Dur-Dur Band

Last updated
Dur-Dur Band
Origin Mogadishu, Somalia
Genres Funk, Soul, Disco
Years active1980s (1980s)–1990s (1990s)

Dur-Dur Band was a musical group from Mogadishu, Somalia. The band was formed in the 1980s and was one of the most well-known acts on the Mogadishu disco scene at the time. [1] The band later performed and recorded based in neighbouring Ethiopia. [2] Their unique sound encompasses funk and disco, with influences of soul.

Contents

History

Inspired by artists such as Michael Jackson, Bob Marley, and Santana, Dur-Dur Band emerged during a time when Somalia's distinctive contribution to the creative culture in the Horn of Africa was visible and abundant. Thousands of recordings made at the Somali National Theatre, Radio Mogadishu and other studios, were complemented by the nightclubs at Hotel Juba, Jazeera Palace Hotel, and Hotel al-Curuuba, creating a flourishing music scene. [3]

By 1987 Dur-Dur Band's line-up featured singers Sahra Abukar Dawo, Abdinur Adan Daljir, Mohamed Ahmed Qomal and Abdukadir Mayow Buunis, backed by Abukar Dahir Qasim (guitar), Abdillahi Ujeeri (Bass Guitar) Yusuf Abdi Haji Aleevi (guitar), Ali Dhere (trumpet), Muse Mohamed Araci (saxophone), Abdul Dhegey (saxophone), Eise Dahir Qasim (keyboard), Mohamed Ali Mohamed (bass), Adan Mohamed Ali Handal (drums), Ooyaaye Eise and Ali Bisha (congas), and Mohamed Karma, Dahir Yaree and Murjaan Ramandan on backing vocals.

Dur Dur Band's name was originally Muqdisho Funk, Disco, Soul Band which later disbanded in the 90s.[ citation needed ] Dur-Dur Band disbanded in the early 1990s when the disintegrating political situation in Somalia led to members leaving the country and scattering abroad. Dur Dur Band became famous in Somalia in the mid 80s, with lead singers such as Sahra Dawo, AbdiNur Aden Daljir, Pastow, Eddi, Shimali, Qomal and other vocalists. They took Somali pop culture by storm, and were very popular in the neighboring countries of Ethiopia, Djibouti, and Kenya, until civil war broke out in Somalia in 1991. After this, the band was based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The group recorded several albums [4] and managed to release almost a dozen recordings before their members emigrated to Ethiopia, Djibouti, and the United States. [3] The founders of the band, Eise Dahir Qasim and Abdillahi Ujerry, Sahra Dawo the lead singer of the band who was previously married to Eise Dahir and now to Abdinur Daljir resides in Ohio, United States. [4] [5] Many Somali musicians fled the country to seek sanctuary outside Somalia, mainly in East Africa and Europe, with many executed or killed by the religious factions for their love of music art and culture.

Somalia is an oral society, and citizens often express their feelings and anxieties through poems, singing, dancing, music, and drama storytelling. Dur Dur also means 'spring' in Somali.

Dur Dur Band International is a London-based revival band paying homage to the original, co-founded by Abdillahi Ujeeri and Liban Noah in September 2011 led Muhammed Karama, Qomal, Hassan Ujeery, Omar Teesiyow, Ali Atore and Said Hussein. Dur Dur Band International, led by Abdillahi Ujeery with lead singer Fadumina Hilowleh, and including Mustafe TT, Jama Yare, Akila, Said Hussein, Saleh Hariari, Amara, Ali Attore, Mohamed Karama, Omar Teesiyow, Yusuf Naji Mohamed Sheriff, and Mustaf Karama, are still performing around the world.

In March 2013, the record label Awesome Tapes From Africa re-released their 1987 cassette release Volume 5 on LP, CD, and cassette formats. [5] The album received wide critical acclaim from music critics. [1] [6]

In November 2014, Dur-Dur Band reunited for a single performance at the Cedar Cultural Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota, following a week-long artist residency as part of the "Midnimo" Somali cultural program. [7]

Partial discography

Somali Releases

International Releases

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Music of Somalia</span> Music and musical traditions of Somalis

The Music of the Somali people is music following the musical styles, techniques and sounds of the Somali people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Isaaq</span> Somali clan family

The Isaaq is a major Somali clan family. It is one of the largest Somali clan families in the Horn of Africa, with a large and densely populated traditional territory.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leelkase</span> Somali sub-clan of Darod

The Leelkase or Lailkase or Lelkase is a major subclan of the Tanade Darod clan. The term "Leelkase" is a nickname, which translates as "farsighted, mindful, smart or intelligent”

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hawiye</span> Somali clan family

The Hawiye is the largest Somali clan family. Members of this clan traditionally inhabit central and southern Somalia, Somaliland, Djibouti, Ethiopia and Kenya. They are also the majority in the capital city, Mogadishu.

Hussein Mohamed Farrah Aidid is the son of General Mohamed Farrah Aidid. His father was leader of the Somali National Alliance (SNA), the faction that fought UNOSOM II and US forces during 1993.

