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PUBLICATIONS

Dhaqansidaha Gobaad: Journal of Somali Heritage

Publisher: Gobaad Press, Minneapolis, Minnesota. Volume I, 2007

ISSN: 1938-8454                                    Individual: $10

Paperback: 180 pp.                                Institution: $20

Bartamihii July, 2007, waxa aan fursad u helay in aan goobjoog u ahaado shirkii cilmi-baarista Soomaalyeed ee ay marti gelisey Ohio State University oo ku taal magaalada Columbus ee carriga Mareykanka. Shirka oo aan xiise weyn u hayey in muddo ahna aan isku diyaarinayey in aan goobjoog u ahaado oo dhegeysto bal waxa aqoon-yahanka Soomaalidu soo kordhin karaan, ayaa haddana waxa xiise gaar ah ii lahayd markii aan ka qayb galay Panel looga hadlayey afka, dhaqanka & suugaanta Soomaalida oo weliba cinwaan wanaagiisa ku sii bilay in aqoonleydii ka hadleysey ay doorteen in ay isticmaalaan afkooda hooyo, waxa ayna xaqiiqatan u xoog sheegteen dadkii aaminsanaa in aanu afka Soomaaligu u dhigmi karin afafka kale marka dood-cilmiyeed lagu soo jeedinayo.

Aniga oo farxaddii Panel-kaas la tiicaya oo marna u qaadan la’ sida Eebbe ugu sahley dadkii (Siciid Saalax Axmed, Anwar Maxamed Diiriye, Cabdiraxmaan Faarax Barwaaqo) ka hadlay halkaas afkooda & aqoonta fog ee ay u leeyihiin sooyaal-dhaqameedka ummaddooda ayaan haddana fursad u helay in aan nuqul ka soo iibsado buug uu mid ka mid ahaa aqoonleydii Panel-kaas ka hadleysey (Anwar Maxamed Diiriye) tifaftire ka yahay uuna ugu magac daray “Dhaqansidaha Gobaad”. Waxa aad ii soo jiitey markii aan Gobaad dusha ka halacsaday sida magaca & astaanta kore la isku waafajiyey oo ah in Gobaad aan u haystey magac hal la jecelyahay, tifaftiruhuna uu u doortay hal taswiirteed shaati uu buuggu huwan yahay; waxa kale oo aad iiga cajabiyey sida loo tibaaxay ujeedadda buugga oo magaca “Dhaqansidaha Gobaad”, waxa uu i xusuusiyey sidii ay eray-bixinta u sameyn jirtey hay’addii manaahijtu berisamaadkii, halkaana rajo fiican ayaa iiga bidhaantay oo ah in weli dad eray-bixin xajmi & macne durugsan leh sameyn karaa ay Soomaali u joogaan. Amran Maxamed Daa'uud, Glascow, UK.

Literature Of Somali Onomastics & Proverbs With Comparison Of Foreign Sayings

Puplisher: Gobaad Press, Minneapolis, Minnesota. 1st Edition, 2006

Author: Anwar Maxamed Diiriye

ISBN: 09726615-1-4                           Dimensions: 6.5 X 8.5

Paperback: 236 pp.                              Price: $25

A resolute collector with keen observation, Anwar Maxamed Diiriye provides us in this pioneering book with a wealth of information about and insight to the naming tradition in Somali society, an important subject that has not received the scholarly attention it deserves. Equally important is the collection of Somali proverbs contained in the book with English equivalents. The combination of these two aspects makes this book a worthy contribution to the preservation of the endangered Somali oral tradition, an essential read to students of Somali culture and comparative literature. Dr. Maxamed Daahir Afrax - Novelist, Critic, Playwright, Journalist & Literary Scholar. London, UK.

"The work conveyed in this book is a pioneer in its kind and timely. On one hand, in a period when many Somalis are spread all over the globe and detached from their ancestral land and culture, the information depicted here is expected to bridge the cultural deficit of the expatriated Somalis. On the other hand, this work will be significantly beneficial for researchers interested in the science of the Somali Onomastics." Dr. Cismaan Salaad Xirsi - Associate Professor and a Poet, Regina University, Canada.

This is a unique book. Many people will admire, read or reference it in choosing meaningful names for their children, or to use the proverbs in their best context. It really is for both public and poetic reference. Siciid Saalax Axmed – Educator, Playwright, Filmmaker & Literary Scholar. Minneapolis, MN.

