ISIRKA

S3EP12. Ragga Dambe: Jigjiga Sounds. An appreciation for the dhaanto and various sounds coming from the JigJiga area.

Tracklist:

0:37- Shaygoosh/Honeymoon dalki hooyo - Jaango

6:20- Dhulkii Hooyo- Ali Dhaanto

7:40- Sanadguuraadii Ogadenia- Suldaan Seerar

9:02- Yarta Dheerey- Ali Dhaanto

10:45- Hakaraamo Seegin - Ilkacase Qays ft. Xariir Axmed

11:50- Iska Iloow- Ilkacase Qays

14:30- Dhibsaday Fogaantaada- Xariir Axmed

17:50- Shabax

20:00- Galmudug- Ilkacase Qays

21:27- Sool- Ahmed Budul

23:35- Dollar iyo Qurbo - Ali Dhaanto & Xariir Ahmed

28:00 - Liin Macaan - Xariir Ahmed

31:00 - Beer Lula- Ilkacase Qays

33:20- Nacabku Darbiyada Ha Jiidho - Xariir Ahmed & Najma Nashaad

37:10- Wardheer- Muuse Gaas

42:15- Koobkii Cashaaqa- Ilkacase Qays & Farxiya Fiska

46:49- Xamar Baan Ku Xasilayaa- Miss Xiis

S3EP11. This episode features Ahmed who is a staunch community advocate, Somali and overall a positive role model. He shared bits of his own story, including his childhood back home in Ethiopia, adapting to the US and developing a passion for running. He runs a social media account, @Shaahoftheday, where he shares more of his thoughts and culturally rooted but honest perspective. This conservation touches on making sense of Somali identity in the diaspora, the state of the community and ultimately how to create your own lane. Enjoy this convo!

S3EP10. For the Queen, Sahra Ahmed. I've talked alot about my ancestors and the Ladies that came before us as a way to remember and honor the Somali female artists that reigned and gave us many hits. Sahra Ahmed has been a favorite of mine since I was a child and there's things I've appreciated about her artistry and persona the older I get. In this episode, I didn't talk too much but really compiled a bunch of her tunes for my 50th podcast episode. What better way to celebrate!! Enjoy this episode and stay tuned for more!

S3EP9. A Reflection on Hargeysa. In this episode I asked a couple people to share their reflections about our capital city. The same themes came up in each reflection: Home, Hope and Opportunity (+ Home of Somali Arts & Culture) . The uniqueness of Hargeysa lies in the stories and love each person has for the city. Enjoy this episode and stay tuned for more!

S3EP8. In this episode I talk to Fatuma Adar, a Somali-Canadian writer/creative who most recently produced Dixon Road, a musical about a Somali family who recently arrived to Toronto in the early 90's. In this conversation we touch on her journey of becoming a writer and navigating first generation expectations. This was such a great conversation and check out Fatuma's work online @ https://www.fatumaadar.com, instagram.com/fatumaadar. Enjoy this episode!

S3EP7. In this episode, I share some reflections about identity, culture and belonging and what that all really manifests like. At the end of the day, this cultural identity is apart of our roots - its apart of our foundation but we can negotiate how we engage with it. Also shoutout to the ladies that came before us, I have been jamming alot lately to the songs that female artists left us with.

S3EP6. In this episode, I sit down with Habo Zainab Dahir — a Somali language educator, writer, and cultural enthusiast. Born in England and raised between the UK and Somalia/Somaliland, Habo shares her deeply personal journey of reconnecting with the Somali language and embracing her identity across different homelands.

Through stories of migration, memory, and meaning, Habo reflects on what it’s taken to reclaim her language and the pride she’s found in doing so. We talk about the challenges of learning Somali later in life, the joy of teaching others, and why language is such a powerful part of how we understand ourselves and each other.

Habo is the founder of Galool, a platform where she publishes beautifully designed Somali language learning materials and children’s books — accessible for learners of all ages. Her work is helping build bridges between generations and diaspora communities seeking to hold onto their mother tongue.

Tune in for a heartfelt conversation on dhaxal (inheritance), healing, and the role language plays in belonging.

Find Galool’s resources online, and as always, thank you for listening.

Discover more at ISIRKA.com and follow us on Instagram @_isirka.

S3EP5. First Stop: Kigali. This episode is a reflection on the first stop of my pan-african tour of Summer 2022. Kigali’s breeze and moderate climate welcomes you to enjoy your time here, just like the people. The people I’ve come across are welcoming and friendly and my favorite statement when I ask for something is “it’s possible”. And boy does Rwanda exemplify that! There is this phrase at the genocide memorial: “kwibuka: remember-unite-renew” and everywhere you go in Kigali the greenery + cleanliness is one example that they are committed to rebuilding responsibily and sustainably. The peace you feel is psychological & literal - within a few days I felt so comfortable and i’m so sad to have left. What I’ve gained from Kigali is an importance to tell your stories, keep a footprint of history and to strategically craft your future; You do not have to be a victim of your past. Murakoze Kigali til we meet again ✨

S3EP4. In this episode, I reconnect with Guleid, someone I first met in Hargeisa back in 2015. I never thought we’d being having this conversation all these years later about his harrowing journey from Hargeisa to Italy.

He opens up about the path he took to get there — the hopes, the hardships, and the realities of migration. He reflects on what it meant to leave home, the experiences that shaped him along the way, and what life in Europe has taught him so far.

This is a story about movement, ambition, and survival — but also about resilience, reflection, and navigating identity in unfamiliar places. Guleid also shares thoughtful advice for others who might be considering similar journeys.

I’m deeply grateful that he chose to share his story with ISIRKA, and I hope you find it as meaningful as I did.