Somaliland: Cultural Festival Breeds Harmony within IDPs and Burao Host Community

SLSUN: In Burao, Somaliland, the Danish Refugee Council recently held a vibrant cultural festival that brought together over 260 people from both host and displaced communities. Through this celebration, the festival aimed to foster social cohesion, showcasing the unifying power of cultural exchange in building understanding, breaking down barriers, and strengthening community bonds.

Burao, like many areas in Somaliland, is home to both host communities and a significant number of internally displaced people (IDPs) who have fled conflict or natural shocks. Despite differences in background, these groups share a rich cultural heritage and a desire for peaceful coexistence. However, misunderstandings and socio-economic pressures have created a need for initiatives that promote unity, mutual respect, and social cohesion.

A group of women dressed in local traditional attire, showcase cultural artifacts during the festival in Burao, organised by Danish Refugee Council

“Cultural exchange helps us not only bridge gaps between different population groups, but also creates a platform for dialogue, understanding, and mutual respect. It allows us to see beyond our differences and focus on what unites us as communities. Through events like this, we aim to create a community where culture is a unifying force. It is about building a society rooted in equality, where everyone, regardless of their background, can contribute to and benefit from our collective strength”.Awo Adam, DRC Somaliland Area Manager

The cultural festival, organised by the Danish Refugee Council and supported by the EU-BREACH Project under the Somali Resilience Program (SomReP), was a celebration of shared heritage, resilience, and unity. Traditional music, dance performances, and displays of cultural artifacts highlighted the community’s collective identity, while dignitaries, partners, and residents joined in to experience the colorful and unifying event.

The festival was more than a display of culture; it was a space where community members could feel a sense of belonging and purpose. For Zakariye Muse, Deputy Coordinator for the Somaliland National Displacement and Refugee Agency (NDRA), events like this instil a sense of belonging and purpose, helping them foster lasting social cohesion.

For many attendees, the festival was transformative. Sahra, an IDP participant, expressed her pride: ‘Being able to showcase our rich culture has been so meaningful. For us, it is more than just a performance—it is a way of saying we are here, and we belong.’

An elderly woman from the IDP communities in a moment of celebration at the cultural festival hosted by DRC in Burao, Somaliland

By bringing together displaced and host communities, the EU-BREACH Project aims to foster dialogue and create shared platforms that strengthen social cohesion in Burao. With a target of 48,000 direct and 240,000 indirect beneficiaries, the project is committed to lasting solutions for IDPs, fostering a future of resilience, inclusion, and unity across the region.

Through continued support and collaboration, the EU-BREACH Project strives to build a more inclusive and united future, where communities work together towards a common vision of peace and shared identity.