Dal Dad Waayey & Duni Damiir Beeshay: Soomaaliya Dib Ma u Dhalan Doontaa?

Publisher: Hal-Abuur Communications, London, United Kingdom. 2nd Edition, 2004

Qore: Maxamed Daahir Afrax               Dimensions: 6 X 9

ISBN: 0-9545165-0-8                              Paperback: 250 pp.               Price: $20                                     

Afrax's book captures the pulse of contemporary Somali reality in this dark moment in Somali history in such a way that shakes the concience of the international community and engages the Somali mind in a new debate of a bitter but constructive self-criticism. Abdisalam M Issa-Salwe (Lucturer, Thames Valley University).

This exceptionally powerful analysis by one of the foremost originators of modern Somali prose writing, like the poems of the bards of old (Waar tolow colka jooja!), exhorts all Somalis to demand what is their right; leadership that will bring peace, not war. In a context in which written Somali itself has fallen casualty to war (as attested to by the orthographic anarchy of "website Somali"), Afrax's linguistic achievement in this book is itself a milestone. Lidwien Kapteijns (Professor of History, Wellesley College, USA).

Qayb Libaax: Lion's Share      Paperback: 32 pages       Language: Bilingual (Somali - English)

Publisher: Minnesota Humanities Commission (November 1, 2006)   ISBN-10: 1931016135 

ISBN-13: 978-1931016131                 Paperback: $10        Hardback: $16

From School Library Journal
PreSchool-Grade 3—On a bright sunny day, a group of animals hunt together in the forests of Somalia. They eventually find a herd of camels and separate one from the others. The pack drags it under the shade of an acacia and anxiously awaits the lion's permission for a portion of it. They are ravenous but they know that they must receive approval first. The lion selects one of the older hyenas to suggest a plan to divide the carcass. He thinks for a moment and then proposes that half of the meat go to the lion and that the other half be shared by the clan. The lion violently disapproves of this plan and demands that a fox put forth a better one, which she does, allocating most of the meat to "our noble king." Naturally the lion is delighted, but the other animals leave "…with grief and spread out in the forest, chanting: 'The lion's share is not fair, the lion's share is not fair.'" The English text is straightforward and economical, and the facing Somali version is accurate. The narratives are perfectly matched with painted linoleum block prints. The muted browns, yellows, and blues showcase the intricate carvings and suggest a hazy, hot day in Africa. This is the first book in the Minnesota Humanities Commission's Somali Bilingual Book Project featuring Somali authors and illustrators. It's an excellent choice to extend folktale collections and to provide refugee children a slice of their culture - Wendy Woodfill, Hennepin County Library, Minnetonka, MN.

From Booklist
The first of four Somali-English bilingual books featuring traditional Somali folktales, this handsome picture book tells a stark animal fable about the misuse of power. The hungry animals work together to kill a big, fat camel, but when the lion in charge asks how to divide the meat, the hyena makes the mistake of suggesting a fair share for all. The furious lion attacks the hyena, which loses an eye and limps away in disgrace. The other animals then give the ruler so much that there is little left for them. "The lion's share is not fair," is the stark message, and there's no reversal that shows the weak tricking the powerful. Dramatic linoleum block prints, painted with acrylic and gouache in shades of brown and red, illustrate the story, which displays the English words on the left and the Somali on the right. Rooted in the East African setting, the fable will spark discussion about the meaning of the title - Hazel Rochman.

Four Somali folktales read in Somali and English/Sheekoy, Sheeko, Sheeko Xariira (Audio CD)

Publisher: Minnesota Humanities Commission (February 15, 2007)  Price: $20

Language: Bilingual (Somali - English) ISBN-10: 1931016208  ISBN-13: 978-1931016209

Product Description
This audio CD contains four Somali Folktales read in Somali and English. Books include: The Lion's Share; Dhegdheer, A Scary Somali Folktale; Wiil Waal; and The Travels of Iqal Shidad. A brief introduction in Somali followed by each book in both languages and a bonus track of Traditional Somali music completes this collection. Produced by the Minnesota Humanities Commission as part of their Somali Bilingual Book Project; a collaboration of Somali and non-Somali community leaders, educators, authors, and illustrators.

