Magool
Encyclopedia
Magool born Halima Khaliif Omar (May 2, 1948 – March 19, 2004), was a Somali
singer.
. She had four siblings.
In 1959, while living at the house of a cousin of hers named Mohamed Hashi, she joined a small Mogadishu
-based band. Within that year, she moved to Hargeysa, where she accompanied the latter city's version of the Mogadishu-based Waaberi
ensemble of musicians. It was at this point that fellow musician and songwriter Yusuf Haji Adan dubbed her Magool (meaning "flower"), a nickname by which she would come to be popularly known.
In the mid-1960s, Magool returned to Mogadishu. She then married a young general named Mohamed Nur Galaal. The marriage did not last but her popularity continued to rise.
over the Ogaden
.
By the late 1970s, while she still interpreted love tunes, Magool also began singing Islamic songs that criticized Somalia's then ruling military government. A self-imposed exile followed, which would last until 1987. Her concert of that year marking her return to the nation's capital, titled "Mogadishu and Magool", is to date the most successful concert in Somali history, with more than 15,000 people reportedly turning out in the city's stadium.
Magool's unique performances, ability to memorize entire albums' worth of material in a matter of hours, and her deep, emotive voice would eventually earn her the title of Hoyadii Fanka, or "Mother of Artistry."
clan.
On March 19, 2004, Magool died in a hospital in Amsterdam
of breast cancer
. She did not leave any children.
Her nephew, K'naan
, is a popular hip-hop artist and poet.
Somali people
Somalis are an ethnic group located in the Horn of Africa, also known as the Somali Peninsula. The overwhelming majority of Somalis speak the Somali language, which is part of the Cushitic branch of the Afro-Asiatic language family...
singer.
Early years
Magool was born in the city of Dhusa Mareb, the capital of the Galgaduud region in central SomaliaSomalia
Somalia , officially the Somali Republic and formerly known as the Somali Democratic Republic under Socialist rule, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. Since the outbreak of the Somali Civil War in 1991 there has been no central government control over most of the country's territory...
. She had four siblings.
In 1959, while living at the house of a cousin of hers named Mohamed Hashi, she joined a small Mogadishu
Mogadishu
Mogadishu , popularly known as Xamar, is the largest city in Somalia and the nation's capital. Located in the coastal Benadir region on the Indian Ocean, the city has served as an important port for centuries....
-based band. Within that year, she moved to Hargeysa, where she accompanied the latter city's version of the Mogadishu-based Waaberi
Waaberi
-History:The troupe was established by members of the Radio Artists Association. It was supported by the Somali government as part of the Somali National Theater, and made tours throughout several countries in Africa, including Egypt and Sudan. After a coup in 1969, the ensemble was renamed...
ensemble of musicians. It was at this point that fellow musician and songwriter Yusuf Haji Adan dubbed her Magool (meaning "flower"), a nickname by which she would come to be popularly known.
In the mid-1960s, Magool returned to Mogadishu. She then married a young general named Mohamed Nur Galaal. The marriage did not last but her popularity continued to rise.
Peak
In the 1970s, Magool sang famous patriotic songs while Somalia was at war with EthiopiaOgaden War
The Ogaden War was a conventional conflict between Somalia and Ethiopia in 1977 and 1978 over the Ogaden region of Ethiopia. In a notable illustration of the nature of Cold War alliances, the Soviet Union switched from supplying aid to Somalia to supporting Ethiopia, which had previously been...
over the Ogaden
Ogaden
Ogaden is the name of a territory comprising the southeastern portion of the Somali Regional State in Ethiopia. The inhabitants are predominantly ethnic Somali and Muslim. The title "Somali Galbeed", which means "Western Somalia," is often preferred by Somali irredentists.The region, which is...
.
By the late 1970s, while she still interpreted love tunes, Magool also began singing Islamic songs that criticized Somalia's then ruling military government. A self-imposed exile followed, which would last until 1987. Her concert of that year marking her return to the nation's capital, titled "Mogadishu and Magool", is to date the most successful concert in Somali history, with more than 15,000 people reportedly turning out in the city's stadium.
Magool's unique performances, ability to memorize entire albums' worth of material in a matter of hours, and her deep, emotive voice would eventually earn her the title of Hoyadii Fanka, or "Mother of Artistry."
Later years
In the early and mid 1990s, Magool took an active part in the Somali civil war and was often seen mounted on top of a pick-up truck with loud speakers urging her clansmen to slay people from other clans mainly the DaroodDarood
Darood can mean:*Darod, a Somali clan*Durood, a phrase complimenting Muhammad*Darood, a Sufi concentration...
clan.
On March 19, 2004, Magool died in a hospital in Amsterdam
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
of breast cancer
Breast cancer
Breast cancer is cancer originating from breast tissue, most commonly from the inner lining of milk ducts or the lobules that supply the ducts with milk. Cancers originating from ducts are known as ductal carcinomas; those originating from lobules are known as lobular carcinomas...
. She did not leave any children.
Her nephew, K'naan
K'naan
K'naan , born Keinan Abdi Warsame in 1978, is a Somali Canadian poet, rapper, singer, songwriter and instrumentalist.-Biography:Born in Somalia, K'naan spent his childhood in Mogadishu and lived there during the Somali Civil War, which began in 1991. His aunt, Magool, was one of Somalia's most...
, is a popular hip-hop artist and poet.