After a two-year hiatus (due to Covid), Somali Week officially kicked off on Saturday afternoon on July 2. Thousands of attendees filled the vibrant streets wearing powder blue outfits with white stars, reflecting the Somali flag.
The festival was full of activities with bouncy houses, music, live performers, and good food. More than just celebrating Somali Independence, the festival brought Somali history and culture to the center of Lake St in Minneapolis.
Attendees came from all over the country with their families to partake in the festivities. “It’s the time of the year that you can reunite with all of your friends,” said Fadumo, who drove 18 hours from Atlanta. “What better time than Somali Week.”
This year was special for Fadumo. The last time she attended the festival was in 2019 when her daughter was only two years old and couldn’t accompany her. But now that her daughter is five years old, she was able to attend the festival for the first time. “She’s never seen that many people gathered in one place in her life,” Fadumo said excitingly.
Throughout the festival, many traditional songs were played. But in addition, when K’NAAN’s magnum opus, Wavin’ Flag, was played, chills were felt all through Lake St, as the entire crowd waved their Somali flags – old and young, including Fadumo’s daughter.
In addition to enjoying festivities with families, there were many high-profile names in attendance, including the U.S Ambassador to Somalia, Larry Andre Jr. and Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, among others.
“We are not the only ambassadors here,” Andre said. “I see all of these ambassadors,” he said, as he pointed to the crowd. He praised the crowd for “bringing the best of Somali culture to the United States.”
Lieutenant Governor, Peggy Flanagan, was also in attendance and echoed similar sentiments about how instrumental Somalis have been to that state of Minnesota. “Today, as we’re celebrating as a community, it’s so clear to me and to Governor Walz that Minnesota is a great place because the Somali community is part of it,” Flanagan said. “And as we celebrate Somali Independence day, we are also celebrating democracy – and what is possible when we all show up and fight for the community that we deserve.”
But it didn’t end there. Ilhan Omar shocked the crowd with her appearance. She hopped on stage with the famous Maanta Maanta song blasting, and she wasn’t shy to show off a few dance moves while sporting the Somali flag over her shoulders before she took to the mic.
“I’m so very happy to be here to be a part of this celebration,” Omar said. “Gather close together. Today is a day of happiness.”
Omar talked about the effort she’s made in Washington to bring financial aid to East Africa, as well as the current drought in Somalia. She urged the people to donate to the cause to help Somalia overcome its worst drought in 40 years.
The festival will continue for the next few days and is slated to end on June 6. It will resume for one day on June 17 for a Growth Conference in which guest speakers will be engaging the youth about entrepreneurship and building relationships.
