Somali Dance - A Thread

1. Starting of with NIIKO

2 -
Buraanbur — is both a poetry form and dance that is performed wherever Somalis live. The ‘bootin’ or the dancing part is done by some Somalis with an umbrella.

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Diisoow — is a traditional dance from the south of #Somalia, it is only performed by men and tends to be accompanied by walking sticks. Also the dance tends to have a shell used with it.

4 -

Ciyaar Dhaqameed

This dance is called Wareegto and the topic being changed is Eid. This dance was also in the repertoire of Kooxda Folkloreka

5 -

Wilisiqo.

One of the methods of bringing good relations between the military and the people was by the military organising dances and competitions where soldiers and people could join together. It’s great seeing our culture still thriving .

6 -

Jaandheer
being performed by children.

7 -

Beeray

This comes from the south of the country and is based on the movements of the Ostrich.
And the beat is

8 -

Gabley Shimbir

From the Banaadir region of Somalia. It appears in the 1890s and uses an instrument called a ‘Sharaq’. the dance form is similar to Shirib in that a poem is read first with no dancing and then part of the poem is used by the chorus while they dance.

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Dhaanto

Dhaanto originated from the west of Somalia. It has its roots in an ancient poetry form called Wiglo and an earlier form of this dance was a favourite of the dervishes who used it to compose anti colonial poetry and stay awake when on guard.

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Wilisiqo

native to the central regions of Somalia, Both men and women partake. Similar to the example of Jiib iyo Jaan or other common types of Somali dances that have no instruments and rely on stamping and clapping for rhythm. Wilisiqo is also accompanied by poetry.

11 -

Hooydado
This dance is done extensively in Djibouti. Sometimes, like in this video, accompanied by drums, but can easily be done and mostly are done by just clapping and stamping. Most Somali dances are performed in this manner.

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Harimaadee / Wilwile
A dance originating in Djibouti/Somaliland/Galbeed. It started off as a war dance.
In the 70s it’s rhythm was modernised and used in the song HeriMaahee by Seynab Cige and Salaad Derbi. This tradition has been carried on by Ro x ft. Sagalina

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#Saylici

Saylici is a dance originating is Saylac and is danced all over Awdal. It’s actually a term given to over 300 small dances. Saylac is a crossroads of cultures and it has influenced its food and culture and of course, this dance.

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Saddexley,

Dance being performed by some Somali artists who love in London.

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Hirwo

This dance is very popular in Djibouti and galbeed, it is one of the originators of dhaantos and as such shares the same poetical metre