Mogadishu, (insidesomalia.org) - Life is hard for the Somali melodious bands and singers after the collapse of the late military
regime of General Mohamed Siad Barre ousted by a coalition of factional leaders .who fought each other for power during the start of the civil unrest in Somalia in 1991.
Somali musical bands were unfastened and their careers discarded, and most of illustrious singer and musicians become hopeless.
The National theatre and almost all other places for the display of their talent are closed. They have been destroyed or become refugee camps.The theatre was un-roofed shattered and sheltered by abandoned cats and dogs.
“All we do now is sing at wedding parties and ceremonies sponsored by the local NGO’s, and annually celebrated National or International festivals ” said Ahmed-Nur “Jango”, a prominent Somali singer, rhymester and a musician of belatedly celebrity Horseed Musical Band of the Somali National Army.
“We enjoyed a higher standard level of living during the military regime, Mohamed Siad gave special consideration to us, the art troupes” he added.
To sing at a wedding party the musicians do not earn much, always they have to receive lower charges not more than 100,000 Somali Shilling per each one while the equipment mostly old fashioned being charged separately.
There are no regular musical instruments for the musicians except those few in number privately owned thus putting in the musician in a monopoly like situation under the control of those who own the instruments used.
The musicians are unemployed and used to go to the town to possibly for wealthy old friends or relatives imploring money for survival fit for a day.
People wish to enjoy music but show no sympathy on the musicians who are the most suffering in the endless conflict and violence in the war torn country.
“The musician were those who first spearheaded the uprising cause to oust General Bare” said Abdi Tahlil Warsame one of the top Somali singers.
“We were forgotten and deserted by the community we were serving for their well being” he added.
“Hassan Dirie Farah, another well respected singer and actor was critically ill for years but got very little support”said Shamso Dadsan of former Waberi Band.
When the Union of Islamic Courts controlled the capital city Mogadishu and mostly the southern parts of Somalia the musicians were banned and not allowed to sing or display concerts.
There is no copyright to protect their art production of songs and concerts. Illegal copies of the Somali musician are everywhere and don’t earn any royalties from artistic rights.
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