Wiil Waal: Somali Folktale          Paperback: 32 pages       Language: Bilingual (Somali - English)

Publisher: Minnesota Humanities Commission (November 15, 2006)  ISBN-10: 1931016178

Paperback: $10            Hardback: $16             ISBN-13: 978-1931016179

Product Description
A Somali-English Bilingual Children's Picture Book. The heart? The leg? The ribs? What part of the sheep is the answer to the Sultan s riddle? When wise Somali leader Wiil Waal asks the men in his province to bring him the part of a sheep that best symbolizes what can divide men or unite them as one, most present him with prime cuts of meat. But one very poor man s daughter has a different idea. In this clever folktale, a father reluctantly follows his daughter s advice and has astonishing results.

About the Author
Kathleen Moriarty has worked with a variety of language and literacy programs in the U.S. and overseas. She lives in Minneapolis with her son and serves as Director of Bilingual and Heritage Language Programs at the Minnesota Humanities Center. This is her first picture book for children.

Dhegdheer: Scary Somali Folktale   Paperback: 32 pages       Language: Bilingual (Somali - English)

Publisher: Minnesota Humanities Commission (November 15, 2006)  ISBN-10: 1931016194

ISBN-13: 978-1931016193                          Paperback: $10        Hardback: $16

Product Description
The Somali Bilingual Book Project reflects the Minnesota Humanities Commission's commitment to promote and preserve heritage languages and increase English literacy skills of refugee and immigrant families. About the Book: In this hair-raising cautionary tale from Somalia, the Hargega Valley is plagued by the monstrous Dhegdheer, who gobbles up anyone unlucky enough to cross her path. A widow and her young son try to escape her. Will they be Dhegdheer's next meal or will their virtue save them and help bring an end to Dhegdheer's reign of terror?

About the Author
Marian (Ubah) A. Hassan is a writer, journalist and educator. Marian's love for literature started at an early age listening to relatives tell Somali tales. She lives with her family in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Betsy Bowen is the author-illustrator of several titles. Her interest in folktales extends into puppet making and theater. She lives in Grand Marais, Minnesota.

Tales Of Punt (Collection of eight Somali Folktales)

Author: Dr. Abdi Sheik-Abdi   Paperback: 135 pages

Publisher: Doctor Leisure; 1st edition (November 1993)

ISBN-10: 0963880225 

ISBN-13: 978-0963880222

Price: 15

About the Author
Abdi A. Sheik-Abdi, a native of Somalia, currently resides in the United States of America. He holds B.A. and M.A. degrees in English Literature and African Studies from the State University of New York and a doctorate in African History from Boston University. He taught both in Somalia and the U.S. and is the author of numerous short stories, a collection of fables, as well as articles and essays. These include "The Luncheon," a short story, and "Arrawelo: The Castrator of Men," a Somalian fable. In addition to this novel, he is the author of two other books, namely Divine Madness: Mohammed Abdulle Hassan (1992) and When a Hyena Laughs.

When A Hyena Laughs: A Somalian Novel             Paperback: 275 pages

Author: Dr. Abdi Sheik-Abdi         ISBN-10: 096388025X   ISBN-13: 978-0963880253   

Publisher: Dr. Leisure; 1st edition (June 1994)       Price: $18

From the Back Cover
... I found myself thoroughly entranced by this quiet, slow gentle storytelling -- all the more violence in the death of Habib (not described) at the end, which makes its impact as symbolic of the violation of the country (by foreign rule) and threatened end of a way of life. The meeting of the men at the beginning, around Au-Hersey the self-indulgent and self-important old priest, in preparation for the caravan, is beautifully observed: the weight of custom, the restlessness of the young, the sparseness of comfort. The relations with Au-Hersey's family, his own with his independent young wife, hers with Olaad her stepson, Olaad's with the spoilt younger son -- are equally minutely expressed, funny sad and convincing. And Olaad's suppressed passion, his desperation and flight are amazingly powerful.

Throughout this stark physically felt desert life is interspersed descriptions of the contrasting city, already decadent, invaded, the place from which the threat will come. Galkayo is the money economy, the source of corruption, yet inevitably where the action is... Writing is sensitive, direct, and full of gentle wit... A rare Novel, a writer worth discovering..." R de Lanerolle --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

More publications will come. Please stay tuned!