis, MN. I can help you finding both artists and Sheikhs who are expert both the music and religion. Leave your email, so I can contact you privately. Other wise, as lot of people suggest you, use the Internet because nowadays computers are more helpful than human. Especially, I recommend you using the popular net search: IslamicSeek URL: http://www.islamiseek.com This engine has more information about Somalia than other engines like Yahoo do. P.S. There are three Somalian girls who started recently entertainment business. These girls are Rappers. They will be performing next week at Apollo Theater in NY. So anyone who lives in Minneapolis, MN can watch them at channel 4.
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| | Unrecorded Date Sorry, I made mistake of writing the URL of Islamseek. Actually, the correct address is: http://www.islamseek.com So check it out. I don't think, they put lot of music related stuff, but I found, this net search very helpful when I was writing a paper about Somalia. Good luck
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| | Unrecorded Date Dear Hmm, Do you have or know book that teaches somali language ? tape/book, anything is fine. Thanks
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| | Unrecorded Date To: My fellow Somalis Shame on you people, stop invading and attacking someone's point of view. I think you all know everyone is entitled to his/her opinion in this country. Neither we personally attack nor we fight against, but we can all disagree with each other. Cawil is entitled to have his opinion and if we don't see it logic, we can disagree. Cawil can't represent all Somalians and can't talk for Somalis at large rather he focused his personal idea. On the other hand, Cawil was not posting something that's opposite to Somalis culture but he was offering assistance to the librarian just like you are. By the way, I would doubt if somalian parent would check out books or videoes about music for their children.
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| | Unrecorded Date Here we go again, back to our old habits, pickering all the time. Even librarian can't ask for bit of help with being bombarded with load of petty argument....
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| | Unrecorded Date Wow, thank you all for the great responses... Anonymous--I'm already familiar with Iftiin Press and their wonderful Somali grammar and dictionaries (so popular that we cannot keep them on our shelves!) I will check out both URLs, though. Cimran--Yes, go ahead and email me. I'm trying to develop more Somali contacts in Minneapolis. Ahmad, Somali, Mohamed, Abdi--Thank you all for your feedback. It is as helpful to hear all your viewpoints as it is to get the exact publisher information. It is important for me to know that some Somalis are enthusiastic about music while others object to it on religious grounds. We will try to honor both points of view at the library. XX--I think that we have a conversational Somali book/tape set in our collection at Minneapolis Public Library. Let me check the title for you. Minneapolis Somalis--Have you seen our job posting in the career section of this website? The position closes on October 22nd, and so far we've only had two applicants... Please fax your cover letter, resume and references in to our Human Resources Department if you are thinking of applying. And please, keep those suggestions coming! Thank you, Hilary Library Links! Coordinator Minneapolis Public Library
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| | Unrecorded Date Wow, thank you all for the great responses... Anonymous--I'm already familiar with Iftiin Press and their wonderful Somali grammar and dictionaries (so popular that we cannot keep them on our shelves!) I will check out both URLs, though. Cimran--Yes, go ahead and email me. I'm trying to develop more Somali contacts in Minneapolis. Ahmad, Somali, Mohamed, Abdi--Thank you all for your feedback. It is as helpful to hear all your viewpoints as it is to get the exact publisher information. It is important for me to know that some Somalis are enthusiastic about music while others object to it on religious grounds. We will try to honor both points of view at the library. XX--I think that we have a conversational Somali book/tape set in our collection at Minneapolis Public Library. Let me check the title for you. Minneapolis Somalis--Have you seen our job posting in the career section of this website? The position closes on October 22nd, and so far we've only had two applicants... Please fax your cover letter, resume and references in to our Human Resources Department if you are thinking of applying. And please, keep those suggestions coming! Thank you, Hilary Library Links! Coordinator Minneapolis Public Library
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| | Unrecorded Date Apologies for the double post. XX-- This title is owned by Minneapolis Public Library. Hope that it proves helpful to you. Hmm ______________________________________ Orwin, Martin, 1963- Colloquial Somali [sound recording] : a complete language course / London ; New York, NY : Routledge, c1995.
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| | Unrecorded Date dear hmm i am a somalian girl i left the country while i was very young so that i didn't have a chance to know my own literature my family told me about the books like Elmi bowdhari and Ignorance is the enemy of love how great they are i almost asked everyone but i couldn't find it so far if you have them in somali language please leave a message here. to all somalis if you have aqoondaro waa u nacab jacayl and cilmi bowdhari please leave a message here.
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