How a young Somali migrant is making the first Somali-English comic book to re-narrate the stories of his homeland
“Children and young people more generally love imaginary super heroes, and I appreciated that these super heroes come to life through them, but I asked myself once, what would a young Somali person need to see, know and learn through a Somali super hero”, saysA Minnesota based Somali poet, actor and writer, Sheikh is commonly known as Ahmed. He’s now completed what he calls the first Somali comic book written under the pen name M. Hajji Ahmed.
“I remember all the violence vividly” he said, “I saw dead bodies, and even recall an encounter between my grandma and a group of armed men, where I overheard her asking them not to kill her in front of the children.”“I’ve been an immigrant, in exile basically for as long as I can remember,” he says.
He eventually moved to Minnesota, where he pursued acting, taking a role in a Somali film called Siyaasada Maanta at. This is where he began developing his ideas for his scripts. The stories in his comics and the characters almost mirror his experiences, and other Somalis who he hopes will be able to relate more to his work.
His first comics are set in a fictionalised pre-modern Somalia, and weave in themes that Somalis around the world have become familiar with. Destruction, displacement, war but also the resilient struggle to rebuild and restart life, in the face of all that. The story is centered around Leylo and Bahdoon, two semi-mythical Somali heroes.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
https://people.com/Get the latest news about celebrities, royals, music, TV, and real people. Find exclusive content, including photos and videos, on PEOPLE.com.
Read more »
Dems get religion in fight to oust TrumpDemocratic presidential candidates have made faith more central to their campaigns than in past years, seeing an opening in the Trump era.
Read more »
Making Your House 'the Summer House' - LifeWay Women All AccessThere were about twenty-five people sitting in a hodgepodge of lawn chairs or on blankets in my driveway. We’d become “the summer house,” and I was never sure what each day would hold or who would be there. Today would be a talent show. My three kids plus other girls and boys of all ages …
Read more »
Stocks making the biggest moves midday: Beyond Meat, GrubHub, Symantec & moreThese are the stocks posting the largest moves midday.
Read more »
'Free Willy' ban makes it illegal to hold dolphins, whales in captivity in CanadaCanada passes 'Free Willy' ban, making it illegal to hold dolphins, whales in captivity.
Read more »