Biography

Samatar was born to an artistic Hawiye family in Dinsoor, Somalia in 1953. He grew up in Baidoa, where he attended primary and elementary schools. He subsequently relocated to Mogadishu, the nation's capital, and began his secondary education.

Samatar's involvement with music began at a very early age, with him first taking up singing during childhood. He later started to play the guitar.

After graduating from high school, Samatar planned on attending university in Italy. However, at the behest of friends, he decided to first take part in the 1971 edition of Hirgilinta Heesaha, a talent competition that was at the time Somalia’s equivalent of American Idol. Samatar wound up winning the entire contest. He was shortly afterwards inducted into Waaberi, the premiere Somali musical ensemble, and emerged as a leader in the local music and theater scenes.

[edit] Theater

Samatar has acted in more than two dozen plays, ranging from melodramatic and socially conscious pieces to romantic productions. He is noted for both his performing ability and charismatic style.

[edit] Music

Among the most influential and enduring of Somali singers, Samatar has a musical corpus of over 200 songs, and has performed several duets with other popular Somali artists, including Saado Cali, Khadija Qalanjo and Seynab Haji Ali. While most of Samatar's songs are in Standard Somali, he also sings in the Af-Maay dialect.

Samatar credits his exposure to Somali folklore and cultural festivals at a young age with his artistic achievements:

“As a young boy growing up in Diinsoor, I used to go to [the] town center to watch dances and celebrations by townsfolk. These were mesmerizing and I think because of seeing all of that I always wanted to sing and perform.”

Samatar also encourages Somali parents in the diaspora to teach their children the rich Somali culture, particularly songs and poetry, so that the youth will appreciate the beauty of their traditions and draw pride from that.

[edit] Humanitarian work

In addition to his prolific performing and recording career, Samatar is also actively involved in a number of charitable endeavors. He often participates in concerts to raise funds for different causes, such as building schools and clinics in Somalia and providing support to those displaced by violence.

[edit] Awards

On August 14, 2010, Samatar received a lifetime achievement award from leaders of the Somali community in Minneapolis. A spokesman for Eagle Media, which had put together the tribute dinner and gala party, indicated that the organization had sought to present Samatar the prize years earlier but was waiting for the artist to return to Minnesota.

[edit] Personal life

Samatar now resides in Toronto, Canada, and continues to tour.

[edit] Discography

Popular songs by Samatar include:

Soohor Caashaqa — duet with Khadija Qalanjo

Kala hadhi maynee (Hilbaheenna isku yaalle) or "We Will Not Be Apart" — duet with Seynab Haji Ali "Baxsan". Lyrics by Yusuf Aadan and melody by Ismail Gare. From the play: Garcadaawo iyo caashaq.[3]

[edit] See also

Waaberi

[edit] Notes

^ Diiriye, p.76

^ Somalia: Somali Famous legend gets Lifetime Achievement Award

^ Kapteijns, p.186.

[edit] References

Diiriye, Anwar Maxamed (2006). Literature of Somali onomastics & proverbs with comparison of foreign sayings. Gobaad Communications & Press. ISBN 0972661514. http://books.google.ca/books?id=fLdtAAAAMAAJ.

Kapteijns, Lidwien; Maryan Omar Ali (1999). Women's voices in a man's world: women and the pastoral tradition in Northern Somali orature, c. 1899-1980. Heinemann. ISBN 0325001367. http://books.google.ca/books?client=firefox-a&id=nXiBAAAAMAAJ.

Hasan Adan Songs. heeso.fm. http://heeso.fm/artist/xasan-adan.

Somalia: Somali Famous legend gets Lifetime Achievement Award