The Dir is one of the largest and most prominent Somali clans in the Horn of Africa. They are also considered to be the oldest Somali stock to have inhabited the region. Its members inhabit Djibouti, Somalia, Ethiopia, and northeastern Kenya.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Transitional National Government of Somalia</span> Government of Somalia from 2000 to 2004

The Transitional National Government (TNG) was the internationally recognized central government of Somalia from 2000 to 2004.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ali Khalif Galaydh</span> Somali politician (1941–2020)

Ali Khalif Galaydh was a Somali politician. He was the Prime Minister of the transitional Somalia administration from 8 October 2000 to 28 October 2001. Galaydh had extensive experience in public policy, diplomacy, public administration, and business. He taught these subjects at public universities in the United States. Additionally, Galaydh was the president of the Khaatumo state. In 2017, he signed an agreement with the Somaliland government which stipulated the amendment of Somaliland's constitution, this would’ve promoted peace and stability throughout the regions of Sool, sanaag and cayn.

Over the course of the Somali Civil War, there have been many revolutionary movements and militia groups run by competing rebel leaders which have held de facto control over vast areas within Somalia.

The Habr Awal, also contemporarily known as the Awal, and alternately known as the Zubeyr Awal is a major Northern Somali clan of the wider Isaaq clan family, and is further divided into eight sub-clans of whom the two largest and most prominent are the Issa Musa and Sa'ad Musa sub-clans. Its members form a part of the Habar Magadle confederation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alliance for the Re-liberation of Somalia</span> Political party

The Alliance for the Re–liberation of Somalia (ARS) was political party formed in Eritrea during September 2007 as the successor to the Islamic Courts Union (ICU) during the Ethiopian military occupation of Somalia. It served as the principal political opposition to the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia (TFG) and participated in the 2007 and 2008 years of the insurgency.

The Hiraab is a Somali clan of the larger Hawiye. It has produced many major clans in Somalia and has produced many prominent figures including 6 presidents, the first president as well as the first PM. They were also the first military leaders, making Hiraab the forefounder of Somalia. Members live in central and southern Somalia, from Galkayo to Kismaayo. They are also present in Ethiopia and Kenya. Most of them live in Mogadishu.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Khadijo Mohamed Diriye</span> Somali politician (1964–2023)

Khadijo Mohamed Diriye was a Somali politician. From January 2014 to January 2015, she served as the Minister of Women and Human Rights of Somalia. As of March 2017, she served as the Minister of Youth and Sports in the Cabinet of Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fahad Yasin Haji Dahir</span> Somali civil servant and journalist

Fahad Yasin Haji Dahir,, commonly known only as Fahad Yasin, is a Somali civil servant and politician, as well as a former journalist. He was also the campaign manager for Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed "Farmaajo" in the 2017 elections. After the elections, he was appointed Chief of Staff for Villa Somalia and then Director General of the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA). Farmaajo subsequently appointed him as his national security advisor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Daljir Party</span> Political party in Somalia

The Daljir Party was a liberal political party in Somalia. It developed from the tradition of socially conservative Islamism, but officially abandoned this ideology in favour of "conservative democracy".

The Sa'ad Musa or Saad Musa is a northern Somali clan. Its members form a part of the Habr Awal sub-clan of the Isaaq clan family. The Sa'ad Musa traditionally consists of nomadic pastoralists, coastal people, merchants and farmers. The clan inhabits Somaliland, including Maroodi Jeex, and Sahil as well as Djibouti, the Somali Region of Ethiopia, Kenya and Tanzania.

Hassan Dahir Afqurac is a Somali politician who was the Vice President of Puntland from January 2005 to January 2009. later died due to Liver disease in Nairobi.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Isse Mohamoud</span> Somali Sub Clan

Isse MohamoudorEisse Mahmoud, ; Eisse is a prominent sub-clan within the Majertein clan, comprising a significant population in four regional states primarily located in Puntland Somalia.

References

  1. 1 2 Tangari, Joe. "Dur-Dur Band Vol. 5 - Album Review". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved 5 July 2014.
  2. ↑ Hijazi, Muhammad (June 1994). "Global Music Pulse - The Latest Music New From Around the Planet - Djibouti". Billboard. 106 (26): 75. Retrieved 23 October 2012.
  3. 1 2 "Dur-Dur Band – "Garsore Waa Ilaah"" . Retrieved 4 July 2014.
  4. 1 2 Greenstreet, Morgan. "Dur-Dur Band, Vol. 5- Awesome Tapes From Africa". Afropop. Retrieved 4 July 2014.
  5. 1 2 "A Funky-Fresh Sound From Somalia, With A Political History". NPR. Retrieved 4 July 2014.
  6. ↑ Weigel, Maxwell. "Dur-Dur Band: Volume 5" . Retrieved 5 July 2014.
  7. ↑ "Dur-Dur Band with Black Market Brass and DJ Soft Abuse: Midnimo Residency Finale Concert". Archived from the original on March 25, 2016. Retrieved 8 Jun 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  8. ↑ "Rafaad iyo Raaxo". Youtube. Retrieved 4 July 2014.
  9. 1 2 "Dur Dur of Somalia - Volume 1, Volume 2 & Previously Unreleased Tracks" . Retrieved 14 September 2018.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.