Somali Independence Day offers culture, food, dance

The Multi-Purpose Center on Birch Street welcomes the sixth annual Somali Independence Day Festival to Lewiston at 7 p.m. this Saturday.

The annual celebration offers food, music and dance to commemorate July 1, 1960, the day the country became the Republic of Somalia and gained independence from Britain and Italy.

Said Mohamud, founder and president of the African Immigrants Association, said he hoped the event would bring together Somalis, Americans and their friends from different cultures to promote diversity. “It’s a better way for Somalis to intermingle with Americans; we hope to support Somali integration to the community without letting go of our language, identity and culture,” he said.
According to Mohamud, the festivities will promote and celebrate the Somali population in Lewiston and the 15,000 African immigrants residing in central and southern Maine.

Cultural music will be played as national African folk dancers and members of the community perform throughout the celebration. Food is also an essential ingredient to this year’s festivities, with sweets provided to children, and somosas — a cultural recipe consisting of potatoes, beans, lean beef, herbs and vegetables — served to adult guests.

Although Mohamud hopes the event will promote community integration, he also hopes it will serve as a reminder to Somalis of the importance of balancing integration with the preservation of Somali culture.“Somalia, unlike other countries in Africa, is very homogeneous. We have one common language, religion and culture. It’s something we’re very proud of.”

An advantage to holding the Somali Independence Day celebration in the United States is that, “we’re celebrating in a democratic country where women can celebrate and participate,” Mohamud said. He added that because many immigrants are single mothers with children, once a year this event allows them the opportunity to get together and be present in the community.

The Somali Independence Day celebration is sponsored by the city of Lewiston and the African Immigrants Association. Admission is free and the event is open to the public. Doors will open at 6 p.m., with events scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.
For more information, contact Nasra Sulub at 577-7210, Omar Abdi at 786-0376 or Said Mohamud at 786-8754.