When you are an immigrant you do not only miss the country and people you originated from but you also miss the noises, sounds and smells you had lived with. I have started creating a Somali Noise Data Base with a purpose of providing a record for the future Somali generations in the Diaspora who might not hear the indigenous Somali noises we used to make in our households, business and public places. The noises and smells produced by people in non-industrialized nations is quite different from what we see now in the Diaspora. At any point of our life, an immigrant has to observe, reflect and compare the two lives. That is what I have been doing since I arrived Sweden, more than three years ago.
I miss the Somali Noises
The noise of busy shops
The haggle over a price
The quibbles, bargains
I miss the Somali Noises
The noise of the pestle
The clank of the mortar
The pounding of maize
I miss the Somali Noises
The noise of the teashops
The jingles of brittle cups
The cackle of old folks
I miss the Somali Noises
the noise of passengers
The incessant arguments
The repair-shy mini buses
I miss the Somali Noises
The noise of conferences
The sound of dragged chairs
The heavy buzz over tea-time
I miss all Somali Noises
I miss all sound effects
I’m building a noise web
Not shall it be noisy itself
But would supply you noises
A Noise Database - what a marvelous idea, my friend.
You've also made me remember when I lived in a small farming village in Italy for a few years, after growing up in a big, noisy, bustling city. At first, the silence there was extremely disturbing, but I eventually grew to love it.
I am sorry for your loss. I hope that you will someday hear the
noises of Somali for real again. That circumstances will be such that it will be safe and wise to return. But whether it happens or not, you will always have your memories. What is even better is that you are able to write about them beautifully.
Thank you for giving us this fascinating glimpse into life in Somali,
This comes home to me like thunder, Abdi-Noor,
and every sound you so well articulate reminds me
of being in diverse places, peculiar to themselves,
individual in value and culture..
i love the idea of a 'noise web'
i'm listening already.
John
New Poetry by Abdi-Noor Haji Mohamed (Eagle Of Hope)
Experience the early 20th century in Michigan's Upper Peninsula through the artistic camera lens of J.W. Nara, one of the Copper Country's earliest professional photographers. This collection of historic photos brings the "Copper Boom" era back to li
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You've also made me remember when I lived in a small farming village in Italy for a few years, after growing up in a big, noisy, bustling city. At first, the silence there was extremely disturbing, but I eventually grew to love it.
I am sorry for your loss. I hope that you will someday hear the
noises of Somali for real again. That circumstances will be such that it will be safe and wise to return. But whether it happens or not, you will always have your memories. What is even better is that you are able to write about them beautifully.
Thank you for giving us this fascinating glimpse into life in Somali,
x:)x Phyllis x:)x
fascinating
Regis
and every sound you so well articulate reminds me
of being in diverse places, peculiar to themselves,
individual in value and culture..
i love the idea of a 'noise web'
i'm listening already.
John