Tuesday, November 11, 2014 @msureporter
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Minnesota State University, Mankato
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Somali culture night to enrich MSU Somali community will bring color to campus Saturday.
LUKE LARSON Staff Writer Staying true to the strong Somali tradition of marti qaad – hospitality – the Somali Student Association is proud to host Somali Night 2014. The event, being held this Saturday at 5 p.m. in the Centennial Student Union Ballroom, is open to all students. The event is aimed at raising awareness about the rich culture of Somalia, an east African nation located on the Horn of Africa. “There are a lot of people that don’t know about Somali
culture,” says Abdullahi Salaad, the Treasurer of the Somali Student Association who emigrated from Somalia four years ago, “[and] we’re trying to showcase the Somali culture – the things they value, the things that they believe in, and the things they take pride in.” The event will be an immersion into the Somali culture, with a vast array of authentic cuisine and entertainment being offered. Over the course of the night, traditional dances such as dhaanto, goobilo, and sharah will be performed, and, true to the country’s reputation as the
Luke Larson • MSU Reporter Abdullahi Salaad, on the left, the current treasurer for the Somali Student Union, and Rasas Haji on the right, the current Vice President of the Somali Student Union.
Photo Courtesy of Somali Student Union Students and non-students alike are invited Somali Night 2014.
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“Land of Poets,” there will be poetry recitations. Two short plays will also be performed, along with a fashion show, songs, and speeches. Supper will be a delicious feast of classic Somali dishes including lamb, chicken suqaar, and sombusas. “By the end of the day,” says Salaad, “there is a lot of people that will know things that they didn’t know about Somalia.” It will be a fantastic opportunity for those unfamiliar with the country to gain a deeper understanding of a community and a culture that has a very substantial presence in Minnesota. MSU has a large Somali population and the Somali Student Association boasts 40 active members. The Star Tribune reports, based off estimates from the American Community
Survey, that Minnesota has the largest Somali population in the United States, numbering at roughly 30,000 and growing. “In our culture, family and being close together is very important,” explains Amina Adam, public relations representative for SSA, who is of Somali descent but moved to the U.S. from the Yemen in 2002, “so you try to always go where your family is. That’s how we came here.” Many of the Somali students on campus grew up in Somalia and the transition to Minnesota can be a major challenge. In addition to – unsurprisingly – the weather, culture shock and the language barrier are some of the biggest obstacles for Somali immigrants. One especially dramatic difference immigrants encounter upon arriving in the
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United States is the astonishing diversity. In Somalia, Salaad explains, “they share everything: the language is one, they all believe in one religion, and they are of the same origin, generally.” In addition to raising awareness of Somali culture, the event is centered on the theme of “Putting the Pieces Together.” The main message of the event is “come together, let’s be stronger,” according to SSA Vice President Rasas Haji. It is an attempt to bring about unity among all the regions of Somalia, which have been ravaged by civil war. “Every community has problems. We don’t want to highlight that,” says Salaad. “We’re trying
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