When it comes to the genesis of modern Somali music, few names shine as brightly as the late Abdullahi Mohamed Mahmoud Qarshe d. A trailblazer whose legacy is deeply etched in the collective memory of Somalis worldwide, Qarshe pioneered the fusion of traditional Somali rhythms with the melodies of the lute, crafting a modern, instrument-backed Somali sound. He was a cultural and artistic innovator. His unwavering passion for the arts, coupled with his ability to draw inspiration from diverse cultural influences, cemented his role as a cornerstone in the evolution of Somali music.
In , historian and journalist Mohamed-Rashid Sheikh Hassan visited Abdullahi Qarshe at his residence in Djibouti and conversed with him about his life, music, and history.
This interview was first published in the second edition of Bildhaan Journal in AQ: Oh, yes, that is true. My real name is Abdullahi Muhammad Mahmoud, and Qarshe was the nickname of my father. He was a businessman and trader in the livestock business in East Africa. He was regarded as a frugal man and was fortunate in business. We were five brothers and one sister.
We lived in a big house on the outskirts of Moshe. In those days, emigration tacabbir was popular. Men used to travel for work and a better life, but it was not an easy task. Those who emigrated to East Africa, my father included, went through southern Somalia first of all, then proceeded to Tanzania. They had to travel by road or foot through harsh and unfriendly territories. Some of the migrants died along the way, and my father was one of the fortunate who survived. They were involved in the fish industry and the exportation of live-stock and animal hides, as well as timber, to the Gulf countries.
AQ: Yes, we were the muruud of Shaykh Ishaaq, therefore we were very well respected because of this role and position. With regard to Tanzania, my father died in First of all, we arrived at Aden, Yemen, and remained there for some time. Then we traveled by boat to Maydh, then from there by road to Cerigavo. We lived there for two years, then we returned to Aden, which eventually became our permanent home.
