Somali Museum of Minnesota facts for kids
| Matxafka Soomaalida Minnesota (Somali) | |
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An exhibit at the Somali Museum of Minnesota
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| Former name | Somali Artifact and Cultural Museum |
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| Established | 2009 |
| Location | 1516 East Lake Street, Minneapolis, Minnesota |
| Collections | Somali art, Culture of Somalia |
| Public transit access | Bloomington Ave & Lake St, Metro Transit (Minnesota) |
The Somali Museum of Minnesota is a special place in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. It's also known as the Somali Artifact and Cultural Museum. This museum helps share and keep alive the rich Somali culture.
Minneapolis and Saint Paul are home to many Somali people. They moved here after difficult times in Somalia. The museum has over 1000 traditional items from Somalia. These items show how people lived a nomadic life. The museum also offers fun classes, art events, and activities that bring different cultures together. It might be the only museum in the world focused on preserving Somali culture and traditions!
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About the Museum
The Somali Museum of Minnesota officially started in December 2011. Before that, a man named Osman Ali worked hard on his own. He collected many Somali items and gave talks about Somali culture. He did this all around Minneapolis and Saint Paul.
Museum Opening and Growth
In 2013, the Somali Museum opened its doors to the public. Its first gallery was on Lake Street, which is where it is today. In 2014, the museum helped create a special "pop-up" art show in downtown Minneapolis. This was part of a project called "Made Here."
In 2015, the museum celebrated its second birthday. There was a big community party with Somali performers from all over the world. The tickets for this event sold out quickly!
Special Projects and Recognition
In 2018, the Somali Museum worked with the Minnesota Historical Society. They created an exhibit called “Somalis + Minnesota.” This exhibit was even named one of the best in the USA for Winter 2019 by USA Today. Later that year, the museum opened its own gift shop. It sells items made by Somali artists, authors, and fashion designers.
In late 2019, the museum published its first book, "Baro Agabkaaga." This book describes the many amazing items found in the museum.
The Somali Museum also offers many programs. You can take classes in weaving, dance, and poetry. They also have traveling exhibits and events in the Minneapolis–Saint Paul area. In 2015, Mpls.St.Paul Magazine called the Somali Museum Minnesota's "Best Mini-Museum." Also, Governor Mark Dayton declared October 1, 2016, as “Somali Museum of Minnesota Day.”
What You Can See
The Somali Museum shows many items from the traditional nomadic way of life in Somalia. It also has modern paintings by Somali artists.
Museum Collections
In the museum, you can see:
- Containers for milk and water.
- Beautiful woven items.
- Tools used by women for their daily work.
- Items related to caring for camels.
- Religious artifacts.
Traditional Homes
The museum also has two types of traditional Somali houses:
- An aqal Soomaali: This is a nomadic home. It was first built on Lake Street in Minneapolis. Then, it was moved and set up inside the museum in July 2014.
- A mudul: This is a village home.
Who Leads the Museum
The main leader of the Somali Museum is Osman Mohamed Ali. He is a business owner and a well-known person in the community. He also helps run the Sanaag Restaurant in Minneapolis.
Osman Ali's Journey
Osman Ali used to manage water resources in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. He moved to the United States in 1995. He started other businesses that helped the Somali community. He also worked to help organize the community.
In 2009, Osman Ali visited Somalia. He felt sad that young Somalis didn't know much about their traditional culture. He also found out that the only cultural museum in Somalia had been destroyed. This inspired him to start collecting items to create his own museum.
The Somali Museum is also guided by a group of nine directors and a team of advisors.
Famous Visitors
Many important people have visited the Somali Museum.
Somali Guests
In 2015, Boqor Burhaan, a regional king from Puntland, Somalia, visited the museum. Other famous Somali guests include:
- Former Prime Minister of Somalia Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed
- Former Minister of Defense of Somalia Hussein Arab Isse
- Singers like Cadar Kahin, Maryam Mursal, and Aar Maanta
- Fashion model Halima Aden
- Rapper K'naan
- Businesswoman Amina Moghe Hersi
- Poet Said Salah Ahmed (who also used to lead the museum's board)
Minnesota Leaders
Important people from Minnesota government have also visited. These include:
- U.S. Congressman Keith Ellison
- U.S. Senator Al Franken
- Former Mayor of Minneapolis Betsy Hodges
- Minneapolis City Council Member Abdi Warsame
- U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar
- Minnesota State Representative Karen Clark
Where to Find It
The Somali Museum is located in a building called Plaza Verde. This building was owned by a non-profit group that helps small businesses. In 2017, a businessman named Khadar Adan bought the building. He renamed it the Jigjiga Business Center.
Artists at the Museum
Many talented artists work at the Somali Museum. They include traditional craftspeople, performers, painters, and storytellers.
Crafts and Weaving
Artists like Ardho Ismail, Hawa Ahmed, Amina Shire, and Halwa Daud create textiles. They use a traditional nomadic weaving style. They also teach weaving classes and lead craft events at the museum.
Painters and Poets
The museum also shows paintings by Minnesota artists Aziz Osman and Madaxay. Oral poets like Ahmed Ismail Yusuf and Said Salah Ahmed have performed and taught there.
Performers
Many performance artists have shared their talents at museum events. These include Ifrah Mansour, Abdihakin BR, Naima Jookar, Mohamed Pracetimool, Safiya Tusmo, Abdijibar Alkhaliji, Hodan Abidrahman, Dalmar Yare, Rahma Rose, Ilkacase Qays, Anab Indho-Dheeq, Farhiyo Kabayare, Osman Bullo, Ahmed Ali Egal, Hibo Nura, Khadija Abdullahi Daleys and Aadar Kahin.
The Museum's Logo
The Somali Museum's logo shows a dhiil. This is a traditional nomadic milk container. The logo was designed by Kaamil Haider. The colors in the logo are like the colors of the famous nomadic costume called guntiino.
Images for kids
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Logo of The Somali Museum of Minnesota
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An exhibit at the Somali Museum of Minnesota
See also
- Somali art
- Somali American
- History of the Somalis in Minneapolis–Saint Paul
- List of museums in Minnesota
