Hayaan Heritage
20-10-2025
Mogadishu (Somalia)
Hayaan Heritage be organizing a discussion panel titled “Somali Women’s Role in Passing Down Oral Traditions”, highlighting the vital role of Somali women in safeguarding and transmitting intangible heritage on 20 October 2025.
Oral traditions are at the heart of Somali cultural identity, serving as the main vehicle for transmitting history, wisdom, values, and social norms across generations. From lullabies and proverbs to poetry and folktales, Somali women have historically played a central role in keeping these traditions alive. Mothers, grandmothers, and female poets are often the first educators of children, shaping not only language skills but also cultural memory and moral values.
In today’s rapidly changing world, however, this role faces challenges. Migration, urbanization, language shifts, and the dominance of digital culture have created generational gaps in the transmission of oral traditions. Somali women, both at home and in the diaspora, are finding new ways to adapt—using storytelling nights, poetry, music, and digital platforms to continue their role as cultural custodians.
Text as provided by the organiser(s).
