March 28, 2014
This program offers a rare musical portrait of Somalia’s formative, pre-civil war years (1960-90). In a rising mood of patriotism and hope, Somalis sought to forge a culturally authentic, but also modern, national identity. Poetry, theatrical plays, and gorgeous, lyrical ...<a class="meta-nav" href="http://www.afropop.org/wp/17636/reconstructing-somalia-love-songs-at-the-birth-of-a-nation/"> Read more »</a>
Conflict & Justice
How the extremist group al-Shabab looks for recruits
The World
September 24, 2013
A BBC filmmaker doing a documentary on the extremist group al-Shabab got a rare glimpse into its recruiting tactics
Conflict & Justice
The urban guerrilla comes of age
The World
October 03, 2013
Cities are centers of culture, but they're also increasingly home turf for militant warfare. That's what counter-insurgency guru David Kilcullen argues in his new book Out of the Mountains: The Coming of Age of the Urban Guerrilla.
Arts, Culture & Media
How a childhood in Somalia helped one guy co-star with Tom Hanks in 'Captain Phillips'
The World
October 11, 2013
You wouldn't wish anyone to have a childhood that started in war-torn Somalia. But in the real-life story of pirates who commandeered a US cargo ship and were pursued by US Navy SEALs, Barkhad Abdi says his few early years in Somalia helped him in his co-starring role.
Conflict & Justice
How does a boy from a seaside town in Norway end up a terrorist in Kenya?
The World
October 24, 2013
Kenyan authorities say they've identified one of the al-Shabab militants who laid siege to Nairobi's Westgate Mall last month. He's a Somali who grew up in Norway. And it seems Norwegian police knew he was a risk three years ago.
Conflict & Justice
Toxic! Britney Spears used as a weapon against Somali pirates
The World
October 29, 2013
If you ever plan to travel by sea off the coast of east Africa, make a note to self: Britney Spears' music seems to have a repellent effect against pirates.
Reconstructing Somalia: Love Songs at the Birth of a Nation
March 28, 2014
This program offers a rare musical portrait of Somalia’s formative, pre-civil war years (1960-90). In a rising mood of patriotism and hope, Somalis sought to forge a culturally authentic, but also modern, national identity. Poetry, theatrical plays, and gorgeous, lyrical ...<a class="meta-nav" href="http://www.afropop.org/wp/17636/reconstructing-somalia-love-songs-at-the-birth-of-a-nation/"> Read more »</a>
Web-Exclusive Podcast: More Songs of Love and War from Somalia
April 02, 2014
Banning Eyre presents songs and stories from Somalia’s fertile independence era, and up to the present. This podcast is a supplement to Afropop’s Hip Deep program “Reconstructiong Somalia, Love Songs at the Birth of a Nation.” Somali scholar and former ...<a class="meta-nav" href="http://www.afropop.org/wp/17686/web-exclusive-podcast-reconstructing-somalia/"> Read more »</a>
Somali Love Songs: A Hip Deep Introduction
April 02, 2014
Wellesley College Historian Lidwien Kapteijns is the lead advisor on Afropop’s Hip Deep program “Reconstructing Somalia, Love Songs at the Birth of a Nation.” Here she introduces the program with a tour of her office, introducing artists, recordings, books and ...<a class="meta-nav" href="http://www.afropop.org/wp/17698/somali-love-songs-a-hip-deep-introduction/"> Read more »</a>
Economics
Somali Americans fight to save their lifeline of cash for relatives back home
The World
March 10, 2015
It’s getting more complicated to send money to Somalia, and that's a big deal in places like Minnesota where some Somali Americans have been wiring cash home for decades. Somali immigrants say the move is cutting off a vital lifeline — and may actually harm the fight against terror.
Belief
Guilty verdict in Minnesota ISIS trial splinters Somali community
The World
May 10, 2016
Updated
Minneapolis friends stood trial for charges that included conspiracy to provide support to ISIS and commit murder abroad.