Baijun Ballads: Somali Songs in Swahili
Haussein Shiekh and Radio Mogadisco Swahili Singers

Situated on the easternmost 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, lovepoems, 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 ArabicSwahili dialect.
RELATED LESSON PLAN
"Tooting the Horn of Africa: A “Cornucopia” of Music from Somalia"
Track Listing
101
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Pumbao, Fun, or Enjoyment | Haussein Shiekh and Radio Mogadisco Swahili Singers | 7:32 | |
102
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Furaha, Happiness | Haussein Shiekh and Radio Mogadisco Swahili Singers | 6:17 | |
103
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Kikombe Cha Zari, The Decorated Cup | Haussein Shiekh and Radio Mogadisco Swahili Singers | 4:33 | |
104
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Leo Ni Leo, Today is Today | Haussein Shiekh and Radio Mogadisco Swahili Singers | 7:27 | |
105
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Gungo, Wedding Invitation | Haussein Shiekh and Radio Mogadisco Swahili Singers | 2:22 | |
201
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Bembea Mtoto | Haussein Shiekh and Radio Mogadisco Swahili Singers | 5:42 | |
202
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Safaridi, Martin Bird | Haussein Shiekh and Radio Mogadisco Swahili Singers | 3:22 | |
203
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Sini Mwana, I Have no Son | Haussein Shiekh and Radio Mogadisco Swahili Singers | 4:31 | |
204
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Kasikazi Vuma, Oh, Wind of the Southwest Mountain | Haussein Shiekh and Radio Mogadisco Swahili Singers | 3:36 | |
205
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Randa, Farmers' Chant | Haussein Shiekh and Radio Mogadisco Swahili Singers | 4:28 |