Baijun Ballads: Somali Songs in Swahili

Haussein Shiekh and Radio Mogadisco Swahili Singers

Situated on the eastern–most part of Africa with Kenya to the southwest, Yemen to the north, Ethiopia to the west, and the Indian Ocean to the east, Somalia has been a center of trade since ancient times. Recorded in a U.N. compound in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia, Baijun Ballads: Somali Songs in Swahili presents historic and contemporary songs of marriage, lullabies, love–poems, prayer, and two ancient chants from the Baijun peoples. Islanders descended from Bantu, Arabic, Persian, and Somali ethnic groups, the Baijun sing in classical Swahili and an Arabic–Swahili dialect.

Track Listing

101	Pumbao, Fun, or Enjoyment	Haussein Shiekh and Radio Mogadisco Swahili Singers	7:32
102	Furaha, Happiness	Haussein Shiekh and Radio Mogadisco Swahili Singers	6:17
103	Kikombe Cha Zari, The Decorated Cup	Haussein Shiekh and Radio Mogadisco Swahili Singers	4:33
104	Leo Ni Leo, Today is Today	Haussein Shiekh and Radio Mogadisco Swahili Singers	7:27
105	Gungo, Wedding Invitation	Haussein Shiekh and Radio Mogadisco Swahili Singers	2:22
201	Bembea Mtoto	Haussein Shiekh and Radio Mogadisco Swahili Singers	5:42
202	Safaridi, Martin Bird	Haussein Shiekh and Radio Mogadisco Swahili Singers	3:22
203	Sini Mwana, I Have no Son	Haussein Shiekh and Radio Mogadisco Swahili Singers	4:31
204	Kasikazi Vuma, Oh, Wind of the Southwest Mountain	Haussein Shiekh and Radio Mogadisco Swahili Singers	3:36
205	Randa, Farmers' Chant	Haussein Shiekh and Radio Mogadisco Swahili Singers	4:28