Celebrating Somali Heritage: Family Day & Closing Concert

St Fagan’s Museum, in collaboration with Kayd Somali Arts & Culture, is pleased to be hosting an intergenerational programme of events dedicated to celebrating Somali heritage and cultural creativity, past, present and future. Join us for an exciting line-up of activities, including children’s entertainment, panel conversations, a photography exhibition, intergenerational conversation and unmissable musical and dance performances!

A Somali Village in Colonial Bradford: Photography Exhibit & Panel Discussion

11:15-12:30 (Lecture Theatre)

The Somali Village was a historical exhibit at the 1904 Great Exhibition in Lister Park in Bradford, where around 60 Somali men, women, and children lived in a walled compound for six months. Attracting over 348,000 visitors, it was the event’s most popular attraction. Led by Sultan Ali al-Urfa, a polyglot and traveler, the group was presented as a “living exhibit” to showcase Somali culture during a time when colonial exhibitions displayed people from colonized regions.

In this photography exhibit and panel discussion, Fozia Bora, Chris Gaffney and Boodhari Warsame will share the latest findings of an innovative project exploring the stories of a group of Somali travellers taking part in a colonial ethnographic village at the Great Exhibition in Bradford in 1904. The contributors will discuss the ethical and cultural parameters of the project, and its potential for recovering lost histories by reading archives critically and with community involvement. The session will be moderated by Abira Hussein.

Fozia Bora is Professor of Islamic History at the University of Leaders, and co-lead of the research project A Somali Village in Colonial Bradford. Fozia’s work combines historical research with community engagement, highlighting Bradford and Somali diaspora history. She earned her doctorate from the University of Oxford, has published Writing History in the Medieval Islamic World (Bloomsbury, 2019) and serves as Chair of the British Association for Islamic Studies. 

Chris Gaffney is Professor of Archaeological Sciences at the University of Bradford, with a background in commercial archeological geophysics. His research on the 1904 Bradford Exhibition led to teaching and community-focused projects exploring cultural heritage and societal enrichment. He is Chair of the National Heritage Science Forum and has received the Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education (2021).

Boodhari Warsame is an independent researcher, literary translator (Somali-English), writer and teacher. Multilingual in Somali, English, Swedish and Kiswahili, he has contribute to Somali cultural and literary projects including Guban and Koombe’s Struggle, and is cited in studies on the early 20-th century Somali Village exhibitions in Europe.

Abira Hussein is a PhD student at UCL, specializing in Somali heritage, digital archives, Open Culture, and GLAM.

Reach Project – Connecting Red Sea House Elders & Young People

Intergenerational Discussion & Display 12:45-1:30 (Atrium)

The Reach project facilitates dialogue between Somali elders at Red Sea House and young people through arts, culture, and storytelling. It creates a space for sharing history, heritage, and life experiences, fostering mutual understanding, inclusion, and stronger community connections while preserving cultural identity. In this session, facilitated by Samia Egeh, two elders and two young people will share about their experiences participating in this project. Drawings and photos from the workshop will also be displayed.

Samia Egeh is a community leader and social entrepreneur committed to empowering young people and fostering community cohesion. She co-founded ‘Amanah Learning 4 Kids’ (2012) and ‘United2Change’ (2020) to create opportunities, support employment, and strengthen community ties in Grangetown, Cardiff, and beyond. She has organised initiatives for ethnic minority communities, including family fun days, the ‘Preparing for Greatness’ programme to build confidence and communication skills among young people, and parental education workshops. Currently, she is working with the Red Sea Elders Project, facilitating meaningful conversations between young people and elders to share knowledge about arts, culture, heritage, and the challenges faced by previous generations.

Children’s Entertainment with Zainab Dahir (Galool) 1:00-2:30 (Studio 1)

Storytelling, film, face-painting, educational programmes, and general kid-friendly entertainment will be provided by Galool’s Zainab Dahir. Zainab is a Somali storyteller and entertainer who promotes the writing and reading of the Somali language among Somali children in the UK, with the cultural and linguistic resources she has developed alongside her daughter Ilwad Sabban (available on www.galool.com.) Galool is a Somali-language publishing, teaching, and storytelling endeavor for children that encourages Somali language writing and reading for children in the UK.

Poetry Workshop Readings with Ali Goolyad 1:30-2:15 (Atrium)

In this session, Cardiff-based poet Ali Goolyad will reflect on a poetry workshop series he’s facilitated with local youth. Ali and several workshop participants will then perform some of their work.

Ali Goolyad is a dynamic Somali-Welsh poet, actor, and community activist whose art bridges cultures and communities. Born in Hargeisa and raised in Wales, his multifaceted career features acclaimed contributions to National Theatre Wales productions (De Gabay, Border Game, Big Democracy Project), radio dramas (Borderland), and BBC works (Mattan: Injustice of a Hanged Man, Black and Welsh). A hallmark of his recent work includes a serendipitous and creative collaboration with Dafydd Iwan, leading to a spoken-word and musical performance that debuted at the National Slate Museum and resonated across cultural festivals. Ali's work with the Somali community in Cardiff and his poetic response to curated exhibitions like Creu Newid reflect his commitment to amplifying migrant narratives and reshaping Welsh cultural identity. In every project, Ali harnesses storytelling to explore heritage, activism, and the evolving notion of what it means to belong.

Buranbuur with Canab Cuud 2:30-3:00 (Atrium)

Canab Cuud is a talented trio of women—a mother and her two daughters—who bring the rich tradition of Somali Buraanbur dance to life. With years of experience and vibrant energy, they captivate audiences through rhythm, movement, and culture.

Celebrating Somali Sound! Final Concert 3:00-4:00 (Atrium)

Join us for an unmissable concert that will showcase Somalis musical heritage and celebrate the innovative work of young diaspora musicians, featuring performances by beloved singers Nimco Degan, and Abdirahman Nasri

Nimco Degan is a Somali artist based in the United Kingdom, celebrated for her distinctive voice and impactful musical contributions. Over the years, she has earned recognition for her ability to blend traditional Somali melodies with contemporary themes, creating songs that resonate deeply with diverse audiences. Through her artistry, Nimco Degan has not only entertained but also inspired, using music as a platform to promote hope, unity, and positive change.

Abdirahman Nasri, popularly known as Nasri, is a Somali singer acclaimed for his soulful vocals and compelling storytelling. His music effortlessly merges traditional Somali musical influences with modern pop sensibilities, appealing broadly across generations. With standout tracks such as "Magacsan," "Kugu Marmay," and "Maamiya (Raadiyaa)," Nasri has rapidly established himself as a fresh voice on the Somali music scene. His significant social media presence, notably on TikTok, underscores his growing influence among young audiences globally. Nasri continues to captivate listeners through innovative musical collaborations and compelling visuals, marking him as a promising artist within East Africa’s contemporary music sphere.