Somalia National Anthem
Qolobaa Calankeed
Every Nation Has Its Own Flag
1959
2012
Abdullahi Qarshe (government credit; Hussein Aw Farah in other sources)
Abdullahi Qarshe
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Key Facts
- 1. Somalia's previous anthem 'Soomaaliyeey Toosoo' (Somalia Wake Up), a popular song from the 1940s that was sung at the independence celebrations of 1960, was the national anthem from 2000 until it was replaced in 2012
- 2. The anthem addresses the white star of the Somali flag, whose five points stand for the five regions of the Horn of Africa where Somalis historically live
- 3. Somalia has one of the most ethnically homogeneous populations in Africa, with most citizens sharing the Somali language and culture
Somalia National Anthem Lyrics
Chorus:
(𝄆) Qolobaa calankeedu,
waa ceynoo, (𝄇)
Innaga keenu waa,
Cirkoo kala ee,
aan caadna lahayn,
Ee caashaqaye.
I
(𝄆) Xiddigyahay caddi waad,
Naa ciidamisee, (𝄇)
Carradaa keligaa
adow curadee,
cadceedda sideeda,
caan noqo ee!
Chorus
II
(𝄆) Cashadaad dhalataa
caloosheennee, (𝄇)
Sidii culaygii
cidaad marisee,
Allow ha ku celin,
"Cawooy!" dhahe ee
Chorus
III
(𝄆) Shanteena cududood
Cadkii ka maqnaa (𝄇)
Adow celiyow
Nacaawimayee
Waa calaf cimrigu
Isku keen simayee
Translations are non-official and intended to convey meaning, not replace originals
Analysis
Editorial“Qolobaa Calankeed” was written in the 1950s to celebrate the Somali flag, adopted in 1954; sources date the song to 1955, 1957 or 1959. Its music is by Abdullahi Qarshe, who, according to the Federal Government of Somalia, also wrote the words; other sources credit the lyrics to Hussein Aw Farah. It was adopted as the national anthem on 1 August 2012, together with the Provisional Constitution, replacing “Soomaaliyeey toosoo”.
Learn More
Sources & References
- About Somalia: The National Anthem . Federal Government of Somalia
- Qolobaa Calankeed . Wikisource
- Qolobaa Calankeed . en.wikipedia.org
Source & Review
- Source status
- Reliable secondary source
- Translation
- AI-assisted working translation
- Rights status
- Third-party rights may apply
- Last reviewed
- Editorial review
- Pending
- Editorial owner
- Nationalia
- Report a correction
- rights@nationalia.org