The British Embassy Mogadishu marked the birthday of His Majesty King Charles III with a celebration of Somali culture on 20 November 2024.The event, hosted by British Ambassador Mike Nithavrianakis, brought together key dignitaries, including senior Somali Government officials, members of the diplomatic community, civil society leaders, and key local and international programme partners.
The British Embassy was honoured by the presence of His Excellency President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who used his address to highlight the close ties between the two nations. One of the highlights of the evening was an art and cultural exhibition presented by the Somali National Museum, curated by Dr Osman Gedow, Director General of the Somali National Museum, and his team. The exhibition featured:
The event also featured a powerful poetry recitation by Zahra Abdihagi, whose piece “Hadi Kale Waxaan Laha” (Had It Not Been for This) celebrated the resilience, culture, and hope of the Somali people. Zahra’s full poem, which captivated the audience, is presented below:
Hadi Kale Waxaan Laha
I am a legacy of rivers, I flow, I give, I carry on.
I shape, I hold, I trace the soils from the winding basins to the Juba’s to
where wisdom pulses beneath the ground,
where the very grain of life is found with the crops and stories all profound,
where the camels set to graze-Ruunta,
Hadi kale waxaan laha, Ahay.
You see,
I am a nation of poets, the home of civilization, the land of ancient suns where wisdom and clarity are found,
where power is moved through Words-Ruunta,
Hadi kale waxaan laha, Ahay,
I am the Red Sea, I am the shore, I am the Indian Ocean’s floor.
I set the sails, I move the wind.
I carry the breeze and the voices within.
Through the path of the pharaohs where tales are traced Where dynasties traveled to trade-Ruunta,
Hadi kale waxaan laha, Ahay.
I guide and sweep the sandy trails, I roam across the shifting sands,
where the call to prayer echoes grand.
Through the heat and endless plains of the land –
Where Nomads footsteps carve the sand with the whispers of the past-Ruunta,
Hadi kale waxaan laha, Ahay.
And like K’naan would say
Until the lion learns to speak the tales of hunting will be weak.
My poetry hails within the streets my poetry fails to be discreet.
It travels across the earth and seas from Somalia to the West indies.
It knows no boundaries, no cheese, Its studied in parts of Greece-Runtaa
Hadi kale waxaan laha Ahay.
And with that being said I would like to end this with in the laughter of the children,
In the dreams that we share,
In the strength of our ancestors with wisdom beyond compare with each dawn that rises, our future unfolds.
For I am Somalia, a beacon of never-ending hope.
The programme celebrated the UK’s ongoing efforts to empower women and girls, enhance educational opportunities, and support climate resilience in Somalia. Ambassador Mike Nithavrianakis highlighted initiatives like the Global Partnership for Education and AGES, which have supported over 90,000 Somali girls to succeed and lead. He also emphasised the UK’s commitment to building climate resilience, aligning with the Foreign Secretary’s priorities of tackling climate change and promoting sustainability in vulnerable communities.