Somalia
"Somaliyaay toosoo" (Somalia Wake Up)

Words by: unknown
Music by: unknown
Adopted: 2000

Currently, a central government for Somalia does not exist, various warlords control the country, and the transitional administration had recently begun, in July 2005, to relocate to Somalia itself (but not the capital, as it is still controlled by warlords) and establish a transitional governemtn on the way to full democracy.

A new de jure national anthem was selected for Somalia in 2000, while the new transitional government was still in exile in Kenya, in an effort to revive the country and break with the past. The song "Soomaaliyey toosa" (alternately spelled "Somaliyaay toosoo") is a well-known folk song in Somalia, and was sung even before independence. The lyrics are appropriate to the country in a rebuilding stage.

Special thanks to: Mabruk Abdi Habib for the lyrics and Paweł Ciupak, who has provided me with the MIDI.

See also: Somalia (1960-2000), Somaliland.