Through the Eyes of Somali Americans

Through the Eyes of Somali Americans

Aasia Abdiwahab, Amina Hassan, Salma Bana, Samia Hussein, Suheyla Hussein, & Hodan Elmi

Through the Eyes of Somali Americans is part of the group exhibit Six Feet from Home.

Six Feet from Home is an exhibit centered around the work of Ubah Medical Academy’s Photo & Design students. These courses began in person during the Spring 2020 semester and were completed online when students could no longer physically be in school. The title, Six Feet from Home, reflects the current pandemic of Covid-19 around the world and the required distance (6 feet) to be kept between people.

Students collaborated to finalize their projects whilst at home. They created books about various stories they wanted to share with the help of their teacher Mrs. Katie Do and teaching artists Mr. Mohamud Mumin and Mr. Kaamil A. Haider. These stories are of culture and religion, of a boy and a monster, of a dream and identity, and much more.

The first phase of the exhibit will take place online on Say Masha’Allah Gallery’s website. This will be followed by the physical printing of books and a physical exhibition at Ubah Medical Academy.

2020 © Say Masha’Allah Gallery. All rights reserved.

This activity was made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

www.saymashallahgallery.com

Table of Contents I. Introduction II. Game & Sport Section: Baseball, Soccer, Sorry Board game, Rock game III. Food Section: Malawaax, Pancakes, Bariis iyo Chicken, McDonald’s IV. Cultural Objects: Bracelets, Uunsi, Febreze, Teapots V. Wardrobe Section: Baatiyo, Macawiis, Onesie, Shoes VI. Being Somali American

“Haddii dadku isku yimaadaan xitaa waxay hagaajin karaan jabka samooyinka” “If people come together, they can even mend a crack in the sky.”

— A Somali Proverb

The authors of this book were determined to inform the audience about what it is like to live as a Somali American. When the first Somali immigrants arrived in America, it was as if the divide between Americans and Somalis was far too great to ever close.

Then, the next generation was created: Somali Americans.

This book centers around the different aspects of American & Somali culture and how Somali Americans incorporate both cultures into their daily lives.

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Game & Sport Section Baseball, Soccer, Sorry Board Game, and Rock Game

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In a Somali American household, activities are essential.

Both Somali & American traditional games are played. The activities serve as entertainment for families. Playing these games brings joy to Somali families despite the differences between the two cultures and games.

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Food Section Malawaax, Pancakes, Bariis iyo Chicken, McDonald’s

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It is very typical to see a combination of both Somali and American foods in the homes of Somali Americans. For example, malawax and pancakes can be both eaten for breakfast, while they might eat bariis (rice) or McDonald’s for lunch. Somali Americans are unique in the way that they aren’t limited to one type of food, but rather a variety from both cultures to serve as meals.

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Cultural Objects Section Bracelets, Uunsi, Febreze, Teapots

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Accessories and decorations define the Somali American identity as a whole. These accessories and decorations help people recognize who we are, and can represent our culture physically. The decorations in houses can provide information about the history of a family and their family values. In a Somali American household, you will most likely find both Somali and American decorations. This expresses the presence and importance of having both cultures in our lives.

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Wardrobe Section Baatiyo, Macawiis, Onesie, Shoes

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When you think about culture, clothing will always be one of the first things to come to mind. Clothing is also very important in the lives of Somali Americans. The clothes of Somali Americans display both American and Somali culture. Usually, we wear the traditional baati and macawiis in our house but wear more American style clothing outside of our house. It is very important to be able to express both of our cultures through our clothing both inside and outside of our house.

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Being Somali American

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Somali Americans frequently struggle with identity and discovering their culture and how to express it in their lives. This stems from the fact that they are criticized by both communities. Somali immigrants will usually claim that Somali Americans are too American, while the Americans like to consider them as outsiders. But, our generation is starting to accept this criticism and embrace it. We see being Somali American as a strength, rather than a weakness.

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Say Masha’Allah Gallery is a teacher-led, student-driven art gallery housed inside Ubah Medical Academy high school in Hopkins, Minnesota.

Art instructor Katie Do has taught drawing, painting and sculpture for over 7 years to Ubah’s students. To enhance arts literacy at the school, Ubah has collaborated with local artists and institutions to provide students opportunities to engage with professional artists and access to resources to create art and enhance their artmaking skills.

Ubah has collaborated with photographer and visual storyteller, Mohamud Mumin, and graphic designer and visual artist, Kaamil A. Haider for over 3 years. Together with instructor Do, they guide participating students in projects where they explore photography and graphic design as a means of visual communication and creative expression in a culturally relevant context, as well as providing exposure to college arts learning environments.

Students in these courses get the opportunity to exhibit their work at Say Masha’Allah Gallery where the teachers, staff, students and the community at large can see and interact with their work.

Ubah Medical Academy is a public charter high school serving grades 9-12. Founded in 2004 by educational leaders in the East African community, it has consistently ranked as one of the state’s highest performing Title 1 schools by the Minnesota Dept. of Education.

All the exhibits and programming at Say Masha’Allah Gallery are free.

1600 Mainstreet Hopkins, MN 55343

(952) 540-2942

www.saymashallahgallery.com