Somaliland: Sahra Halgan, Preserving Culture and Singing for Recognition

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Sahra Halgans tenacity on stage and her courage to speak her mind off it have made her a superstar in Somaliland

Somalilandsun- Despite 26 years of peace since declaring independence from Somalia in 1991, not a single country has recognized Somaliland.
But to Sahra Halgan one of the country’s most popular singer who has on times been very outspoken with views on the state of the country, this Non recognition status is not for long for she hopes to change this through her music.
With her band she highlights the fight and struggle for recognition to audiences all over the world writes Chris Giles for a CNN piece titled The star singing for Somaliland’s recognition below

(CNN)Musical icon Sahra Halgan was one of the many people who fled Somaliland after the brutal Siad Barre regime, which left the self-declared country in ruins.
The capital, Hargeisa, was turned to rubble, with many public services and utilities destroyed.
During the Somali conflict in the late 80s and early 90s, Halgan worked as a nurse, but was always passionate about music.
The Somali National Movement SNM fought with government forces in the northern territories securing control of Somaliland in 1991. Video: Sahra Halgan “iiga Hiili

“We didn’t have medicine, painkillers or antibiotics. We had nothing. I would sing and my songs would be the painkiller,” she told CNN.
She would sing songs that embodied the spirit of the Somali National Movement (SNM), who sought to overthrow the Barre regime and became famous for her songs about Somaliland gaining recognition as an independent state.

Preserving Somaliland’s culture
Halgan
left Somaliland in 1991, resettling in France. She never thought she’d return, but feared that like so much else, the rich culture of her country would become another casualty of war.
“I wanted to create something for the arts because they had nothing here – so that’s exactly what I did,” she said.

Sahra has returned to Somaliland to help rebuild the country after much of it was destroyed during war. Halgan opened the “Hiddo-Dhowr” center for arts and culture in 2013, a one of a kind music venue in Somaliland.
“All the young people in Somaliland used to want to go to Europe because there was nothing for them here,” she continues.
“But now the center of culture gives them a place to socialise, sing and even dance.”
“Hiddo-Dhowr” is designed in the style of traditional Somali houses and is a space for poets, artists and musicians.

The Hiddo Dhowr centre in Hargeisa.
Sahra  opened the center with financial help from the Somaliland Business Fund, part of the World Bank and it employs over 20 people.
Recognition for Somaliland
Music is still an integral part of her life and she is using it as a tool to bring attention to a cause that is still dear to her: statehood recognition for Somaliland.
 .Sahra and her two bands members Aymeric Kroll left and Maël Saletes right who she met in Lyon France.
Despite 26 years of peace since declaring independence from Somalia in 1991, not a single country has recognized its statehood.
Video: Sahra Halgan Trio in Sukiyaki Tokyo 2016
Through her music and her outspoken views on the state of the country, Halgan hopes to change this. With her band she highlights the fight and struggle for recognition to audiences all over the world.
‘I think when you sing, you live’
Halgan’s tenacity on stage and her courage to speak her mind off it have made her a superstar in Somaliland – a country where thousands are suffering from drought and famine.
But despite Somaliland’s challenges, she is hopeful that the future is bright. “The future will be better. One day we will have recognition,” she said. “We won’t ever give up,”
Sahra Halgan returned to Somaliland from France to open the country's only music venue in the capital Hargeisa.Source: CNN International Edition