Event overview
"Tuning in to “natural frequencies”: oral tradition in the Somali community of London’s King’s Cross"
“You are not just talking to a man, you are talking to a radio station”. Abdullahi Botan Hassan is a Somali poet and former proprietor of the Cromer Cafe in King’s Cross. Since leaving a war-torn Somalia in 1998, Abdullahi has chronicled his experiences of refugee life in sung poetry, which combines the melodies, rhythms and structures of classical Somali poetry with subject matter rooted in twenty-first century King’s Cross. Abdullahi has been central to my PhD research and in this paper I will highlight his important role within the King’s Cross community, where his poetic practice builds bridges between past and present, Somalis and non-Somalis, and different sections of the Somali community.
Radio is a significant force within Somali oral tradition. Abdullahi asserts that word of mouth is the oldest form of radio, heard on “natural frequencies”. As a modern-day manifestation of the Somali pastoral poet - a significant figure in nomadic society - Abdullahi perceives himself as a human radio station, broadcasting the news, opinions and experiences of the King’s Cross Somali community through his poetic performances. I will explore Abdullahi’s use of TV, radio and social networking sites as platforms for his poetry and vehicles for linking the King’s Cross community with Somalis across the globe. I will go on to reflect upon the relationship between Abdullahi and the British Library, considering the potential of collaboration with artists such as Abdullahi to inform archival practice and embed archival recordings within communities.
Free, all welcome - not just for graduates!
Dates & times
| Date | Time | Add to calendar |
|---|---|---|
| 13 Nov 2012 | 5:00pm - 6:30pm |
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