Ahmed Farah Ali 'Idaja'

Ahmed Farah Ali ('Idaja') (Born in Mudug Region, Somalia-1948) () is one of the first Somali language writers.

Background

Ahmed Farah Ali nicknamed "Idaajaa or Idaja" magnum opus is the publication of the story of Somali oral poetry (including a large collection of examples): *Poesia orale somala: storia di una nazione (a cura di Francesco Antinucci e Axmed Faarax Cali Idaajaa), ed. Ministero degli affari esteri-Dipartimento per la cooperazione allo sviluppo, Roma,1986

Career

Idaajaa was the brain behind many programs which aired on Radio Mogadishu from early 1970s to early 1990s. One program that was on Radio Mogadishu which enjoyed largely following was a program called "Sheeko Gaaban" or Short Story. His personal collection on Somali folklore made him a one man institution. Ahmed Farah Ali Idaja is well known among Somali academia.

Ahmed F.C. Idaja is also a political analyst and worked with the BBC Somali-section. He is also the editor of the work several poets. *The collection of Ismaciil Mire's poems introduced, annotated and written down by Axmed Faarax Cali 'Idaajaa', ed. Wasaaradda Hiddaha iyo Tacliinta Sare (Ministry of Culture and Higher Education), Akademiyaha Dhaqanka (The Academy of Culture), Mogadishu, 1974

In 1991, a civil war broke off in Somalia which prompted a brain exodus from that Horn......
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