JidbaaleRenowned Somali poet Sugaal Abdulle was among the seven individuals murdered in a suicide explosion at a crowded tea shop near the Mogadishu authorities Academy, authorities reported. Abdulle, a prominent figure in Somali arts and a member of the Heegan Police cultural group, was noted for his contributions to the arts.
Sugaal Abdulle’s contributions to Somali culture stretched close to four decades. He was well-known for his work as a poet, composer, and actor, with his impact profoundly buried in Somali music and theater. He joined the Heegan Police cultural organization early in his career, where he created song lyrics, recited poetry, and appeared in various plays.
Born and bred in the Mudug area, Sugaal began his creative adventure in the city of Galkayo during the golden period of Somali arts. In an interview, he once pondered on his beginnings: “I grew up in Mudug, and I used to do traditional dances like Dhaanto. That’s how I started my adventure in the arts.”
His flair for poetry quickly led him to the notice of the Heegan Police organization, who recruited him to join their cultural section in Mogadishu.
“I was called to join Heegan while I was still in Galkayo,” he once claimed. “The police recruited me because of my poetry, and I became a part of Heegan.”
Sugaal’s songwriting career includes several notable compositions, but none more recognizable than “Leyla,” a song that became a smash quickly after its debut. Though it was part of a bigger album, “Leyla” stood out and became highly appreciated.
“The night I recorded ‘Leyla,’ it felt like just another song, but afterward, it became a sensation,” Sugaal once commented.
He also played a prominent part in Somali theater, with noteworthy works such as Magaala-joog Xumo (“The Misfortune of City Life”), in which he was both a writer and performer.
Throughout his career, Sugaal’s poetry increasingly concentrated on themes of nationality and the battle against tribalism. Even throughout Somalia’s extended civil turmoil, he stayed in the country and continued to inspire future generations via his work with the Heegan Police cultural organization.
Osman Abdullahi Gure, director of the National Theatre in Mogadishu, told the BBC that Sugaal’s latter work stressed togetherness and national pride. “He utilized his poems to encourage people about patriotism. He was also an actress, a singer, and a passionate police officer,” Gure added.
Gure regarded Sugaal as a guy who offered enjoyment to people around him. “He had a unique way of thinking, and his presence always lifted the spirits of those he interacted with.”
